BuildClub

The average consumer needs to make every dollar count these days. BuildClub helps them do it.

This company has created a unique web-browser extension, one that finds the best prices for more than 1.5 million items across 4,000 retail stores, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon. This technology eliminates the guesswork, offering real-time pricing transparency so consumers can save money while retailers can gain tools to stay competitive and maximize profits.

BuildClub’s creation may sound familiar. A company called Honey created something similar and was acquired by PayPal in 2020 for about four billion dollars.

But extensions like Honey simply find and apply coupon codes in hopes of getting you a discount. BuildClub, on the other hand, offers location-based price comparisons. It compares the price you’re paying to those of products near you. Ready to spend forty dollars on a watering can from your local Home Depot? The one just five miles further might be selling it for thirty-three dollars.

As a consumer, there’s nothing you have to do to reap the benefits of BuildClub. The extension simply works with your internet browser and does its job while you shop. For retailers, BuildClub shows the real-time competitive prices for items, helping them make better decisions.

BuildClub launched its technology in 2021, targeting the $250 billion home-improvement market. But its extension could be used to disrupt the markets for auto parts, apparel, electronics, and groceries.

Since launching, BuildClub has booked more than five million dollars in sales and gained 77,000 customers. It’s raised six million dollars from venture-capital firms and CEOs. And it’s received grants from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. The company has one patent granted and three others pending.

BuildClub has several revenue streams:

Affiliate Revenue — It earns commissions from Amazon, Home Depot, and other retailers when purchases are made through the platform.

Subscription Services — BuildClub earns recurring revenue from tools like PriceFinder Pro and PriceConnect. Price Finder scans stores daily to uncover hidden pricing deals and inventory discrepancies. And PriceConnect enables businesses to upload spreadsheets with thousands of product codes to BuildClub’s platform. This tool automatically updates daily with pricing and competitor details.

Advertising — Retailers and brands pay to feature products within the PriceFinder interface.

Data Licensing — Annual licenses for bulk data sold to consulting firms, and hedge funds

Market Data API — Developers pay for access to BuildClub’s extensive datasets to build custom solutions.

This last revenue stream is notable. Along with helping people shop, BuildClub collects and processes seventeen billion data points a day, offering invaluable pricing trends and market insights.

Team Background

Stephen Forte - Founder & CEO

Stephen has a track record of building solutions that disrupt traditionally low-tech industries. He’s been awarded fifteen patents in software and mobile technology.

Prior to starting BuildClub, he was CEO of AI Motion, a software company focused on e-commerce. Before that, he was an operating partner with Meridian Capital, an apparel and footwear retail trade center.

Earlier in his career, Stephen was Managing Director of Coats, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial sewing thread with sales of nearly two billion dollars. Prior to that, he founded Ascendent Systems, a voice-mobility solution for wireless phone carriers.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California, an MBA from George Washington University, and studied at MIT and Harvard Business School.

Tony Luigs - Advisor

Tony is a former Vice President with Home Depot, where he developed market-pricing strategies for its premium (“Pro”) customers and created a marketplace for Pro members.

Before that, he spent twelve years with General Electric, serving as Director of Finance and Director of Financial Planning. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Application Programming and in Finance from Notre Dame.

Pavel Kirakosyan - Director of Engineering

Pavel has more than a dozen years of software-development experience.

Most recently, he was Director of Engineering with MobiSoft, a mobile-software-development company. Before that, he was a developer with Virtual Solution, a Germany-based software vendor.

He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Automation Engineering Technology.

Co-Investors