Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is a Los Angeles-based tabletop game and greeting card company founded in 2015, offering 85+ party card games, board games, puzzles, and NSFW greeting cards to families, adult party-goers, and children through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, retail, and licensed partnerships as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asmodee Group AB.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Exploding Kittens does
Exploding Kittens Inc. is a Los Angeles-based, privately-held tabletop game and greeting card company founded in 2015 following a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign for its flagship kitty-powered Russian Roulette-style card game. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes a portfolio of 85+ products spanning card games, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and NSFW greeting cards, organized into core party games (Exploding Kittens, Throw Throw Burrito, Poetry for Neanderthals), the age-4+ Kitten Games sub-brand, NSFW (17+) adult editions, travel-size Grab & Game editions, and licensed entertainment tie-ins including two Survivor (CBS) games. Core game technology is mechanical and component-based — illustrated cards, foam projectiles, dice, pop-up boards — with no proprietary software infrastructure beyond a Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront.
The business model is predominantly a one-time-sale physical goods model with per-unit pricing of $9.99-$29.99 for standalone games and discounted bundles priced ~20% off, supplemented by expansion packs and collectibles. Revenue is generated through a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer sales on explodingkittens.com (with free shipping thresholds in the US, UK, and EU) with select retail partners and trade-show-driven buyer acquisition at events such as New York Toy Fair. Customer segmentation is horizontal, targeting families, adult party-game enthusiasts, children (ages 4+), and collectors/gift buyers across the US, Canada, the UK, and eight EU member states.
Exploding Kittens has been under partial ownership of Asmodee Group AB (Sweden), which completed acquisition of the remaining minority stake in December 2025, making Exploding Kittens a wholly-owned subsidiary. The company is led by CEO Carly McGinnis. Total disclosed funding prior to the Asmodee transaction was approximately $41M, including a $30M growth round led by The Chernin Group (TCG) in October 2019 and earlier Kickstarter-era raises. Recent milestones include Exploding Kittens: The Board Game winning the 2026 Toy of the Year (TOTY) award and a multi-product showcase at New York Toy Fair 2026.
Exploding Kittens firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Exploding Kittens
- Legal name
- Exploding Kittens Inc.
- Website
- https://explodingkittens.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Exploding Kittens is a Los Angeles-based tabletop game and greeting card company founded in 2015, offering 85+ party card games, board games, puzzles, and NSFW greeting cards to families, adult party-goers, and children through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, retail, and licensed partnerships as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asmodee Group AB.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Exploding Kittens industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tabletop Party Games
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Greeting Card Publishers (513191), Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Greeting Cards (2771)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Party Games & Family Entertainment Games Retail (CRALAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Family/Party Board Games Retail (CRALALAB), Collectibles, Trading Cards & Blind Box Toys Retail (CRALAFAI), Board Game & Puzzle Specialty Retailers (CRALALAA)
Keywords
Where Exploding Kittens is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Exploding Kittens business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Physical Game Sales: Exploding Kittens generates revenue primarily through the sale of physical party games, card games, and board games. Products range from standalone games ($9.99-$29.99 MSRP) to bundled offerings. The company also sells expansions for existing games, collectibles, and travel-sized versions of popular titles.
- Corporate Ownership: Asmodee Group AB, a Sweden-based toy and game company, acquired the remaining minority stake in Exploding Kittens. This acquisition represents a financial investment structure rather than an operational revenue stream.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standalone party games ranging from $9.99 to $29.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Game bundles at discounted prices |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Exploding Kittens product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Exploding Kittens designs, produces, and sells physical party card games, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and NSFW greeting cards. The flagship is the kitty-powered Russian Roulette-style card game, extended across a portfolio of 85+ products including Throw Throw Burrito, Poetry for Neanderthals, and Survivor-licensed titles, sold direct-to-consumer and through retail partners.
Product overview
Exploding Kittens is a direct-to-consumer party game and greeting card company offering a diverse portfolio of card games, board games, puzzles, and NSFW greeting cards. The core product line centers on the flagship Exploding Kittens card game (a kitty-powered Russian Roulette game) and related titles including Throw Throw Burrito (dodgeball card game), Poetry for Neanderthals (word-guessing game), and Survivor-themed games. The company segments its offerings into family-friendly Kitten Games (ages 4+), standard party games, NSFW games (ages 17+), and travel-size Grab & Game editions. Additional product lines include jigsaw puzzles featuring cartoon art parodies and NSFW greeting cards for various occasions. Games are sold as standalone products, expansions, and pre-packaged bundles, with the company owned by Asmodee Group following acquisition of the remaining minority stake.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Exploding Kittens: Original Edition The flagship party card game, a kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette where players take turns drawing cards until one draws an exploding kitten and loses. Targeted at families and friend groups.
