ShopSquad/Ownza

Originally launched as ShopSquad in 2011 before rebranding, Ownza operated as a social commerce platform enabling consumers to discover, share, and discuss products. The company was founded in 2010 by Charles Katz and Aaron Zagha and was headquartered in Los Angeles. Ownza secured $1.25 million in a seed funding round in March 2011, with MHS Capital as an institutional investor.

The platform's core function was to serve as an online aggregator where users could catalog products they owned or desired, creating a community-driven shopping advice ecosystem. A key feature was a browser button that allowed users to earn cash back on online purchases from partner stores. This model positioned Ownza in the competitive cashback and rewards market, connecting its members with hundreds of affiliated retailers across various sectors like fashion, electronics, and groceries, including major names like Macy's and Staples. The business generated revenue through commissions when shoppers purchased products from these partner stores.

Under its initial brand, ShopSquad, the service focused on connecting shoppers with knowledgeable advisors for real-time guidance via video chat and co-browsing experiences. This allowed advisors, who could be anyone with product expertise, to guide users to specific products and earn a commission on resulting sales. The company eventually ceased operations, with its status listed as "Out of Business" as of December 2019.

Keywords: social commerce, cashback rewards, online shopping platform, product discovery, affiliate marketing, social shopping, e-commerce, consumer rewards, online retail, product sharing, shopping community, browser extension, live shopping assistance, ShopSquad, Ownza, Charles Katz, Aaron Zagha