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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →TechCrunch reported on February 6, 2012, that Groupon had acquired Adku, a small startup building software to personalize online shopping. The report described the deal as bringing Adku’s team and technology to Groupon, but did not establish the purchase price or what the team would do there.
What Adku’s technology did
TechCrunch described Adku as a stealth startup using data to tailor shopping experiences for visitors to e-commerce sites such as eBay, Amazon, and Zappos. The company had built its personalized targeting technology in three months, according to the report. It did not provide technical details, performance figures, or evidence about how the software worked in practice. TechCrunch’s February 6, 2012 report is the source for this description.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Groupon eGift Card - $100 - Standard | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Groupon eGift Card - $15 - Standard | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Groupon eGift Card - $50 - Standard | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Groupon eGift Card - $25 - Standard | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Visa Physical Gift Card $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Who was behind Adku
The report identified Ajit Varma as CEO and Carlos Whitt and Jesse Shieh as co-founders. Adku had a six-person team, several of whom TechCrunch described as former Googlers. It was an AngelPad startup backed by Greylock Partners, Battery Ventures, and True Ventures.
What the acquisition report did—and did not—establish
TechCrunch characterized the transaction as a team-and-technology acquisition. Varma did not disclose what the team would work on at Groupon, so the report does not establish the startup’s planned assignment or how Groupon ultimately used Adku’s technology.
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#1 Best Overall
- Groupon’s daily deals feature the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in hundreds of cities worldwide—all at an unbeatable discount.
- Whether it's half off at a neighborhood restaurant or 90% off a hot air balloon ride, we thoroughly inspect each offer to ensure that customers get twice the fun for half the price.
- Explore your city today with a Groupon gift card, valid for immediate use on any awesome Groupon deal that catches your fancy. Visit groupon.com and sign in or create a free account to redeem your gift card.
- Redeemable online at Groupon.com Terms: Redeemable only at groupon.com for Groupons or for account credits usable to buy Groupons. Not usable to buy Groupon gift cards.
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
The purchase price was also not disclosed as a confirmed transaction term. TechCrunch’s reporter said they had heard the price was above $10 million; that is an attributed, unconfirmed estimate, not an official figure.
In a blog post quoted by TechCrunch, Varma explained the decision this way: “We started talking to Groupon to bring our technology to more customers and quickly realized that we wanted to be a deeper part of a company that people love and is empowering merchants and customers in a way that’s never been done before.”
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Adku’s status after the deal
A secondary APIs.io provider record describes Adku as acquired and no longer an independent operating company. That record characterizes the company’s status; it does not independently confirm the transaction’s price or other terms. APIs.io’s Adku provider record was accessed October 8, 2026.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Rank #4
- Groupon’s daily deals feature the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in hundreds of cities worldwide—all at an unbeatable discount.
- Whether it's half off at a neighborhood restaurant or 90% off a hot air balloon ride, we thoroughly inspect each offer to ensure that customers get twice the fun for half the price.
- Explore your city today with a Groupon gift card, valid for immediate use on any awesome Groupon deal that catches your fancy. Visit groupon.com and sign in or create a free account to redeem your gift card.
- Redeemable online at Groupon.com Terms: Redeemable only at groupon.com for Groupons or for account credits usable to buy Groupons. Not usable to buy Groupon gift cards.
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Rank #3
- Groupon’s daily deals feature the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in hundreds of cities worldwide—all at an unbeatable discount.
- Whether it's half off at a neighborhood restaurant or 90% off a hot air balloon ride, we thoroughly inspect each offer to ensure that customers get twice the fun for half the price.
- Explore your city today with a Groupon gift card, valid for immediate use on any awesome Groupon deal that catches your fancy. Visit groupon.com and sign in or create a free account to redeem your gift card.
- Redeemable online at Groupon.com Terms: Redeemable only at groupon.com for Groupons or for account credits usable to buy Groupons. Not usable to buy Groupon gift cards.
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
