Freepik is a technology company specializing in AI tools for creating and editing audiovisual content.[1] The company provides AI-powered design tools, AI-generated images, and a growing collection of stock photos, illustrations, and vector graphics, operating under a freemium business model.[2]
Type of site | Public |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Málaga, Spain |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Owner | EQT |
| Founder(s) | Alejandro Sánchez, Pablo Blanes and Joaquín Cuenca |
| Industry | AI, Graphic design |
| Products | AI tools, Stock Images, Templates, Mockups, Videos, Icons |
| Services | Applications of artificial intelligence, API |
| Employees | 580 |
| URL | www |
History
editFreepik was founded in 2010 by brothers Alejandro Sánchez and Pablo Blanes, together with their friend Joaquín Cuenca, founder of Panoramio.[3] Initially it was a search engine that indexed content from the top 10 free content websites for designers.[4]
In 2014, Freepik started to produce graphical assets.[5] In 2015, the subscription model was launched. Users who pay for a premium account have access to more files and exclusive content, without needing to provide attribution. The site also started allowing designers and photographers to upload their assets to the platform and earn income.[6]
In 2018, Freepik changed its visual identity and introduced a new logo. This redesign included a new font, a modified isotype, as well as a color palette.[7]
In 2020, during the Coronavirus outbreak, as part of a Freepik Company CSR initiative, Freepik offered its resources free of charge to healthcare workers, educators, journalists, and workers in public institutions.[8]
In 2022, Freepik was named in G2's Best Software 2022 Awards, ranking 17th on the list of best-selling software in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It then achieved 43rd place in the list of best design products.[2]
In June 2022, Freepik announced its acquisition of Videvo, a UK-based stock website, to expand into video and audio content.[9][10][11]
In October 2022, Freepik acquired Iconfinder, a Danish marketplace for icons, and Original Mockups, a provider of 3D resources and mockup templates. These acquisitions expanded Freepik's design resource offerings and its presence in Nordic and Latin American markets.[12][13]
In October 2023, the company announced its acquisition of EyeEm, a formal rival of Instagram, securing access to a collection of 160 million stock photos.[14] During this period, Freepik opened its San Francisco office and transitioned from a pure stock image platform towards a gen-AI products and tools provider.[15][16]
In May 2024, Freepik acquired Magnific, a Spanish startup specializing in AI-driven image upscaling and enhancement.[17]
In 2025, Freepik completed its transition successfully and positioned itself as a visual gen-AI company to create and edit images, audio and videos with state-of-the-art tools and products.[18][19]
References
edit- ^ "Málaga hace historia en el negocio digital: El fondo sueco EQT compra la mayor parte de la malagueña Freepik". Diario Sur (in Spanish). 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ a b "Freepik Earns Spots On G2's 2022 Best Software Awards | Freepik Company". www.freepikcompany.com. 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Velasco, Juan Jesús (2017-10-11). "Freepik, la web "made in Málaga" de contenidos para diseñadores que factura 1,2 millones de euros al mes". Xataka (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "El desconocido 'Google' español de imágenes que se coló entre los que más crecen de Europa". El Español (in Spanish). 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "Freepik crece a ritmo de gacela: encadena otro año duplicando ingresos, beneficio y plantilla". Diario Sur (in Spanish). 2019-12-01. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "Sell Photos, Vectors and PSD and make money | Freepik Contributor". contributor.freepik.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ "Freepik Company, un nuevo diseño consistente y con personalidad". Marketing Directo (in Spanish). 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "Firma malagueña Freepik regala acceso a su material gráfico a docentes y sanitarios para campañas frente al coronavirus". Europa Press. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "Videvo Acquired by Freemium Platform Freepik Company - Footage Secrets". 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ Carleton, Will (2022-06-22). "Freepik enters stock video and audio market with acquisition of UK based Videvo". Photoarchivenews. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ Allen, Patricia (2022-06-20). "Malaga-based Freepik acquires UK-based Videvo adding audio and video to its growing content portfolio". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ FinSMEs (2022-10-05). "Freepik Company Acquires Iconfinder and Original Mockups". FinSMEs. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ Allen, Patricia (2022-10-04). "Bootstrapped Malaga-based scaleup Freepik snaps up Iconfinder and Original Mockups to expand Nordic and Latam reach". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "After filing for bankruptcy, Europe's almost-instagram platform EyeEm acquired by Freepik". Tech.eu. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ DiFeliciantonio, Chase. "Vibrant S.F. neighborhood gets a makeover from AI-generated paint jobs". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ Chapman, Tom (2023-07-10). "Freepik embarks on US expansion following successful year". businesschief.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "Freepik acquires Spanish AI image upscaler Magnific". Tech.eu. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "Inside Freepik's A.I. Ambition To Replace Photoshop and Figma: CEO Interview". Observer. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "Freepik Redefines AI Image Generation". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2025-01-07.