A West Coast tech startup is partnering with publishing giant HarperCollins for a pilot program aimed at bundling physical copies of books with eBooks.
The deal brings Vancouver-based BitLit’s database of available eBook titles to nearly 20,000, the company announced July 21.
The service allows readers to buy discounted eBooks when they write their name inside a physical book’s copyright page and snap a photo using a smartphone.
BitLit’s web app verifies the authenticity so readers don’t need to use a receipt from their purchase to retroactively bundle their physical book and eBook.
For the next month, HarperCollins is promoting the deal with BitLit through its newsletter and website by announcing the first titles available through the pilot program.
BitLit, which was founded in 2013, has deals in place with other publishers including Chicago Review Press and Orca Book Publishers.
In March, the company was selected from a group of more than 350 applicants to take part in Vancouver-based startup accelerator GrowLab’s spring session in San Francisco, where they rubbed elbows with Silicon Valley tech leaders.
