NYC-Based Startup Secures Funds for Mobile Shopping Game

New York-based start-up Tip or Skip is launching a mobile shopping game that applies social discovery and gamification to mobile commerce. To support the launch, the venture has secured a total of $2 million in funding from investors including 500 Startups, John Ason, Corinthian Group and other angels from the East and West Coasts.

PRESS RELEASE

Today, Tip or Skip is launching the mobile shopping game that applies
social discovery and gamification to mobile commerce, providing a
modernized approach to digital shopping — one that is fun, engaging
and customized.
— Now available online and in the App Store, Tip or Skip invites
tastemakers to join the only mobile shopping game designed to help
consumers find new products and share recommendations.
— With Tip or Skip, users:
— “Tip” what they like and “skip” what they don’t with a flick of a
finger
— Discover and share interesting items from online and
brick-and-mortar stores
— Earn “sway” (game currency) to become a top tastemaker
— As a Tip or Skip player, you compete for recognition as a tastemaker
by spotting the best products, sharing them with your followers and
earning sway as other players agree with your tips.
— Sway is social currency. Use your sway to tip products. Earn sway as
people like your tips. Gain greater prominence for yourself and your
taste as you earn more sway.
— The Tip or Skip process benefits both users and brands; users get
feedback encouraging smart buying decisions, while brand’s tap into
social merchandising to automatically highlight their most engaging
products.
— Headquartered in New York’s Fashion District, Tip or Skip was founded
by Michael Weiksner, Ph.D., a persuasive technology expert and founder
of e-thePeople.org, and Nathaniel McNamara, a mobile commerce expert
and founding team member of PrivacyBank (later sold to InfoSpace). The
two have been friends since the second grade.
— To support the launch, Tip or Skip has secured a total of $2 million
in funding from investors including 500 Startups, John Ason,
Corinthian Group and other angels from the East and West Coasts.
— Tip or Skip is a game. To play:

www.tiporskip.com
http://tiporskip.com/download — Create an account via Facebook
— Tip what you like, skip what you don’t

Quotes:

Michael Weiksner, CEO, Tip or Skip “Consumers spend two thirds of their time on their phones playing games and using social networks. Tip or Skip is the first mobile experience to combine these elements for shoppers. On Tip or Skip, shoppers compete to be a top tastemaker by spotting and sharing the best products.”

Nathaniel McNamara, Founder & President at Tip or Skip “Apple, Amazon and Square make mobile shopping possible; Tip or Skip makes it fun. Tip or Skip delights you repeatedly with unexpected finds and challenges you to define a taste that will be loved by others.”

About Tip or Skip: Tip or Skip is the mobile shopping game where players compete to be recognized as a top tastemaker by spotting the best products. Tip what you like, skip what you don’t with a flick of a finger. Tip or Skip is based in the heart of the Fashion District in New York City. Tip or Skip was founded by Michael Weiksner and Nathaniel McNamara, friends since second grade. To play Tip or Skip, visit www.tiporskip.com .