Afloat, the gifting on-demand startup, expands its services nationwide

Afloat, a gift delivery app enabling same-day delivery from local stores, has expanded its service across the United States. The startup, founded by Sarah-Allen Preston, aims to facilitate immediate gift-giving while supporting local businesses.

Preston’s inspiration for Afloat came from her personal experience when her newborn underwent open heart surgery. The thoughtful gifts from loved ones during that challenging time left a lasting impact on her. She wanted to make it possible for people to show support through immediate gift-giving, even across state lines.

“When I looked back on that experience, though, I weirdly didn’t remember the stress and the heartache. All I remembered was how people showed up for me and how cared and supported I felt… So, I took that feeling and went on to amplify this in the world through technology.

Afloat combines the convenience of online shopping with the personal touch of local store purchases. The app handles the entire gift-giving process, from wrapping the gift to including a handwritten note, ensuring a more personal experience than a typical online order. For deliveries, Afloat partners with DoorDash drivers to ensure timely and reliable service.

Previously available only in select cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Charleston, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Nashville, and Wichita, Afloat’s nationwide rollout aims to make thoughtful, immediate gift-giving accessible to more people across the country.