Five Cards, One Payment: The Kasheesh Solution

Sam Miller, founder and CEO of Kasheesh, shared his entrepreneurial journey and insights into the company's payment solution. After studying economics at the University of Maryland, Miller embarked on a career path in the startup world.  Miller has a rich history of success in the startup world, having founded and exited two companies before taking a position at Dreamit Ventures. His experience at Dreamit provided him with insights into the investment landscape, which would prove crucial in his later endeavors. This experience laid the groundwork for Kasheesh, a company born out of a simple observation - the difficulty a friend's fiance faced when trying to split a payment between her credit and debit cards.

Recognizing an unmet need in the market, Miller co-founded Kasheesh with Kevin Kim, a seasoned technologist with experience at companies like Apple, Tutor, and Blackrock. Together, they created a platform that allows consumers to split payments across multiple debit and credit cards, both online and in-person. Kasheesh distinguishes itself from other alternative payment solutions, particularly Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. Miller argues that while BNPL offers a new payment method, it often comes with high-interest rates and can negatively impact consumers’ financial well-being. Kasheesh, on the other hand, leverages consumers’ existing credit lines, empowering them to manage their finances more effectively.

Kasheesh's revenue model is based on interchange fees and a 2% transaction fee, with plans to introduce a card-linked offers program in the future to generate affiliate revenue. The company raised $5.5 million from a diverse group of investors, including prominent figures like Odell Beckham Jr. This strategic decision to engage celebrity investors was driven by the desire to build brand awareness, establish trust, and reduce customer acquisition costs in a competitive market.

The company has assembled a team of over 20 employees, primarily based in New York City. Following the successful fundraising round, Kasheesh has prioritized its resources toward driving consumer awareness, refining its product offerings, and expanding corporate partnerships. Miller stresses that Kasheesh is a data-driven company and constantly monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) related to product usage, customer acquisition, and financial health. This analytical approach ensures the company remains agile and responsive to market demands while maintaining sustainable growth.

Chapter Summary

(00:01:00)        Introduction and Background

(00:03:07)        The Genesis of Kasheesh and Its Unique Value Proposition

(00:05:28)        Kasheesh's Business Model and Competitive Landscape

(00:08:56)        Revenue Streams and Fundraising Journey

(00:11:46)        Strategic Fundraising and Celebrity Endorsements

(00:15:17)        Overcoming Fundraising Challenges and Lessons Learned

(00:18:39)        Team Structure, Resource Allocation, and Key Performance Indicators

(00:22:56)        The Role of AI in Kasheesh’s Strategy

(00:26:50)        Adaptability to Economic Fluctuations, Recommended Resources, and Challenges of Entrepreneurship

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