TechCrunch Startup News On Me raises $6M to shake up the gift card industry; plus, Port raises $100M at $800M valuation to take on Spotify’s Backstage
Dec 11, 2025
A new digital gift card platform, On Me, has secured $6 million in funding, allowing users to shop by interests instead of retailers. Meanwhile, Port raises $100 million at an $800 million valuation, positioning itself as a competitor to Spotify’s Backstage with innovative features for managing AI agents. The discussion touches on personalized gifting, the environmental impact of plastic waste, and the challenges of maintaining order in the chaos of automated agents, making for an engaging exploration of these emerging tech startups.
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Gift Cards By Interest, Not Merchant
- On Me reimagines gift cards by categorizing them by interests instead of merchants for flexibility.
- The platform supports personalization and digital wallets to reduce plastic waste and modernize gifting.
Early Traction And Personalization Wins
- The CEO Dara Meany highlighted that On Me already facilitated over $2.5M in gifts for 26,000 users since launch.
- The company reports 50% month-over-month growth and integrates with Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
Digital Cards As An Environmental Pitch
- On Me emphasizes environmental impact, citing ~30 billion plastic cards made yearly and large disposal rates.
- The startup positions digital cards as a greener alternative aligned with modern mobile wallets.