ClickThings Enables MasterCard's MarketAccess Program

Strategic Insights -

ClickThings, Inc., a Silicon Alley start-up, has successfully enabled MasterCard's new MarketAccess program, which aims to provide small business customers with a website solution that includes e-commerce capabilities. This innovative technology empowers MasterCard's customers to create professionally-designed websites without incurring any costs. The ClickThings technology has been integrated into MasterCard's website, allowing customers to register and build their own websites through a simple point-and-click interface.

Key Takeaways:

  • ClickThings' technology enables MasterCard to offer free top-quality web hosting and e-commerce capabilities to its small business customers.
  • The MarketAccess program uses ClickThings' proprietary technology to provide a customized website solution to MasterCard customers.
  • The ClickThings system features a point-and-click interface, a questionnaire-based registration process, and millions of design combinations, making it easy for non-technical users to create and manage their websites.
  • The system provides comprehensive e-commerce capabilities, allowing businesses to promote and sell products and services 24/7.
  • ClickThings has raised $16.6 million in venture capital and has a commitment for an additional $5 million from chinadotcom corporation.

Statistics:

  • MasterCard has over 23,000 member financial institutions serving consumers in 220 countries and territories.
  • There are nearly 700 million MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, and Mondex cards in circulation today.
  • Gross dollar volume exceeded US$650 billion in 1998.
  • ClickThings has established technology relationships with companies such as Cisco Systems, Oracle, Frontier GlobalCenter, and RealMedia.

Sources:

  • "ClickThings Enables MasterCard's MarketAccess Program" (Business Wire, April 4, 2000)
  • ClickThings, Inc. press release
  • MasterCard International website (http://www.mastercard.com)