Seiko Epson Corp. has invested in Tennessee-based Blank Beauty, a startup with a custom-color nail polish platform, through its corporate venture capital fund EP-GB L.P.
The partnership will leverage Epson’s robotics technology to develop retail kiosks that manufacture custom nail polishes on demand, allowing customers to visualize the color-mixing process. The companies will also collaborate on equipment for e-commerce orders and compact machines for nail salons.
Epson, known for precision robotics that excel in compactness and productivity, sees the beauty industry as a testing ground for retail and service applications. The collaboration will initially focus on nail products before potentially expanding to other customizable cosmetics including gel nails, liquid foundations and lip glosses.
The Japanese technology company plans to apply its color control expertise to achieve accurate cosmetic color mixing. Future applications could extend beyond beauty into paints, aromatherapy products and skincare items.
Blank Beauty, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, operates a custom cosmetics platform. The investment comes through Epson X Investment Corporation, Epson’s wholly-owned venture capital firm that partners with Global Brain Corporation.
Epson generated over ¥1 trillion ($6.62 billion) in annual sales and aims to become carbon negative by 2050.
