Updater

Updater is a website that helps people who are moving organize and complete all of their moving-related tasks. In addition to helping their users file change of address forms with the post office for free, Updater streamlines the change of address process by notifying selected companies and individuals on behalf of their users. They also offer a service to PReVENT advertisers from sending unsolicited mail into their users' mailboxes. The Updater service has been noted by RealSimple, USA Today, New York Times and others for its technology and ease of use.

History

Updater.com was founded by David Greenberg, formerly a lawyer at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. In 2010, in preparation for an upcoming move, he had searched for a website that could help manage all the tasks associated with his change of address such as forwarding his mail, updating his contacts and transferring his cable. Frustrated that no such comprehensive service existed and seeing the opportunity given that more than 38.5 million Americans relocated in 2010, he started his own company to address this problem.

With $800,000 in seed funding from angel investors, the Updater website was launched in July 2011. As of November 2011, tens of thousands of new movers had visited the Updater site and thousands have used the service to file an official USPS Change of Address. The company projected $5.5 million in annual revenue for 2012.

Services

In addition to filing an official Change of Address with the US Postal Service, the site also provides comparison shopping for relocation-related goods and services as well as a paid service to reduce junk mail.

Business Model

Updater platform allows users to manage their address information in a single online site and push address change notifications to their accounts and subscriptions. As the address notification service is free, the website plans to be supported by advertising, having secured commitments from at least four national retailers. In addition, revenue will likely be generated from the paid service that allows users to opt out of commercially used marketing lists for three years.