What Storypod does

Storypod, now operating under the Eddi brand as of 2025 and legally held by Craftie Fox Inc. (a Delaware C-Corp headquartered in Miami, FL), is a direct-to-consumer consumer products company that has built a screen-free audio learning and sleep platform for children from birth through age six. The company's core offering is the Eddi Player hardware device ($79.99 standalone, $99.99 bundled with a nightlight and sound machine), which uses NFC-style tap-to-play technology embedded in physical content items—Crafties (soft plush characters at $19.99-$21.99), Tokens (magnetic tiles at $8.99-$12.99), and Recordables—to trigger audio playback of stories, songs, or educational content when tapped against the device. A companion parent mobile app for iOS and Android enables device management, timer/lock controls, and personalized audio recording by family members, including a Recordable Token with 120 minutes of storage and 60-minute Recordable Story Stickers that can be affixed to books or cards.

The company monetizes across three revenue streams: one-time hardware sales that establish the platform entry point, a recurring Learning Sets subscription that delivers expert-curated age-appropriate content every three months at a 25% discount to à la carte pricing plus 10% off future purchases, and à la carte content purchases spanning 281 SKUs at price points from $7.99 to $59.99. The content library is differentiated by licensing partnerships with PBS KIDS (Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood), Nickelodeon (PAW Patrol), Hasbro (Peppa Pig), Eric Carle Studio, Penguin Random House, Netflix (Llama Llama), The Jim Henson Company, and Pinna. Distribution is primarily direct via storypod.com with secondary presence on Amazon Marketplace, shipping from an Indiana-based warehouse to US and Canadian customers. The company has raised approximately $6.17M across five disclosed funding rounds between 2019 and January 2022, with the $4M round led by Infinitas Capital representing the largest. Co-founders Daniel Buelhoff (CEO) and Gaston Blanchet (CMO) lead the company, which operates with 11-50 employees.

The competitive positioning centers on a hybrid use case that addresses three parental pain points simultaneously: screen-time avoidance, bedtime struggles (cited at 70% of parents), and early childhood learning during the period when 90% of brain development occurs. The Eddi device combines a multicolor nightlight, a soothing-sound machine, a Bluetooth audio player, and the tap-to-play content ecosystem in a single package, with a parent app providing remote controls and personalization features. The strategic direction, signaled by the 2025 rebrand to Eddi, is to broaden from a storytelling device to a daily-use sleep, play, and learning companion, supported by expansion into Recordables, Learning Sets subscriptions, and the Canadian market.

Name

Storypod

Legal name

Craftie Fox Inc.

Website

https://storypod.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Storypod (now Eddi), operated by Craftie Fox Inc., sells a screen-free audio learning and sleep platform for children ages 0-6+, combining proprietary tap-to-play hardware with licensed children's content and family-recordable audio products via direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Audio Learning Devices

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)

SIC

Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651), Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Learning Media (Audio Labs, Pronunciation, Interactive) (EDAGALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Music Education Hardware (Practice Tools, Metronomes, Tuners, Lab Systems) (MPAIAJAJ)

Keywords

• Screen-free audio learning
• Interactive children's audio player
• Tap-to-play content tokens
• Early childhood learning devices
• Kids sleep sound machine

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of Eddi player devices (Eddi Player + Nightlight at $99.99, Eddi Player at $79.99). Hardware serves as the platform entry point and enabler for content consumption.
2. Learning Sets Subscriptions: Recurring quarterly subscriptions delivering age-specific audio content sets. Subscribers save 25% on player and Learning Sets, plus 10% on future purchases. Auto-renews each cycle until cancelled.
3. Content Library (À la carte): Individual purchase of Crafties ($21.99), Tokens, Books, Board Books, Activity Books, Puzzles, and Content Bundles ranging from $7.99 to $59.99. 281 products available across various content types.
4. Recordables: Specialized recordable products (Tokens, Story Stickers, Snuggly Sounds plush animals) with per-unit pricing. Recordable Token 3-Pack at $22.49, Recordable Story Stickers 3-Pack at $11.99.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Storypod (now rebranded as Eddi), operated by Craftie Fox Inc., sells a screen-free audio learning and sleep system for young children. The Eddi Player hardware device pairs with tactile content items—plush Crafties, magnetic Tokens, Recordables, and licensed character products—that trigger audio playback when tapped. The offering is complemented by a parent mobile app for recording custom audio and managing settings, plus an age-staged content library and a quarterly Learning Sets subscription.

