linkexchange
Chicago
About linkexchange
LinkExchange was the web's largest banner exchange network and expanded to become the web's first small-business portal before being acquired by Microsoft for US $265 million in 1998: http://news.cnet.com/Microsoft-acquires-LinkExchange/2100-1033_3-217516.html LinkExchange was founded in the spring of 1996 by 23-year-old Harvard grads [Tony Hsieh](/people/tony-hsieh) and [Sanjay Madan](/people/sanjay-madan). 24-year-old Harvard grad [Ali Partovi](/people/ali-partovi) joined them a few months later as a third partner. At its peak, the LinkExchange banner network reached over half of Internet-enabled households every month, according to Media Metrix. In June, 1998, LinkExchange acquired Submit It! Inc. (makers of Submit It!, ClickTrade, and ListBot), and MerchantPlanet (a turnkey e-commerce solution for merchants). In November, 1998, LinkExchange was acquired by Microsoft for US$265 million. Other notable LinkExchange people included CFO [Alfred Lin](/people/alfred-lin), and via acquisition of Submit-it, [Scott Banister](/people/scott-banister), and contractor [Max Levchin](/people/max-levchin).
Company Facts
- Operating status: Closed
- Company type: For Profit
- IPO status: Private
- Employees: 10,001+
- Total funding: $3.2M
- Funding stage: M&A
- Last round: Series Unknown (May 1997)
- Website: linkexchange.com
Industries & Categories
Advertising, Business Development, Business Intelligence, Internet
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