Boomf
Boomf (stylized in lowercase) is a UK company which delivers personalised gifts through the letterbox. The company launched in 2013 selling personalised marshmallows with photos printed on top.
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Personalised confectionery |
Founded | November 2013 |
Founders | James Middleton and Andy Bell |
Headquarters | Reading and London, England |
Area served | Global |
Website | www |
Background
Boomf was founded in November 2013 by James Middleton and Andy Bell.[1] Middleton had previously founded Nice Cakes, which specialised in personalised cakes.[2][3] Bell had previously founded Mint Digital,[1] which created StickyGram (now Sticky9), an Instagram magnet company which sold to PhotoBox. [4]
History
In 2014, Boomf raised over $1m and was backed by a number of angel investors, including Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig, Duncan Jennings and Matt Wheeler.[1]
Boomf launched in November 2013 without mentioning Middleton's involvement, to allow for a low profile launch.[5] In January 2014, Boomf announced Middleton's involvement, believing that it would be impossible to keep it secret long-term.[2]
Boomf shipped 2 tons of marshmallows in its first year and made £100,000 ($168,000) in sales in its first three months.[6]
In July 2015, Boomf launched a nationwide search for a new marshmallow designer. The winner was Bournemouth University student Izzy Burton.[7]
Boomf to report its first profit in 2019 - of £175,000 - and an increase in sales of up to £4.4 million from £2.8 million in the previous year. The company moved into new offices in Reading with circa 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) to warehouse space. [8]
References
- Baker, Dylan (8 August 2014). "Middleton Brother's Boomf Instagram Marshmallows Raise Over $1m". TechCityNews. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- Bryant, Martin (23 January 2014). "James Middleton, Brother of the Duchess of Cambridge: The Man Behind Boomf's Instagram Marshmallows". TNW Blog. The Next Web. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- Nicholl, Katie (9 August 2012). "The other Middleton". British GQ.
- Titcomb, James (24 June 2013). "Printing Site PhotoBox Snaps Up London-Based Instagram Firm". City A.M. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - Bryant, Martin (25 November 2013). "Boomf: Marshmallows with Your Instagram Photos on Them". TNW Blog. The Next Web. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- Petroff, Alanna (12 August 2014). "Kate Middleton's brother: The Marshmallow Selfie King". CNN Money. London. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- Kaur, Melisha (19 July 2015). "Duchess of Cambridge's brother James Middleton chooses artistic collaborator and apprentice for marshmallow brand Boomf". London Evening Standard.
- "James Middleton Sells Boomf.com to a consortium of investors". Boomf. 20 January 2022.
Further reading
- Garber, Megan (27 November 2013). "The Edible Instagram". The Atlantic. New York. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- Beck, Laura (30 November 2013). "Get Your Instagram Photos Printed on Marshmallows". Cosmopolitan. New York: Hearst Communications. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- Jacobs, Alexandra (14 November 2014). "James Middleton Will Put a Happy Face on Your S'mores". New York Times. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- Schwiegershausen, Erica (30 May 2014). "James Middleton on Marshmallows, and Being a 'New Age Willy Wonka'". New York. New York. Retrieved 9 March 2015.