Latest news with #BlankBeauty
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Blank Beauty Closes an Oversubscribed $6 Million Series A Funding to Power the Future of Personalized Beauty with Strategic Investment from EPSON and Kirker Enterprises
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blank Beauty Inc., the technology company providing on-demand beauty customization using AI and robotics, announced today the close of an oversubscribed $6 million Series A financing, led by leading consumer tech investor Evolution VC Partners, Kirker Enterprises, a US-based supplier of nail care products, and EPSON, the global printing, robotics, and technology company. Customers nationwide can create custom nail polish shades online now at Share Founded in 2016, Blank Beauty is transforming how consumer products are defined and made. By combining cutting-edge AI color science with its patented micro-dosing robotics, the company delivers highly personalized cosmetic products with zero inventory waste and the cleanest ingredients available. 'We believe personal care should be truly personal,' said Charles C. Brandon, CEO of Blank Beauty. 'Our platform lets anyone create the exact shade or formulation they want—whether they're expressing themselves through custom colors or matching a complex skin tone. With this round of funding, we'll scale our online and in-store experiences, strengthen our supply chain with world-class partners, and expand into new categories.' Blank's proprietary robotics color production platform includes: Huey – an AI-powered in-store robotic platform that creates thousands of custom nail polish SKUs in under two minutes. Currently deployed in Retail Stores, Huey seamlessly integrates into standard endcap displays, empowering shopper creativity and enhancing engagement while eliminating traditional shrinkage and overstock. Dolly – an automated fulfillment system that fetches Shopify orders, manufactures custom products, and performs real-time quality control that ensures next-day shipping with precision and consistency. Together, these innovations power Blank Beauty's micro-factory model, dramatically reducing the need for centralized mass production. The company is now consolidating all operations into a new 4,000 sq ft manufacturing center in Knoxville, TN, with throughput rivaling conventional factories many times its size. 'Oddly enough, nail polish is one of the most challenging cosmetic products to manufacture due to its small format and complex color chemistry,' said Ji Lee, CTO of Blank Beauty. 'We've solved this with precision automation. And now, we're preparing to tackle other demanding categories—like liquid foundation—with the same rigor and flexibility.' Strategic Backing and Made-in-USA Focus This Series A round represents a unique convergence of venture and strategic capital: EPSON, Blank's robotics and color science partner, brings decades of leadership in precision manufacturing and color printing. Kirker Enterprises, the company's exclusive supplier for U.S.-made nail polish formulations and colorants. Evolution VC Partners, a VC fund focused on the intersection of disruptive technologies and consumer brands. Gregg Smith has joined Blank Beauty's Board of Directors. These partners position Blank Beauty to scale quickly, build sustainable and modular supply chains, and explore co-branded licensing partnerships with major global brands. A Platform for the Future of CPG Blank Beauty's modular technology stack and data-driven customization platform are built for scalable deployment across both B2B and DTC channels. Already fielding inbound interest from national retailers and prestige brands, the company plans to expand its offering to include custom formulations in skin tone products, hair care, and more while staying true to its commitment to safe, cruelty-free, and USA-made manufacturing standards. This latest round of funding positions Blank Beauty to accelerate its market presence, expand distribution channels, and further develop its suite of customizable product offerings. The raise brings the company's total funding to over $12 million. About Blank Beauty Blank Beauty is a beauty tech company pioneering on-demand customization through AI and robotics. Founded in 2016, the company delivers clean, effective, and personalized beauty formulations produced on-demand via its in-store devices and automated online fulfillment system. About Kirker Enterprises Kirker Enterprises, Inc. has prevailed as a recognized leader in the development and manufacturing of the most innovative nail products since the 1940s. Kirker Enterprises is a custom manufacturer of nail lacquer and nail care treatment products that has evolved into a total turnkey operation. We are proud to offer our services in filling and packaging from free standing stock to beautifully designed and visually appealing packaging options and displays. We strive to develop and manufacture a complete range of creative and innovative nail care products for customers worldwide, while providing superior quality and utilizing state-of-the-art technology. With Kirker, It's Innovation At Your Fingertips. Visit to learn more. About Evolution VC Partners Evolution VC Partners is a venture investment firm investing in disruptive consumer brands and technology companies. With a track record of supporting visionary entrepreneurs, Evolution VC Partners helps companies scale and thrive in competitive markets. Visit for more. About Epson Corporation Epson Corporation is a global technology leader dedicated to driving innovations in printing, visual communications, and wearable devices. Through its expertise in precision engineering, Epson continues to enhance consumer experiences across multiple industries.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Epson Robots Invests in Blank Beauty to Bring Automation and Retailtainment to the Consumer Space
Strategic Investment Fuels New Retail and Service Experiences Through Robotics and On-Demand Manufacturing LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson Robots, the #1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, is redefining the role of automation by bringing manufacturing beyond the factory floor and directly into the hands of consumers. As part of its strategy to expand into retail and service industries, Epson has made a strategic investment in Blank Beauty Inc., a Knoxville-based tech platform that enables on-demand, customized manufacturing of consumer packaged goods. This partnership marks the beginning of a co-creation initiative aimed at delivering personalized products at scale using advanced robotics. Epson logo (PRNewsfoto/Epson America, Inc.) By integrating Epson advanced automation solutions – including the T3 All-in-One SCARA Robot, Epson RC+® software, Color Control Technology, and Spectroscopic Vision systems – with Blank Beauty's autonomous manufacturing platform, the two companies are pioneering a new model for retail engagement. This collaboration brings together Epson's precision robotics and Blank Beauty's agile, on-demand manufacturing with color matching technology to transform how automated systems produce single-quantity, custom products in real time. As part of the co-creation, Epson and Blank Beauty have developed an innovative in-store kiosk terminal capable of manufacturing and dispensing single- and small-quantity, custom-color nail polishes. Powered by Epson's compact and precise T3 robotic arms, the 2' x 2' kiosk delivers a seamless, space-efficient production experience – from real-time color selection to mixing and dispensing – within minutes. The live, visually dynamic process not only delivers a personalized product, but also serves as a retailtainment centerpiece, offering consumers a next-generation customization experience. The kiosk has already been piloted in select locations with a leading national retailer and is gaining strong traction. "This is a powerful example of how Epson technology is entering new frontiers – delivering scalable customization, reducing costs and enhancing customer engagement," said Rick Brookshire, Director of Robotics at Epson America, Inc. "Our investment in Blank Beauty through Epson X underscores the active role Epson Robots is taking to drive innovation in production, distribution and consumer experiences across industries." Beyond in-store experiences, the Epson and Blank Beauty collaboration extends to e-commerce, where Epson-powered equipment integrated with web applications to fully automate the process – from color formulation and mixing to packaging and shipment of online orders.
