Warning: some people may find some of the content in this post offensive.
If you are a fan of The Onion and can never seem to find just the right ecard to send to friends and family, you’re going to love Someecards. The company is announcing a seed round financing today – more details below.
The company was founded by former Onion writer Brook Lundy and Duncan Mitchell, and quietly launched in April 2007. It’s fairly straightforward – they create simple ecards like the one above with Onion-style humor, and let people email them to each other. Without any launch notice, press or marketing, the site has grown virally to 1.5 million unique monthly visitors, who are pretty passionate about the site. A few recent emails that the team have received:
- “I think you guys should come stay at my sorority house and do a presentation or something. If you guys are located anywhere near San Francisco by September, let me know and I will work for you guys for free.”
- “your website has got me laughing out loud and getting wet at the same time. i think you should make an ecard that says: this website has got me laughing out loud and getting wet at the same time.”
- “I really believe your site is of some sociological importance. Someecards lifts the veil of political correctness, denial and social mores.”
- “I would just like to thank you for providing what I consider to be one of the best websites of all time. Not only do you have a card tailored to everyone I know (and wish I did not know), but my productivity at work has dropped to a mere 30% during the day which is always a plus as I am constantly looking for something new to distract me. Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you.”
-
“I just found someecards today. My life is a better place to be. If this site closes
down anytime in the next 50 years (before I die) I will shoot myself. Please
let me live.”
To date, the team, which includes six part time writers, has created 1,900 cards. The most popular are here, but, really, you could spend a happy afternoon reading all of them. I’ve put three of them in this post.
The site was a part time project for the two founders, but the unexpected popularity of the service led to them to seek outside funding so they could quit their day jobs. Today they’re announcing a $350,000 seed round, led by Betaworks and notable angel investor Chris Sacca.
Apologies for this last one, but it definitely shows the edgy content on the site. Compare this to the American Greetings site dedicated to off-humor stuff, Kiwee (example), and you’ll understand why Someecards has a growing cult following.
Hilarious… this post made my day. There will always be haters who think TC should just stick to traditional startups rather than cover all else that’s interesting in the world. But I’m glad you guys help me discover gems like this. Good luck to the Someecard guys!
I hope to be receiving this one every day:
http://www.some...9c33deaf0e33d0d
I’ve never really got into e-cards, but I might be able to get into this one. Some of there stuff is hilarious.
Good choice on #3 Michael.
someecards is pretty cool, but I enjoyed your jibjab video better.
TC next time please stick to traditional startups. I don’t like wasting time on the onion techvertisements.
I really wish we could edit our comments. I really hate seeing dumb stuff like using “there” when it should be “their” on my last post right as your site processes the submission.
Is that ever going to change?
Ivan – you’re banned from techcrunch.
Joel Strellner : Is that ever going to change?
TechCrunch : NO!
Joel Strellner : Why not?
TechCrunch : Because you fuckers keep using adblock and we don’t make enough money as it is.
Seriously when is TechCrunch going to be web2.0 compatible. I am sick of this commenting system.
Ivan – http://www.some...nt_met_but.html
@Ivan – I can’t tell if you are being dry and ironic, or if you are actually serious. I hope the former, but I fear the latter.
lol @ MA… thanks for the post.. I didn’t know about this site and will now use it often.
(…so strange that so many TC readers have ZERO sense of humor)
Thanks for sharing this is going to be great to use. I love the Onion humor.
The guys at the Onion amaze me. They come up with the funniest stuff over and over… IMO one of the best publication around.
I wish we could embed the cards directly into comments, instead of just linking. Those cards are perfect for smart-ass commenters
C’mon you guys need to cheer up.
I’m just – http://www.some...ng_on_work.html
In high school, we used to say those who talk about sex all the time apparently aren’t getting it. Of course, this does not apply to Mr. Arrington.
Great find.
This site has existed since April/07??? Talking about “quiet launch”.
@Ivan: “web2.0 compatible” bwahhhh!!! You should write for Someecards. That was great man, just great.
OOps. I think I made a little pee-pee in my pants… a little. *blush*
This is so much better then reading about fake facebook reviews.
These guys should make t-shirts. I’ve already found a dozen of them I would order and wear proudly.
Fantastic stuff; cards worth sending!!
I’ve been using these e-cards for awhile now and think they are great…glad TC picked up on them.
What a terrific find! Love this one:
http://www.some...erformance.html
These cards look great, I hate American Greetings it is so generic.
http://mikesmon...ub.blogspot.com
love the idea of the tshirts! i hope those are offered soon too. I’m sure they’d make a bounty. There are way too many cards that i like to single out one is my fav though i do like the TGIF.
Some of you guys need to cheer up!!!
I’ve been getting these in my email for ages… now I know where they come from
They’re brilliant.
funny and cool: yes.
but i can imagine it can get old pretty quickly after receiving the 5th or so someecard
thanks for this….quite possibly the funniest thing i’ve seen all week. (i’m trying to keep with the spirit of the cards)….seriously, this was awesome!
Well .. boys like to play no matter how old they are .. it is important to stay young
My favourite: http://www.some..._your_anus.html
I like these. Surprised I haven’t come across them before.
Also, an oldie in a somewhat similar vein:
http://www.desp...om/viewall.html
Favorite Onion headline of the week: Olympic Torch Used To Ignite Tibetan Protesters….
I check it every day and am craving an “Area Man” t-shirt.
philadelphia chickens , multi media story started with greeting cards
http://en.wikip.../Sandra_Boynton
$350k? I can walk into the corner shop (grocery store) and pick five cards off the shelf funnier – and more smutty – than “Blowjobs are like flowers for men”.
For videos ecards that are kind similar check out http://www.carded.tv.
Hey nice blog my friend.There is unique web-based system that allows you to send real greeting cards online with a click of your mouse! You choose type message and upload a picture into your card . We print stuff ,stamp and send it!