Mylackey.com
closedOnline localized services to consumers and businesses.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor | €0.0 | round |
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
$6.5m | Series C | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Mylackey.com was a dot-com era company that aimed to provide personal errand-running services for busy professionals. Founded in Seattle, Washington, in April 1999 by Brendan Barnicle and Brian McGarvey, both former executives from another internet startup, eChange, the company sought to capitalize on the growing demand for convenience. The concept for the business reportedly stemmed from co-founder Brian McGarvey's own experience of being too busy to pick up his dry cleaning. After managing sales teams at e-commerce companies for 11 years, McGarvey was keen to engage directly with consumers.
The company's business model centered on an online platform where customers could order a variety of services, including dry cleaning pickup, car washing, dog walking, and general errands. Mylackey.com would then arrange for local, third-party businesses to perform these tasks. To ensure brand consistency, these contractors were required to wear Mylackey livery when completing orders. Revenue was generated by negotiating discounted rates with these service providers and charging the end customer the standard market rate, with Mylackey.com keeping the difference. In addition to individual consumers, the company targeted corporate clients through its "mylackey@work" program, offering on-site services and discounts to employees as a corporate perk.
The firm secured $6.5 million in a second round of funding from venture capital firms, including WaldenVC, to fuel its expansion into new markets like Portland, Oregon. Despite its ambitions, Mylackey.com became a casualty of the dot-com bubble's collapse. After just 16 months of operation, the company ceased all operations on October 20, 2000, citing an inability to raise further capital for expansion. At the time of its closure, the company employed 85 people. Keywords: on-demand services, errand running, personal concierge, dot-com bubble, Seattle startup, Brian McGarvey, Brendan Barnicle, WaldenVC, mylackey@work, online services marketplace, convenience economy, task outsourcing, local service providers, corporate perks, home delivery, car washing, dog walking, dry cleaning delivery, dot-com failure