Villanova, PA (May 21, 2024) – PeakEquity Partners, a private equity firm focused on investments in software companies, announced that it led an investment in Art Storefronts. Based in Austin, TX, Art Storefronts provides an all-in-one platform enabling painters, photographers and other creatives to operate and successfully grow their online art businesses.

Art Storefronts provides artists with the tools, framework, and support to launch their online businesses and consolidate existing solutions into one centralized offering. The company’s website and marketing automation solutions enable artists to maximize online exposure, grow their brands and build lasting customer relationships.

The company has over 10,000 customers spanning creatives across all mediums of art and experience levels. Art Storefronts’ platform caters to the new artist pursuing their passion, as well as the experienced one honing their craft. The platform increases the value of its customers’ brands while equipping them with the tools to build a successful business.

“With the backing of PeakEquity Partners, this investment will enable Art Storefronts to rapidly enhance our extensive range of products and features, which will give our customers increased capabilities and further their potential for achieving greater success. Additionally, it allows us to quickly expand our team and enter new markets,” said Nick Friend, CEO and Co-Founder of Art Storefronts.

Noah Ehrich, Vice President at PeakEquity said, “We are excited to work alongside Nick and his team. Art Storefronts has done an exceptional job delivering value to its expansive customer base, allowing artists to spend more time focusing on creating art and less time on the more mundane but necessary tasks that come with running an online business.”

Brian Nejmeh, Senior Operating Partner at PeakEquity, commented, “Art Storefronts has developed a differentiated solution that delivers clear ROI to its customers. There is strong product-market fit as demonstrated by the company’s best-in-class customer retention and high NPS.”

Jim Sheward, Senior Operating Partner at PeakEquity, continued, “Art Storefronts has done an exceptional job achieving scale in a capital efficient, bootstrapped manner. The company has established an attractive position in the market that our investment and operating experience can further accelerate.”

The “work from anywhere” trend has spurred the art world’s long awaited digital transformation by allowing audiences to interact with art and artists anywhere in the world. The broader creator economy represents a multi-billion dollar industry and has seen a recent surge, largely driven by the democratization of art coming from lower barriers to entry in today’s environment. Art Storefronts is providing the platform for these artists to create and build real equity in their businesses.

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP acted as legal counsel to PeakEquity. Gaynor Law Group, P.C. acted as legal counsel and Vaquero Capital served as financial advisor to Art Storefronts in connection with the transaction.