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YippyKya launches as e-commerce enabled social networking site

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yippykya.jpgYippyKya, a new social networking site with an entrepreneurial bent, launched today. The site is the product of John Reger, a pioneer of several Houston, TX brands.

YippyKya, which will initially cover the Houston area, describes itself as “a revolutionary social networking site that provides people the opportunity to make money or get discovered as artists, all while making friends across the world.” The site lets users create online stores through which they can sell personal items and creations directly to their customers as well as personalizing their store to market to other YippyKya users. The idea, it seems, is to create a social marketplace where users can discover the talents and wares of as yet undiscovered artists, including fashion designers, musical performers, painters, models, DJs, photographers, jewelers, and cinematographers.

“While many of today’s social networking sites are simply extensions of various social cliques, YippyKya has developed a “go to market” strategy that encourages its users to interact…everywhere!” said Reger.

CyberSource to acquire Authorize.net

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cybersource.jpgCyberSource Corporation, provider of electronic payment and risk management solutions, and Authorize.Net Holdings, Inc., provider of IP based payment solutions, announced the signing of a definitive agreement whereby CyberSource will acquire Authorize.Net in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $565 million.

The acquisition joins two highly complementary businesses, positioning CyberSource to further capitalize on the growing web-based payment opportunity. Both companies are leaders in enabling e-commerce businesses to accept online payments for goods and services. CyberSource, with approximately 20,000 customers, has traditionally focused on managing payments for mid-sized and enterprise customers. Authorize.Net, with over 175,000 customers, has specialized in small businesses. Collectively, the companies processed approximately 1.1 billion transactions in 2006, representing $65 billion of e-commerce. The acquisition will enable CyberSource to provide leading payment solutions to all segments of the e-commerce industry.