Marqeta and Local Business Organizations Launch New Oakland-Focused Commerce and Gifting Platform

OAKLAND, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Leading Oakland business organizations and local start-up Marqeta have come together to launch Explore Oakland, a resounding answer to Mayor Jean Quan's call to support Oakland's economy. Hailed by the New York Times as the fifth most desirable place in the world to visit in 2012, Oakland is especially recognized for its "new restaurants and bars." Leveraging both opportunities, Explore Oakland gives locals and visitors alike an extra 25% to spend at Oakland's best restaurants when paying online in advance. Marqeta, a new service that gets consumers more money for the things they buy everyday, is leading the charge, along with the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Visit Oakland and the Oakland Restaurant Association to develop innovative solutions that support Oakland commerce and the local community.

Marqeta and Joe Haraburda of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce came together in response to Mayor Quan's goal of encouraging consumers to dedicate 25% of their shopping dollars to Oakland's merchants. The partnership resulted in an innovation - Explore Oakland, a one-of-a-kind offer that gives shoppers 25% more money to spend at dozens of top Oakland restaurants, including Pican, Ozumo, Make Westing, Bittersweet Cafe and Pacific Brewing Company. Explore Oakland also supports nonprofit Great Oakland Public Schools, further enhancing the benefit to the Oakland community. Explore Oakland has four dining levels to choose from (consumers buy the offers online at www.marqeta.com/exploreoakland and Marqeta sends them a free debit card with the total funds preloaded):

• Taste of Oakland: Prepay $40 and get an extra $10
• Dinner for Two: Prepay $80 and get an extra $20
• Party of Four: Prepay $200 and get an extra $50
• Indulge Oakland: Prepay $400 and get an extra $100

Consumers can also give any of the offers as gifts to friends and family, just in time for the holidays. "Giving the gift of Oakland has never been easier," says Alison Best, CEO of Visit Oakland. "Oakland is experiencing a culinary renaissance and our partnership with Marqeta has given us the opportunity to generate even more buzz around the Oakland dining scene - especially as we head into our third annual Oakland Restaurant Week in January."