CollegeBudget Acquires Y Combinator Backed Startup MunchOnMe.com

Acquisition enhances CollegeBudget’s position as the fastest-growing college marketing platform for retailers and brands of all sizes.

San Francisco, CA- May 15, 2012

CollegeBudget.com, the leading student-exclusive shopping platform, announced today that it has agreed to acquire MunchOnMe.com, a food discovery and discount portal from Y Combinator’s summer 2011 batch.

The combination of the two services will strengthen CollegeBudget's leadership in the college social commerce market. The acquisition will add a passionate food-centric user base to CollegeBudget’s large network of college students and merchants. The acquisition increases CollegeBudget’s total college footprint to 2 million students. The new addition will allow CollegeBudget to expand into new markets, offering more food deals and regionalized offers.

“Students are the life-blood of all businesses” says CollegeBudget founder Mike Moradian. “They are among the most coveted demographic in marketing, because they are the future family decision-makers and business professionals. By targeting students early with discounts, companies can develop brand preferences that will last a generation.” American Apparel and Skype are two prominent brands that have offered extremely popular deals through CollegeBudget’s platform.

Terms of the deal were not announced. Munch On Me users will be able to access purchased coupons until September 1, 2012. Future plans for integrating the platforms will be forthcoming.  

About MunchOnMe.com

Part of the Y Combinator’s Summer 2011 batch, Munch On Me is a food discovery portal that connects people with great food at great prices in local communities. Munchonme.com enjoys success promoting local eateries in college towns across the nation.

About CollegeBudget.com

CollegeBudget.com is revolutionizing student discounts. The service saves college students money through student-exclusive deals and collective social buying. CollegeBudget’s mission is to bring savings to every facet of the college experience, including textbooks, student loans, and potentially one day even tuition.

Since launching in March 2011, CollegeBudget has grown to become the largest student deal site. CollegeBudget represents over 2 million college subscribers and has already saved students millions of dollars collectively.

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CollegeBudget Makes Empact100 List

CollegeBudget.com has just been featured in the Empact100 list, recognizing the top 100 companies run by young entrepreneurs age 30 or younger who impact our economy. As a result, the CollegeBudget team has been invited to a recognition presentation at the White House. CollegeBudget is a startup dedicated to making college more affordable by implementing student discounts and collective buying in the retail, textbook and student loan space. More simply, they are like the Groupon for college, specializing in college daily deals.

Our own CampusBuddy founder, Mike Moradian, is also the co-founder and president of CollegeBudget. If you have any questions that you would like to ask the White House, please message us or post a response to this message.

Also: CollegeBudget is currently ranked #2 in the Empact100 list. Help the team get to the top spot: vote here.

Young entrepreneurs are not just America’s future. They’re America’s present. The Empact100 list represents the talent and potential of today's young entrepreneurs. It is meant to inspire others to join the movement to revitalize our economy by starting a business.

- Carl Schramm, CEO, Kauffman Foundation

Should I go to Harvard? Social Media Vote Decides for CollegeBudget.com CEO

Founder and CEO of CollegeBudget.com allows world to vote on whether he attends Harvard Business School or remains at CollegeBudget.com.

LOS ANGELES, August 8, 2011 — Mike Moradian, the founder and CEO of CollegeBudget.com is faced with an incredibly difficult decision - whether to attend Harvard Business School, a top-ranked MBA program at one the most prestigious universities in the world, or forge ahead with his newly launched startup, which seeks to revolutionize student discounts and finances. “They are both opportunities of a lifetime, but in order to make an impact, I can really only choose one” says Moradian, who was ranked America’s Best Young Entrepreneur in 2010 by Bloomberg Businessweek. In a totally unprecedented move, Mike has opened up his decision to attend Harvard to public vote at ShouldIgotoHarvard.com.

Over 20,000 people have cast their votes since the poll opened up last week to users of CollegeBudget. Today, the poll opens up to all members of the public. “I’m taking this very seriously” says Moradian.

“The rising cost of tuition and the growing inaccessibility of affordable education for the average student is one the most pressing issues facing Americans. Although, I alone can’t address all of the problems surrounding the rising cost of higher education, innovation is desperately needed and my hope is that we can at least help reduce some of the costs for students while also developing a viable business that prospers by helping people.”

