Ventures
One Tap Group exists to start companies and run them well, and we’re always looking for the next problem worth building one around. Here’s what that means in practice, and where we build.
What “always building” means
The companies we have today are the first chapter, not the whole book. Each grew out of work in and around retail. We built software for the problems retailers run into, marketing for the businesses that use it, and a network for an industry we work in every day.
In practice, always building means we stay in conversation with the people who live with hard problems. We say yes when the right opportunity meets the right operator, and we don’t wait for a perfect plan before we start.
How a company starts
Start from a problem
We begin with something specific that someone is dealing with right now, described in terms of a sales floor, a checkout, a delivery route or a customer list.
Build a working version
We build a first version that real customers can use, and we put it in front of them early. Something rough and real teaches us more than something polished and imagined.
Prove it in a working business
We test it where real customers, staff and inventory tell us quickly whether it holds up.
Build on what works
Companies that earn it keep building, with the group’s playbooks, systems and technology behind them. Ideas that don’t are set aside early.
Where we build
These are the areas the group builds in and looks at. They describe where we’d start a company, and they’re not a limit on where we’d listen.
Commerce software
One Tap Commerce, the operating system for furniture retail, is where we build in this area today, and the software side of the group keeps growing from it.
See One Tap CommerceRetail
We work in and around retail every day, through the businesses our companies serve and partners such as Best Buy Furniture. New ideas here start with problems we’ve seen on the sales floor.
Marketing and media
One Tap Media is where we build in this area today: fractional CMO and CTO leadership for growing businesses.
See One Tap MediaConsumer brands
Direct-to-customer brands that sell online, which can draw on the group’s commerce platform and marketing from the first day.
- Planned
Real estate
An area we plan to build in. We aren’t active there today, and we’ll say so on this page when that changes.
We start with a problem somebody has right now, not a market size.
Partner with us
Some of the best opportunities come from people outside the group: operators who know a problem better than we do. If that’s you, we can build it together, partner on it, or help with the software and the marketing behind it.
Tell us what you’ve seen, what exists and how close you are to the problem. We’ll read it and write back if it fits.
Questions
What does “always building” mean at One Tap Group?
“Always building” means One Tap Group stays in conversation with the people who live with hard problems, and starts a new company when the right opportunity meets the right operator. The companies today are the first chapter, not the whole book. Ventures is where new companies begin, in commerce software, retail, marketing and media, consumer brands and, as planned, real estate.
What areas does One Tap Group build in?
One Tap Group builds in commerce software, retail, marketing and media and consumer brands, and plans to build in real estate, where it is not active today. These areas describe where the group would start a company. They are not a limit on where it would listen to an idea.
How does a new company start at One Tap Group?
A new company starts from a specific problem someone has right now. One Tap Group builds a first version that real customers can use, puts it in front of them early and tests it in a working business. Companies that earn it keep building with the group’s playbooks, systems and technology behind them, and ideas that do not are set aside early.
How do I bring an opportunity to One Tap Group?
Use the “Bring us an opportunity” form on the One Tap Group website. Tell the team what the opportunity is, where it stands today, which areas it touches and what you would like from One Tap Group. A short, plain note is enough. Someone on the team reads every submission and writes back if it fits.
Do I have to be part of One Tap Group to start something with it?
You do not have to be part of One Tap Group to start something with it. Some of the best opportunities come from operators outside the group who know a problem better than One Tap Group does. If that is you, the group can build it together with you, partner on it, or help with the software and the marketing behind it. Tell the team what you have seen and how close you are to the problem.
What we look for
The traits of an opportunity, and of the founders and operators behind it.
What we look for
Contact
Whether you have an opportunity, want to partner with the group or have a question, pick the form that fits and it reaches the right person.