Gyde, the leading AI-native brokerage platform, today announced it has acquired Capstone Benefits Consulting, an Atlanta-area employee benefits firm known for pairing enterprise-grade technology and analytics with hands-on, boutique-style client service. This marks Gyde’s first acquisition in the employee benefits space, extending its AI-native platform beyond Medicare and individual and family plans into group health and benefits consulting. Capstone’s Managing Principal Reed Damron remains Capstone’s leader and becomes a Gyde Partner. Vice President of Sales Renie Cochran and the rest of the Capstone team will spearhead growth in this next chapter.

For over a decade, Capstone has built its reputation on a simple premise: employers shouldn’t have to choose between the capabilities of a national broker and the attentiveness of a boutique shop. Capstone serves employer groups, most of which range from 25- to 250-employee accounts, as well as larger groups in sectors they know well. That combination has helped Capstone win exclusive benefits partnerships and business across the state of Georgia and beyond. Capstone recently became broker of record for the Georgia Pharmacy Association benefits program, winning the account from a national incumbent on the strength of its advisory services to member pharmacies, backed by Gyde’s technology.

As part of Gyde’s growing network of partner agencies, Capstone will use Gyde’s AI platform to give its consultants more room to do the strategic, relationship-driven work that has defined the firm, while automating the administrative aspects of renewal, enrollment, compliance, and service workflows that consume time as client rosters grow. As the first employee benefits partner, its advisors will have first access and a voice to shape Gyde’s group benefits AI solutions.

“We are delighted to welcome Reed and his team to Gyde today. They built something rare: a firm that can go toe-to-toe with the biggest players on technology and data, without losing the personal relationships that make a benefits consultancy actually work for the people it serves,” said Will Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of Gyde. “We look forward to partnering with Reed and the Capstone team as we bring our platform to market to serve not only employer clients but also their employees.”

“When we looked at our options to build Capstone’s next chapter, we knew we needed a different kind of partner that would embrace our culture and help us capitalize on what makes our team special,” said Reed Damron, Managing Principal, Capstone Benefits Consulting and Gyde Partner. “What we found in Gyde was experience, technology, and economics that were simply unmatched by anyone else in the space.”

“Capstone has already proven it can out-tech the small agencies and out-service the large brokers. Their recent wins in Georgia are proof of what that combination can deliver,” said Sam Wiener, Co-Founder and COO of Gyde. “We always envisioned Gyde transforming brokerages across the insurance lines that cover the most Americans, including small group. So we’re thrilled to welcome Capstone to show how our platform can enhance advisor productivity and deliver an exceptional experience for employers and their teams.”

Capstone will continue to operate under the Capstone Benefits Consulting brand, presented as “powered by Gyde.” Day-to-day operations, carrier relationships, and existing client and vendor partnerships remain unchanged. Capstone is Gyde’s seventh acquisition in seven months since it announced $60 million in funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners in early 2026.

About Gyde

Gyde is an AI-native brokerage platform headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in New York City. Built for modern insurance professionals, Gyde combines advanced artificial intelligence with broker-first tools and operational support to streamline client servicing, renewals, and growth at scale. The Gyde platform enables brokers to grow faster and operate more efficiently while delivering comprehensive insurance, health, and wealth solutions. Learn more at gydehealth.ai.

About Capstone Benefits Consulting

Capstone Benefits Consulting is an employee benefits consultancy headquartered in Georgia, serving employer groups from single-employee plans to large corporate accounts across the state. Led by Managing Principal Reed Damron, Capstone combines enterprise-grade data analytics, compliance support, and proactive renewal strategies with dedicated, high-touch client service.

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