Marvel started as a simple prototyping and wire-framing app for web and mobile and has expanded into an all-in-one design platform. It supports the full design workflow, from wireframing to user testing, and includes collaboration features for individuals and teams. Growth has been driven partly through acquisitions, including the assets of POP and the design tool Plexi, which Marvel has integrated into its product. The company reports over 1 million registered users and around 35,000 new signups per month, with its largest markets in the U.S. and U.K. The new capital will be used to build out Marvel as a company—investing in sales and customer support, expanding into new markets, and developing new products. Investors participating in the round include BGF Ventures, Index Ventures, Connect Ventures, Inreach Ventures, Andy McLoughlin, and Richard Fearn. Marvel provides web, iOS and Android apps that let users convert paper sketches, wireframes and Photoshop/Sketch files into interactive, tappable prototypes by adding hotspots and transitions. Mobile apps let users photograph paper sketches or draw directly on screen with a finger or stylus; the service also syncs with Dropbox and supports Google Drive and Sketch. Recent product additions include a free user testing feature (integrating with Lookback) and an online community area called Explore for publishing and discovering prototypes. Marvel also added embed support so prototypes can be placed on sites such as Medium, Square and Behance. The company plans to use the new funding primarily for hiring, doubling headcount to 16 and expanding design, development, customer success and content teams. The article notes Marvel famously survived a Wonga loan in its history. Marvel provides web, iOS and Android apps that turn sketches, wireframes and Photoshop files into tappable (or clickable) app prototypes by letting users add hotspots and transitions. Mobile apps let users photograph paper sketches and, in the latest update, draw directly on iPhone and iPad screens with a finger or stylus. The service is built on the Dropbox API so changes to screen images are synced and Marvel can offer its core service free without cloud-storage costs. The company’s stated mission is to “lower the barrier” to prototyping so non-designers and founders can bring ideas to life quickly. Marvel has grown rapidly: the service reached 60k users (about 200 users per day) and has synced over 2 million images. After earlier cash strain and a short-lived Wonga loan, the team plans to use new funding to expand its developer and design headcount and advance the product.

Total raised

$8M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Dec 2016