# PriceMinister

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/priceminister

- Industry: Marketing/Advertising
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Website: www.priceminister.co.uk
- Total disclosed funding: $11M
- Latest round: Series B (Mar 2, 2005)
- Investors on record: 4

## About

PriceMinister is an online marketplace that enables consumers to compare prices, purchase products, and access product reviews, enhancing the shopping experience across multiple categories.PriceMinister operates as an online marketplace facilitating transactions between consumers and various retailers. The company was acquired by Rakuten, Inc. in July 2010. Headquartered in Paris, France, PriceMinister was founded by individuals committed to creating a competitive shopping platform. The company has successfully raised EUR 200.00 mn in total, primarily from Rakuten Group, Inc., through a TRADE SALE leading to its acquisition.PriceMinister operates primarily as an online marketplace that facilitates shopping, price comparison, and access to product reviews and blogs. The core offerings include a comprehensive platform where users can explore a diverse range of products across various categories, accompanied by expert reviews designed to inform purchasing decisions. The service aims to address the common consumer challenges of finding the best product options and ensuring value for money. The target customer base includes both individual consumers seeking competitive pricing for their purchases and businesses looking for effective product visibility. PriceMinister’s services are utilized primarily in the UK and European markets, catering to a wide demographic of online shoppers.PriceMinister's revenue model is built around facilitating transactions between consumers and various retailers and wholesalers through its online platform. The business generates income by charging fees associated with transactions, which may occur through direct sales or affiliate partnerships. In a typical transaction, a consumer selects a product from the platform, and upon finalizing their purchase, PriceMinister collects a commission from the respective retailer. This model allows PriceMinister to effectively manage a broad range of products without holding inventory. The platform features various pricing structures for retailers, who may be charged based on sales performance or fixed subscription fees for premium visibility on the site.The recent acquisition by Rakuten, Inc. is expected to support PriceMinister's strategic expansion plans. The company aims to enhance its platform by introducing new features and potentially expanding into additional European markets. The funding received will be utilized to develop new products and improve user experience on the site, reinforcing PriceMinister's commitment to providing a comprehensive online shopping solution.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Mar 2, 2005, $9.1M — 3i, Quilvest Capital Partners
- Series A, Feb 21, 2002, $1.6M — TechnoCap, Aurinvest Capital

## Investors

- TechnoCap (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/technocap) — Series A
- Aurinvest Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/aurinvest-capital) — Series A
- 3i (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/3i) — Series B
- Quilvest Capital Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/quilvest-capital-partners) — Series B