Polsie

Polsie, founded by Marcela Benavides and Ramón Ornelas, emerged as an e-commerce platform designed to simplify online selling for artisans, designers, and crafters. The venture began as a side project until its acceptance into the SXSW Accelerator program in late 2014, which served as the catalyst for the founders to commit to the business full-time. Headquartered in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, the company secured $26K in funding from an accelerator on March 13, 2015.

The platform's core function was to enable users to create a custom online store with a dedicated URL by simply using the hashtag #polsie on their Instagram product photos. This model was conceived to allow creators to focus on their craft while Polsie handled the technical aspects of e-commerce. The business catered primarily to individual creators and small businesses, initially gaining the most traction in Mexico but also expanding its user base to the United States and the United Kingdom. A key service that set Polsie apart was the integration of shipping logistics, positioning it as a comprehensive solution for its users. The platform was intentionally built in English to appeal to a global market from the outset. Within a year of its launch, Polsie had attracted 1,000 stores to its platform.

Polsie operated within the internet retail and social/platform software industries. Its business model centered on providing a user-friendly platform for creating and managing online stores, with integrated payment processing through tools like PayPal and Stripe to facilitate international transactions. While the specific revenue model is not detailed, it likely involved transaction fees or a subscription-based service for store owners. According to PitchBook, the company is no longer in business as of January 1, 2020. Keywords: e-commerce platform, Instagram integration, artisan marketplace, online store builder, social commerce, creator economy, small business e-commerce, digital storefront, creative entrepreneurs, handmade goods marketplace, direct-to-consumer platform, simple online selling, hashtag commerce, startup, out of business, e-commerce logistics, online payments, Mexico startup, SXSW Accelerator, Marcela Benavides, Ramón Ornelas