Andrew Mason
Northwestern University · Groupon
From Music Student to the Fastest Company Ever to Reach $1 Billion Revenue
26 March 2026
Andrew Mason was a music student at Northwestern University when he started exploring group buying dynamics. His insight: if enough people committed to buying something, businesses would offer steep discounts.
The Point to Groupon
Mason first built The Point, a platform for collective action campaigns. When he noticed the most popular campaigns were about group buying, he pivoted to Groupon (group + coupon) in 2008.
Record-Breaking Growth
Groupon became the fastest company in history to reach a $1 billion revenue run rate. It turned down a $6 billion acquisition offer from Google in 2010 — one of the largest rejected offers ever.
IPO and Lessons
Groupon went public in 2011 at a $12.7 billion valuation. While the company later struggled and Mason was fired as CEO, the story illustrates how a student's observation about group dynamics can create a global phenomenon.
Get weekly tips straight to your inbox
Join 2,000+ students getting our best content on tools, side hustles, and student life.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.