CarNow, an automotive dealer retailing system, appointed Kayne Grau CEO and a member of its board of directors. He'll work closely with the CarNow leadership team to accelerate product innovation, strengthen the company’s network of industry partners, and grow its customer base.

Grau has held senior leadership positions at organizations including Cars.com, DirecTV, Apartments.com and eToys. He co-founded DRIVIN, a company that utilized data and technology platforms to acquire, deliver and market used cars for its network of dealer partners; it was later sold to OPENLANE. Most recently, he served as CEO of Uptake, a leader in the industrial intelligence software-as-a-service sector.

“CarNow’s dedication to transforming automotive retailing resonates deeply with me,” Grau said. “By leveraging intuitive and cutting-edge technology solutions, we’re in a strong position to empower dealers and enhance the overall car-buying experience. My goal is to lead CarNow in delivering simplicity and value to our customers. I’m thrilled to take on this role and work alongside the team to drive continued growth and innovation in the automotive industry.”

CarNow is at the forefront of the automotive retailing space and serves more than 5,000 dealership rooftops across the U.S. Its digital retailing and messaging solutions are designed to enhance online engagement and streamline processes between dealerships and car buyers.

“We’re thrilled to have Kayne join CarNow as its new CEO,” said Michael Brown, general partner of major investor Battery Ventures. “His proven ability to foster innovation and drive smart growth — plus his past executive experience across e-commerce and online marketplaces — makes him an ideal fit as we enter the next chapter of CarNow’s evolution. We have confidence in his leadership capabilities and will remain committed to prioritizing collaboration, creativity, and delivering leading solutions that reshape the landscape of automotive retail.”

Grau holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from National-Louis University. He lives in Chicago with his family, serves on multiple boards, and plays an active role in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which funds type 1 diabetes research.