ConsumerReview

About ConsumerReview

ConsumerReview.com operates as a network of community-driven websites centered on user-generated reviews for a variety of consumer products. The company was founded in 1998 and established a portfolio of niche online communities for enthusiasts. The initial concept was sparked by founder Francis Cebedo, who, while building a mountain bike, identified a lack of comparative product information on the internet. This personal need led to the creation of MTBR.com (Mountain Bike Review) in 1996 as a hobby, which subsequently evolved into ConsumerReview.

The firm's primary business is in the Media and Information Services sector, providing a platform where consumers can read and write reviews, participate in discussions, and compare prices. Its network includes specialized sites such as MTBR.com, RoadBikeReview.com, PhotographyReview.com, and AudioReview.com, each dedicated to a specific product category. The business model relies on advertising revenue and affiliate commissions generated when users make purchases through links on the sites. This structure supports the platform's extensive server costs and operational needs for its large user base.

Over its history, ConsumerReview secured venture capital funding, raising $1.25 million in a Series A round in 1998, followed by a $6 million Series B round in 1999. The company was later acquired by E-centives in January 2003. More recently, in 2018, the network's flagship sites, MTBR.com and RoadBikeReview.com, were acquired from Invenda Corp by VerticalScope Inc., a media company specializing in managing enthusiast forums. Despite the changes in ownership, Francis Cebedo continued to be involved with the sites, ensuring they adhered to their original vision of helping consumers make better purchasing decisions through shared experiences.