Yo.City provides a cloud‑based platform that enables chambers, economic‑development agencies, and tourism bureaus to launch fully branded local gift‑card programs without technical integration. The solution issues digital tokens compatible with Apple Wallet and Google Pay, optional physical Visa‑compatible cards, and includes sponsor funding, real‑time analytics, and no additional hardware or merchant fees.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Local businesses often lose a significant share of consumer spending to national chains, and community organizations lack a simple, low‑cost way to create branded gift‑card programs that keep dollars circulating locally. Existing gift‑card solutions typically require complex integration, high fees, or specialized hardware, making them inaccessible for chambers of commerce and similar entities.
Solution
Yo.City offers a cloud‑based, self‑service platform that enables chambers, economic‑development agencies, and tourism bureaus to launch fully branded local gift‑card programs without technical expertise. Users design custom card artwork, add up to five sponsor logos, and configure an approved merchant network through an intuitive dashboard. Cards are issued instantly as digital tokens compatible with Apple Wallet and Google Pay, or as premium physical cards that function on any Visa‑compatible point‑of‑sale terminal. The system leverages the existing Visa network, so merchants incur no additional hardware costs or transaction fees. Sponsors fund card bundles, providing them with brand exposure on every card while generating revenue for the sponsoring organization. Real‑time analytics track spend, merchant performance, and program health, allowing administrators to optimize outreach and measure local economic impact.
Target Audience
Primary customers are chambers of commerce, municipal economic‑development offices, and tourism bureaus seeking to boost local commerce, as well as corporate sponsors and financial institutions that want community‑focused brand visibility.
Features
- Drag‑and‑drop dashboard for card design, sponsor logo upload, and merchant onboarding
- Instant digital delivery via email/SMS with one‑click addition to Apple Wallet and Google Pay
- Optional premium physical cards printed and shipped, accepted on any Visa‑compatible terminal
- Seamless integration with existing POS systems; no new hardware or merchant fees required
- Real‑time reporting engine showing spend patterns, activation rates, and merchant redemption metrics
- Bulk issuance tools for event‑specific campaigns, holiday promotions, or employee reward programs
- Sponsor management module that tracks funding contributions and automates revenue split calculations
- Compliance‑ready data handling with end‑to‑end encryption and role‑based access controls