{"id":1018,"slug":"homestars-corporate-history-2006-iac-2017-angi-spinoff-2025","title":"HomeStars corporate history: founded 2006 Toronto by Nancy Peterson; acquired by HomeAdvisor (IAC) Feb 2017; Peterson stepped down July 2020; Angi Inc. spun off from IAC March 31, 2025","kind":"reference","scope":"business","status":"current","audiences":["kevin","candid-team"],"topics":["gc-vertical","lead-gen-directories","homestars"],"reference_body":"**Claim — founding:** HomeStars was founded in **2006 in Toronto by Nancy Peterson**, growing from a kitchen-table review forum into Canada's largest contractor-review marketplace.\n\n**Sources:** Wikipedia; Canadian Contractor; Peterson's published bio.\n**Confidence:** Verified.\n\n## Acquisition and Angi rebranding\n\n- **February 2017:** HomeAdvisor (then a unit of IAC) acquired HomeStars\n- **Later 2017:** HomeAdvisor + Angie's List combined to form **ANGI Homeservices Inc.**\n- **2021:** Rebranded to **Angi Inc.**\n- **July 2020:** Peterson stepped down as CEO; replaced by co-GMs **Megan Oldfield** and **Shir Magen**\n\n**Sources:** IAC press release; Newswire.ca July 2020.\n**Confidence:** Verified.\n\n## The 2025 spinoff and current segment structure\n\nOn **March 31, 2025**, **Angi Inc. spun off from IAC**, becoming an independent NASDAQ-listed public company (**ANGI**).\n\n**Source:** Angi FY2025 10-K, filed February 2026.\n**Confidence:** Verified.\n\nAs of FY2025, Angi operates **two reporting segments**: U.S. and International. **HomeStars (Canada) sits inside International**, alongside the Instapro Group European brands:\n\n- MyBuilder (UK)\n- MyHammer (Germany)\n- Travaux (France)\n- Werkspot / Instapro (Netherlands, Italy)\n\n**Source:** Angi FY2025 10-K, Item 1.\n**Confidence:** Verified.\n\n## HomeStars is still inside Angi as of 2026 — NOT divested\n\nThe platform has been **operationally rebuilt** (see [[homestars-canadian-restructuring-sept-2024]]) but **not sold off**. Anyone speculating about a HomeStars spinoff or shutdown should distinguish between **operational restructuring** (happening) and **corporate divestiture** (not happening, as of May 2026).","rationale_body":null,"metadata":null,"links":{"outgoing":[{"slug":"angi-fy2025-10k-and-q1-2026-network-revenue-collapse","title":"Angi Inc. financials: FY2025 revenue $1,030.5M (down ~13% YoY for 2nd straight year); Q1 2026 Network Revenue collapsed 56% YoY on \"homeowner choice\" implementation","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}],"incoming":[{"slug":"research-brief-homestars-platform-critique","title":"Research brief: HomeStars / Angi — the case against directory dependence, with the owned-trust-signal alternative for Ontario contractors (May 24, 2026)","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}]},"created_at":"2026-05-24T17:04:39.676Z","updated_at":"2026-05-24T17:04:39.676Z"}