Lovers
do it better
LOVERS DO IT BETTER is initially a way for us to hijack LinkedIn and turn it into a bold and honest Tinder - a dating space for progressive startups in urgent financial need and investors with an appetite to make an impact
We are a hard-working and hard-loving startup, looking for a new partner. The site you are currently on is our desperate and sincere personal ad. Please scroll down to get to know us better: ARTBY - the subtly offbeat art brand
THE CAMPAIGN. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Due to the urgent financial situation of Artby, we have created the LOVERS DO IT BETTER campaign. A campaign that is 100% desperate, 100% dedicated, and 100% transparent: we lay all cards on the table, and officially reach out to investors and business angels while wearing our hearts on the sleeve
- If you sympathize with the initiative, if you want to show us your support, or if you want to help us find a partner: PLEASE comment on our LinkedIn posts, share, and spread the word
- If you like to see Artby:s full disclosure pitch with transparent info, analysis, vital figures, plans, and specific funding need: download the PDF below
- If you are a desperate startup just like us, feel free to follow our example: 1) set up a campaign page that presents your start up, 2) transparently sum up all vital info in a downloadable PDF, and 3) reach out wholeheartedly on LinkedIn #loversdoitbetter
THE STORY OF ARTBY. Artby is founded by Karl Hardell and Sara Hardell Flagge. As two art lovers and dedicated business developers, we felt that it all fell into place in 2018 when Artby was born. This was our chance to challenge a highly conservative art industry, and add new values to a design and lifestyle market that (sadly enough) is overloaded with low-grade stereotypical wall art
With high quality art prints as a starting point, we wanted to repackage quality art as an "accessible accessory" and bring it to an international design and lifestyle market - without compromising on quality, artistic integrity, and edge. An important strategic choice, was to operate as a premium brand and to offer art as a branded premium product
With high quality art prints as a starting point, we wanted to repackage quality art as an "accessible accessory" and bring it to an international design and lifestyle market - without compromising on quality, artistic integrity, and edge. An important strategic choice, was to operate as a premium brand and to offer art as a branded premium product
When we started off in 2018 our business objective was to scale and become an internationally viable brand within five years. We knew that we had a fair chance to do well: there was an opportunity to take an unique position as a solid art brand, there was an opportunity to capture a significant market share in a substantial and growing segment, there was an opportunity to establish great gross profit margins, and there was an opportunity to build a highly scalable company based on digital technology through the whole value chain. Additionally, there was an opportunity to make an impact: Artby would exist to make quality mandatory
For two years we have been focusing on development. Today we have an all-star team in place, as well as an edgy stable of artists, a high end digital printmaking studio, a cost effective and sustainable supply chain, a validated and quality assured product, and a plan to offensively go-to-market. We recently celebrated a highly important agreement with an American agency, and up to the outbreak of COVID-19 we have had positive dialogues with a handful of Swedish investors. The last month however, a lot has changed. Everything seems to stand still, and a progressive business idea, a strong team, and two years of brutally hard work, is about to go down the drain. Unless we find ourselves a partner
For two years we have been focusing on development. Today we have an all-star team in place, as well as an edgy stable of artists, a high end digital printmaking studio, a cost effective and sustainable supply chain, a validated and quality assured product, and a plan to offensively go-to-market. We recently celebrated a highly important agreement with an American agency, and up to the outbreak of COVID-19 we have had positive dialogues with a handful of Swedish investors. The last month however, a lot has changed. Everything seems to stand still, and a progressive business idea, a strong team, and two years of brutally hard work, is about to go down the drain. Unless we find ourselves a partner
'an opportunity to take an unique position as a solid art brand'
'an opportunity to capture a significant market share in a substantial and growing segment'
'an opportunity to establish great gross profit margins, and build a highly scalable company based on digital technology through the whole value chain'
A CAMPAIGN IN 3 PARTS. Artby is a hard-working and hard-loving start up. Below we sum up: 1) our passionate team, 2) our committed focus on quality, and 3) our sincere call for partnership
1. Laws of attraction
When building the Artby team, we have happily discovered that passion attracts passion. All Artby team members are dedicated specialists interested in breaking new ground. Basically, our organization is shaped by the dogma 'know the rules well, so you can break them effectively'
OPERATIVE TEAM
- Kalle Hardell. Co-founder and CEO. Business Strategist and Business Developer specialized in cultural and creative startups. Former CEO of the business incubator eXpression. MBA in Business Management, Business School of Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Sara Hardell Flagge. Co-founder and CD. Art Specialist and PR Strategist specialized in brand development and consumer insight. Former Consultant at Punkt PR and Guller's group. PhD in Visual Studies, Lund University, Sweden, and trained PR-Strategist, Berghs School of Communication, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ted Bergner. CSO and digital advisor. Former IT Manager at J. Lindeberg, Operational Manager at Afound and Retail Expert at Microsoft. Master’s degree in information technology and trained business economist, Umeå University, Sweden
