LevelUp
Type of business | Private |
---|---|
Type of site | Mobile Payments |
Available in | English |
Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Founder(s) | Seth Priebatsch |
Employees | 80 |
Website |
www |
Registration | Required |
Launched | March 2011 |
Current status | Active |
LevelUp is an American mobile payments platform created by Boston, Massachusetts-based start-up SCVNGR.[1] The LevelUp mobile application uses QR code technology to allow for mobile transactions to be made at local businesses via iPhone and Android phones.[1]
History
LevelUp was initially launched in March 2011[2] and operated for its first 3 months as a daily deals platform.[3] In July 2011, LevelUp shifted away from the daily deal space to focus exclusively on their mobile payments solution.[4] In July 2013, around 200,000 users and 3,000 companies were using LevelUp.[5] In October 2014, around 14,000 stores were using LevelUp.[6]
Overview
The LevelUp mobile application for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone allows registered users to securely link their debit or credit card to a unique QR code displayed within the app. To pay with LevelUp, users scan the QR code on their phone at LevelUp terminals located at local businesses who accept LevelUp as a form of payment.[1]
Some merchants that accept LevelUp as a form of payment also offer monetary savings to users.[7] Users are given “First-Time Visit Specials” the first time they make a transaction at the merchant's location. Users can also unlock "credit" to a merchant’s store after spending a certain amount at the merchant’s location.[4]
As of June 2016, LevelUp is available for businesses in the Boston,[2] Chicago,[1] Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia,[4] St. Louis, New York City,[4] Atlanta, San Francisco,[4] Dallas, San Diego, Minneapolis, Kansas City and Seattle areas.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Wong, Wailin (February 16, 2012). "Loyalty program LevelUp to launch in Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- 1 2 Kirsner, Scott (March 11, 2011). "Test-driving SCVNGR's new LevelUp app for local discounts". Boston Globe. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ↑ Jennifer Van Grove (10 March 2011). "SCVNGR Pilots New Hybrid Mobile App for Local Merchant Deals With Game Mechanics". Mashable.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sutter, John D. (12 October 2011). "LevelUp app aims to keep coupon users coming back". CNN.
- ↑ Chen, Brian X. (July 12, 2012). "LevelUp Tries Dropping the Transaction Fee for Mobile Payments". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ↑ Shontell, Alyson (April 16, 2014). "Payment Startup LevelUp Thinks It Has Found A Way To Charge Merchants A 0% Credit Card Processing Fee". Business Insider. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ↑ Martinez, Edecio (August 29, 2011). "LevelUp challenges Groupon's model with trio of deals". CBS News. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
Further reading
- Empson, Rip (September 6, 2012). "On A Mission To Be Mobile Payment Agnostic, LevelUp To Roll Out NFC-Capable Terminals". TechCrunch. Retrieved June 14, 2016.