19-year-old Sauder alumnus scores $4 million in funding for start-up

Brian Wong, Sauder’s youngest ever BCom grad, was front page news in the Vancouver Sun on Tuesday for securing $4 million in financing for his innovative advertising model, Kiip.  The 19-year-old’s new platform gives videogame players real rewards for successfully completing game levels and other milestones on their smartphones and other mobile devices.

Launched on April 11, the venture is already working with corporations such as Sony, Sephora, Dr. Pepper and 1-800 Flowers. Instead of the typical banner ads which pop up in games, Wong’s Kiip allows companies to provide tangible gifts, such as gift certificates, to players for virtual achievements.

The ad model will be applied to existing popular mobile games and will incorporate social media so that gamers can brag about their wins.

“When that person receives a reward they have the ability to share with the rest of the world, with Twitter and Facebook,” Wong tells The Sun. “That’s what makes it exciting.”