Claim, a social shopping platform initially developed at Harvard University, is expanding its service to ten major U.S. cities. The app, which allows users to earn cash back while dining and shopping, will now be accessible to a broader audience beyond college students.
The expansion includes key metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. This move represents a significant shift from the platform's original college-focused model, which previously required users to have a .edu email address.
CEO Sam Obletz highlighted the platform's unique approach to customer acquisition, noting that traditional digital advertising has become increasingly expensive and saturated. Claim offers brands an alternative marketing channel by directly connecting them with potential customers through cash-back incentives.
The app's model allows users to earn rewards when they visit partner businesses, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem for consumers and brands. By leveraging real-time purchase data and an AI-powered algorithm, Claim aims to introduce users to new restaurants, coffee shops, and other local businesses while providing these establishments with high-value, repeat customers.
With this expansion, Claim is positioning itself as an innovative solution to the challenges of customer acquisition in the digital age, particularly targeting Gen Z and young professionals. The platform's growth strategy focuses on creating engaging, reward-driven experiences that encourage users to explore new local businesses.
