StackSocial’s new mobile app means getting your hands on cutting-edge tech in a flash

StackSocial’s new mobile app means you never have to miss out when the hottest technology goes on sale.

StackSocial released an iOS app today, making its selection of apps, gadgets, and tech tools easier to shop and buy. It also released numbers about its traction — the company grew its user base by over 300 percent in 2013 and its revenue by 250 percent year-over-year.

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Cofounder and CEO Josh Payne said the company is now an “eight-figure annual run rate.”

“We are tapping into a larger community now,” Payne told VentureBeat. “As a whole, I’d say the tech audience is expanding. It used to be only a few people were early adopters, but now that audience off early adopters and tech enthusiasts is more mainstream.”

StackSocial is a retail marketplace for people to discover innovative gadgets, software, games, and other products. As Payne mentioned, the primary audience is early adopters eager to get their hands on the latest technology, and it now has 600,000 members. The items are sold flash sale-style, with exclusive discounts for a limited period of time.

Tech businesses use StackSocial to gain exposure for their brand and market their products over the e-tailer’s publisher network, which includes more than 30 and reaches 50 million visitors a month. Network members include AOL, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Kotaku, CNET, TheNextWeb, and 9to5Mac.

The platform also has tools for publishers to integrate e-commerce into their site and generate additional revenue. Payne said the biggest publishers are generating seven figures in gross sales through commerce partnerships.

One-third of StackSocial’s traffic is now coming from mobile, which is up as much as 20 percent from a year ago. The shift to mobile is happening across the tech ecosystem, and Payne said the company believes the mobile app will attract new customers and increase conversions because people can buy with one click.

Another nifty feature for tech lovers are the alerts and notifications of new arrivals.

Payne said that in addition to mobile, the popularity of crowdfunding and the soaring popularity of gadgets right now has also contributed to the StackSocial’s growth.

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“StackSocial has become a way for Kickstarter campaigns and projects to get sales after Kickstarter,” he said. “It’s that engine that can drive companies to the next level.”

StackSocial was founded in 2011 and is based in Venice Beach, Calif.