Product overview

Storypod (now rebranded as Eddi) offers the Eddi Learn & Dream System, a unified audio learning platform for children combining hardware and content. The core offering includes the Eddi Player + Nightlight ($99.99) and Eddi Player ($79.99) hardware devices, which work with interactive content including Crafties (soft plush characters with embedded audio), Tokens (magnetic tiles), Recordable Tokens and Story Stickers (allowing family members to record personalized audio), Learning Sets (age-appropriate educational content curated by child development experts), Board Books, Picture Books, Activity Books, and Puzzles. The ecosystem includes Familiar Friends featuring licensed characters from PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, Daniel Tiger, Eric Carle, and other major children's brands. The system supports recordings via the Eddi App for Parents (iOS/Android), enabling parents and extended family to create personalized content. A Learning Sets subscription delivers new content every 3 months, tailored to the child's age group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eddi Player + Nightlight Flagship screen-free audio device priced at $99.99 that serves as a nightlight, sound machine, sleep companion, and tap-to-play Bluetooth audio player for young children. Includes smart features for content playback and parental controls.
• Eddi Player (standalone) Base Eddi audio player without nightlight functionality, priced at $79.99, designed for families who do not need the sleep/nightlight features of the premium model.
• Crafties (plush character audio content) Soft, huggable plush characters (priced ~$21.99 each) that unlock immersive stories, songs, and activities when tapped on the Eddi player. Includes licensed characters such as Daniel Tiger, Chase from PAW Patrol, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Peppa Pig, O the Owl, Dinosaur Train, and others.
• Tokens (magnetic content tiles) Collectable magnetic tiles (priced $8.99–$12.99 each) that play songs, stories, and learning content when tapped on Eddi. Examples include the Llama Llama 5-Minute Stories at $12.99 and Ladybird Audio Adventures: Sleepy Tales at $12.99.
• Recordable Token Customizable token priced at $8.99 that allows parents and family members to record up to 120 minutes of personalized stories, songs, memories, and messages via the Eddi app for playback on the device.
• Recordable Story Stickers Adhesive stickers (3-pack at $11.99) that can be placed on books, photo albums, and cards, allowing users to record personalized audio content via the Eddi app with 60 minutes of recording capacity per sticker.
• Snuggly Sounds Plush Animals Interactive plush animals (Elephant, Bear, Fox at $29.99 each) featuring two magical feet: one for recordable audio via the Eddi app, and one that plays 14–15 classic playtime songs or lullabies when tapped on the Eddi player.
• Learning Sets Screen-free stories, songs, and activities designed by child development experts, tailored to specific age groups from babies to 5+ years (priced $39.99–$89.99 per set). Examples include the Numbers & Routines Set at $39.99 and Colors & Shapes Set at $89.99. Available as one-time purchases or as part of the recurring subscription.
• Board Books & Picture Books Multisensory read-along picture books and board books that pair physical books with companion audio content to help children develop early reading skills through the Eddi platform.
• Activity Books & Puzzles Screen-free activity books and puzzles that pair with audio content via the Eddi device to build healthy routines and learning skills for young children.
• Learning Sets Subscription Recurring quarterly subscription delivering age-specific audio content sets curated by child development experts. Subscribers save 25% on player and Learning Sets, plus 10% on future purchases. Auto-renews each cycle until cancelled.
• Eddi App for Parents Free mobile application for iOS and Android that allows parents to manage Eddi content, set timers, control locks, adjust audio volume and light effects, record audio content onto Recordables, and invite family members to create recordings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of parents struggle with bedtime; Eddi helps kids fall asleep and stay asleep
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PinnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinna.fm is a podcast network producing original audio content for children. Storypod partners with Pinna for exclusive content including Dinosaur Train: Ride Along Adventures (based on The Jim Henson Company's PBS Kids series) and Piper & The Dots. Pinna Original podcasts are adapted for the Storypod platform with interactive features.
• The Jim Henson CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Jim Henson Company produces the Dinosaur Train series on PBS Kids. Storypod partnered with Pinna to create Dinosaur Train: Ride Along Adventures, based on the original series. Content is produced in association with The Jim Henson Company.
• PBS KIDS (Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood)coreTechnology or IntegrationPBS KIDS provides licensed content from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood for Storypod Crafties. The Daniel Tiger Craftie features original performances and songs from the hit PBS KIDS show, teaching practical skills for growing and developing.
• Nickelodeon (PAW Patrol)coreTechnology or IntegrationNickelodeon's PAW Patrol character Chase is available as a Storypod Craftie. Content features the beloved police pup teaching leadership and teamwork through heroic missions in Adventure Bay.
• Hasbro (Peppa Pig)coreTechnology or IntegrationHasbro provides Peppa Pig licensing for Storypod content. Peppa Pig Craftie features adventures exploring educational themes about relationships, nature, and the world around us.
• Eric Carle StudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationEric Carle's classic children's book characters (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, etc.) are available as Storypod Crafties. Content includes stories narrated by Eric Carle himself with bonus Spanish versions.
• Penguin Random HousecoreTechnology or IntegrationPenguin Random House provides content licensing for various Storypod products including Ladybird Audio Adventures (award-winning original series) and other children's book adaptations.
• StorybookminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStorybook is an award-winning bedtime app that improves sleep in babies and children through music and bedtime stories. Storypod partnered with Storybook to bring Teo the Dreamy Bear content to their platform, featuring peaceful stories, meditations, and dreamy music.
• Music for SproutsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic for Sprouts is a movement-based music program founded by Chris Dorman, encouraging families to connect to nature and each other. Their curriculum forms the musical foundation for Sammy Songbird Craftie content.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yoto: Yoto makes the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini, screen-free audio players for children that use physical cards (inserted or tapped) to trigger stories, music, and podcasts. Most direct competitor to Eddi in the screen-free kids audio hardware category, with comparable card/figurine-driven content model and similar developmental-stage content strategy.
• Tonies (Toniebox): Tonies sells the Toniebox, a screen-free audio player for children where plush "Tonies" figurines placed on the box trigger audio playback. Directly comparable to Eddi's Craftie-and-tap model, with a similar licensed character-driven content library (Disney, PBS Kids, etc.) and age 3+ target market overlap.
• Jooki: Jooki is a screen-free music and storytelling player for kids using figurines and tokens to trigger audio content. Highly comparable business model to Eddi - hardware device + collectible physical tokens + licensed and original audio content - targeting parents seeking screen-free alternatives for young children.
• Lunii: Lunii's "Ma Fabrique à Histoires" is a screen-free storytelling device for children that lets kids select characters, settings, and objects to generate audio stories. Direct competitor in the audio-for-young-children hardware category, with overlapping target demographic (3-7 year olds) and educational content positioning.

