Tophatter

Tophatter, Inc. operates a mobile discovery shopping marketplace centered around fast-paced, 90-second auctions. The company was founded in January 2012 by Ashvin Kumar, who serves as the CEO, and Chris Estreich, the CTO. They were also joined by co-founder Andrew Blachman. The founders aimed to translate the excitement of a live auction into a mobile, game-like experience. The platform's target customers are those who enjoy the process of discovering new products and deals, rather than engaging in utility-focused shopping.

The core of Tophatter's platform is its rapid auction format, where items, often starting at $1, are sold to the highest bidder in auctions lasting only 90 seconds. This model is designed to create urgency and high user engagement. The company primarily serves consumers looking for deals on a variety of goods, including jewelry, electronics, fashion, beauty, and home items. Initially, the platform simulated a virtual auction house where buyers and sellers could interact in a chatroom. While the visual virtual room has been phased out, the emphasis on immediate, real-time bidding remains a key feature. Tophatter utilizes a dynamic, automated algorithm to personalize the shopping experience by analyzing user browsing behavior to push relevant products to different customers.

Tophatter's revenue is generated through a multi-faceted business model. The primary stream comes from transaction fees, charging sellers a commission on each successful sale, which can range from 10% to 20% depending on the product category. Sellers may also pay listing fees for each item put up for auction. Additionally, the company generates revenue through advertising, allowing sellers to purchase premium placements for increased visibility. The business model has proven effective, with the company reportedly generating over $300 million in annual Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) and selling over 100,000 items daily. The company has secured $35 million in funding from investors including Goodwater Capital, CRV, and August Capital.

Keywords: mobile commerce, online auction, discovery shopping, fast-paced auctions, 90-second auctions, live bidding, e-commerce marketplace, transaction fees, commission-based revenue, online marketplace, dynamic pricing, gamified shopping, deal discovery, Ashvin Kumar, Chris Estreich, mobile shopping app, discounted goods, real-time bidding, customer engagement, Gross Merchandise Volume