DigiPuppets LLC
An integrated ecosystem of emotionally engaging educational apps and bond-forming physical toys, creating the first great mobile-led kids character brand
- Stage Prototype Ready
- Industry Media and Entertainment
- Location San Francisco, CA, US
- Currency USD
- Founded June 2014
- Employees 3
- Website digipuppets.com
Company Summary
DigiPuppets makes physical toys and mobile apps for 3-7 year old kids. We use special materials and augmented reality technology to integrate our toys into our apps so they unlock new levels and content, grant special powers and drive our storylines forward.
We hold a utility patent covering finger puppets that work on touchscreens, our apps and toys have won multiple awards, we've landed orders from blue-chip retailers (e.g. Bloomingdale’s and Toys R Us) and we’ve picked up great organic press from outlets like the TODAY show. We are launching this holiday season with 4 apps that tell the story of our first 2 characters and touchscreen-compatible finger puppet stylus toys of those 2 characters.
While we make toys and apps, DigiPuppets is really a multi-media company. The foundation of our content is an original master narrative comprised of stories, poems and songs about the lives and adventures of our characters (we are starting with 8, but constantly adding more) that teaches the importance of self-confidence, inclusion and empathy.
Team
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Co-founder & CEOBrendan leads the team, focusing on manufacturing, operations, logistics and strategy. Before founding the company, he worked for 5 years in China where he established his previous company's Asian PR unit and managed the integration of a large Chinese acquisition. Brendan is fluent in Mandarin and has a deep understanding of Chinese business practices. His favorite toy as a child was Teddy Ruxpin.
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Co-founder & Chief Growth OfficerMatt is head of our business development and growth strategy while also serving as our director of finance. Before founding the company, Matt was Director of Business Development at a big data startup (RedOwl Analytics) and before that led multi-billion dollar financial markets advisory engagements as one of the fastest-promoted VPs at BlackRock. His favorite toy as a child was Legos.
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Co-founder & Chief Creative OfficerDan is in charge of our product, marketing and creative vision. He is the content engine for the DigiPuppets brand, creating and storyboarding our stories and apps as well as managing our external app development teams. Before founding the company, Dan worked in strategy and brand consulting, where he rebranded major retailers, from eBay to Walmart. His favorite toy as a child was Pound Puppies.
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Educational Curriculum CuratorsOur team of experienced elementary educators has over 100 years of combined teaching experience, making them experts in Common Core standards, effective engagement methods and age-appropriate content. The team writes all educational questions for our skill-building game apps. They have also authored over 450 children's books, making them a great asset in the development of DigiPuppets' animated storybooks.
Advisors
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Bob ToddBob has 20 years of startup experience. He has founded or been a founding investor/director in several startups, two of which are now public companies. Bob spent 10 years as a founder and CEO of Flextronics, and five years as the CEO of CAS, Inc.Unconfirmed
Linda JohannesenEducation & curriculum expert, serial entrepreneur, business development advisor. Linda conceived and authored the award-winning Different Ways of Knowing nationally acclaimed curriculum model and has raised tens-of-million in state and local grants.Unconfirmed
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