Digital Gift Card Startup On Me Secures $6 Million Seed Round

On Me, a new digital gifting platform, has raised $6 million in seed funding. The announcement was made by the company on Thursday. This fresh capital will fuel the startup’s unique approach to gift cards.

Founded by former Google employees, the company aims to move beyond traditional retail-specific cards. Instead, it focuses on gifting based on a person’s interests and hobbies.

A Mobile-First Platform for Personalized Gifting

The On Me platform operates through a website and mobile apps. It allows users to send digital gift cards across 72 different interest categories. These range from running and reading to concerts and gardening.

According to TechCrunch, if a friend loves tennis, you can send a card for gear from brands like Wilson or Prince. This offers far more flexibility than a card for a single store. The platform also lets users attach personal video messages or photos to their gifts.

The startup reports strong early growth. Since launching, it has facilitated over $2.5 million in gifts for more than 26,000 users. The company claims its user base has been growing by 50% every month.

Tackling Plastic Waste in a Massive Market

A key part of On Me’s mission is addressing environmental waste. CEO Darragh Meaney criticized the traditional plastic gift card industry. He called it a wasteful practice disconnected from modern life.

Data from the International Card Manufacturers Association highlights the scale of the issue. Over 70% of plastic gift cards are discarded within six months of purchase. This contributes to an estimated 53 million tons of plastic waste globally each year.

The broader market opportunity is significant. The global gift card sector is projected to reach a value of $2.3 trillion by 2030. On Me’s digital, category-based model positions it to capture a share of this expanding market.

The $6 million investment underscores strong investor belief in On Me’s model. This gift card startup is betting that the future of gifting is digital, personal, and sustainable. Its growth will depend on convincing consumers to break the habit of traditional plastic cards.

Info at your fingertips

What makes On Me different from other gift cards?

On Me cards are not locked to a single store. They are based on interests like “gardening” or “fitness,” letting the recipient choose from multiple brands within that category. This creates a more personalized and flexible gifting experience.

How do you use an On Me gift card?

Recipients get a digital card via email or text. They can browse participating brands within the chosen interest category online. Then, they apply the card’s value at checkout with those partner merchants.

What is the environmental benefit?

The platform is entirely digital, eliminating the need for plastic cards. This addresses a major waste issue, as most physical gift cards are thrown away quickly, creating millions of tons of plastic waste annually.

Who invested in this funding round?

The $6 million seed round was led by the venture firm NFX. It also saw participation from other notable investors, including Lerer Hippeau and Focal, according to the company’s announcement.

What will the new funding be used for?

The capital will primarily be used to expand the platform’s offerings. The company plans to add new experiential gift categories, like horseback riding lessons and wine tastings, to its current selection.