Hukkster, the Winklevoss-Backed Shopping Assistant, Closes Its Doors
New York-based startup Hukkster, a popular price-tracking tool for online shoppers, has officially ceased operations. Founded in 2012, the company gained attention for its innovative approach to helping consumers save money on their favorite brands.
Key Facts About Hukkster’s Journey
- Funding: Raised $4.5 million from notable investors including Winklevoss Capital
- Latest Round: Secured $1.5 million in March 2014
- Team Size: 25 employees listed on LinkedIn at time of closure
- User Base: Served 300,000 shoppers with 315 retail partners
The Sudden Shutdown
Co-founders Erica Bell and Katie Finnegan announced the closure via email to users on Friday, expressing gratitude while sharing their disappointment:
“We started Hukkster with nothing more than an idea and had the opportunity to build our dream team and make our vision a reality. While we’re sad to say goodbye, we hope our story inspires all of you to challenge the status quo.”
The company’s website now displays a poignant farewell message highlighting key milestones:
“27 Months | 822 Days | 1,010,889 Hours Worked | 315 Retail Partners | 300,000 Happy Shoppers | $39,037,108.00 Total Dollars Saved”
Community Reaction and Unexpected Closure
The announcement came as a surprise to many, especially considering recent optimistic statements from the founders. Just six weeks prior, Finnegan had discussed expansion plans in an interview with Insider Louisville, mentioning goals to:
- Grow the team to 25-30 employees within a year
- Reach 60 employees in five years
- Maintain capital efficiency
Social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit saw an outpouring of user disappointment following the news.
What Made Hukkster Unique?
The platform differentiated itself by:
- Price Monitoring: Allowed users to tag desired items across retailers
- Alert System: Notified shoppers when prices dropped
- Savings Focus: Helped users save nearly $40 million collectively
Looking Forward
While Hukkster’s story has ended, its impact on the e-commerce space remains. The company demonstrated the potential for smart shopping tools in an increasingly digital retail environment. Users have been offered the option to recover their wishlist links, though no specific details about the closure’s circumstances have been shared publicly yet.
