# APTUS DesignWorks in the news

> Articles, videos, and podcasts by others about APTUS DesignWorks and the products we have designed and built with our customers. Partner stories are written by our suppliers.

## Recognition

- [Daily Memphian: Two Memphis-area products might be the Coolest Things Made in Tennessee](https://dailymemphian.com/article/44816/memphis-american-paper-optics-blank-beauty-coolest-things-made-in-tennessee) Huey, the nail polish robot we built with Blank Beauty, made the Top 8 for Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee.
- [Heavy Duty Trucking: HDT Top 20 Products](https://www.truckinginfo.com/articles/hdt-top-20-products-of-2015) GeoLok, the intermodal security device we designed, made the list.

## News

- [WBIR: Blank Beauty aims to transform the beauty industry with custom foundation shades](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/knoxville/blank-beauty-transform-beauty-industry-custom-foundation-shades/51-aaad240f-0072-4eb9-91f4-4e831d7a999a) Local TV on Vivi, the custom foundation system.
- [Teknovation.biz: Knoxville-based Blank Beauty is building new foundations, literally](https://www.teknovation.biz/knoxville-based-blank-beauty-is-building-new-foundation-makeup-2026/) A closer look at Vivi, the custom foundation system.
- [Teknovation.biz: You not the SKU: Blank Beauty is the first cosmetic innovation company to create custom foundation](https://www.teknovation.biz/blank-beauty-is-the-first-cosmetic-innovation-company-to-create-custom-foundation/) Why custom foundation, and how the machine behind it came together.
- [Knoxville Chamber: Blank Beauty closes Series A raise with backing from Epson, RPM, 3Roots, and Evolution VC Partners](https://www.knoxvillechamber.com/blank-beauty-closes-series-a-raise-with-backing-from-epson-rpm-3roots-and-evolution-vc-partners/) Blank Beauty's next step, including the automated order system we worked on together.
- [Three Roots Capital: Three Roots Capital Invests in Blank Beauty to Support Scalable Growth and Economic Impact in East Tennessee](https://www.3rootscapital.org/three-roots-capital-invests-in-blank-beauty-to-support-scalable-growth-and-economic-impact-in-east-tennessee/) Names APTUS as the regional partner behind Blank Beauty’s product development and manufacturing.
- [Epson: Epson Robots Invests in Blank Beauty to Bring Automation and Retailtainment to the Consumer Space](https://news.epson.com/news/blank-beauty-scara-robots) Blank Beauty's CEO calls APTUS a longtime trusted design partner, and the ones who brought Epson in.
- [Inside of Knoxville: Blank Beauty Moves Headquarters Into JFG Building](https://insideofknoxville.com/2025/05/blank-beauty-moves-headquarters-into-jfg-building/) Working with APTUS is what brought Blank Beauty’s founder to Knoxville.
- [Teknovation.biz: APTUS DesignWorks reveals the seven elements to start-up success](https://www.teknovation.biz/aptus-designworks-reveals-the-seven-elements-to-start-up-success/) Ben’s advice for founders, from a talk to Knoxville-area startups.
- [Teknovation.biz: Knoxville is a rising hub for innovation in the beauty-tech sector, thanks to Blank Beauty](https://www.teknovation.biz/knoxville-could-soon-become-a-nail-polish-hub-thanks-to-blank-beauty/) Blank Beauty moved from Memphis to East Tennessee to build its robots with us.
- [Teknovation.biz: Looking for a custom nail polish color? Blank Beauty and APTUS DesignWorks have you covered.](https://www.teknovation.biz/looking-for-a-custom-nail-polish-color-blank-beauty-and-aptus-designworks-have-you-covered/) How we built Huey, a kiosk that mixes a custom nail polish color on the spot.
- [WBIR: Company creating custom nail polish colors expands into Knoxville with hopes of future expansion](https://www.wbir.com/article/money/business/small-business/blank-beauty-custom-nail-polish-business/51-7a6139f4-767d-43b4-820d-e6a6aaa3a30b) Blank Beauty’s move to Knoxville, made possible by working with APTUS.
- [Teknovation.biz: APTUS DesignWorks doubles in size as focus remains consistent](https://www.teknovation.biz/aptus-designworks-doubles-in-size-as-focus-remains-consistent/) A profile of APTUS: how we work, and how the team has grown.
- [Wood & Panel: Guffey's PIVOTPOINT solves spraying issues](https://www.woodandpanel.us/news/article/guffeys-pivotpoint-solves-spraying-issues/) The spray finishing system we developed with Guffey Systems.
- [Woodworking Network: System revolutionizes spray finishing](https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/technology/system-revolutionizes-spray-finishing) How Guffey Systems and APTUS made a better way to hang and spray parts.

## Watch and listen

- [Blount Partnership: Small Business Series: APTUS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLPtGIZOAys) Why we build in Blount County.
- [APTUS DesignWorks: Introduction to APTUS DesignWorks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ6utLKPtoA) Meet the team and see the shop.
- [Altium OnTrack podcast: Streamlining Product Development Process for Successful Product Launch](https://podcast.altium.com/e/streamlining-product-development-process-successful-launch/) Ben and Connor on product development, proof of concept, and keeping costs in check.

## Partner stories

- [Altium: Breaking down the barriers to progress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URQQRUzNTnc) How our team kept the SASE grinder launch moving through a parts shortage.
- [Altium: APTUS DesignWorks drives innovation with Altimade](https://www.altium.com/company/customer-success/aptus-designworks-drives-innovation-altimade) The written version: a board redesign that got the SASE grinder to launch faster.

Source: https://www.aptusdesignworks.com/news