Utah-based Chatbooks seeks to solve a problem of the digital age by taking photo files and automatically turning them into physical picture albums. Founders Vanessa and Nate Quigley encountered something in their own lives that pushed them to launch the app. The duo realized that, as time passed, they stopped making picture albums, even though they had potentially more pictures documenting their memories than ever. Their response? Chatbooks, a subscription-based smartphone app.
Chatbooks creates photo albums every time users upload 60 pictures to its servers. Users can compile photos from across devices and accounts, uploading photos from social media accounts, phones, computers and tablets. The idea has been wildly successful; the app launched in June 2014 and recently sold its one-millionth photo book. In fact, the company sold its first 500,000 photo albums without any marketing or advertising – gaining traction only through organic recommendations from satisfied users.
Such rapid growth has made Chatbooks an easy target for investors. Signal Peak Ventures recently invested $6 million of Series A funding into the app. Scott Petty, partner at Signal Peak Ventures, is optimistic about the role Chatbooks plays in this particular moment in history. “We are in a unique time where we can combine digital technology to address the growing demographic looking for a way to bring digital memories to life,” he told Businesswire.com.
Chatbooks currently ships to eight countries, including the United States, but seeks to expand to additional markets after gaining this new funding. CEO Nate Quigley, quoted in a recent press release, explained that Chatbooks hopes to help more and more users “reconnect with what matters most, and give meaning to the everyday moments of life.” Chatbooks offers an ongoing photo book subscription and custom services, with plans starting at $8.
