StartupBUSINESS.COM

Website:  http://www.chegg.com/        

Headquarters:  California                  

Founded:  2007  

Funding:  Venture Capital                    

Sector:  Education      

What they Say:  Chegg, an online textbook rental company, has saved students more than $200 million dollars since its founding in 2007. We have a catalog of over 4.2 million titles, offer fast, low-cost shipping and free returns.  Unlike our competitors, we also help replenish the environment by planting a tree for every completed order. To date, Chegg has planted more than 3 million trees through the American Forest’s Global ReLeaf Program. 

Uptake:  Named to the Wall Street Journal’s list of the Top 50 venture funded firms. Recently signed deals with five universities to power textbook rentals for their on-campus bookstores. Signed up more than 28,000 student affiliates to promote the company’s book-buying services, some whom make as much as $15,000 per year.

Our Take: "Save a bundle on text books AND plant a tree. Cool."
Anyone who has attended college, or helped put a student through college, knows how expensive text books can be. Chegg has a captive market of 18 million college students, spending $10 billion each year. These customers can save more money and even make some money referring Chegg to their friends. And, helping to save the planet by having a tree planted in their honor is just too cool.