For some startups, there is life after the deadpool. Take Wallop, a social-network-turned-social-app company that dove under in September, only to now arise again as Coveroo. Wallop still had some money from the $13 million it raised in 2005 and 2006, but its business wasn’t working. It’s original idea was to sell virtual “self expression” items through its own social network. It ended up creating animated greeting card and party invite apps for Facebook. Rest in peace.
CEO Karl Jacob isn’t giving up, though. He is just moving in a different direction, away from virtual goods and towards customizing real consumer devices. Using mostly its stock, Wallop acquired Etchstar, a custom engraver that specializes in laptops, iPods, and cell phones. And now it is relaunching as Coveroo, which is making it even easier to personalize your digital devices. All you do is order a back cover to your existing cell phone, pick a design, and they send it to you.
If you want to pimp your cell phone cover this Christmas, check out the designs at Coveroo. Starting at about $20, you can order a cell phone cover for your Blackberry, Motorola, Samsung, or LG engraved with one of 250 different designs. These range from tattoo-like patterns and silhouettes to comic characters and brand logos. (Sorry iPhone owners: No cover, no Coveroo).
At least Coveroo now has a clear business model, and a pretty cool product. Coveroo is taking submissions from artists and also does corporate logos. The five best ideas for new designs or new product extensions in comments will get a Coveroo with a TechCrunch logo.
This is very exciting news, and should make for some nice stocking stuffers! One of the things I like about the product is that you can easily sell your phone once you no longer need it, since the design is etched onto a cover (rather than the phone itself). You can simply remove the cover if/when desired. I’ve seen a couple of coveroos in person, and the etchwork is fantastic!
congrats to the team at etchstar!
Congratulations etchstar. Looking forward to seeing what you’re up to!
The guys who run this venture are top-notch. I’m sure they’ll do well.
Congrats Karina and Ben! Excellent news. Etchstar has been rockin’ this year!
Great corp gift opps for our employees. Thanks for the link!
Great idea, I’d buy one….if my Blackberry 8830 was supported (come on, its a current model on multiple carriers!).
Categories for design are pretty odd. Lots of flowers, faries, etc. Surprised not to see a NASCAR section since those fans spend so much money.
Note that there is an iPod Touch cover….for $279!!!
fyi — the price for the ipod touch is for the full product etched — you are buying the device too!
Thanks for all the comments and feedback. We do support the iphone you just need to send it to us (I know not great), stop by our locations in LA or SF or a Best Buy at the following locations Bloomington, MN in the Mall of America; Fairfax, VA; Schaumburg, IL; and West Hollywood, CA with more coming soon.
Yes the world phone is on our list but the cover is pretty small but its coming soon.
Right now the list is sorted with branded artwork at the bottom fixing that tonight. We don’t have nascar but we do have Hotwheels!
Awesome Job, Karl. You etched my design in little over 5 mins and loved it!
I want to give some props Karl Jacobs, this is real entrepreneurial stuff.
Congrats to Etchstar team. woohoo!
The Etchstar folks are the shiz! Way to go!
congrats to both companies on a deal that makes sense, especially to etchstar and karina.
i highly recommend getting all ur firearms etched. now!
I got my phone engraved and it looks freakin SWEEET!!!!
Great job Karina & Ben. Am glad to have help you folks get the ball rolling back in the days (only 18 months ago). The all-day & late night discussions & strategy sessions finally paid off. Am so very proud of you 2 and the rest of the etchstar crew:-)
It’s too bad the article doesn’t give more props to both Ben Katz and Karina Grotz but other then that…CONGRATULATIONS! You guys really put in all the blood sweat and tears to make this happen. Karina, you the shizznit! Super proud of both of you. Amazing!!!
congratulations ben katz on kicking ass and pulling this thing together… you’ve been a great friend, partner and mentor. I know how hard you worked to get it here.. I’m so excited for you as this crazy little idea continues to grow under your leadership and vision
Congrats to Coveroo on the solid new venture, how cool to have them in Best Buys already. The phones I’ve seen with the engraving work done on em look slick!
That Cliffardo guy knows whaz up. Coveroo is cool and am giving it to all my friends for Quanza.
I absolutely love that these are covers and not permanent. I especially love that you can make your phone a bit cooler while you’re sitting waiting for your contract to end before you can get a new one.
I sincerely hope that make it. However, with a name like “coveroo”, it will be no surprise if they don’t.
“Hey, that’s a cool thing on your phone. Where’d you get it?”
“Thanks! I got it from COVERO, or maybe it was COVEROH, or maybe it was COVEROOH, or maybe it was COVEROO, or maybe it was COVER 0, or maybe it was COVEROOOOOOOOOO……hmmmm I don’t know how to refer you to buy the product!”
My phone is going to look better than my Hawaiian Shirts. Nice Keith
If you like Coveroo, you may like ShinySearch.com too!
I would have bought one if they made a USC design. Why 7 UCLA covers, and 0 for USC? Especially considering their CEO is a USC alumni!
“Karl Jacob, CEO and Founder… He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from University of Southern California, where he sits on the school’s board of counselors for the School of Engineering.”
What a traitor.
Great idea I would buy one