Summary:
NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker co-founded Eazewell with Donnell Beverly Jr. to transform end-of-life planning
The AI-driven platform helps families automate administrative tasks like booking funeral homes and cancelling accounts for free
Eazewell has already assisted over 100,000 families since its 2024 launch and is expanding with an enterprise platform
Future plans include helping manage digital assets and accounts inherited by families after a loved one's death
The startup focuses on impacting people and supporting underserved communities through painful and costly experiences
From Personal Pain to Purpose-Driven Platform
When Donnell Beverly Jr. experienced the profound loss of both his parents in a short period, he was struck by the overwhelming burden of navigating end-of-life arrangements. This personal tragedy ignited a mission to create Eazewell, an innovative startup aimed at simplifying the process for grieving families. Knowing he needed the right partners to bring his vision to life, Beverly Jr. reached out to his longtime friend, nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook, who immediately saw the potential for meaningful impact.
"The main thesis with Russ across every business that he touches is how do we impact people?" Beverly Jr. explained. "We really took personal pain and then created a platform to really help people."
Westbrook was joined by former four-time NBA All-Star Kemba Walker, forming a powerful trio dedicated to transforming end-of-life planning.
How Eazewell's AI Platform Works
Eazewell is an AI-driven platform that helps families navigate and automate the administrative aspects of end-of-life and funeral planning. The startup's AI agent provides a 24/7 resource, assisting users with everything from:
- Finding and booking a funeral home
- Cancelling credit card accounts for the deceased
- Coordinating with various service providers
By partnering with hospice care providers, funeral homes, and insurance companies, Eazewell offers its core services free of charge, with optional premium features available for purchase.
The Vision Behind the Technology
Westbrook shared his motivation for joining the venture: "I had an opportunity to be close with his family and go through the process with Donnell. He's done an amazing job of idealizing this idea and bringing it to life. I'm excited to be partner with him alongside him on this."
Beverly Jr. recognized that recent advancements in artificial intelligence could significantly reduce the administrative burden on grieving families. "We've seen how AI has impacted our lives while we're here," he noted, "but now we're entering a space where it's impacting our lives after death."
Rapid Growth and Future Expansion
Founded in 2024, Eazewell has already helped more than 100,000 families since launching its platform earlier this year. The company is now rolling out a new enterprise platform for hospice companies, senior living facilities, and life insurers, allowing these organizations to integrate Eazewell's automated features into their own management systems.
Looking ahead, Eazewell plans to address the growing challenge of managing digital assets after death. "The average person has anywhere between 70 and 100 digital accounts that are active at any time," Beverly Jr. revealed. "Your family is inheriting all those digital accounts and digital assets. We're stepping into a new realm within that landscape."
A Mission Beyond Business
For Westbrook, Eazewell represents more than just another business venture. "Anytime I put my name on anything, I try to find ways to open doors, build trust, and be present because that's important," he emphasized. "This isn't about me or being super technical—it's about families finding ways to help them through a loss. Using my platform to do that is a no-brainer."
The startup particularly aims to support underserved and under-resourced communities, making the difficult experience of losing a loved one more manageable through technology and compassionate service.
Comments