CentUp is a new start up that wants to help make it easier for "netizens" to support their favorite sites and charities. It lets you donate money to your favorite sites and to charity at the same time simply by clicking the CentUp button. Donations are small as credits are measured in pennies, but almost half of each donation (45 cents) goes to a niche charity of your choosing.
Users begin by creating a CentUp account, uploading money from their debit or credit card into it. A charity is then chosen, with six currently participating. After that all you need to do is click on the CentUp button every time you visit a website that you like which has the button on its pages. CentUp's list of participating charities is currently short, but the company expects that to pick up in time.
Charitable Blog Appreciation Buttons
Centup Lets You Support Your Favorite Bloggers and Charities
Trend Themes
1. Micro-donations - The rise of micro-donations through platforms like CentUp creates opportunities for businesses to develop innovative ways to enable small-scale giving.
2. Socially Conscious Consumption - The growing demand for socially conscious consumption presents an opportunity for businesses to align themselves with charitable causes and offer customers the ability to support those causes through their purchases.
3. Integration of Payment Systems - The integration of payment systems, such as CentUp's feature that allows users to donate while making online purchases, presents an opportunity for businesses to differentiate their service and attract socially conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fintech - The rise of micro-donations and the integration of payment systems offer disruptive innovation opportunities in the fintech industry, enabling the development of new platforms and technologies for seamless charitable giving.
2. E-commerce - The growth of socially conscious consumption presents an opportunity for e-commerce businesses to incorporate charitable giving options into their platforms, encouraging customers to make purchases that support charitable causes.
3. Marketing and Advertising - The trend of socially conscious consumption allows marketing and advertising professionals to develop innovative campaigns that highlight a brand's commitment to charitable causes, attracting socially conscious consumers.