User:Onyxh0tel88/Giftzip.com

Giftzip.com is a technology start-up business based out of East Lansing, Michigan. GiftZip.com is an online aggregator of eGift Cards, online gift certificates, and virtual gift cards, obtaining commission fees from retailers via affiliate networks such as linkshare, Google Affiliate Network, and Commission Junction. GiftZip.com was created in hopes of reducing the use of wasteful and harmful PVC by offering its service to consumers free of charge. Founded by Michigan Native Sam Hogg in November 2008, GiftZip.com was named one of Entrepreneur (magazine)'s 10 Hot Start-Ups in 2010 and recognized as one of the only internet sites specializing in eGifting. http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneursstartupsmagazine/2010/june/207004.htmlhttp://www.dbusiness.com/DBusiness/July-August-2009/The-Plastic-Plunge/http://www.wwj.com/GiftZip-com-Rolls-Out-New-Web-Site--HQ/4708731http://www.dbusiness.com/DBusiness/July-August-2009/GiftZipcom-is-Making-Waves-in-the-Business-Community/

Recognition

GiftZip.com was recognized as one of Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 10 Start-Ups. http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneursstartupsmagazine/2010/june/207004.html. GiftZip.com was runner up in Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest in the new business awards category and received a $1,000 reward.http://gleq.org/gleq.nsf/SBH/BD314F4B71064C958525754C0078C8E8?OpenDocumenthttp://www.leapincorporated.com/news.php?p=21, was one of the six finalists in the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest in the Emerging Business Category.http://gleq.org/gleq.nsf/SBH/0E048B5C4349120D852575D70079F398?OpenDocument, and was be honored with an award for Innovation at Michigan Business Review’s Innovation Michigan business awards event on July 16, 2009.http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2009/07/032.htmlhttp://www.mlive.com/rebrandingmichigan/index.ssf/2009/06/first_round_of_innovation_mich.html GiftZip.com was sponsored by the Detroit Economic Club to appear as an exhibitor at the National Summit’s Innovation Exposition based on their commitment to green jobs and technology. Attendees included the CEO of major companies across the United States, politicians and educators.http://www.nationalsummit.org/who-should-attend GiftZip.com was awarded Best New Site in the Lansing Web Awards.http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/innovationnews/webawards0403.aspx GiftZip.com was winner of Corp! Magazine's Going Green Awards for Green Industry Innovator for significant Achievements to Green and Environmentally Friendly Practices. http://www.corpmagazine.com/Departments/CoverStories/tabid/54/itemid/1257/Default.aspx

History

The concept was conceived while Hogg was in a sustainable supply chain class at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.http://www.mlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/sam_hogg_and_giftzipcom_becaus.html The business later secured an office space in the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center located in Downtown East Lansing, Michigan. The 2.0 Version of the site launched June 2, 2009 and has begun to generate revenue through partnership agreements with its retailers. .http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/features/gzip0323.aspxhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2009/november/203738.html

References

External links

[http://www.giftzip.com GiftZip.com eGift Card Home Page]