KONTOR Establishes European HQ, Builds International Reach Before Public Launch

 

(New York, NY – August 27, 2015) KONTOR, a game-changing online tool for discovering workplace design and sourcing products, is building its international reach with the acquisition of Alisco, a commercial interiors website created by Florian Bolle, formerly a senior architect at Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Kontor, currently in private design-industry beta, is set to officially launch to the public this fall. Global since day one, Kontor’s current membership is based in more than 20 countries, and the site features projects and product brands from across the world. Through the Alisco acquisition, Kontor has an immediate Paris-based hub for its European activities and is positioned to rapidly expand its content from leading European design firms.

Since the private beta launched, the global design industry has quickly adopted Kontor to discover and share images of interiors and products using the platform’s proprietary Design Graph search technology. The Kontor team is carefully curating the firms and manufacturers invited to show their work on the site including the best designers in Europe. Currently, Kontor features more than 10,000 images of projects by more than 200 design practices, including Ippolito Fleitz Group, Origins Architects, i29 Interior Architects, and more than 50 other top European firms. On the manufacturer side, more than 75 premier design brands—including B&B Italia, Ligne Roset, Moooi, and many other European companies—have already committed to joining Kontor. When the platform launches to the public, business owners and design professionals will have access to an unprecedented tool for finding designers and products, and the Alisco acquisition will help Kontor accelerate the process.

According to Kontor CEO Mia Lewin, "Although we are based in New York, Kontor’s vision is truly global. Brands and leaders are keen to the fact that good design is crucial to business growth, whether the office is in a loft in Brooklyn or a palazzo in Rome. We see Kontor as a critical tool for this process. Our synergy with Florian and Alisco’s mission was clear from the moment we met. The acquisition allows us immediate, expanded access to the EU and its sophisticated design leadership.”

Alisco Founder, Florian Bolle, adds, “I created Alisco to connect design professionals with clients and show the range of commercial design at different scales, budgets and styles. I’m excited to combine Alisco’s network of designers with Kontor’s phenomenal search technology, and continue to grow so that clients around the world can get the perfect workplace for their brands.”

Kontor opens to the public in the fall, but design industry insiders can get early access at https://kontor.com/invite/join.

About KONTOR
KONTOR is a visual search and discovery platform for workplace design. We connect designers with innovative makers and visionary clients. A New York City-based technology startup with love of good design, KONTOR was founded in 2014 by a team of serial entrepreneurs comprised of Kevin Ryan, Mia Lewin, Andy Parsons, and Tom Melcher. Visit us at www.kontor.com.