Combination brings together two established regional PEOs, expanding geographic reach, technology and employee-benefit capabilities while maintaining Lever1’s local leadership
LINDON, Utah and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Helpside, a professional employer organization providing payroll, human resources, employee benefits and risk management solutions, today announced its acquisition of Lever1, a Kansas City-based PEO serving small and mid-sized businesses across the country.
The acquisition brings together two established regional PEOs with complementary strengths, shared values and a commitment to delivering highly personalized, customer-first service. By combining their resources, Helpside and Lever1 are positioned to expand into new geographic markets while providing greater technology, benefits and operational capabilities to their respective client bases.
Lever1 and Helpside began operating as partners on February 1, 2026. Since that time, the organizations have worked closely to integrate resources while maintaining continuity for Lever1 clients, employees and business partners.
Lever1’s Kansas City leadership team, led by CEO Erica Brune, will remain in place. Kansas City will continue to serve as an important market and operating presence for the combined organization. Lever1 clients will continue working with the local leaders and service professionals they know, supported by the broader infrastructure and resources of Helpside.
“Lever1 and Helpside were built around the same fundamental belief: Business owners deserve an HR partner that knows their company, understands their people and puts the customer first,” said Rick Bartholomew, CEO of Helpside. “Lever1’s white-glove approach to HR outsourcing and its strong leadership team made the company a natural fit for Helpside. Together, we can preserve the personal service that has defined both organizations while creating a larger platform capable of serving businesses across a broader national footprint.”
A key benefit of the combination is the opportunity to bring each organization’s differentiated capabilities to a larger group of clients and worksite employees.
Lever1 clients will gain access to Helpside’s purpose built technology platform and digital interface for employers and employees. The platform is designed to simplify access to payroll, benefits, HR information and other workforce-management resources.
Helpside and its expanding client base will benefit from access to Lever1’s national medical plan capabilities, supporting the combined organization’s continued entry into new markets and its ability to serve employers with increasingly distributed workforces.
“The PEO industry is evolving quickly, and we recognized that Lever1’s next phase of growth would require meaningful advancements in technology and greater internal operational support,” said Erica Brune, CEO of Lever1. “Joining Helpside gives our team the infrastructure and resources to continue growing without sacrificing the responsive, personal service our clients value. We are better together because each organization brings capabilities that make the other stronger, and our clients and employees will be the ultimate beneficiaries.”
The acquisition advances the organizations’ shared strategy of building a stronger national PEO while retaining the relationships, market expertise and service culture that have made each company successful in its region.
Clients will continue receiving payroll, HR, benefits and risk management support without disruption. No action is required from clients as a result of the public announcement.
About Helpside
For more than 35 years, Helpside has worked with small and mid-sized businesses to simplify the complexities of employment. Helpside provides integrated payroll, human resources, employee benefits and risk management solutions, allowing business owners and leaders to spend more time focused on their people, customers and growth. Helpside combines experienced professional support with proprietary technology to deliver responsive, people-first workforce solutions.
For more information, visit www.helpside.com.
About Lever1
Lever1 is a Kansas City-based professional employer organization providing integrated human resources, payroll, employee benefits, risk management and compliance solutions to businesses across the country. Lever1 is known for its personalized, white-glove approach and its commitment to helping business owners manage their workforce responsibilities more efficiently.
For more information, visit www.lever1.com.
Media Contact
Michelle Morris
Manager, Revenue Operations
Helpside
mmorris@helpside.com
816-994-1365