Detroit-based Start-Up Receives Funding from Detroit Venture Partners, Launches Social Shopping App, ShopWith.It

DETROIT, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Marxent Labs, a Detroit-based tech start-up funded by Detroit Ventures Partners, announced today the launch of ShopWith.It, a new app for social shoppers that makes it easy to take your Facebook friends shopping. The ShopWith.It BETA is a fun, practical way for consumers to share products and ask for meaningful shopping advice from people they trust.

With ShopWith.It, consumers:

• Are smarter shoppers: Wondering if a product is good quality, a real deal or age appropriate?  Simply scan a barcode or snap a photo to get advice from your Facebook friends.  Plus get the latest product descriptions and compare prices from both local and online retailers.
• Always have something to say: Pre-programmed questions and comments that allow you to get input and share experiences even when your hands are full.
• Can get a $5 Amazon gift card: For a limited time, BETA shoppers who download ShopWith.It, use it, and complete an in-app survey, may be eligible for this gift.

Holiday shopping is fun, but can be stressful without the right information. ShopWith.It makes it easy to get input from your Facebook friends, whether you're looking for the best deals on the hottest toys and styles, or seeking advice on anything from stocking stuffers to appliances.

"We all want to be savvy shoppers, but often times we just can't do extensive product research in advance," said Barry Besecker, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Marxent Labs. "Spending hours reading online reviews from random people you've never met is old school -- who has time? ShopWith.It's social research platform can help quickly narrow down options and simplify shopping."

Created by brothers Beck and Barry Besecker, ShopWith.It allows consumers to scan product barcodes or take photos, then share and discuss those products with friends and people who share similar interests or are in the same life stage.

The company's launch was made possible by a recent investment from Detroit Venture Partners (DVP), a venture capital firm that seeds early stage tech companies to be located in the heart of downtown Detroit. Marxent Labs is headquartered in Detroit, with offices in Tampa, Florida and Dayton, Ohio.

"We partnered with DVP because we love their culture, passion and energy - and we share their vision for building great communities by building great businesses," said Beck Besecker, co-founder and CEO of Marxent Labs.

Josh Linkner, Detroit Venture Partners CEO and Managing Partner, is excited to fund another small company that will make a big impact in Detroit.

"We are thrilled to invest in ShopWith.It -- these guys have their fingers on something transformational, and are poised to reinvent the shopping experience," said Linkner. "This is a rock-star team with a brilliant vision that will shatter the status quo, right here from Detroit."

For more information about ShopWith.It or to download the app, please visit the Android Marketplace or http://shopwith.it. An iPhone version of the app will be released in early 2012.

About ShopWith.It:

ShopWith.It (http://shopwith.it) is the social app for serious shoppers and an innovation from Marxent Labs, developer of the Moosejaw X-ray app. Use ShopWith.It to shop smarter, get instant feedback from your Facebook friends, drop hints, browse Hot Lists and share great finds.  Continuously updated, ShopWith.It puts the most current shopping information at your fingertips so that you can always be confident when making purchase decisions. ShopWith.It was co-founded by brothers Beck Besecker, former Chief Development Officer at Catalina Marketing, and Barry Besecker, former VP of Digital Marketing Technology at Crown Partners. Previously, Beck Besecker was the founder of Copient Technologies, acquired by NCR in 2003. To learn more about the company and management team, visit http://shopwith.it/about. For press inquiries please email [email protected].

About Detroit Venture Partners:

Detroit Venture Partners (www.detroitventurepartners.com) is a venture capital firm that invests in seed and early-stage technology companies with a strong emphasis on Detroit-based startups.  In addition to capital, the company provides hands-on coaching, mentorship, support, and resources to help drive growth and success.  Founded in 2010 and led by Josh Linkner, Dan Gilbert, Brian Hermelin and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the firm aims to create jobs, urban density, and hope by backing the next generation of Detroit entrepreneurs. 

SOURCE Detroit Venture Partners