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Stack Social Erects A Publishing Commerce Platform With Polish

Pieces come together quicker for some companies, but the truth behind most successful startups is that they’re built like old-fashioned buildings–brick by brick. Or, in the case of one startup, stack by stack. StackSocial is a social commerce platform that looks to cement relations between web publishers and readers.

 

Good Materials

Technology focused, Stack Social gives publishers an opportunity to increase and diversify revenue by including exclusive sales offers on their pages–on software, apps, video tutorials, and other digital tools. Supposedly, consumers can find deals up to 90% less than retail cost. And developers increase their audience with direct access to tech enthusiasts.

 

 

 

 

The startup has helped to facilitate over 50,000 transactions since launching, and estimates that it’s helped users save more than $7.5million through its platform. The StackSocial team is growing the network of partnerships with publishers, linking some 2.5 million people globally so far.

 

In June, the company rolled out an overhaul of the site.

 

New features include:

  • Mobile readiness
  • Facebook integration
  • Improved Visual Design

The Foremen

Founder and CEO Josh Payne served as a Sr. Manager in business development at Yahoo. Before that, he also logged time in development at Meebo and as a Venture Capital Associate at Aurora Funds. Payne is a graduate of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

 

 

Stefan Wrobel, Co-founder and CTO, previously founded smartvark. Prior to his startup ventures, he was involved in the tech side of the hedge fund world. He holds degrees from The University of California, Irvine, and The Anderson School of Management (U.C., L.A.).

 

 

Under Construction

Recently the company completed a funding round of $800,000. Investors included Tim Draper, Paige Craig, Siemer Ventures, Amplify, Jim Pallotta, Rick Merrill, Josh Resnick, Mark Schwartz, and others.

 

Stack Social launched in October of 2011. The company belongs to the first class of startups participating in the Los Angeles accelerator Amplify.

 

 

 

 

Here’s the top 5 reasons the company names as to why they enjoyed their accelerator experience:

  1. Instant network. The crew met mentors and investors with experience in both growing and running companies. This helped them connect to the startup world inside and outside L.A.
  2. Mentorship/guidance. Direct access to wisdom. Some lessons need not be learned the hard way.
  3. Fun. Not mentioned so often. Must have been the “celebratory afternoon beers.” Or maybe it was the charge of all that creative energy, nothing like a drab corporate room.
  4. Office space. If you’ve been bootstrapping in your basement, an outside area devoted to the business can be a life saver.
  5. Community. Like people, young companies experience several ups and downs, and sharing the ride makes the struggles easier. Laughter saves.

 

StackSocial is steadily establishing a solid foundation, layering experience, design, development, and marketing with a skilled, enthusiastic team. Their stack looks poised to become a high-rise.

 

Photo Credits

StackSocial.com / Amplify.la

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