Former Google employees have launched a digital gift card startup that’s reshaping how we think about gifting. On Me recently secured $6 million in seed funding to expand its innovative platform that focuses on recipients’ interests rather than limiting them to specific retailers.
The mobile-first platform allows users to purchase digital gift cards across 72 different interest categories—ranging from sports activities to creative hobbies—providing recipients with unprecedented flexibility to choose products from multiple relevant brands.
A New Approach to Digital Gifting
On Me’s innovative approach centers on interest categories rather than individual retailers. For example, if your friend is passionate about tennis, you can send them a gift card that allows purchases from multiple tennis-related brands like Wilson, On, and Prince—all within a single gift card.
The platform spans 72 different interest categories including running, reading, camping, gardening, gaming, and concert experiences. This breadth of options addresses a common gifting dilemma: knowing someone’s interests but not their specific brand preferences.
Adding a personal touch, senders can attach video messages, photos, and GIFs to their digital gift cards—creating a more meaningful connection than traditional plastic gift cards. The platform is accessible via both web browser and dedicated iOS and Android applications.
Environmental Impact and Digital Integration
CEO and co-founder Darragh Meaney highlighted the environmental problems associated with traditional gift cards. According to the International Card Manufacturers Association, approximately 30 billion plastic cards are produced globally each year. More concerning, over 70% of gift cards are discarded within six months, generating an estimated 53 million tons of plastic waste.
“It is an environmentally wasteful practice that feels totally disconnected from how we live today,” Meaney explained, emphasizing how On Me’s digital solution eliminates this plastic waste problem entirely.
The platform further integrates with modern payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, making it seamless for recipients to access and use their gifts through the digital wallets they already use.
Market Position and Growth Trajectory
With the global gift card market projected to reach $2.3 trillion by 2030, On Me has positioned itself at the forefront of digital transformation in the gifting space. Since its launch, the company reports facilitating over $2.5 million in gifts for more than 26,000 users, with an impressive monthly growth rate of 50%.
The recent $6 million seed funding round was led by NFX, with additional participation from Lerer Hippeau and Focal. This investment follows a $1.7 million pre-seed round raised when the company launched its platform a year ago.
The new funding will enable On Me to expand beyond traditional retail categories into experience-based gifts such as horseback riding lessons, wine tastings, and theme park visits—further broadening the platform’s appeal and versatility.
How On Me Works for Users
Using On Me involves a straightforward process. Gift-givers select an interest category that matches the recipient’s passions, choose a monetary value, and personalize the gift with media attachments if desired. Recipients receive notification of their gift via email or text message, after which they can browse through relevant brands and products within their interest category.
The flexibility extends to redemption options as well. Recipients aren’t locked into spending the entire amount at once or at a single retailer—they can distribute their gift card value across multiple purchases from different brands within their interest category.
The Future of Digital Gifting
On Me’s expansion into experience-based categories represents a significant evolution in the digital gifting space. While traditional gift cards typically limit recipients to physical products from specific retailers, On Me’s planned additions will allow people to gift memorable experiences—addressing the growing consumer preference for experiences over material possessions.
As the company continues to grow, it’s likely we’ll see further innovations in how digital gifts are presented, shared, and redeemed. The platform’s interest-based approach solves a fundamental problem in gifting: the balance between giving someone choice while still demonstrating thoughtfulness about their specific interests.
With substantial funding and impressive early growth metrics, On Me appears well-positioned to challenge traditional gift card providers and potentially reshape consumer expectations about what a gift card can be in the digital age.