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Chatbooks is a technology company.
Chatbooks provides an intuitive platform for creating custom photo books, streamlining the transformation of digital images into tangible albums. The service prioritizes simplicity and affordability, enabling users to quickly compile and print cherished memories from daily life and special events. This approach makes photo preservation broadly accessible.
Founded in 2014 by Vanessa and Nate Quigley, Chatbooks arose from the founders’ observation that numerous digital photos often remained unseen on devices. Their insight led to developing an automated solution for converting these collections into physical books, addressing a widespread need for memory keeping.
Chatbooks serves individuals and families desiring an easy way to move beyond digital screens and hold their photographic memories. The company’s mission is to strengthen families by simplifying photo preservation and sharing. They envision a future where precious moments are consistently celebrated through enduring prints, fostering deeper connections.
Chatbooks has raised $26.8M across 5 funding rounds.
Chatbooks has raised $26.8M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Chatbooks has raised $26.8M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Chatbooks's investors include Andy Dent, Signal Peak Ventures, Scott Petty, Cougar Capital, Kickstart Seed Fund, Peterson Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, Fifth Wall, Kickstart Fund, Pelion Venture Partners.
Chatbooks is a portfolio company specializing in easy, affordable photo books and printing services that transform digital photos into physical keepsakes. It builds subscription-based products like Monthbooks (monthly photo albums from camera rolls) and Monthly Minis (smaller books for kids), alongside one-off custom books, canvas prints, and luxury layflats, serving busy parents and families who want to preserve everyday memories without hassle.[1][2][4][6] The platform solves the problem of photos piling up on phones by automating curation via app or website integrations (e.g., Instagram), offering high-quality prints starting at $8 per book with guarantees like free replacements for kid damage and real-person support.[3][5][6] With $23.3M in total funding, 129-150 employees, and past recognition as Utah's top startup in 2016, Chatbooks shows steady growth in the personalized photo products market.[2][4]
Chatbooks was founded in 2014 by Vanessa Quigley (co-founder) and Nate Quigley (CEO & co-founder), a husband-wife duo in Provo/Lehi, Utah, inspired by family needs. Vanessa, mother of seven, lacked time for scrapbooks but noticed her preschool son's love for a simple photo album; she wondered if Instagram posts could auto-turn into books, sparking the idea during a family-focused moment.[4] Starting as a "small family affair," it gained early traction with subscriptions like Monthbooks, backed by investors including Aries Capital Partners, Signal Peak Ventures, Kickstart Seed Fund, Peterson Ventures, and BYU Cougar Capital.[2][4] Pivotal recognition came in 2016 as Utah's top startup by the Utah Venture Entrepreneur Forum, fueling evolution from basic printing to a mission-driven team of 150+ emphasizing family connection.[2][3][4]
Chatbooks stands out in the photo printing space through parent-centric design and family-first operations:
Competitors like Turtle Moments or Phosfato offer similar subscriptions, but Chatbooks excels in ease, U.S.-based scale, and kid/family tailoring.[1]
Chatbooks rides the digital-to-physical nostalgia trend, capitalizing on smartphone photo overload (trillions stored digitally) amid a backlash against ephemeral social media. Timing aligns with post-pandemic family reconnection demands and AI-driven personalization in consumer tech, making auto-curation timely as parents seek tangible memories over endless scrolling.[3][4][6] Market forces like affordable printing tech and subscription fatigue solutions favor it in the $2B+ personalized photo products industry, where it differentiates via Utah's tech ecosystem (nearBYU) and women-supportive policies amid talent wars.[1][2][3] It influences the ecosystem by normalizing photo subscriptions for families, inspiring family-tech hybrids, and proving mission-led startups can scale while prioritizing work-life harmony.[3][4]
Chatbooks is poised for expansion by leaning into AI for smarter photo curation, gifting bundles, and global reach beyond U.S. families, potentially hitting higher revenue via enterprise partnerships (e.g., schools, events). Trends like AR-enhanced books or eco-friendly prints could shape its path, amplifying influence in consumer memory tech. As digital hoarding grows, its family-connection hook—born from real parental pain—positions it to evolve from niche startup to everyday essential, keeping photos alive beyond screens.[4][6]
Chatbooks has raised $26.8M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series B in February 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2017 | $12.0M Series B | Andy Dent | Signal Peak Ventures |
| Feb 4, 2016 | $7.0M Debt / Series A | Scott Petty | Cougar Capital, Kickstart Seed Fund, Peterson Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank |
| Feb 1, 2016 | $6.0M Series A | Fifth Wall, Kickstart Fund, Pelion Venture Partners, Peterson Ventures, Signal Peak Ventures | |
| May 1, 2015 | $1.0M Seed | Fifth Wall, Kickstart Fund, Pelion Venture Partners, Peterson Ventures | |
| Sep 1, 2014 | $750K Seed | Fifth Wall, Kickstart Fund, Pelion Venture Partners, Peterson Ventures |