In today’s digital age, the traditional business card is still prevalent, but the rise of smartphones and digital technology has paved the way for innovative alternatives. One such solution is Blinq, a startup based in Melbourne that offers a digital business card app with a QR-code widget. What started as a hobby project in 2017 has now grown into a successful venture with over 2.5 million users, spanning individual customers and 500,000 companies in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
Recently, Blinq secured a $25 million Series A funding round led by Touring Capital, with existing investors Blackbird Ventures and Square Peg Capital also participating, along with new investor HubSpot Ventures. According to Jerrod Webb, CEO and founder of Blinq, the company’s growth was accelerated by the widespread adoption of QR codes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blinq follows a B2C2B model, allowing users to create multiple customized digital business cards for different purposes and connect with contacts using various methods such as QR codes, email signatures, NFCs, short links, or video call backgrounds. The app integrates seamlessly with CRM systems like HubSpot and Salesforce, catering to individuals, small businesses, and global enterprises.
With 80% of its customer base located in the U.S., Blinq has expanded its team from five employees in Melbourne to 67 across Sydney, Melbourne, New York, and San Francisco. The platform’s viral nature drives organic growth, keeping customer acquisition costs low, while also generating expansion revenue as more employees within companies adopt the product.
While Blinq faces competition from similar digital business card services like Mobilo, Popl, Wave, and Wix, Webb believes that Blinq’s focus on relationship-building sets it apart. The platform offers users multiple ways to follow up and engage with new contacts, positioning itself as a trusted tool for initiating and nurturing relationships.
For Webb, digital business cards are just the beginning. He sees them as a stepping stone to creating meaningful connections and shaping future interactions. Blinq’s goal is to provide users with everything they need to turn initial meetings into lasting relationships, by offering dynamic profiles, innovative engagement tools, and staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing world.
