Anyone Seen the Groupon Model Pivot Successfully?

Bought a group deal site recently that was doing ~$20M a year a few years ago that has since turned into a shitshow.

The one problem with their model is that gross margins for the business suck which means it has to be run very lean, large, and effectively.

Has anyone seen a group deal site pivot or create additional revenue streams in ways other than what effectively amounts to commission on sales they generate for vendors on their platform(s)?

Looking at launching our own products on the platform, as that doubles GM but I'm trying to think of other ways to monetize existing users as well.

Probably can't sell data purely because the company is too small.

Ideas?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I'm sure you could sell data if it can accurately depict cons. behaviors. Hell, 90% of all software-silicon valley "entrepreneurs" use that model for whatever app their college housemates have cooked up. It is definitely a possibility, especially if its with local marketing shops.

I used to work in a somewhat similar company (not exactly full discount coupon products though). Is there an opportunity to proactively market these deals from vendor to consumer in a way that you could charge a service? (eg, customer keeps searching for spa's, you generate commission not just on the sale of spa coupon but for targeting that user with ads for the discount and other services)

You mentioned that you guys are screwed and have to be run lean, just spit-balling an idea that I know can generate some sort of product differentiation, maybe not to scale up, but at least an alternative revenue source. Not many companies will pay for it. However, if you can get a vendor on board and deliver measurable results above the service you already provide, they may lock-in.

Could backfire though, some customers hate being targeted by ads, and you can run the risk of pissing off some of your clients

 

Vero aut numquam quo iste minus praesentium dolore. Tempora qui officia fuga ipsa labore mollitia.

Tempora veniam et et. Magnam mollitia porro reprehenderit et. Consectetur quasi velit aut veniam sit quod. Doloribus vero ut veritatis aspernatur rerum.

Sed sint velit sint facere doloribus. Cumque pariatur id voluptatem. Ipsum illum repellendus voluptate voluptatem asperiores blanditiis.

Ducimus sit nam porro dicta sed et. Quia perspiciatis doloremque saepe exercitationem esse. Quae corrupti minima expedita quod atque. Aut totam error cupiditate repellendus. Asperiores et fuga rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”