MyPoints, Inc.

About MyPoints, Inc.

MyPoints, Inc. operates as a digital rewards program, first established in 1996. The company was co-founded by Steve Markowitz, Noah J. Doyle, Daniel K. Kihanya, and Layton S. Han. Markowitz, who served as Chairman and CEO, was instrumental in the company's early trajectory, guiding it from its inception as Intellipost Corp. through a period of significant expansion. His prior experience as a securities analyst and financial journalist in Tokyo provided a solid foundation for leading the company's financial milestones. Under his leadership, MyPoints.com went public with a $46 million IPO in August 1999, followed by a $211 million secondary offering in February 2000, reaching a peak market valuation of $2.8 billion.

The company's business is structured as a 'Get-Paid-To' (GPT) platform, where consumers create free accounts to earn points for engaging in various online activities. MyPoints monetizes its platform primarily through affiliate revenue and advertising. It partners with advertisers and over 1,500 retailers, connecting them with a large base of online shoppers. Users accumulate points by shopping online, taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, reading promotional emails, and using coupons. The platform serves members in the United States and Canada.

The core service is a loyalty program that rewards members for their digital interactions and purchases. These accumulated points are a form of digital currency that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards. Redemption options include gift cards for major retailers and restaurants like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks, cash transfers via PayPal, or conversion to travel miles. The platform is accessible via its website and a mobile application, designed to facilitate earning on-the-go with features like daily goals and checklists. Over its history, MyPoints has undergone significant ownership changes. It was acquired by United Online in April 2006 for approximately $56 million and was later purchased by Prodege, LLC in April 2016 for $13 million, under which it currently operates.