123rf
123rf (part of Inmagine Group) is a stock content agency founded in 2005 which sells royalty-free images. In the past few years, 123RF expanded the portfolio to serve the growing market of the web-based content industry. In addition to over 90 million images in its library, the company also has a large collection of vector graphics, icons, fonts, video and audio files. The marketing is mainly carried out by about 350 employees from 40 offices around the world.[1]
Private | |
Industry | Stock photography, stock footage , stock music |
Fate | Active |
Founded | 2005 |
Founder | Andy Sitt, Stephanie Sitt |
Headquarters | |
Number of employees | 350 |
Parent | Inmagine Group |
Website | 123rf |
History
In 2000, the founder, Andy Sitt, had just quit his job at a British company that sold stock images in CDs while showing customers printed catalogues. Andy launched his e-commerce business by setting up Inmagine, which sold premium large-format photo prints. Together with Stephanie Sitt as a cofounder and current CEO,[2] Inmagine Group is one of the few technology companies to have bootstrapped globally from Asia.
Inmagine also produced proprietary content which required in-house photographers, graphic designers, make up artists and a sales team to cater to demand. In 2005, Inmagine set up 123RF, which offers royalty-free stock images, videos, as well as audio clips, from just US$1 to US$3 apiece. Unlike the previous business model, 123RF allows photographers around the world to sell their work on the platform on a royalty-free model.[3]
Subsequently, Inmagine Group has expanded by building new businesses such as Stockunlimited.com, Designs.net and has also acquired TheHungryJPEG.com, Craftbundles.com, Pixlr.com, Vectr.com and Storyandheart.com.
Acquisitions
In March 2017, 123rf acquired TheHungryJPEG, a UK-registered font and graphics marketplace and its sister company Craftbundles for an undisclosed sum.[4][5]
In April 2017, 123rf acquired Pixlr, an online web-based image editor from Autodesk for an undisclosed sum.[6]
In November 2017, 123RF acquired Vectr, a web-based vector editor and Story & Heart, a video education platform.[7]
Pixlr
Original author(s) | Ola Sevandersson |
---|---|
Developer(s) | 123rf |
Initial release | August 2008 |
Available in | 28 languages |
Type | Image tools and utilities |
Website | pixlr |
Pixlr is a cloud-based set of image tools and utilities, including a number of photo editors, a screen recorder browser extension, and a photo sharing service. The suite was intended for non-professionals, however the apps range from simple to advanced photo editing. It can be used on PCs, and on smartphones or tablets using a mobile app.[8] Time put Pixlr on its list of the top 50 websites of 2013.[9]
Pixlr was founded in Sweden in 2008 by Ola Sevandersson.[10] On 19 July 2011, Autodesk announced that they had acquired the Pixlr suite and that Sevandersson had joined the company.[11] 123rf acquired Autodesk Pixlr for an undisclosed agreement on 24 April 2017.[12]
References
- "Malaysian stock photo startup 123RF acquires TheHungryJPEG with plans to go IPO". VC News Network.
- Tan, Tee May (2017-10-11). "5 Of The Most Common Startup Pain Points—Solved By This M'sian Startup Worth US$220 Mil". Vulcan Post. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- "How Malaysian husband and wife bootstrapped one of the world's top stock image players". Tech in Asia.
- "Malaysian stock photo startup 123RF acquires TheHungry.JPEG to grow design resources globally". e27..
- "123RF acquires design marketplace TheHungryJPEG". www.dealstreetasia.com. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
- "123RF acquires Pixlr, looking towards securing 50M monthly active users". e27.
- "Malaysia: Digital stock media firm Inmagine Group buys two US companies". www.dealstreetasia.com. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- Vogel, Sandra (13 June 2012). "Edit photos for free with Pixlr". pcadvisor.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
- McCracken, Harry (1 May 2013). "50 Best Websites 2013". TIME.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
- BHANDARI, DEEPA. Take Off with Computers 7. S. Chand Publishing. p. 142. ISBN 978-93-5253-251-3. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- Wauters, Robin (19 July 2011). "Autodesk Acquires Online Photo Editing Service Pixlr". techcrunch. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- "123RF Acquires Autodesk Pixlr to Boost the World's Creative Ecosystem". 25 April 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.