Gazelle (recycling company)
ecoATM,LLC, doing business as Gazelle,Is an eCommerce company founded in 2006 that recycles used electronic devices,[1] Such as mobile phones and tablet and laptop computers.[2] It is headquartered in San Diego, California with operations in Louisville, Kentucky.[3]
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | eCommerce |
| Founded | Boston, Massachusetts (2006) |
| Founder | Israel Ganot, Rousseau Aurelien, James McElhiney |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | San Diego, CA and Louisville, KY |
Key people | Chris Sullivan (CEO), Sarah Welch (CMO), Ben Katz (CTO) |
| Revenue | $100+ Million (2013) |
| Website | www |
History
Gazelle was founded in 2006 by Israel Ganot, Rousseau Aurelien, and James McElhiney. Gazelle.com launched in 2008 and raised $46 million in funding[4] from Venrock, Rockport Capital, Physic Ventures and Craton Equity Partners.
The company's corporate office is located in San Diego, CA with more than 150 employees. In June 2013, the consumer electronics retailer opened its first processing center in Louisville, KY. The warehouse operates with about 150 employees.[3] In 2013, the company topped $100 million in revenue, growing at an 80 percent rate.[5] In November 2014, Gazelle launched a store to sell certified pre-owned devices direct to consumers.[6]
From its inception to late 2014, Gazelle had paid $200 million to consumers for used devices, and had accepted more than 2 million devices from more than 1 million customers.[7]
On November 10, 2015 Gazelle's acquisition by Outerwall Inc., owner of ecoATM, another electronics recycler, became official.[8]
In December 2020, Gazelle announced that its trade-in program would be shut down on February 1, 2021.[9]
Recognition and awards
- Gazelle reached its two millionth device milestone in May 2014.[10]
- In 2012, Gazelle ranked within the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies for three years in a row.[11]
- In 2012, Gazelle ranked as #97 the Top 100 Consumer Products & Services Companies, #16 in the Top 100 Massachusetts Companies, and #15 in the Boston Metro Area.[11]
References
- Scherzer, L. Yahoo! Finance (January 4, 2013). "The Apple Crime Spree.
- Koivu, L. U.S. News & World Report (2015). "How to Make Money Off of Old Electronics."
- Robinson, A. Louisville Business First (2013). "Gazelle growing quickly in Louisville."
- Cohan, P. Forbes (2013). "Boston Start-up Gives Cash For High End Electronics"
- Kirsner, S. The Boston Globe (2014). "Market burgeons for pre-owned smartphones"
- Apple Insider (2014). "Gazelle launches certified preowned store specializing in quality used Apple iPhones & iPads."
- Environmental Leader (2014). "Gazelle Pays $200M for Used Electronic Devices."
- "After raising $65M, smartphone reseller Gazelle sold for $18M". www.betaboston.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- Statt, Nick (2020-12-30). "Trade-in site Gazelle is ending trade-ins". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
- Harris, D. Boston Business Journal (2014). "Consumer electronics trade-in site Gazelle says it's accepted 2 million devices, served 1 million customers."
- Inc. Magazine. "Inc. 5000, Gazelle."