Dwolla: Ashton Kutcher's Latest Startup Bet (VIDEO)

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Actor Ashton Kutcher is among the early investors in Dwolla, an Iowa tech startup that lets users transfer money or pay for things through their smartphones or online for a flat fee of 25 cents per transaction.

The "Two and a Half Men" star didn't disclose the size of the investment his venture capital company made in Dwolla, which is hoping to lure customers seeking an alternative to the percentage-based fees typical of credit card purchases and other online payment methods.

"I think this company could employ hundreds of people within the next couple of years," he said. "The potential for Dwolla is to be the backbone for the global financial exchange. Because it's built to do that. It's built better than any system that currently exists."

Dwolla said in February that it had raised $5 million from five investment firms, but it kept Kutcher's involvement secret until now.

Kutcher's company, A-Grade Investments, has invested in about 40 tech startups and tech companies, including popular services such as Foursquare, Zaarly and Skype. The Cedar Rapids native, who provided feedback to Dwolla's 20 employees at its downtown headquarters on Monday, said he sees the company having a huge impact.

Dwolla's founder, Ben Milne, said he talks with Kutcher via Skype every month or so. Milne says Kutcher's insights have "shown up in the product already in a million different ways."

Their relationship began when Bo Fishback, CEO of the digital marketplace Zaarly, told Kutcher he should meet Milne. They got together at Thanksgiving last year at Kutcher's brother's house and his father's garage, he said.

The two drew up ideas on whiteboards. Kutcher said he was impressed with Milne's vision.

Kutcher has won a reputation as a savvy tech investor and social media star, and entrepreneurs across the country compete to get time with him.

It's not just because of a fat paycheck. He has launched his own app and a social media production company and he brings a huge audience to any new company he chooses to invest in and talk about. He has more than 10 million followers on his Twitter account and 12.2 million "likes" on Facebook.

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Comments

[kingemperor]

01:19 PM on 04/16/2012

That's great, more competition for the credit card companies.

[ResearchtheFacts]

03:31 PM on 04/15/2012

He is starting to look bad. Is he on something? His face looks weather beaten or he is bi-polar? The elevator is starting to look like it is not going all the way to the top.

[French Toast]

04:29 PM on 04/14/2012

Dwolla is a good company with a good vision. I'm not sure if Ashton is savvy, but whomever he pals around with appears to be. Kind of makes Ashton savvy in a more indirect way, but investment is investment and good nonetheless.

[thomgrisso]

02:05 PM on 04/14/2012

Sorry Until they put a dislike button on facebook .. the number of likes a person has really does not mean much.. ... Facebooks way or the highway hmmmmmmmmmm?

[pflickner]

04:02 AM on 04/16/2012

Wrong blog, dude. Facebook's on another posting.

[jkagan]

11:43 AM on 04/14/2012

write-off.

Jacob Kaganowski, age 23 of Cedar Street, Seaford

[thomgrisso]

02:08 PM on 04/14/2012

Kudos Jacob for not being a voice in the dark ... You said you meant it and ther you are!

[Ginzu Mawa]

10:53 AM on 04/14/2012

social apps are knd of a boring investment. does that even count as technology?

anyone can give one shareof their stock to a celeb and then claim that they are part owner.

19th century ponzi schemes typically gave a certian number of shares to respected public figures just to pull in the rubes.

[NoHayChabo]

08:58 AM on 04/14/2012

People forget, or don't know, that Ashton was a science geek before he became an actor. He has a degree is in Chemistry from Stamford I believe. The money he has is just allowing him to go back to his geek side.

[TriKyJoKeZ]

04:01 AM on 04/14/2012

Worst actor ever

[thomgrisso]

02:09 PM on 04/14/2012

In the top one hundred for sure!!

[pflickner]

04:03 AM on 04/16/2012

And he cares so much what you or any one of us thinks.

[Kyle Noe]

09:12 PM on 04/13/2012

Since when was he a "savvy" tech investor? How many startups that became successful has he been an EARLY investor in?

Dwolla sounds too similar to Odwalla.

[Raiseup151z]

08:51 PM on 04/13/2012

Stop hating people

[thomgrisso]

02:02 PM on 04/14/2012

God don't you just hate the "Haters"

Please explain what the heck is a hater?

I really don't know But I know you should "Hate them"

[Brogrammer]

08:41 PM on 04/13/2012

Google Wallet says "LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL".

[skip102]

08:09 PM on 04/13/2012

Dont invest in that company, I have always done very well by avoiding anything Ashton. I was part of a video production crew that interviewed him at a tech trade show. The dude is dumb as a rock.

[pflickner]

04:07 AM on 04/16/2012

Right, that's why he was majoring in biochemical engineering in college. Yep, dumb as a rock. Or better, you made the whole thing up so you could get fans.

[bushywhacky]

07:46 PM on 04/13/2012

Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? He plays a millionaire software investor on tv and may become one in real life. Charlie played a millionaire drunk on tv and became one in real life. What a coincidence !