Philippine startup Mobkard raises $375K for its customer loyalty app

IdeaSpace President Earl Martin Valencia, Globaltronics CEO William Guido, and The Kard co-founders Francis Uy and Carlo Calimon.

Philippine startup The Kard has raised US$375,000 (PHP 17 million) in funding from local digital signage advertising firm Globaltronics.

The startup, which is part of the first batch of teams incubated by IdeaSpace, says the money will allow it to extend the use of its location-based loyalty solutions service to the general public through the Mobkard app.

The Kard initially focused on the so-called business-to-communities market and created loyalty solutions apps for over 14 businesses and organizations, including the AIM Alumni, Ateneo Graduate School of Business Alumni, La Salle Green Hills Alumni, PLDT SME Nation, and SM Global Pinoy, and their partner merchants.

While the company continues to do this, it has expanded its service for use by any merchant through the Mobkard app that’s available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Consumers using the app will get instant access to shopping information, as well as exclusive privileges and deals from a wide array of brands across multiple categories. Using the “near me” tab, they will see what’s currently on offer in stores where they are.

The Kard has partnered with big-ticket names in retail such as Vans, LayBare, 360 Fitness Club, Bizu Patisserie, Nurture Wellness Spa, MedExpress, Sunglass Haven, and Dillinger’s, among many others, to provide exclusive discounts and other privileges.

“Everyone loves a good deal, and sometimes many consumers miss out on discounts and other privileges simply because they are not aware of them when they enter a particular store,” says CEO and co-founder Francis Uy. “With Mobkard, there’s no more need to carry discount vouchers or loyalty cards around, because all of the latest deals near you can now be found with just one tap.”

Uy says smartphone penetration in the Philippines is expected to reach 60 percent by the end of the year, and that’s why brands and businesses need to be proficient about this new consumer behavior.