Inkbox is a technology company.
Inkbox offers semi-permanent tattoos that last up to 10 days, using a patented ink formula that sinks into the skin for a realistic look.
Inkbox has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Inkbox has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Inkbox has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Inkbox's investors include Audrey Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blisce, Catapult Capital, Cowboy Ventures, Matt Ocko, FirstMark Capital, Flybridge Capital Partners, Footwork, Highland Capital Partners, Insight Partners, Left Lane Capital.
Inkbox is a Toronto-based technology-enabled consumer brand specializing in semi-permanent tattoos that last 5-10 days, fading naturally as skin regenerates, along with tools like the Freehand Tattoo Marker for custom designs.[1][2] It serves young adults seeking bold, commitment-free self-expression through a direct-to-consumer model, solving the problem of permanent tattoos by offering temporary, high-quality alternatives with over 10,000 designs and collaborations with artists like Travis Barker, BTS, and Post Malone.[1][2] Founded in 2015, Inkbox raised $14.28M before being acquired by BIC in January 2022, now shipping tens of thousands of tattoos weekly as part of BIC's Skin Creative portfolio, with a reported revenue of $7M and around 102 employees.[1][2]
Inkbox was founded in 2015 in downtown Toronto, Canada, emerging from a vision to make tattoo artistry accessible without lifelong commitment.[1][2] The founders leveraged technology for custom tattoo software and ink formulations, quickly gaining traction through a growing catalog of designs and partnerships with influencers and artists.[1] Key early moments include launching Freehand Tattoo Markers and high-profile collaborations, such as the Travis Barker collection symbolizing love and loyalty, which helped build a community around temporary body art.[1] By 2022, this momentum led to its acquisition by BIC, marking a pivotal shift to scale under a global stationery giant while maintaining its creative Toronto headquarters and permanent tattoo studio, Inside Out.[1][2]
Inkbox rides the wave of personalization and self-expression tech in consumer beauty, blending ink chemistry with software for on-demand body art amid rising demand for non-permanent modifications post-pandemic.[1][2] Timing aligns with social media's amplification of individuality—think TikTok-driven tattoo trends—while market forces like e-commerce growth and sustainability (fading inks reduce regret) favor its model.[1] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering "skin merch" for artists, expanding into Web3 NFTs, and normalizing tech-infused body art, challenging traditional tattooing and inspiring hybrid physical-digital creativity in the $100B+ global beauty/tech space.[1][2]
Inkbox's BIC backing positions it for global expansion, potentially integrating temporary tattoos into stationery and beauty lines while deepening Web3 ties for artist royalties via NFTs.[1][2] Trends like AR try-on tools, AI design generation, and Gen Z's preference for experiential merch will propel growth, evolving its influence from niche D2C brand to mainstream body art innovator. As self-expression tech matures, Inkbox exemplifies how clever chemistry and software unlock bold individuality without permanence—reinforcing its role as the ultimate low-risk canvas for personal stories.[1][2]
Inkbox has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series A in July 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2018 | $10.0M Series A | Audrey Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blisce, Catapult Capital, Cowboy Ventures, Matt Ocko, FirstMark Capital, Flybridge Capital Partners, Footwork, Highland Capital Partners, Insight Partners, Left Lane Capital, Maveron, Moderne Ventures, Morado Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, Phenomen Ventures, Saturn Partners, ThirdLove, Thirty Five Ventures, True Ventures, Uncork Capital, Winklevoss Capital, Giovanni Gardelli, Jay Adelson, Philip Kaplan, Rashaun Williams | |
| Jul 1, 2016 | $1.0M Seed | Accel, ACME Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bond, Craft Ventures, Dragoneer Investment Group, General Atlantic, General Catalyst, Dave Munichiello, M.G. Siegler, Highbury Group, IVP, Kleiner Perkins, Marc Bell Capital, Maveron, Next Play Ventures, Race Capital, Slow Ventures, Spark Capital, Tribe Capital, Biz Stone, Bradley Horowitz, Jeremy Stoppelman, John Collison, Matt Mazzeo, Megan Quinn, MG Siegler, Rob Solomon |