Melissa & Doug
Acquisition in 2023
Melissa & Doug, LLC is a manufacturer of toys and children's products aimed at fostering imagination and creativity in young children. Founded in 1988 and based in Wilton, Connecticut, with an additional office in Manhattan, the company offers a diverse range of items including active play and outdoor toys, developmental toys, arts and crafts, puzzles, stuffed animals, and educational products. Their offerings cater to various age groups, including infants and toddlers, and encompass seasonal and special occasion items. Melissa & Doug distributes its products through multiple channels, including online platforms and retail partnerships, with the goal of providing enriching play experiences that help children explore their interests and develop their skills.
Hexbug
Acquisition in 2023
Hexbug is a manufacturer and retailer of autonomous and remote-controlled robotic toys aimed at providing children with a positive introduction to robotics. The company offers a diverse range of over 100 different products, including battle bots, mechanical bugs, hexmods, junk bots, and VEX robotics. Through its innovative designs and engaging play experiences, Hexbug seeks to inspire interest in technology and engineering among young audiences.
4D Brands International
Acquisition in 2022
4D Brands International is a Toronto-based company that specializes in the development of innovative puzzle models. It offers a unique line of 3D and 4D model construction kits, allowing enthusiasts to create detailed replicas of famous historical landmarks, elements from pop culture, and iconic movie memorabilia. By combining creativity with craftsmanship, 4D Brands International aims to engage puzzlers in an immersive building experience that transcends traditional puzzle formats.
Nørdlight Games
Acquisition in 2022
Nørdlight Games is a game development studio focused on creating high-quality mobile games. The company employs a data-driven analytic approach to game development, ensuring that players enjoy engaging and immersive experiences. Nørdlight is committed to fostering a responsible gaming environment that prioritizes the well-being of players, employees, and the broader community. Through its innovative practices, the studio aims to establish itself as a leader in the next generation of game development.
Tiny Rebel Games
Seed Round in 2022
We are Petaverse Network. Our aim is simple but robust - we are building an open standard for digital pets. An interoperable data solution for creating infinite virtual companions to be by your side, across the metaverse. Pets to bond with, who will learn, evolve, and behave based on their specific 'DNA' and the interactions you have with them. Soon, we will be helping people to adopt their first digital pets and take them into the first of many experiences they will be able to have with virtual companion. Embracing the wonders of #web3 we invite partnership with other creators across the metaverse.
Petaverse
Pre Seed Round in 2022
Petaverse is a company focused on developing a virtual pet game platform that enables users to create and adopt digital pets to accompany them in various experiences across the metaverse. It aims to establish an open standard for cross-chain, interoperable virtual companions, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, extended reality, and non-fungible tokens. By allowing users to interact with an infinite number of virtual pets, Petaverse enhances the concept of digital pet companionship, creating enriched experiences in an ever-expanding virtual ecosystem.
Rubik's Brand
Acquisition in 2020
Rubik's Brand Limited is a manufacturer and seller of the iconic Rubik's Cube, a puzzle toy that promotes cognitive skills and creative thinking. Founded in 1980 and based in London, United Kingdom, the company offers its products through various distributors and online platforms, reaching customers both domestically and internationally. In addition to the classic cube, Rubik's Brand also produces promotional cubes. In October 2014, the company changed its name to Rubik's Brand Limited. As of January 2021, it operates as a subsidiary of Spin Master Corp. Through its innovative offerings, Rubik's Brand continues to engage and challenge individuals of all ages, contributing to brain development and intelligence enhancement.
GUND, Inc. is a prominent manufacturer of soft and huggable plush toys and gift products, established in 1898 and headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. The company offers a diverse range of items, including plush toys, puppets, dolls, slippers, and various accessories such as key chains and bags. GUND is recognized for its ability to connect with multiple generations, bolstered by its iconic marketing campaign, "Gotta Getta GUND." The company's products are distributed through a wide array of retail channels, including gift shops, specialty and toy stores, bookstores, museums, and department stores, as well as online platforms. GUND, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Spin Master Corp. and maintains a strong presence in markets across the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America.
Marbles: The Brain Store
Acquisition in 2017
Marbles: The Brain Store is a specialty retailer focused on offering a diverse selection of brain-building games, puzzles, books, and educational toys. The store is designed to provide a hands-on shopping experience, allowing families to explore unique and high-quality items that promote cognitive development. Customers can engage with products in-store, where they can try out games and participate in product demonstrations, as well as access these experiences online. Marbles caters to individuals of all ages, aiming to enhance critical thinking, memory, coordination, visual perception, and word skills through its thoughtfully curated offerings.
Swimways Corp
Acquisition in 2016
Swimways Corp. is a privately owned manufacturer based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, specializing in leisure and recreational water products. The company is dedicated to enhancing leisure time through innovative and high-quality products, distributing items in over 20,000 storefronts. Swimways markets three distinct consumer brands: SwimWays®, Kelsyus®, and COOP®. The company offers a wide range of products including floats, water toys, swim aids, and sporting goods designed for pool and beach activities. With a strong commitment to water safety, Swimways has been providing swim training products for over 40 years, helping children learn this essential life skill through its SwimWays Swim Steps™ line. Additionally, Swimways has partnered with Operation Smile since 2007, contributing nearly $1 million in donations through the sale of Swim Steps products, underscoring its commitment to social responsibility.
Moca Loca Cafe
Acquisition in 2016
Moca Loca Cafe Co is a company that specializes in creating digital toys and playful products for children. The focus of the business is to stimulate children's imagination and creativity through a range of engaging digital games. By designing products from the perspective of children, Moca Loca Cafe Co emphasizes the importance of play without rules or boundaries, allowing kids to explore and express themselves freely. The company celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of children's experiences, providing them with a platform to engage in imaginative play that resonates with their world.
Think Dirty
Pre Seed Round in 2013
Think Dirty Inc. is a Toronto-based company that has developed a mobile application aimed at educating consumers about the ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. By allowing users to scan barcodes or search for products, the app provides information on potentially toxic ingredients and generates a score based on data drawn from various authoritative sources, including government lists, peer-reviewed journals, and health organization reports. This service simplifies the process of understanding product labels, enabling customers to make informed decisions regarding their health and environmental impact when shopping for beauty and household items.