Groupon Timeline By chloeriley Mar 1, 1999 Starbelly.com founded by Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky Starbelly Founded 1999 Jun 1, 2000 Starbelly.com receives $75,000 grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Governor's press release--Starbelly.com originally slated to receive $425,000 Nov 11, 2008 The Point launches Groupon The Point launches Groupon Mar 15, 2010 Keywell and Lefkofsky launch $100 million "Lightbank" fund to seed Chicago start-ups Keywell and Lefkofsky start Lightbank fund Apr 18, 2010 Digital Sky Technology and Battery Ventures invest $135 million in Groupon Digital Sky and Battery Ventures invest $135 million in Groupon Oct 19, 2010 Groupon receives $3.5 million Edge Grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Groupon receives $3.5 million from the state of Illinois Dec 3, 2010 Groupon turns down $6 billion offer from Google Groupon turns down Google Mar 25, 2011 Groupon President Rob Solomon leaves company Rob Solomon resigns