KONTOR Launches to Public, Transforming Commercial Design
New Site Introduces World’s First Visual Network for Workplace Design
Kontor.com, a visual network for commercial interior design, today announced its launch to the public. Founded by a team of design-obsessed entrepreneurs, including Gilt Groupe and Business Insider Founder Kevin Ryan, Kontor’s platform is set to transform the workplace design industry.
Kontor’s unparalleled global network connects visionary companies, great designers and innovative product makers. The platform offers designers and product brands a visually stunning online portfolio to display office design projects and to showcase furnishings, lighting and other products in context.
“Companies across all industries are increasingly aware of the importance of creating thoughtfully designed workplaces,” said Kevin Ryan, Kontor’s Founder and Chairman. “Our ability to simplify the process and enable collaboration among designers, product companies, and their clients puts Kontor in a unique position to serve the $140 billion commercial interiors industry.”
Kontor’s Design GraphSM search technology uses a proprietary algorithm and expert metadata to create a sophisticated contextual search and discovery experience. Users can easily search for similar architecturally relevant spaces, designers and products and then create shareable collections that make collaboration among architects, product companies and their clients a seamless experience.
Since unveiling a private beta preview to the design industry in June 2015, Kontor has grown to feature more than 350 design firms, 120 product brands, and thousands of spaces at companies all over the world.
“The response from the professional design community has been universally impassioned, and as a result we are experiencing tremendous network growth—there was clearly pent up demand,” said Mia Lewin, Kontor’s CEO. “Kontor makes high-quality design easily accessible for business communities, while also delivering a much-needed workflow solution for design professionals.”
The newly launched version now includes:
• Top product brands—from Knoll and Herman Miller to Moooi, Moroso, Flos, and more—creating the world’s first commercial design marketplace.
• Manufacturer profiles with detailed product information, including dimensions, CAD and Revit symbols, and suggested pricing, all discoverable from the context of completed spaces.
• The ability for users to follow design firms, product brands, and each other to create a personalized, curated discovery experience.
• Collaboration tools with which designers and clients can use collections to share design ideas and facilitate furnishing, lighting, and other product choices.
The launch is being celebrated with a reception for tech, business and design industry leaders at the Moooi Brand Store in New York on November 11th, 2015. The event will also launch Tech by Design NYC, the first in a global series of events that track the convergence of technology and design.
Kontor is backed by $5 million in Series A funding from Venrock and seed-round investments from Kevin Ryan and Tom Melcher.
About KONTOR:
Founded by a group of design-minded tech entrepreneurs—Mia Lewin, Andy Parsons, Kevin Ryan, and Tom Melcher—Kontor is an unprecedented network for workplace design. We connect visionary companies, great designers, and innovative product makers using a combination of beautiful project photography, expert metadata, and a proprietary, design-focused search algorithm. On Kontor, everyone involved in workplace design—from architects and product makers to client businesses—can discover the best offices in the world. For more information, visit www.kontor.com.
