The world's first automated graphic design engine.
Helsinki, Finland
Q3/2014
Q1/2018
Kari Vähäkangas, Alex Günsberg, Matti Rajala, Teemu Lahti
SaaS, marketing, design
UPGRD, a Finnish startup with a not-so-humble mission to make amazing photo artwork easily accessible for all mankind, aims to challenge the ordinary and create an unforgettable photo experience for consumers.
UPGRD’s engine drills into a photo, removes the background if so instructed and creates rich, customizable content for the user to personalize and enjoy as photo products or shared in social media.
UPGRD’s products include:
The business idea behind UPGRD came from co-founder Kari Vähäkangas’ experience seeing his kids’ school pictures and realizing the format hadn’t changed in 30 years. As photography has digitalized and the world of tech has evolved - design and individualism play a big role with kids and families. While Vähäkangas has an extensive advertising background, serving as a creative director and designer to youth marketing brands for 15 years, he tapped Matti Rajala, an expert photographer to be co-founder and COO. Rounding out the experienced team are Teemu Lahti, Chief Technology Officer, Alex Günsberg, Head of Business Development and Tuomas Lahti, Lead Developer.