Unfold (app)
{{Short description|Social mobile application}}
{{Infobox software
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| author = Alfonso Cobo
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| released = 2018
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| language = English
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| website = {{URL|https://unfold.com/}}
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Unfold is a mobile application that allows users to create social media content using a variety of templates and other tools. It was founded in 2018 by Alfonso Cobo and Andy McCune.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/unfold/|title=Unfold|website=Forbes|access-date=2024-01-17}} It enables users to add photos, video, and text with a variety of tools.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iberiaplusmagazine.iberia.com/en/articles/2019/10/alfonso-cobo-unfold-stories-creator/|title=Alfonso Cobo, the revolution of stories on social networks | Iberia Plus|date=August 5, 2019|website=www.iberiaplusmagazine.iberia.com|access-date=2024-01-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/tech/unfold-app-instagram-stories-design-a3868991.html|title=Unfold is the app you need to make your Instagram Stories pop|first=Amelia|last=Heathman|date=January 9, 2019|website=Evening Standard|access-date=2024-01-17}} In 2019, Unfold was acquired by Squarespace.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/22/squarespace-acquires-unfold/|title=Squarespace acquires social media authoring startup Unfold|first=Anthony|last=Ha|date=October 22, 2019|access-date=2024-01-17}}
Features
With Unfold,{{cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90345743/most-creative-people-2019-unfold-alfonso-cobo|title=Alfonso Cobo|work=Fast Company|date=2019|access-date=2024-01-17}} users can utilize hundreds of templates to make social content for social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.
The free app offers users basic templates and standard fonts, filters, and stickers, and there are also premium templates available for a monthly subscription. With Unfold+ and Unfold Pro (previously Unfold for Brands), users can access premium templates and tools, as well as upload custom brand assets and fonts.{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2020/09/23/5-social-apps-gen-z-triller-lomotif-unfold-bunch-genies/|title=These 5 apps are up-and-comers with Gen Z, report says|website=Fortune|access-date=2024-01-17}}
In 2020, Unfold launched Bio Sites, which allows users to link to multiple sites and platforms.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/18/unfold-bio-sites/|title=Unfold launches lightweight, link-centric profiles called Bio Sites|first=Anthony|last=Ha|date=December 18, 2020|access-date=2024-01-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigcatcreative.com/blog/squarespace-bio-site|title=What is Squarespace Bio Site? Pros and cons of using this feature|website=Big Cat Creative - Squarespace Templates & Resources|access-date=2024-01-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.squarespace.com/blog/unfold-releases-new-features-and-high-impact-design-updates|title=Unfold Releases New Features and High-Impact Design Updates|date=December 14, 2023|website=The Official Squarespace Newsroom|access-date=2024-01-17}}
History
In January 2017, Alfonso Cobo was studying at Parsons School of Design when he realized there was no software or app that could create a portfolio of his work on an iPad. Cobo created an app called Portfolio, a basic version of a portfolio layout app, and the first one to exist for iPad. He launched it in 2017. After launching the first version of Portfolio, Cobo realized the more popular market and use case was on mobile. Around that time, Instagram was launching Stories. As a result, Cobo pivoted the app away from portfolios and instead focused on an app to showcase one's stories. Cobo later contacted Andy McCune, founder of social media account Earth, to collaborate with Unfold.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/03/how-two-23-year-olds-made-over-1-million-dollars-with-instagram-app-unfold.html|title=How these 20-somethings brought in over $1 million in a year with an Instagram-friendly app|first=Jimmy|last=Im|date=October 3, 2018|website=CNBC|access-date=2024-01-17}}
Unfold also partnered with various companies to create custom templates. These include Equinox, Tommy Hilfiger,{{Cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/unfold-partnered-with-tommy-hilfiger-to-launch-instagram-stories-templates/|title=Unfold Partnered With Tommy Hilfiger to Launch Instagram Stories Templates|first=Brandy|last=Shaul|date=February 27, 2019|website=www.adweek.com|access-date=2024-01-17}} NARS, Billboard Music Awards,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/unfold-app-bbma-partnership-8508666/|title=Unfold App Launches First Ever Entertainment Partnership With Billboard Music Awards: Exclusive|first=Rania|last=Aniftos|magazine=Billboard |date=April 25, 2019|access-date=2024-01-17}} and Product Red.{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2018 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Openly Gay CEO Alfonso Cobo Discusses Making Forbes' 30 Under 30 List • Instinct Magazine |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/exclusive-openly-gay-ceo-alfonso-cobo-discusses-making-forbes-30-under-30-list/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Instinct Magazine}} Unfold also launched a collection of Product Red templates to help eliminate HIV/AIDS in several African countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2019/10/02/gay-tech-founder-giving-back-lgbtq-community|title=This Gay Tech Founder Is Giving Back to the LGBTQ Community|website=www.advocate.com|access-date=2024-01-17}}
In 2019, Squarespace acquired Unfold.{{Cite web|url=https://www.alleywatch.com/2019/10/squarespace-acquires-unfold/|title=Squarespace Acquires Social Stories Platform Unfold – AlleyWatch|access-date=2024-01-17}}
The Unfold app has been downloaded over 60 million times and has been used to create over 1 billion Instagram stories.[https://www.squarespace.com/blog/enhance-social-media-stories-with-unfold&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1699863807015460&usg=AOvVaw0d0zPs8d3JZsuhGMKxBO5J Squarespace].
References
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