Launched in 2011,
ActiveJunky.com boomed in its first year and is now hiring four staff, which will essentially double its team.
“We had very high growth the first 12 months and a lot of it was organic,” says CEO Kevin McInerney. “We're really the only company that does what we do.”
ActiveJunky.com is a cash back shopping site for outdoor gear. It has more than 200 partners with which consumers can earn cash back by buying through the website. ActiveJunky.com splits its referral fees with the customer.
“These are big brands like REI, Backcountry.com, Patagonia and Cabela's, as well as local stores like Christy Sports and Wilderness Exchange,” says McInerney. “It's valuable for the brands because they get to compete for the perfect customer. It's good for the consumer because they will get the lowest price possible.”
McInerney initially planned to start an e-commerce site for outdoor gear. Finding a market saturated with stores that “sold the same stuff,” McInerney saw an opportunity in the cluttered landscape.
“I realized there was a need in the market for a shopping portal and community," he says.
He expects the company to close on an investment round by the end of 2012.
The company is based at
Galvanize, the new Golden Triangle innovation ecosystem that is also an ActiveJunky.com investor.
“We've got a great spot," says McInerney. “It's been cool collaborating with everybody. I think this space is going to be good for the city.”
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