Blank Beauty
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
A beauty technology startup utilizing AI-driven robotics to provide hyper-personalized, on-demand cosmetic manufacturing, replacing traditional mass production with a micro-factory model. Blank Beauty was founded in 2016. The company is led by Charles C. Brandon. Based in Knoxville, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $8.0M. Latest round: Series A, $6.5M, 2025-05, led by Kirker Enterprises. Key investors include Epson, Kirker Enterprises, RPM Ventures, Three Roots Capital, Evolution VC Partners.
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Knoxville, USA
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $8.0M
Value proposition
Enables instant, custom-color cosmetic creation at the point of sale or online, reducing inventory waste and providing consumers with exact color matches through AI and precision robotics.
Products and solutions
Huey: A proprietary robotic micro-factory for on-demand cosmetic mixing, AI Color Science Platform: Software for precision color matching and formulation, Custom Nail Polish: The flagship personalized product line, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Customization Interface, Vivi: Custom foundation platform using spectroscopic facial scanning and robotic mixing for personalized complexion kits
Unique value
The company shifts the cosmetic supply chain from 'mass produce and hope' to 'on-demand precision,' using a robotic system (Huey) that can mix millions of color combinations in seconds.
Target customer
Individual beauty consumers seeking hyper-personalization, and major retailers (Walmart, Nordstrom) looking for experiential, tech-driven beauty solutions.
Industries served
Beauty & Personal Care, Retail Technology, Robotics & Automation, Advanced Manufacturing
Technology advantage
Combines high-precision fluid mechanics and AI color theory with a compact robotic footprint, allowing for industrial-grade manufacturing to occur within a retail environment or small-scale hub.
How they differentiate
Blank Beauty utilizes proprietary AI-driven 'micro-factories' (Huey and Dolly) to automate the formulation and fulfillment of custom cosmetics, shifting the model from mass production to on-demand precision robotics.
Main competitors
BoldHue, Clockwork, L'Oréal (Perso/YSL Rouge Sur Mesure), Lip Lab
Key partnerships
Walmart (Retail installation partner), Nordstrom (Retail installation partner), Epson (Strategic investor and technology partner), Kirker Enterprises (Leading nail polish manufacturer and strategic partner), Evolution VC Partners
Notable customers
Walmart, Nordstrom, Ulta
Major milestones
Closed $6.5M Series A funding round in May 2025, Formed strategic robotics partnership with Epson in April 2025, Launched 'Huey' robotic pilot program in select Walmart locations in March 2024, Consolidated operations into a new 4,000 sq. ft. manufacturing center in Knoxville, TN, Developed 'Dolly,' an automated fulfillment system for e-commerce orders, Launched 'Vivi' custom foundation platform at Cosmoprof North America in January 2026
Growth metrics
Projected $10M ARR by 2026; currently scaling from $250k revenue (2024) following Series A capital injection.
Market positioning
Early-stage beauty-tech leader specializing in robotic retail automation and hyper-personalized cosmetic manufacturing.
Geographic focus
North America (primarily United States retail partnerships)
Patents and IP
Holds 15+ patents in robotics, fluid dispensing, and beauty technology applications.
About Charles C. Brandon
Charles C. Brandon is the Co-Founder and CEO of Blank Beauty. Prior to founding the company, he served as the Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at X-Biomedical, Inc., a medical device startup. He has a background in public policy leadership and innovation, holding a degree from the University of Mississippi.
Official website: https://blankbeauty.com