Honey plug-in takes legwork out of saving money
While the benefits of online shopping are numerous and well documented, a new browser plug-in for Google Chrome is making the temptation even harder to resist.
It's called Honey and it's an easy-to-install extension that scours the web for coupon codes at hundreds of e-commerce sites, automatically applying them at the time of check out. Similar to add-ons such as InvisibleHand, which automatically find the lowest price on hotels, Honey takes all the legwork out of finding discounts and promos.
Co-created by Ryan Hudson, Honey is already one of the top 10 Google Chrome extensions since launching in November, 2012, has earned $7.2-million in sales for its retail partners and has saved users over $100,000 (U.S.) for shoppers, according to a press release. The company itself has yet to make money, however.
Its popularity is clear. Having already been profiled on Reddit, it's been downloaded by approximately 100,000 users and has been given an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 54 users.
Fun online clothes retailer keeps growing with fresh funding
Admit it: every once in a while – or every day, if you're like me – you've dreamed of wearing sweat pants to the office. Unfortunately, unless you work at Lululemon or work from home, propriety dictates you should not be able to comfortably do Zumba or Tae Bo in your at-work attire.
But San Francisco-based Betabrand Clothing , an online retailer that "designs, manufactures, and releases new inventions every week," makes the dream of being cozy all day and still looking professional a reality! There are many classy-yet-cozy wardrobe options to choose from, including the executive pinstripe hoodie (designed with Mark Zuckerberg in mind) and the popular dress pant sweatpants .
The company recently raised $6.5-million in funding led by Foundry Group on top of $1.3-million Series A round funning led by O'Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures.
In a New York Times article, co-founder Chris Lindland saidhis goal is "not to try to create the coolest, most cohesive line of clothing, but to create the most conversation-worthy line of clothing."
EVENTS AND KEY DATES
International Startup Festival
On Thursday, Jan. 31 at the CN Tower, aspiring entrepreneurs and startups will be provided a unique opportunity to pitch their business to investors while riding the tallest and most impressive elevators in the world. Pitches will be filmed by award-winning documentary filmmaker, Ondi Timoner, and selected pitches will be featured in her current project, A Total Disruption, a documentary and web series about innovators and entrepreneurs who are using technology to transform our lives. The winners of each pitch contest will be announced during evening receptions. Their prize: free passes and paid travel to attend the International Startup Festival in Montreal, where winners from every city will compete for the world's best elevator pitch. Learn more about the event here.
EDITOR'S PICKS FROM REPORT ON SMALL BUSINESS
Move to Moncton gives company a big lift
As it developed a breath-analysis device aimed at detecting cancer, Picomole Instruments made a lot of moves before settling in founder's native Moncton.
FROM THE ROSB ARCHIVES
Island paradise: in love with area's 'history and mystery'
Frugal gShift Labs co-founder Krista LaRiviere never questioned buying a remote northern Ontario escape from the high-tech world.
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Katherine Scarrow