PoachIt

PoachIt operated as a consumer-focused technology service designed to simplify the online shopping and saving process. The company was founded in 2012 by Gidi Fisher, who drew inspiration from his own frustrating experience of tracking fluctuating prices for a handbag he wished to buy for his wife. He noticed that prices changed constantly and that many online coupon codes were invalid, which led to the core idea behind PoachIt.

The business provided a platform for online shoppers to track products across thousands of retail websites. Users could save an item to their "Poach List" and receive notifications when the price dropped or when a new, valid coupon became available. The service was accessible through a browser extension for Chrome and a 'PoachIt' button that could be added to a browser's favorites menu. Its proprietary technology was designed to verify the functionality of coupon codes, addressing a common pain point for consumers who found that a high percentage of codes from other sites did not work.

PoachIt's business model was based on earning a small commission from merchants when a user made a purchase through its service. For consumers, the tool was entirely free to use. The company targeted a wide range of shoppers, from young professionals and families to retirees, by supporting a vast array of online retailers. By March 2014, the platform had attracted 120,000 users and had helped them save over $8 million. The team included Chief Experience Officer Ben Yee, a former Gilt Groupe employee, and CTO Sebastian Lemery, an engineer with experience developing applications for major brands. The company successfully raised $2.8 million in outside funding. PoachIt ultimately ceased operations in May 2015, at which point it had grown to 300,000 users who had collectively saved over $40 million. Keywords: price tracking, coupon codes, online shopping tool, browser extension, e-commerce savings, price drop alerts, deal finder, affiliate marketing, consumer technology, online retail, shopping assistant, discount finder, verified coupons, price history, sale notifications, Gidi Fisher, Ben Yee, Sebastian Lemery, consumer savings