KidStart

KidStart is a cashback website that helps parents save money for their children by allowing the cashback to be deposited in a UK Child Trust Fund or child savings account. The Times presented KidStart as one of the top ten easy ways to save for your child's future and The Observer said that "KidStart is a good simple idea".

KidStart is free to register and can be used before a child is born. The money earned by members is held until the parents say where they want the money deposited. Money can be placed into any Child Trust Fund or any UK bank or building society account. Savings can also go to a school or some specific charities such as Genetic Interest Group (geneticallianceuk); Royal London Society for the Blind, Beatbullying, COCO, Gingerbread/One Parent Families.

KidStart is regulated by the Financial Services Authority for allowing deposits into Child Trust Funds.

Andrew Hagger of Moneyfacts.co.uk said, "The UK population needs to become more savings focused and to start to move away from the 'buy now pay later' culture that has been so prevalent for the last decade. Initiatives such as the Child Trust Fund and the KidStart website make it easier to start building a financial foundation for the future."
History
Launched in April 2008, KidStart was founded by Chris Hodgson and Julian Robson and is backed by Venture Capital company, Delta Partners. Delta Partners is an Irish Based, Early Stage Venture Capital company which has also invested in other UK based technology companies such as WhipCar, Improveline, Fixnetics and SeeWhy.
How Kidstart works
At KidStart most savings are earned through online purchases but you can also earn money in the high street when you register you credit/debit cards. There are no loyalty cards associated with the KidStart programme.

KidStart uses an email invite mechanism, much liked LinkedIn to allow members to link their accounts. This means that parents can invite their parents to save for the grandchildren.
Tracking
KidStart tracks member purchases with retailer in one of four possible ways, either;
# Clicking the KidStart links to the retailer website
# Entering a voucher code at the checkout on the retailers website
# Ringing a special telephone number
# Using a registered credit or debit cards at eligible high street locations
The majority of KidStart retailers use link tracking and KidStart tracks the member’s click to a retailer website using affiliate networks (such as Commission Junction,Affiliate Window, Buy.at and Trade Doubler).
KidStart Retailers
KidStart currently have over 400 retailers that you can shop with and make savings, covering most major shopping categories, including Fashion, Home & Garden, Travel, Health & Beauty and many others.
KidStart Community
KidStart launched a new parenting blog called LivingwithKids in 2009. It is written by family journalist Liz Jarvis and covers parenting tips, shopping ideas, and special competitions.

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