eBillme

About eBillme

eBillme, founded in 2004 by Marwan Forzley, operated as a provider of online payment services, positioning itself as a cash-based alternative for e-commerce transactions. The company was established to address a segment of the market hesitant to share credit or debit card information online, tapping into the existing consumer behavior of using a bank's online bill payment system. Forzley, serving as President and CEO, guided the company through significant funding rounds, including an $11M Series B in 2006 and a $12M Series C in 2008, accumulating a total of $23M from investors such as Canaan Partners, BDC Capital, and Celtic House Venture Partners.

The core of eBillme's service was a payment platform that allowed consumers to complete online purchases without providing sensitive financial data directly to merchants. At checkout, a user would select the eBillme option, receive an electronic bill via email and on-screen, and then pay it through their own bank's online bill pay portal, much like settling a utility bill. This model's primary benefit was enhanced security, as the bank, not the merchant, would handle the payment authentication. The business generated revenue by charging merchants a transaction fee, typically 1% to 1.5% of the sale, a competitive rate compared to traditional card processing fees.

eBillme expanded its offerings over time to increase its market footprint. In 2009, it introduced the "eBillme Walk-In" service by partnering with networks like MoneyGram, enabling consumers without a bank account to shop online and pay with cash at physical locations. The company also ventured into electronic gift cards, partnering with major brands like Amazon, Gap, and Travelocity, turning its payment infrastructure into a prepaid solution. By 2011, the platform was integrated with approximately 800 online merchants and 17,000 bill payment sites. A pivotal milestone occurred in October 2011 when Western Union acquired eBillme to enhance its own digital payment capabilities and appeal to a broader base of banked customers. Following the acquisition, the eBillme brand and service were integrated and eventually rebranded as WU Pay.