Steal This Idea

Send good vibes, not just cash.

A social gifting platform that lets you send thoughtful pick-me-ups to friends and family. From lunch credits to spa days, recipients redeem on their own terms. Think Venmo meets a wish list, where every gesture feels personal, not transactional.

Cookies social gifting platform

Good intentions, poor execution.

When someone you care about is going through something, your options feel limited. Send awkward cash? Guess at a gift they may not want? Or default to "let me know if you need anything" and never follow through. The result: missed connections and gestures that fall flat.

Person looking at phone thoughtfully

Cash feels impersonal

Sending $30 on Venmo says "I care" less than buying someone their favorite treat. But guessing wrong wastes money and misses the mark entirely.

Guessing goes wrong

You send cookies to someone on keto. You bring flowers when they wanted help with dinner. The thought counts, but the execution can backfire.

We end up doing nothing

The uncertainty leads to inaction. People who genuinely want to help end up saying "let me know" and leaving it at that. Good intentions, zero follow-through.

Thoughtful gifting, zero guesswork.

Cookies gives everyone a personal profile where they list the things that brighten their day. Friends send credits toward those specific items, and recipients redeem whenever the moment feels right.

1

Create Your Profile

List the things that make your day: favorite restaurants, go-to coffee order, a spa you love, or experiences on your wish list.

2

Friends Send Credits

When someone wants to brighten your day, they pick from your list and send credits. Anonymously or with a personal note. Multiple friends can even chip in together.

3

Redeem on Your Terms

Use your credits whenever you want. Already had dinner? Transfer it to a different category. You are always in control of how and when to treat yourself.

Friends sharing a happy moment with food

Everything you need to spread the love.

Cookies combines wish lists, social gifting, and flexible credit into one joyful experience.

Beautiful food spread on a table
Profiles

Personal Wish Lists

Curate your favorite treats, experiences, and pick-me-ups. From your go-to coffee order to that spa day you have been dreaming about, let people know what makes you happy.

People exchanging gifts
Flexibility

Transferable Credits

Got a spa credit but craving sushi tonight? Move funds between categories whenever you want. Your credits, your call. No restrictions, no expiration pressure.

Team of friends collaborating
Crowd-Gifting

Chip In Together

Pool contributions from multiple friends toward bigger experiences. One person starts it, others join in. Before you know it, your friend has a full car detail waiting for them.

Person receiving a notification on phone
Connection

Warm Notifications

Recipients get a feel-good alert when someone sends them credit. Senders get notified when their gift is redeemed. Every interaction reinforces the bond between giver and receiver.

A massive market, a wide-open lane.

$28B
U.S. Digital Gifting Market
$1T+
Annual P2P Payments
22-40
Target Age Range
85%
Millennials Prefer Digital Gifts
Young professionals socializing

Who is this for?

Millennials and Gen Z adults who are socially active, already use Venmo or Cash App regularly, and want a more personal way to show friends and family they care. Whether it is a new baby, a rough week at work, a death in the family, or simply wanting to say "I am thinking of you," Cookies fills a gap that cash transfers and generic gift cards cannot.

Built to scale, designed to delight.

Revenue Model

Transaction fees on every credit exchange (1.5% to 2.5%), a freemium subscription at $1.99/month for premium profile features and an ad-free experience, plus advertising partnerships where restaurants and brands pay to appear as suggested gift options.

Go-to-Market Strategy

Launch with a referral-driven campaign: "Set up your Cookies profile, get a free cookie credit." Partner with 2 to 3 popular chains like Crumbl Cookies or DoorDash for initial redemption options. Target new parents and college students first, since those communities naturally rally around gifting and support.

Competitive Advantage

Unlike Venmo (pure cash transfer) or GoFundMe (crisis-driven fundraising), Cookies occupies a unique emotional space: thoughtful, everyday generosity. The curated wish list removes guesswork, the flexible credit system prevents waste, and the social layer makes giving feel rewarding for both sides.

Year One Milestones

  • Launch MVP with 10 merchant partners and 50,000 registered users in the first 6 months
  • Process $2 million in gifting credits by end of year one with a 2% average transaction fee
  • Secure seed funding of $1.5M and establish partnerships with 2 national food or experience brands

Key Risks

  • User adoption requires both senders and recipients to have accounts, creating a chicken-and-egg problem that could slow early growth
  • Competing with entrenched payment platforms like Venmo and Cash App, who could replicate the feature as an add-on
  • Managing merchant partnerships and redemption logistics across many vendors adds operational complexity and cost

Startup Cost Estimate

Estimated cost to reach MVP:

$75,000 - $200,000

Ready to spread some warmth?

Set up your Cookies profile today and let the people who care about you know exactly how to brighten your day.

Get Started Free