Kittl (design platform)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2020 in Berlin, Germany |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Products | Kittl Editor, Heritage Type, Heritage Designer |
| Services | SaaS |
| Members | 5 million users |
Number of employees | 120 (2025) |
| Website | www |
| Kittl Editor | |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2022 |
| Operating system | Web application, Android, ChromeOS, iOS, iPadOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Graphics software, Whiteboarding |
| License | SaaS |
| Website | www |
Kittl is a Berlin-based company specializing in all-in-one graphic art software that enables users to create graphic designs for various outputs. The platform offers tools for designing logos, posters, t-shirts, packaging, social media graphics, branding materials, marketing assets, and more.
Founded in 2020, Kittl provides a browser-based platform featuring an extensive content library, including fonts, licensed typefaces from third-party foundries (including a partnership with Monotype), design templates, mockups, and integrated AI tools.Currently, Kittl has over 5 million users worldwide and is used by various companies, brands, and self-taught advanced graphic designers.[1][2]
History
[edit]2020 - 2022
[edit]Kittl traces its origins to typography design. Co-founder Tobias Saul worked as an independent lettering artist for several years, with a style heavily influenced by graphic design and lettering from the early 20th century. During client work, he noticed that high-quality typefaces with an authentic vintage look were extremely rare. This led him to create his first typeface, which was well received within the design community.[3]
In 2020, Saul partnered with Nicolas Heymann to found Heritage Type Co., with the mission of creating vintage font sets that would be adopted by professional designers for commercial use. The marketplace quickly attracted a dedicated user base. Initially launched as a marketplace for stock graphics which designers could then customize, the company reported $2 million in revenues while being largely self-funded, with €24,000 from the Berlin Founders Fund. Early customers included Warner Bros., Netflix, and German publisher Hubert Burda Media.[4]
In October 2021, the company secured a $1.9 million seed round led by Speedinvest, with participation from Shio Capital, BLN Capital, and Joyance Partners. Notable angel investors included EyeEm co-founder Ramzi Rizk via the CTO angel network expedite.ventures, Zenloop co-founders Paul Schwarzenholz and Björn Kolbmüller, and BayBG former CEO Karl Christian Vogel.[4]
Around this time, the duo developed Heritage Designer, a web-based design tool that allowed users to apply decorative effects and shadows to typography and graphic elements without requiring advanced design skills. The success of Heritage Designer, which quickly amassed over 10,000 users, demonstrated the potential for a more comprehensive design platform.
In 2022, Heritage Designer rebranded into Kittl, a comprehensive graphic design platform aimed at providing a smooth experience for designers of all levels.
2023 & 2024
[edit]In January 2023, Kittl announced a $11.6 million Series A funding round led by Left Lane Capital, with Speedinvest and several angel investors including Intercom co-founder Des Traynor, former Bebo CEO Shaan Puri, and individuals from Calm, Amazon, and Instagram participating. This investment allowed the company to expand its technology and product teams.[5]
In January 2024, a year after its Series A round, Kittl secured a $36 million Series B funding round led by IVP, with SignalRank Corporation and some existing investors participating. By this time, the company had reached more than one million users and was gaining traction with B2B clients, including Netflix and Warner Bros.[6]
Later in the year, in November 2024, Kittl announced a partnership with Monotype, a globally recognized provider of type and design solutions. This collaboration enabled Kittl to integrate Monotype's extensive font library into its platform, giving users access to a wider range of professionally designed typefaces.[7]
Business model
[edit]Kittl operates on a freemium model, offering a free version with essential features and premium subscriptions that provide access to advanced tools, additional assets, and high-resolution exports.
Features
[edit]Kittl's platform is designed to streamline the design process through a range of features:
- Editor: A collaborative design environment that allows real-time teamwork.
- AI Tools: Integration of AI-powered features to enhance workflow efficiency, including AI Image Generator, AI Vector Generator, AI Vectorizer, AI Background Remover, AI Upscaler, AI Background Generator, AI Logo Generator, and AI Writing Tools.
- Infinite Canvas: An expandable and flexible workspace accommodating complex design projects.
- Fonts and Text Effects: Access to over 1,400 free fonts and unique one-click text styling options.
- Asset Library: A comprehensive collection of design elements available within a single subscription.
- Mockups: High-quality mockup generation for various use cases.
These features enable users to create a wide array of designs, including logos, posters, cards, labels, t-shirts, stickers, covers, social media content, brand boards, and thumbnails.[8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Burroughs, Callum. "Kittl, an AI-powered design startup rivaling Canva, is set to raise funds from US giant IVP, sources say". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Helyer, Ruby (2025-05-09). "7 reasons I'm replacing Adobe Illustrator with this service". XDA. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Allen, Patricia (2023-01-26). "Berlin-based Kittl draws up plans to expand its design platform with €10.8 million cash boost". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ a b "Putting the ill back in communication, Heritage Type Co. nets $1.9 million". Tech.eu. 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "Kittl kicks it root down with $11.6 million". Tech.eu. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ^ Dillet, Romain (2024-01-24). "Kittl raises another $36M for its browser-based design tool". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ^ "Kittl x Monotype | Use iconic fonts like Helvetica, Futura, and Times New Roman on Kittl". www.kittl.com. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ^ "Kittl Features | Powerful Tools for Design, Collaboration, and Creativity". www.kittl.com. Retrieved 2025-06-20.