Gifting on-Demand Startup Afloat Expands Nationwide

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Afloat, a gift delivery app that allows users to shop from local stores and have gifts delivered to loved ones on the same day, has announced its nationwide expansion. The startup, founded by Sarah-Allen Preston, is now available across the United States after previously operating in select cities.

Preston created Afloat after experiencing the stress of her newborn undergoing open heart surgery. She wanted to make it possible for people to show their support and care for loved ones in need, even if they lived far away. The app aims to provide the convenience of online shopping and instant delivery while supporting local businesses.

Afloat takes care of the entire gift-giving process, including gift wrapping and adding a handwritten note. The company partners with local stores, ranging from bakeries and baby stores to bookstores, florists, and jewelry stores. According to Afloat, its store partners have seen a 30-50% increase in gifting revenue.

The company has shifted to a SaaS (software as a service) model, allowing more stores to join the platform. Afloat offers subscription plans at $99/month (Gold) and $299/month (Platinum), which includes a newly launched dashboard that provides stores with marketing and merchandising support, sales data, and other features.

Afloat is also working on a subscription tier for consumers, which will allow them to access premium features like scheduling deliveries and receiving notifications when new gift offerings become available. The company has over 30,000 users and has received over $5M in funding from Goodwater Capital and Techstars.

Image Credits: Afloat