PicApp
Widget which online publishers can use to transform static images into a user engaging visual experience.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
N/A | Acquisition | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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PicApp was an Israel-based image syndication platform founded in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Eyal Gura, who also served as CEO. The company emerged as a spin-off from PicScout, another visual content company co-founded by Gura that was later acquired by Getty Images. PicApp's business model focused on providing a free and legal way for online publishers and bloggers to use professional, licensed images. In exchange for access to a database of millions of photos from partners like Getty Images and Corbis, publishers would embed a PicApp widget on their sites. This widget turned static images into interactive slideshows and displayed advertisements, allowing PicApp to generate revenue and share profits with the content creators.
The primary clients for PicApp were small and large digital publishers seeking to increase user engagement and time spent on their websites. The platform offered a comprehensive technological solution that automatically converted any image on a publisher's site into an engaging visual experience. This addressed the common issue of image-clicks being underutilized. In September 2008, the company secured $3.2 million in a Series A funding round led by Carmel Ventures, with participation from private investors. This capital infusion supported the company's growth and the launch of a non-flash version of its widget.
In April 2011, PicApp was acquired by Ybrant Digital, a U.S.-based digital marketing company, for an undisclosed amount. Following the acquisition, PicApp continued to operate as an independent unit within the Ybrant group, gaining access to a much larger network of advertisers and publishers. Eyal Gura, the co-founder, has a notable history of launching and successfully exiting startups, including The Gifts Project (acquired by eBay) and PicScout (acquired by Getty Images). His entrepreneurial journey often involves identifying and capitalizing on technological opportunities in the digital media space.
Keywords: PicApp, Eyal Gura, image syndication, content syndication, digital publishers, online advertising, ad-supported images, image widget, slideshow widget, user engagement, PicScout, Ybrant Digital, Carmel Ventures, media technology, stock photos, content monetization, blogger tools, digital media, startup acquisition, visual content