# Melbourne O'Banion

> Melbourne O'Banion is the Dallas-based CEO and co-founder of Bestow, which shifted from direct life insurance sales to enterprise software for carriers. A repeat entrepreneur and BeautyBio co-founder, he helped lead Bestow through its 2024 carrier sale, a $120 million Series D in 2025 and the 2026 announcement of Bestow Labs.

- **Role:** CEO & Co-Founder at Bestow
- **Organizations:** Bestow, BeautyBio, Presidio Title, O’Banion Capital, BYU Marriott School of Management National Advisory Council, SMU Tate Lecture Series board
- **Education:** Finance and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Bestow and led its transition to enterprise software., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist with Jonathan Abelmann in 2021., Co-founded BeautyBio and was a founding member of Presidio Title.

## Career timeline

- **2007** — Returned to Texas; later described Dallas as home.
- **2008** — Began his involvement as a partner in BeautyBio, according to his 2021 podcast biography.
- **2012** — Founded O’Banion Capital, according to his 2021 podcast biography.
- **2017** — Co-founded Bestow with Jonathan Abelmann; company records use 2017 as its founding year.
- **2018** — Bestow raised a $15 million Series A led by Valar Ventures.
- **2020** — Bestow announced a $70 million Series C.
- **2021** — O’Banion and Abelmann were EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists.
- **2024** — Bestow sold Bestow Life Insurance Company to Sammons Financial Group and focused on enterprise software.
- **2025** — Bestow closed a $120 million Series D, including primary and secondary investments, and secured a separate $50 million credit facility.
- **2026** — Bestow announced Bestow Labs on July 29.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Bestow and led its transition to enterprise software.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist with Jonathan Abelmann in 2021.
- Co-founded BeautyBio and was a founding member of Presidio Title.
- Led Bestow when its $120 million Series D closed in May 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Bestow announced Bestow Labs, operating separately from production systems, and reported more than 100% year-over-year ARR growth for three consecutive years.
- **2025-05** — Bestow announced a $120 million Series D and a separate $50 million credit facility.
- **2025-03** — Discussed durable business models and the role of AI in insurance in an InsuranceNewsNet interview.

## Links

- Website: https://www.bestow.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melbourneobanion
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mobanion_
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melbourneobanion/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/melbourne-obanion
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15