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Tyson Chen
Power100 Contributor

Tyson
Chen

Founder, Co-CEO, Avoca AI

Most home service companies don't need more leads — they need a better system for capturing the ones they already have.
LinkedIn Profile Website
2022 Years in Industry
National Markets Served
$1B Series B Valuation
★ CONTRIBUTOR Power100 Verified
About

Why Tyson Chen
Stands Out

Tyson Chen is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Avoca AI, an AI workforce platform built for home service businesses. A product of MIT's Computer Science program, Chen spent his early career conducting AI research at MIT CSAIL and MIT Media Lab before moving into strategic consulting at BCG and autonomous vehicle product management at Nuro. In 2022, he co-founded Avoca alongside Apurva Shrivastava — a partnership that began at an MIT poker night — originally targeting the restaurant industry before a chance encounter in Texas redirected the company toward HVAC, plumbing, and other home services. The pivot proved transformative: Avoca has since raised a $125M Series B at a $1 billion valuation, backed by Kleiner Perkins, becoming a unicorn in the home services AI space. Chen is known for his thesis that AI doesn't replace human service teams — it fills the gaps that cost contractors booked jobs every day.
Key Credentials
  • BS, Computer Science — Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2013–2017)
  • AI Researcher, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)
  • Researcher, MIT Media Lab
  • Consultant, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
  • Product Manager, Nuro (autonomous vehicles)
  • Y Combinator alum (2023)
Expertise Ratings

Domain
Mastery
Scores

Power100's evaluation of Tyson Chen's depth of expertise across the disciplines that define elite leadership in home improvement. Scored 1–10 based on verified performance, track record, and peer recognition.

AI Product Development 9.7/10
Home Service Automation 9.6/10
Lead Conversion Strategy 9.4/10
Startup Scaling 9.3/10
Machine Learning Application 9.2/10
Operator Podcast Presence 9/10
Episode Appearances

Tyson Chen on
Power100 Shows

Conversations, interviews & appearances featuring Tyson across the Power100 show network.

The Future of Call Centers: AI That ACTUALLY WORKS

This episode explores the critical yet often overlooked role of call centers in home services, highlighting how AI, particularly through Avoka's platform,…

Faster Bookings, Happier Customers, Lower CSR Turnover

This episode explores how AI, specifically Aoka, optimizes call center operations for home-improvement contractors, focusing on reducing hold times, enhancing customer satisfaction,…

Why Most Businesses Miss Their Call Center Gold Mine | Tyson Chen

This episode delves into optimizing call center operations for home service businesses, emphasizing the call center's role as a revenue driver. Tyson…

#173 – “We Booked 400 Calls a Week”: How Avoca AI is Shaping Home Services

This episode features Tyson Chen from Avoca AI, discussing how their AI platform is revolutionizing call center operations for home service businesses.…

$150M Sierra: How They Scaled 6 Locations With AI

This episode features RJ from Sierra and Tyson from Aoka, live at Pantheon, discussing Sierra's growth to six locations and their strategic…

Most Home Service Operators Will Lose to AI — Here’s Why

This episode delves into the transformative impact of AI on the home service industry, highlighting how both small and large contractors are…

You Don’t Need More Leads. You Need This System.

This episode focuses on the critical importance of a robust lead capture and contact system for home-improvement contractors. John Wilson and Tyson…

TTP Micro Episode – A.I vs Human: Call Handling Revolutionized in Home Services

This episode delves into how AI, specifically Avoka AI, is revolutionizing call handling in home services. Tyson Chen, founder of Avoka AI,…

Avoca’s AI Answers the Phones 100% of the Time | Tyson Chen, Avoca | Rilla Labs Episode 15
Connected Network

Connected Contributors

Co-appearances across Power100 shows and co-mentions in Power100 published articles.

Guest
CP
Chad Peterman
Peterman Brothers Heating Cooling Plumbing
 Guest
Sebastian Jimenez
Rilla
Industry Recognition

Achievements &
Milestones

🦄

Co-led Avoca AI to $1B unicorn valuation (Series B, 2025)

💰

$125M Series B raised, backed by Kleiner Perkins

🎙️

Host of Avoca podcast 'Trade Secrets: From the Ground Up'

🎙️

Featured guest on Owned and Operated podcast

📰

Profiled by Fortune on Avoca's $1B milestone

🤝

PowerChat featured speaker on AI and contractor growth

Power100 Contributions
AI-powered call handling for trades Lead capture and conversion systems Home service business automation Speed-to-lead and outbound campaigns AI product strategy and deployment Scaling service businesses with technology
What Tyson Chen Brings to the Table

Tyson Chen brings specialized knowledge across these domains, backed by real-world results and industry recognition.

The Organization
Avoca AI
Avoca AI is an AI workforce platform purpose-built for home service businesses, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, pest control, and garage door companies across the United States. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in New York, the platform provides AI-powered call handling, 24/7 job booking, web chat, outbound campaigns, speed-to-lead tools, real-time coaching, and deep integration with ServiceTitan. Avoca reached unicorn status in 2025 following a $125M Series B led by Kleiner Perkins.
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Power100 Contributors

Watch their work.

Tyson Chen shares their voice across the Power100 show network. Browse all of their episode appearances on Inner Circle, or explore other contributors shaping the home improvement conversation.

Watch on Inner Circle View Contributors