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Epson Robots Invests in Blank Beauty to Bring Automation and Retailtainment to the Consumer Space
Strategic Investment Fuels New Retail and Service Experiences Through Robotics and On-Demand Manufacturing LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson Robots , the #1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, is redefining the role of automation by bringing manufacturing beyond the factory floor and directly into the hands of consumers. As part of its strategy to expand into retail and service industries, Epson has made a strategic investment in Blank Beauty Inc. , a Knoxville-based tech platform that enables on-demand, customized manufacturing of consumer packaged goods. This partnership marks the beginning of a co-creation initiative aimed at delivering personalized products at scale using advanced robotics. By integrating Epson advanced automation solutions – including the T3 All-in-One SCARA Robot, Epson RC+® software, Color Control Technology, and Spectroscopic Vision systems – with Blank Beauty's autonomous manufacturing platform, the two companies are pioneering a new model for retail engagement. This collaboration brings together Epson's precision robotics and Blank Beauty's agile, on-demand manufacturing with color matching technology to transform how automated systems produce single-quantity, custom products in real time. As part of the co-creation, Epson and Blank Beauty have developed an innovative in-store kiosk terminal capable of manufacturing and dispensing single- and small-quantity, custom-color nail polishes. Powered by Epson's compact and precise T3 robotic arms, the 2' x 2' kiosk delivers a seamless, space-efficient production experience – from real-time color selection to mixing and dispensing – within minutes. The live, visually dynamic process not only delivers a personalized product, but also serves as a retailtainment centerpiece, offering consumers a next-generation customization experience. The kiosk has already been piloted in select locations with a leading national retailer and is gaining strong traction. 'This is a powerful example of how Epson technology is entering new frontiers – delivering scalable customization, reducing costs and enhancing customer engagement,' said Rick Brookshire, Director of Robotics at Epson America, Inc. 'Our investment in Blank Beauty through Epson X underscores the active role Epson Robots is taking to drive innovation in production, distribution and consumer experiences across industries.' Beyond in-store experiences, the Epson and Blank Beauty collaboration extends to e-commerce, where Epson-powered equipment integrated with web applications to fully automate the process – from color formulation and mixing to packaging and shipment of online orders. 'We built Blank Beauty as a platform for customized manufacturing, and to do it right, we needed a partner with flexibility, stability and proven technology. APTUS DesignWorks, a longtime trusted design partner, introduced Epson as the ideal technology partner to achieve our vision,' said Charles Brandon, co-founder and CEO, Blank Beauty, Inc. 'Along with Kirker Enterprises as our supplier partner and Evolution VC Partners, an industry leading venture capital fund, Epson has been essential in helping us take our concept to final deployment in just six months. Epson automation solutions made it possible to take true innovation and transform it into retailtainment.' Looking ahead, Epson and Blank Beauty plan to expand their offering beyond nail polish to include other customizable cosmetics like gel nail products, liquid foundations and lip glosses. By leveraging Epson's advanced Color Control Technology, the collaboration aims to deliver precise, high-value personalization across a growing range of industries. Future applications may also extend to categories like custom paints, aromatherapy and fragrance products and skincare – broadening the impact of robotics in the consumer experience landscape. About Blank Beauty Blank Beauty is a technology platform enabling the on-demand manufacturing of customized consumer packaged goods. From precision color mixing and labeling to full automation, Blank Beauty offers an end-to-end solution that operates both online and in physical retail spaces. Customers across the U.S. can order personalized products through the company's e-commerce platform, while in-store experiences bring robotics out of the warehouse and directly into the hands of consumers. With tens of thousands of people interacting with its robotic systems each month, Blank Beauty is redefining personalization in beauty and beyond. For more information, visit . About Epson Robots Epson Robots is a global leader in PC-controlled precision factory automation, with well over 150,000 units sold worldwide1 and a product line of hundreds of models of easy-to-use SCARA and 6-Axis robots based on a common PC-based platform. Building on four decades of experience, Epson Robots delivers robots for precision assembly and material handling applications in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, biotechnology, consumer product, electronics, food processing, medical device, pharmaceutical, plastics, semiconductor, and telecommunication industries. For more information, visit . About Epson Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: . You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook ( ), Twitter ( ), YouTube ( ), and Instagram ( ). 1 Epson internal sales data through 2021. EPSON and Epson RC+ are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. 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