Broad incumbents

• LeapFrog Enterprises: LeapFrog (owned by VTech) is a major incumbent in educational electronics for young children, offering tablets, reading systems, and learning toys. Broader portfolio play than Eddi, but overlapping age range (preschool through early elementary) and shared positioning around screen-free or controlled-screen early learning.
• VTech Holdings: VTech is a global leader in electronic learning toys for children, including parent company of LeapFrog and a broad line of kids tablets, smartwatches, and learning systems. Larger incumbent with overlapping early-childhood educational hardware category, though not focused on screen-free audio players specifically.
• Hatch (Hatch Baby): Hatch makes smart sleep products for babies and children, including the Rest sound machine/nightlight that combines colored nightlight with audio content for bedtime. Direct overlap with Eddi's nightlight + sound machine + soothing sounds use case, though Hatch is sleep-focused rather than learning-focused.
• Amazon Kids+ (Amazon Echo Kids): Amazon Kids+ offers subscription audiobooks, Audible content, and kid-friendly audio through Echo devices and Fire tablets. Competes indirectly for the same parent wallet on kids audio content, though delivered through screens rather than the screen-free hardware that defines Eddi's positioning.

Regional players

• Saregama Carvaan: Saregama Carvaan is a screen-free audio device preloaded with curated music and stories, including Carvaan Kids for children's content. Similar screen-free audio hardware concept and collectible/curated content model, but primarily serving the Indian market with Hindi and regional language content.

Others

• Mattel: Mattel owns major children's IP (Fisher-Price, American Girl, Barbie, Hot Wheels) and complementary audio products such as the Fisher-Price Think & Learn line. Adjacent rather than direct competition, but a potential strategic acquirer given Eddi's licensed brand portfolio and children's audio platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/storypod
• Facebookfacebook.com/storypod
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/storypod

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Storypod