StudentUniverse, which focused on student travel for more than a decade, is broadening its appeal by offering the college set negotiated discounts on everything from electronics and clothing to entertainment and food.
CEO Atle Skalleberg says discounted flights and hotel stays will remain a core part of the business, but there has been a "slight shift" into "always on" deals on a broad array of wares. That contrasts sharply with here-today, gone-tomorrow flash sales.
StudentUniverse, a business for students-only, gets "millions of unique visitors" annually and boasts of more than 1 million student newsletter subscribers, Skalleberg says.
With that kind of audience, it was a no-brainer to evolve into a broader marketplace for student-oriented deals, he adds.
With its new deals beta, students get negotiated discounts in electronics, travel, hotels, books, clothing, entertainment, food, dorm and school, and sports and outdoors, for instance.
And, they also get cash back into their StudentUniverse accounts and they can spend the cash anywhere.
For example, students can take advantage of Apple's 10% student discounts on iPhones, iPads and other equipment, and they'll get 3% cash back on their purchases, as well.
Here's a video outlining the "smart deals for students:"