Corte Madera, CA (May 17, 2016) -- Blink Inc., a unique photo shoot experience that captures and delivers professional digital photography in real-time at an affordable price, announced today the closing of $3.6 million in Series A funding to help accelerate its expansion plans to open hundreds of stores globally in the next five years. In addition to this fundraising, construction of more stores is well underway with a newly-launched Blink Inc. studio now open at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, Calif. and exciting retail locations set to open at Fashion Island in Newport Beach this Summer and additional Southern California locations this Fall.
Watch what Blink Inc. is all about here. Access images here.
Blink Inc.’s proprietary technology makes it easy for consumers to book a shoot online via their computer or mobile device at www.blinkinc.com. Once in the door, a Blink Inc. experience consists of a 10-minute (or longer) shoot with a professional photographer. The result is a collection of hundreds of beautiful photographs that consumers and businesses can view, buy and share instantly via Blink Inc.’s website. Pricing is affordable and builds on Blink Inc.’s accessibility model with shoots starting at just $25 plus $10 per photo to download. Clients can buy them all and save or just buy the ones they like a la carte style.
What sets Blink Inc. apart from its photo studio competitors is its true omni channel experience that combines its brick and mortar studio experience with its real-time photo delivery technology. This type of experience didn’t exist prior to Blink Inc. opening its first flagship store in Corte Madera, California two years ago. Yet the idea of taking an old concept and making it new again has paid off in dividends with rising profits year after year in the first “pilot” location as Blink’s unique business model leverages a low overhead mix of digital distribution technology and high volume foot traffic on the retail level resulting in a highly scalable model.
“Photo studios have been around for more than one hundred years but at Blink Inc. we are taking a new approach by delivering a streamlined studio experience and real-time photo delivery technology that enables instant customer interaction, purchasing and sharing,” said Tristan Davison, CEO and Founder of Blink Inc. “With our ambitious expansion plan, we have our sights set on bringing professional, beautiful and affordable photography to everyone.”
Blink Inc.’s investors in the latest Series A round are made up of syndicates and individuals from global retail brands, consumer investment funds and real estate-focused family offices including Chris Cook (and partners from Riata Capital Group), Chris Hansen (Founder and Managing Partner at Valiant Capital Partners), and David Zoba (former Head of Global Real Estate at Gap Inc.) and others.
“Blink Inc. is an innovative, omnichannel retail concept which brings professional digital photography to the masses. We believe this concept will provide a unique offering and we are excited to help it grow and succeed,” said Cook.
The financing will go towards store expansion and continued technology development for new Blink Inc. locations now being built in California including Westfield’s Topanga shopping center and Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Blink Inc. is also exploring opening up other store locations in California, Arizona, Washington, Oregon and Nevada.
About Blink Inc.
Blink Inc. takes stunning real-time digital photographs of you, the people you love and the things you make. Their beautiful studios are blank canvases designed to cultivate creativity, self expression and fun. Their professional photographers direct the shoot and capture the best in you. The result is hundreds of photographs that you can view, buy and download instantly on any device. Shoots start at just $25 a shoot and $10 per photo. www.blinkinc.com // @blinkincblinks
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Press Contact:
Melody Ann Pfeiffer
Blink Inc. PR
(415) 297-9590