Over 100 companies have already signed up to give limited time students discounts of 50% off or more. BookRenter.com, a textbook rental service, is currently offering 60% off the cost of Textbook Rentals through CollegeBudget only. This deal is available on CollegeBudget from Monday, August 8^th through Friday, August 12^th.

Moradian explains, “I’m willing to walk away from what could be a once in a lifetime educational opportunity, but only if I feel that other people share my vision for CollegeBudget and see the value in what we can do for college students. The choice is yours America, choose wisely.”

About CollegeBudget

CollegeBudget.com officially launched on August 1, 2011. It aims to revolutionize student deals and reduce the costs of college life for students across the nation. The service saves students money through exclusive discounts and collective social buying. In addition to student deals, CollegeBudget aims to bring collective social buying and most importantly deep discounts to every facet of the college student experience, including textbooks, student loans, and potentially one day even tuition. CollegeBudget currently represents over half a million college subscribers and has already saved students over one million dollars collectively.

To vote, comment or get updates go to: http://shouldigotoharvard.com

For more information about CollegeBudget, visit: http://CollegeBudget.com

CollegeBudget.com Reviews and Ratings

CollegeBudget.com is a student only deal site dedicated to saving students money. Have you had a chance to use the site yet? Has it saved you money? If so, what type of deals have you bought? Leave us your reviews, ratings and comments in the comment section. Thanks!

CollegeBudget.com launches to revolutionize student discounts

Los Angeles, CA -- August 02, 2011

CollegeBudget.com officially launches today aiming to revolutionize student deals and lower the costs of college life for students across the nation. The service saves students money through exclusive discounts and collective social buying. In addition to student deals, CollegeBudget aims to bring collective social buying to every facet of the college student experience, including textbooks, student loans, and potentially one day even tuition.

The company is kicking off with Back-to-School Palooza featuring over 100 merchants lined up to give 50%+ off their services, only to college students. Since launching in private beta in March 2011, CollegeBudget has already grown to become the leading student deal site. CollegeBudget currently represents over half a million college subscribers and has already saved students over one million dollars collectively.

CollegeBudget Works for Businesses
CollegeBudget.com offers the ideal way for national brands, e-commerce sites, and local businesses to attract the college crowd. The CollegeBudget service uniquely ensures the exclusivity of student discounts by requiring members to provide a valid .edu e-mail address in order to buy.

CollegeBudget also distinctively delivers a complete social media marketing campaign to merchants, with no upfront cost. Merchants who sign up to offer student deals through CollegeBudget receive a YouTube testimonial video made by a real college student, and social media blasts to CollegeBudget’s over 130,000 Facebook Fans and 3,000 Twitter Followers.
Merchants can sign up to offer exclusive student deals at: http://CollegeBudgetWorks.com

About the CollegeBudget.com Team
CollegeBudget.com is the love child of CampusBuddy.com, one of the leading social academic tools on the internet. Since 2008, CampusBuddy has helped students connect on Facebook and receive better grades. Mike Moradian, founder of both services, was recognized as America’s Best Young Entrepreneur for the 2010 year by Bloomberg Businessweek, for his work on CampusBuddy.com. Mike considers himself to be the quintessential college student, and is currently admitted to Harvard Business School this fall. His entrepreneurial side wrestles with the idea of going back to school just yet though…

For more information about CollegeBudget, visit: http://CollegeBudget.com

CollegeBudget.com is Legit!

Wow, students have really responded to the call to save money collectively on CollegeBudget.com. Since it's launch this year it has saved students hundreds of thousands of dollars on everything from shoes, to filtered water bottles to clocks that run away. It is clear that CollegeBudget is no scam. Over 115,000 students have liked their page on Facebook, making them one of the top Facebook pages in the college space already!


Sample Deals on CollegeBudget:

If you have not had the chance to join CollegeBudget yet, do it now. While the deal of the day is not for everyone, keep following the daily deals and rest assured you will shortly. Who doesn't love a good student discount? Join CollegeBudget now and you're going to love it.

College Daily Deals

We're always excited to show off hot new items to college students, and today we have a real treat!

CollegeBudget.com is a new student discount and college daily deal site. One of the key differentiators of this site is that fact that you must have a .edu e-mail address to use the service.



Student deals are always a perk when you're on a CollegeBudget. Make the most of you're .edu e-mail address and enjoy the savings now.

To join CollegeBudget:
Get Student Deals now