Coups Mobile offers iPhone, iPod users coupon deals
Christopher Carlevato of Schaumburg believes smartphone users should have access to good deals, just as PC users do.
That's why he developed Coups Mobile (www.coupsmobile.com) where businesses can create their own coupons for iPhone and iPod users.
Blackberry users could start downloading coupons in two to three months.
These mobile users can go to the App Store, search for "Coups" and get a free download to get started.
When they want to use a coupon, they just download it to the screen and don't even have to print it out, he said.
"They just show the phone to the cashier and the coupons can be verified. They know ahead of time to accept them," Carlevato said.
Coups Mobile offers coupons to such restaurants as Braconi's, Clark Street Bar, May Street Market, McGee's Tavern & Grille, among others. Other restaurants can go to the Web site and create their own coupons for free.
Carlevato is no stranger to Web innovation. About three years ago, he and a partner launched HedgeStop.com, a Web financial community where young business professionals could share ideas, network and read the latest business news. He said the site was later ported to Facebook and its user base grew to more than 300,000.
HedgeStop later was sold to Silicon Valley firm, KaChing Inc., and Carlevato stayed with the new company during the transition.
Last year, he started working on other projects, including Coups Mobile. While the site has now launched with just restaurant coupons, he aims to expand the categories to include retail, health and beauty salons and entertainment.
"I want mobile users to be able to find any deals without having to print anything or clip a coupon," he said.
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