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Dick Abbott to Retire From The Edge
The Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
The Edge has entered into a partnership with Serent Capital to support its next phase of growth as President Dick Abbott retires. (Image courtesy of The Edge’s website)
Austin, Texas—Dick Abbott, president of The Edge, is retiring from the jewelry retail management software company he founded in 2004.
Abbott, a jeweler who entered the industry in 1976, began building software to address the operational challenges in his own store.
He later developed The Edge, a platform to manage the core functions of a jewelry store, shaped by his personal experience and intentionally designed for independent jewelers.
The Edge now functions as an all-in-one software platform offering solutions including point of sale, inventory management, customer relationship management, reporting, and other store operations.
Josh Brenner will succeed Abbott, joining the company as CEO.
Brenner has a track record of leading and scaling software businesses, particularly in environments focused on vertical SaaS (software as a service) and SMB (small and mid-sized businesses).
Most recently, he was the CEO of Hired, a human resources tech firm, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“The Edge is mission-critical to thousands of jewelry retailers,” said Brenner.
“My focus is to invest in the platform to better support how customers grow and run their businesses.”
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Abbott, a jeweler who entered the industry in 1976, began building software to address the operational challenges in his own store.
He later developed The Edge, a platform to manage the core functions of a jewelry store, shaped by his personal experience and intentionally designed for independent jewelers.
The Edge now functions as an all-in-one software platform offering solutions including point of sale, inventory management, customer relationship management, reporting, and other store operations.
Josh Brenner will succeed Abbott, joining the company as CEO.
Brenner has a track record of leading and scaling software businesses, particularly in environments focused on vertical SaaS (software as a service) and SMB (small and mid-sized businesses).
Most recently, he was the CEO of Hired, a human resources tech firm, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“The Edge is mission-critical to thousands of jewelry retailers,” said Brenner.
“My focus is to invest in the platform to better support how customers grow and run their businesses.”
Abbott’s departure comes as the company enters a new partnership with Serent Capital, an investment firm focused on growing founder-led B2B SaaS and technology-enabled service companies.
“Serving our customers and the broader jewelry community has truly been a labor of love,” said Abbott.
“As I decided to retire, I wanted to make sure The Edge was in the right hands. I believe we have found that in Josh and Serent Capital as the company enters its next chapter.”
The firm has partnered with more than 100 founder-led software companies, it said, including businesses built by founders who drew from personal experience in their markets.
“We are excited to partner with Josh, Dick, and the team at an important moment for The Edge,” said Dexter Hopen, a partner at Serent Capital.
“The company has earned lasting trust with independent jewelers by building around the day-to-day needs of their businesses, and we look forward to supporting the company’s next phase of growth.”
Serent Capital’s investment will support continued product innovation and expansion of The Edge’s capabilities.
It aims to help the company better serve its customers while maintaining reliability and functionality, it said.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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