- Exploding Kittens: NSFW Edition Adult version of the flagship game for players ages 17 and up with explicit humor content.
- Exploding Kittens: The Board Game
Quantifiable outcome
- 2026 Toy of the Year Award winner
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Exploding Kittens
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Exploding Kittens technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Exploding Kittens partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Survivor (CBS)flagshipExploding Kittens partnered with Survivor (CBS) to release Survivor: Let's Go to Rocks, their second official Survivor game released in conjunction with the show's 50th season. The game features five different games with endless action based on the iconic Survivor gameplay. MSRP is $19.99.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Exploding Kittens competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Buffalo Games: US-based tabletop and jigsaw puzzle publisher with overlapping party game and puzzle product lines sold through mass-market retail.
- Cards Against Humanity: Direct peer in irreverent, adult-oriented party card games with similar humor-driven positioning, NSFW editions, and DTC-plus-retail distribution. Closest direct competitor in tone, price point, and target buyer.
- Unstable Games: Publisher of chaotic, family-friendly party card games (Happy Salmon, Bears vs Babies, Really Loud Librarians) with overlapping mechanics, target audience, and price band.
- The Op Games (USAopoly): Specialty tabletop publisher known for licensed party games (Telestrations, Trash Pandas) sold through mass retail, directly competing for shelf space in the same game-night category.
- Cryptozoic Entertainment: Tabletop publisher of party, strategy, and licensed games (e.g., DC, Rick and Morty), overlapping with Exploding Kittens on licensed entertainment partnerships and family/adult party game SKUs.
Broad incumbents
- Hasbro Gaming: Mass-market game and toy incumbent with broad party, family, and card game portfolio (e.g., Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit) and dominant global retail relationships.
- Mattel Games: Major toy and game publisher with Apples to Apples, UNO, and a broad licensed game portfolio, serving as a large incumbent competing for the same family and adult party game occasions.
- Ravensburger: German games and puzzles incumbent with strong family-game and jigsaw puzzle lines, directly comparable to Exploding Kittens' puzzles and family-friendly Kitten Games lines.
- Asmodee (sibling studios): Parent company since December 2025; sibling studios (Repos Production, Z-Man, Fantasy Flight) produce comparable party and tabletop games and share the Asmodee distribution platform.
Emerging players
- CMON Limited: Independent tabletop publisher with growing party and hobby game lines; competes for hobby/collector shelf space and licensed IP opportunities adjacent to Exploding Kittens' catalog.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Exploding Kittens social profiles
Digital presenceExploding Kittens financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Exploding Kittens leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Exploding Kittens funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Exploding Kittens M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Exploding Kittens
What does Exploding Kittens do?
Exploding Kittens designs, produces, and sells physical party card games, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and NSFW greeting cards. The flagship is the kitty-powered Russian Roulette-style card game, extended across a portfolio of 85+ products including Throw Throw Burrito, Poetry for Neanderthals, and Survivor-licensed titles, sold direct-to-consumer and through retail partners.
Is Exploding Kittens a public or private company?
Exploding Kittens is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Exploding Kittens founded?
Exploding Kittens was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Exploding Kittens based?
Exploding Kittens is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Exploding Kittens make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Physical Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are corporate Ownership.
Who are Exploding Kittens's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Buffalo Games, Cards Against Humanity, Unstable Games, The Op Games (USAopoly) and Cryptozoic Entertainment. Broad incumbents are Hasbro Gaming, Mattel Games, Ravensburger and Asmodee (sibling studios). CMON Limited is listed as an emerging player.
Does Exploding Kittens have an API?
No public API is recorded for Exploding Kittens.
What industry is Exploding Kittens in?
Exploding Kittens's product category is Tabletop Party Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAFAJ, Party Games & Family Entertainment Games Retail, with a secondary code of CRALALAB, Family/Party Board Games Retail. Its NAICS code is 459120 and its SIC code is 3944.