This continues our series of profiles of local-commerce companies. The purpose of these Q&A spotlights is to give merchants, marketers and others in the industry a look at what some deal platforms out there are doing. These profiles are also meant to offer different outlooks on the future of the local-commerce industry.
This week we’re profiling Tippr, a group-buying platform and solutions network.
Founder and CEO Martin Tobias answers some of our questions about the company and the overall deals industry. Read on to learn about how Tippr got its start, the different arms of the company and how the space is about to change.
Please introduce yourself.
I’m Martin Tobias, serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. As an entrepreneur, I need a hard problem to solve each morning when I get up. I have taken cracks at Internet audio/video (Loudeye), alternative fuels (Imperium Renewables), local and next-generation e-commerce (Tippr), as well as investing in over 50 startups who are solving problems I care about. I am a Seattle native but spend about half my time in Hawaii where surfing and cycling can be done year-round. Balance is important, isn’t it?
How would you describe Tippr in one sentence?
Tippr is the leading provider of offer-commerce infrastructure and services to brands, media companies, mobile operators and financial services firms.
Tell us about how the company began and how the name was chosen.
I have owned and operated various bars and
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