Story of Snappr: All-in-one platform for businesses to manage photo shoots, stock images, and editing
Story of Snappr:
Matt Schiller began his career studying medicine at the
University of New South Wales, where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine and
Surgery with honors. Although trained as a doctor, he had a deep interest in
technology and entrepreneurship, which would later push him to leave medicine
and pursue startups.
First Venture: GownTown
In 2012, while still in Australia, Matt co-founded GownTown,
an online retailer for graduation gowns. The platform quickly became the
country’s largest supplier of academic attire, giving him his first taste of
building a scalable e-commerce business. He ran the company for nearly four
years before moving on to bigger challenges.
The Birth of Snappr
In 2016, Matt teamed up with Ed Kearney, a fellow University
of New South Wales graduate, to launch Snappr. Their vision was clear: create
an on-demand photography service that made it as easy to book a professional
photographer as ordering a ride. Snappr started in Sydney, Melbourne, and
Brisbane, offering fast, affordable bookings for individuals and businesses.
Story of Snappr: All-in-one platform for businesses to manage photo shoots, stock images, and editing#startup#entrepreneur#age#net worth#Snappr story
Early Funding and Sports Star Backing
Within months of launching, Snappr raised $500,000 AUD in
pre-seed funding, with an unexpected backer—Australian cricket captain Steve
Smith. This gave the young startup both financial fuel and credibility.
Expanding to the U.S.
By early 2017, Snappr joined Y Combinator’s Winter program
in Silicon Valley. This was a major turning point that allowed the company to
set up an office in San Francisco. Soon after, Snappr expanded to San Francisco
and San Jose, marking its entry into the U.S. market.
Rapid Growth and Seed Round
Snappr’s growth accelerated, and by mid-2017 it raised a $2
million seed round from high-profile investors like Airtree Ventures, Google
Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen, and Zynga co-founder Justin Waldron. That same
year, Snappr introduced its Photo Analyzer, an AI tool that judged the quality
of headshots for platforms like LinkedIn, adding a tech edge to its services.
Recognition and Momentum
In 2017, Snappr was ranked the fastest-growing startup in Y
Combinator’s Winter batch, gaining recognition in the competitive Silicon
Valley ecosystem. Its mix of marketplace efficiency and AI-driven tools
positioned it as more than just a photography service—it was becoming a visual
content powerhouse.
Expanding Services
Over the next few years, Snappr went beyond simple photo
bookings. It built Snappr Shoots, a self-service tool to book a shoot in under
a minute, and Snappr Workflows, a SaaS solution for brands to automate visual
content pipelines. These innovations attracted large enterprise clients,
including Fortune 500 companies.
Scaling Globally
Snappr didn’t stop with the U.S. The company expanded
internationally, tapping into markets where demand for affordable, professional
photography was growing. Its network of pre-vetted photographers was carefully
built, with only about 5% of applicants accepted, ensuring quality.
Series A Success
By raising $41.6 million in Series A funding from investors
like Alumni Ventures, Shrug Capital, and Foundry Group, Snappr cemented its
place as a serious player in the content creation industry. These funds allowed
the company to scale operations and enhance its generative imaging
capabilities.
A Marketplace Beyond Photography
Today, Snappr is more than a photography marketplace. It has
evolved into a one-stop-shop for visual content creation, spanning photography,
editing, stock images, and AI-powered generative imaging. Its services are now
used by more than half of the Fortune 500, showing just how far the startup has
come in under a decade.
The Man Behind It All
Matt Schiller, once a doctor-in-training, is now recognized
as the driving force behind Snappr’s rise. Alongside running Snappr, he serves
as a Senior Venture Partner at Pioneer Fund, advising other startups and
investing in emerging technologies. From medicine to marketplaces, Matt has
proven that a passion for solving problems can redefine entire industries.
Snappr Timeline
2012 – Matt Schiller co-founds GownTown in Sydney,
Australia.
2016 (May) – Matt Schiller and Ed Kearney found Snappr in
Sydney.
2016 (Aug) – Snappr raises $500,000 AUD pre-seed, backed by
cricket star Steve Smith.
2017 (Jan) – Snappr joins Y Combinator Winter program,
expands to San Francisco.
2017 (Feb) – Launches in San Francisco and San Jose; grows
across Australia.
2017 (Mid-year) – Raises $2 million seed funding from
Airtree Ventures and tech founders.
2017 (Late) – Launches Photo Analyzer, ranked
fastest-growing YC startup.
2018–2019 – Expands services with Snappr Shoots and
Workflows for brands.
2020 – Scales internationally; builds marketplace of vetted
photographers.
2021–2022 – Gains traction with Fortune 500 companies as
major clients.
2023 – Raises $41.6M Series A from Alumni Ventures, Shrug
Capital, Foundry Group.
2024–Present – Operates globally, leading in visual content
creation and generative imaging.
