Lease End Uses AI to Simplify the Lease Buyout Process

Lehi, Utah - April 30, 2025

Lease End, a fintech startup with offices in Burley, Idaho and Lehi, Utah, has launched a new AI-powered calculator designed to streamline the auto lease buyout process. Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Zander Cook shared the company's progress with TechBuzz, highlighting a proprietary “conversational calculator” that estimates lease buyout costs using large language models (LLMs) and internal data.

Founded in 2021, Lease End aims to modernize a traditionally opaque and dealership-driven process. Its core offering helps drivers navigate lease buyouts without requiring a trip to the dealership, a hard credit pull, or stacks of paperwork.

“We've built a system that combines years of lease payoff data with AI to deliver personalized, accurate estimates—fast,” said Cook. “Consumers can get a full buyout estimate, including state-specific taxes and fees, in less than 90 seconds.”

The new tool uses a machine learning model trained on Lease End’s internal dataset of past lease payoffs, layered with a chat interface that collects basic information like vehicle VIN, ZIP code, and address. From there, it delivers a near-real-time estimate of total buyout cost, within an average range of $25 to $50 of the actual amount, according to the company.

By replacing multiple friction points—dealership visits, credit checks, and opaque fees—with a transparent, data-driven interface, Lease End is positioning itself as a modern alternative in the $40+ billion U.S. lease buyout market.

Cook believes macroeconomic pressures could fuel more demand for lease buyouts. “As new car prices continue rising due to tariffs and inflation, people are becoming more payment-conscious,” he said. “Leases are a way to manage monthly costs, and we expect more drivers will choose to buy out their leases when the term ends.”

The company is scaling rapidly to meet growing demand, hiring financial specialists who can guide users through the process. “We're building a team that understands leasing deeply. There’s a lot of education needed, and people want guidance,” added Cook.

Lease End’s growth adds to Utah’s growing reputation as a fintech hub. With a local team and a data-forward mindset, the company is another example of how regional startups are applying advanced tech to everyday consumer finance problems.

Whether Lease End can maintain its momentum will depend on execution—and consumer appetite for DIY financial tools. But its early traction and unique tech approach make it a startup worth watching in the auto finance space.

To view Lease End's new calculator click here.