Bergine
Encyclopedia
Bergine launched in March 2010 as the first luxury deal-of-the-day
site in the United States. Co-founded by husband/wife team Ian Picache and Patricia Calfee, Bergine provided daily "flash-sale" offers to restaurants, spas and boutiques at up to 70% off retail prices. Headquartered in San Francisco, Bergine presented weekly and daily offers in San Francisco, Napa Valley and Los Angeles.
In October 2010, seven months after launching, Bergine was acquired by Internet retail pioneer, Gilt Groupe
and became part of the Gilt City business.
, Bergine was the first company to launch in the luxury daily deal space. However, soon after their launch, several companies began re-shaping their own brands to compete with Bergine.
announced the sale on October 26, 2010. Every member of the Bergine team became a Gilt Groupe
employee, except for Ian Picache. Patricia Calfee joined Gilt Groupe
during transition, but left the company in February 2011. Ian Picache, a venture capitalist formerly with Technology Crossover Ventures and Morgan Stanley
, and Patricia Calfee were the sole investors in Bergine. There is heavy speculation that Gilt Groupe
founder, Kevin P. Ryan
, plans an I.P.O. in 2012.
One deal a day
Deal of the day is a type of ecommerce in which a website offers a single product for sale for a period of 24 to 36 hours...
site in the United States. Co-founded by husband/wife team Ian Picache and Patricia Calfee, Bergine provided daily "flash-sale" offers to restaurants, spas and boutiques at up to 70% off retail prices. Headquartered in San Francisco, Bergine presented weekly and daily offers in San Francisco, Napa Valley and Los Angeles.
In October 2010, seven months after launching, Bergine was acquired by Internet retail pioneer, Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe is a shopping website based in the United states, offering its members merchandise, clothing, home decor, delicatessen food, travel and activities. Gilt Groupe was founded in 2007 and has 3.5 million members...
and became part of the Gilt City business.
Competitors
Created as a luxury version of GrouponGroupon
Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website that features discounted gift certificates usable at local or national companies. Groupon was launched in November 2008, the first market for Groupon was Chicago, followed soon thereafter by Boston, New York City, and Toronto...
, Bergine was the first company to launch in the luxury daily deal space. However, soon after their launch, several companies began re-shaping their own brands to compete with Bergine.
Acquisition
Bergine and Gilt GroupeGilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe is a shopping website based in the United states, offering its members merchandise, clothing, home decor, delicatessen food, travel and activities. Gilt Groupe was founded in 2007 and has 3.5 million members...
announced the sale on October 26, 2010. Every member of the Bergine team became a Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe is a shopping website based in the United states, offering its members merchandise, clothing, home decor, delicatessen food, travel and activities. Gilt Groupe was founded in 2007 and has 3.5 million members...
employee, except for Ian Picache. Patricia Calfee joined Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe is a shopping website based in the United states, offering its members merchandise, clothing, home decor, delicatessen food, travel and activities. Gilt Groupe was founded in 2007 and has 3.5 million members...
during transition, but left the company in February 2011. Ian Picache, a venture capitalist formerly with Technology Crossover Ventures and Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City serving a diversified group of corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Morgan Stanley also operates in 36 countries around the world, with over 600 offices and a workforce of over 60,000....
, and Patricia Calfee were the sole investors in Bergine. There is heavy speculation that Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe
Gilt Groupe is a shopping website based in the United states, offering its members merchandise, clothing, home decor, delicatessen food, travel and activities. Gilt Groupe was founded in 2007 and has 3.5 million members...
founder, Kevin P. Ryan
Kevin P. Ryan
Kevin P. Ryan is an Internet executive and entrepreneur in New York City's Silicon Alley. He serves as the Founder and CEO of Gilt Groupe and prior to November 2010, he was the company's Executive Chairman....
, plans an I.P.O. in 2012.