Flag Photo Printing App Update | Shark Tank Season 8

Quality photo printing comes with a price tag that can put it out of reach for many. To change that, Savannah Cowley and Samuel Agboola launched Flag—a photo printing app that keeps prints free by adding small ads on the back. This way, users get high-quality photos without paying a cent. But will the sharks see the value in Flag’s unique model? Here’s the full Flag update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Flag after Shark Tank.

Savannah and Samuel entered Shark Tank Season 8, seeking $375,000 for 5% equity in their photo printing service. Unfortunately, they did not secure a deal after their presentation.

In terms of a Flag update, the company encountered operational setbacks that led to its downfall. Moreover, production delays and unfulfilled orders left customers dissatisfied and eroded trust in the company. These issues ultimately forced a complete shutdown of operations.

Shark	Result
Barbara Corcoran	No offer
Kevin O’Leary	No offer
Chris Sacca	No offer
Mark Cuban	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer

Shark Tank Flag Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Savannah Cowley and Samuel Agboola
• Business: Free photo printing service
• Ask: $375,000 for 5% equity
• Result: No deal
• Sharks: None

Savannah and Samuel’s eagerness to build a photo printing app that generates revenue through optional purchases and app downloads brought them face-to-face with the sharks.

They sought an investment to fund their app development and expand its reach. Their sole purpose is to increase their innovative ad-supported model for sustained growth.

Flag is a photo printing app with a unique approach. It allows users to print physical photos for free each month.

The app runs on a freemium model. Users receive a limited number of free prints each month, while Flag makes money through ads on the back of each photo.

Additionally, customers can buy extra prints or products like frames and photo gifts.

Using Flag is simple. Users download the app, select photos from their phone, and order prints directly. These photos are then mailed to their homes.

Advertisements on the back of each print cover most costs, making free prints possible.

This ad-supported model benefits both users and advertisers. Users get free prints, and advertisers reach a new audience uniquely.

Flag targets mobile users who want physical copies of their photos and prefer a low-cost option.

Mark Cuban is curious about the concept and wonders why companies like Shutterfly haven’t attempted this model.

In response, Samuel clarifies that they use laser printers, whereas Shutterfly does not, which is their USP.

Savannah then highlights their recent traction, mentioning that they sold $150,000 in advertising in the past three months to major companies like Visa.

Moreover, they’ve sent out over 800,000 photos during that time.

The sharks are even more intrigued when Samuel reveals they’ve raised $1.6 million already.

However, Kevin O’Leary and Mark question the need for an additional $375,000 if they’ve secured such substantial funding.

Mark specifically challenges whether their technology is truly proprietary.

Samuel mentions they’re currently working on raising another $3 million. Upon hearing this, the sharks were visibly apprehensive, sensing a shift in the deal’s potential.

Barbara Cocoran goes out immediately.

Kevin says he’s not sure they will have returning advertisers. He’s out.

Lori Greiner says she’s had a terrible experience with a similar product in the past, so she exits the negotiations.

Mark raises concerns about the complexity of their business, noting they “have too many balls in the air” and decides to exit as well.

Finally, when Samuel further explained that customers only get the first 20 prints free, Chris Sacca became visibly frustrated.

He exits, too, explaining that he avoids deals with companies that rely on “out-of-touch advertising” and appear to be burning cash.

Unfortunately, Savannah and Samuel left without a deal. Let’s get a Flag update to see how far the company has come in recent years.

Shark Tank Flag Update

Our Flag update found that Samuel and Savannah encountered a series of challenges that ultimately led to their business’ closure.

Despite raising over $1.6 million through successful Kickstarter campaigns and private investments, Flag struggled with production delays and logistical setbacks.

In fact, by March 2017, just before their Shark Tank episode aired, they announced that they were halting print production due to these issues.

As Samuel and Savannah tried to scale, many backers and customers grew dissatisfied.

Reports of unfulfilled photo prints and refunds led to a significant loss of trust in the company.

Following this, Flag’s app was removed from the iOS App Store, and its website became inactive, signaling a complete shutdown of operations.

Our research on the Flag update found that Samuel transitioned into strategic advisory roles, lending his expertise to major clients like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Hewlett-Packard.

He currently holds a position as Vice President of Communications and Startups at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

However, information about Savannah’s professional activities following Flag remains limited, and her current pursuits are largely unknown.

This looks to be our final Flag update.

For more company updates from Season 8 Episode 21, check here:

• Guard Llama Update
• Validated App Update
• Guardian Bikes Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 8 products.