TechCrunch: First Growth Graduate Birchbox Breaks Into Europe With Acquisition Of France’s JolieBox

September 13, 2012 via TechCrunch by Kim-Mai Cutler – Birchbox (a Fall 2010 Vintage First Growth Venture Network Graduate), which offers a monthly subscription box full of new cosmetics and beauty products, is crossing the Atlantic with the acquisition of Paris-based JolieBox (which offers a nearly identical service in Europe). Terms of the deal aren’t being disclosed.

“We knew it was always on the roadmap for Birchbox to be global,” said Birchbox’s co-chief executive Katia Beauchamp. “What we offer resonates globally with consumers and, furthermore, we work with so many global brands that we wanted to serve them in other markets.”

Birchbox’s strategy is to be a powerful customer acquisition tool for beauty brands and products. Every month for $10, the Accel-backed company sends its subscribers a box full of sample products ranging from lotions to lipstick and mascara. If customers like what they see, they can go on Birchbox’s site and buy more, giving the company affiliate revenue (which is actually a significant part of the its overall business). Birchbox had at least 100,000 subscribers as of April, but they haven’t updated that number since.

With the JolieBox acquisition, Birchbox gets about 35 employees plus a presence in France, the UK, and several other continental markets.

Read more details of the deal at TechCrunch…