- Sara Rutberg. AD and first printmaker. Former AD at Acne and Consultant at Seventy Agency, with clients such as Acne, Bolon, and Carin Wester. Bachelor of Art and Design, Beckmans College of Design, Stockholm, Sweden
- Tom Kennedy. Designer and printmaker. Senior Freelance Designer for international clients such as Ralph Lauren, Portobello Road Gin, and Jack Daniels
- Swetlana Heger-Davis. Professor at Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. Internationally renowned artist and a collaborative partner to major fashion brands such as Hermés and Adidas. Represented in public and private collections worldwide
- Olav Westphalen. Professor at the Royal Academy of Arts, Stockholm, Sweden. Internationally renowned artist, represented at Centre Pompidou, Moderna Museet, and MoMA in New York, among other places
- Christoph Draeger. Professor at the Umeå School of Art, Sweden. Internationally renowned artist, widely exhibited in Scandinavia, Europe, and USA
- Max Liljefors. Professor in Art History and Visual Studies at Lund University, Sweden, and professor in Information Science and Media Studies at Bergen University
- In a (hopefully VERY) short time, we power up our team with a new partner. Ideally we are looking for an investor that shares the drive to break new ground, and is willing to bring capital as well as competence into our business
WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE TOGETHER? The Artby team consists of credentialed professionals within art, design, communication, branding, and business development. Our shared ambition is to make contemporary art accessible in new ways to new people - without compromising on quality. The latter is imperative: a strict focus on quality encourages meaningful and sustainable production and consumption, it also supports a commercialization (of art) that doesn't give in to clichés or careless mass production. This is beneficial to professional artists, to consumers, and to the market as a whole
2. Signs of affection
Two years of business and product development have made one thing clear: when you love what you do you find yourself more willing to walk the extra mile. Today we are proud of the way the Artby team tirelessly have sticked to our belief in quality: we now control the whole production process, we are picky when selecting artists, and we keep a strict product policy
THE ARTBY STUDIO. The Artby studio, designed by the printmaking expert Stefan Ohlsson, is the heart of Artby. It is a digital printmaking studio, that allows us to combine high precision imaging technology with superior handicraft. The studio is set up in line with best practices and is optimized for digital printmaking. The whole production process is controlled by Artby professionals - we only work with premium materials with high durability, and we have strict routines for quality control and quality assurance
THE ARTISTS. Artby produces limited edition art prints in collaboration with professional artists that are internationally recruited. The artists are selected in dialogue with the highly skilled art experts in our advisory board. All collaborating artists are contemporary, cutting edge, and defined by a sense of creative urgency. Some artists are emerging, some are late-career artists represented by prestigious venues such as MoMA in New York and Moderna Museet in Stockholm
THE POLICY. Artby is led by a strict product policy: all Artby products should always and without exception reflect the professionalism, the integrity, and the high levels of quality that define the entire production process. This policy regulates the product as such as well as packaging and communication
THE ARTISTS. Artby produces limited edition art prints in collaboration with professional artists that are internationally recruited. The artists are selected in dialogue with the highly skilled art experts in our advisory board. All collaborating artists are contemporary, cutting edge, and defined by a sense of creative urgency. Some artists are emerging, some are late-career artists represented by prestigious venues such as MoMA in New York and Moderna Museet in Stockholm
THE POLICY. Artby is led by a strict product policy: all Artby products should always and without exception reflect the professionalism, the integrity, and the high levels of quality that define the entire production process. This policy regulates the product as such as well as packaging and communication
QUALITY & SCALABILITY. Artby:s primary sales channels, marketing channels, and communication channels are digital, which allows us to effectively acquire customers, expand markets, and scale. However, to scale does not mean to compromise on quality: our digital printmaking process in combination with our strict routines for quality control guarantee an extremely consistent product, even when the production volumes are high
3. With our hearts on the sleeve
When everything is at stake, there is nothing to hide. We are in a situation where we simply can't make it on our own. So here we are, asking for partnership with our hearts on the sleeve
UP UNTIL TODAY. For two years we have developed our business strategy, our team, and our product. We have invested 600 000 USD to build up a digital studio that is in line with best practices, a cost effective and sustainable supply chain, to build know-how on quality, to build an edgy stable of artists, to build an e-commerce platform, and to set up solid guidelines for the Artby brand. In collaboration with Business Sweden we have made a thorough market analysis and market estimation which points out Scandinavia and USA as prioritized markets, and we have had test sales in Scandinavia of approximately 80 000 USD. During 2019 we have set up pop ups in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and New York - and verified demand for the product. In the beginning of 2020 we made an agreement with an American agency, that has vital sales channels in the American and Canadian territory. Essentially Artby is now in a go-to-market phase, heavily focused on sales and digital performance
