// startup autopsy
HitMeUp
Location-based mobile app connecting businesses with customers seeking flash deals in real-time.
marketfitSlow Death
Years-long decline before final shutdown
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
Charlie Pool founded HitMeUp as a location-based flash deals marketplace in London.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Version 1 (web-only) launched, but struggled with poor quality business-created promotions and unappealing product photos.
PRODUCT PIVOT
Version 2 introduced mobile app with customer-oriented interface, addressing business promotion quality issues but faced Facebook adoption challenges.
PRODUCT PIVOT
Version 3 launched as mobile-only app with significant business signup interest but inadequate marketing to build user base.
SHUTDOWN
HitMeUp shut down after failing to overcome network effects problems, user acquisition challenges, and the founder's technical limitations in executing the complex marketplace vision.