GO-TO-MARKET, BUT NOT RIGHT NOW. Due to the market effects of COVID-19, we are however forced to enter a partial hibernation state. Some sales can still be done, but primarily we need to lower our costs and prepare ourselves in best possible ways to flourish further on. Creatively, the current situation offers an unique opportunity to collaborate with high-end creatives who simply are less busy in a time of lockdown. From a business perspective, this is the time to sharpen the axe: to polish our go-to-market plan and in detail work out how to level up digitally
FUNDING NEED. We ask for a funding of 100 000 USD to 200 000 USD for a 16,7% to 28,6% stake in the company. The money will be used to bridge the current downturn, to prepare ourselves in best possible ways for better times, and to start executing our go-to-market plan (within approximately 4-5 months). For transparent in-depth info and details on how the investment will be used, please download the PDF below. Interested in talking to us? Please reach out
GO-TO-MARKET, BUT NOT RIGHT NOW. Due to the market effects of COVID-19, we are however forced to enter a partial hibernation state. Some sales can still be done, but primarily we need to lower our costs and prepare ourselves in best possible ways to flourish further on. Creatively, the current situation offers an unique opportunity to collaborate with high-end creatives who simply are less busy in a time of lockdown. From a business perspective, this is the time to sharpen the axe: to polish our go-to-market plan and in detail work out how to level up digitally
FUNDING NEED. We ask for a funding of 100 000 USD to 200 000 USD for a 16,7% to 28,6% stake in the company. The money will be used to bridge the current downturn, to prepare ourselves in best possible ways for better times, and to start executing our go-to-market plan (within approximately 4-5 months). For transparent in-depth info and details on how the investment will be used, please download the PDF below. Interested in talking to us? Please reach out
CONTACT US:
Karl Hardell, co-founder and CEO:
kalle@artby.com
+46 72 211 9100
Sara Hardell Flagge, co-founder and CD:
sara@artby.com
+46 70 271 7926
Curious about the product? Scroll down!
Karl Hardell, co-founder and CEO:
kalle@artby.com
+46 72 211 9100
Sara Hardell Flagge, co-founder and CD:
sara@artby.com
+46 70 271 7926
Curious about the product? Scroll down!
THE PRODUCT
- PRODUCT LINE. Our product line is strictly curated. We take pride in providing our customers with durable and carefully selected items not offered by other brands on the market
- PRODUCTION. The Artby editions are made in Sweden at the Artby studio. The studio combines high precision imaging technology with excellent craft, and is designed to guarantee superior performance
- ARTISTS. Artby collaborates with internationally active artists, selected in dialogue with our highly credentialed advisory board. We work with emerging artists as well as late-career artists with broad market acceptance - all contemporary and cutting edge
- MATERIALS. The art prints are crafted from selected materials of the finest quality. We exclusively work with heavyweight acid-/lignin free papers (308/310 gsm) and high density pigments, which gives our prints a life expectancy of at least 80 years
- QUALITY CHECK & AUTHENTICITY. Our products are finished with expert care and attention. The art prints are approved by the artists and the printmaker in charge, and are always quality checked one by one by Artby professionals. Each Artby art print is delivered with a Certificate of Authenticity including a product number that can be used to verify the authenticity of the specific item
- FRAMING. We have two framing solutions, 'Acrylic' and the 'Classic'. The custom made 'Classic' is defined by timeless design, low-key styling and long lasting quality, whereas the 'Acrylic' reflects the core values of the Artby brand. It is designed to be radically honest, slightly unorthodox, and ultra functional. 100% recycling ability, break resistant, excellent light transmission, and high UV-protection
- PACKAGING. The extra care put in the making of our products is reflected in our packaging, designed to guarantee a genuinely aesthetic experience for the buyer as well as safe storage
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY. Artby is rooted in a Scandinavian tradition that cherishes minimalism as well as artistic edge. Our design philosophy is to blend simplicity with non-stereotypical expressions, and create long lasting and subtly offbeat items - polished and untamed at the same time
THE SUBTLY OFFBEAT ART BRAND. Artby is a Scandinavian art brand with an international outlook. We offer novel pieces to people who want to live and consume in a meaningful, pleasurable, and subtly offbeat way
Artby is exclusively focused on solid craftsmanship, high precision technology, and experimental collaborations with internationally active artists. Our art prints and posters are finely crafted as well as highly accessible in terms of use and appreciation. Ultimately, our mission is to transform contemporary art into an 'accessory' without compromising on quality, artistic integrity, and edge
Artby purposefully nurtures responsibility and sustainability. A main consideration is to reduce our negative impact, encourage meaningful consumption, and contribute to cultural improvement by supporting a professional art scene not driven by exclusion or restrained by convention
Copyright © 2020 Artby. All rights reserved
