Tulipop
Tulipop Studios is an Icelandic character-based IP company that develops a children's fantasy franchise (Tulipop Tales animated series, books, music) and sells multi-category merchandise (plush, homeware, apparel, collectibles) globally through DTC e-commerce, licensing agents, and broadcast distribution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersReykjavík, Iceland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Tulipop does
Tulipop Studios is an Icelandic for-profit company founded in 2010 (first book published late 2019) that develops and commercializes a character-based children's IP centered on a whimsical fantasy world featuring characters such as Bubble, Fred, Gloomy, Miss Maddy, Mr. Tree, and Mama Skully. The core product is the Tulipop Tales preschool animated series, distributed internationally on broadcast platforms including RAI Yoyo and RAI Play (Italy), TF1 (France), Canal+ (Poland), and RUV (Iceland), with content also available on YouTube and music albums (Tulipop Tunes 1–4) on Spotify. A second animated series, Tulipop Seasons, is slated for late-2025 delivery. The IP is supported by a published book line (The Forgotten Forest, The Muffinpuffin) and an extensive merchandise portfolio — plush toys, vinyl blind-box figurines, bamboo dinnerware, LED lamps, ceramic mugs, school supplies, children's and adult apparel, jewelry, and travel accessories — sold through a multi-currency DTC Shopify storefront shipping worldwide via DHL Express.
The company operates a hybrid revenue model: (1) direct merchandise sales through its owned e-commerce storefront, with pricing ranging from roughly $6 (patches) to $80 (UK plug lamps) and free shipping above $100; (2) licensing royalties via regional agents such as Booster Milano for Italy; and (3) one-time TV content licensing through its own global distribution team and broadcast partners. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce, wholesale for retailers, channel/licensing partners for international brand extension, and broadcast/streaming for content monetization. Its primary customer segment is preschool children aged 2–6 and their families, with secondary segments of adult collectors (blind boxes, apparel) and licensing/broadcast partners. The company is led by co-founder and CEO Helga Arnadottir alongside creator and Head Designer Signý Kolbeinsdóttir, with a team of 11–50 employees based in Reykjavík, and has raised approximately $3.93M across four disclosed funding rounds between 2012 and 2023.
Tulipop firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tulipop
- Legal name
- Tulipop Studios
- Website
- https://tulipop.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tulipop Studios is an Icelandic character-based IP company that develops a children's fantasy franchise (Tulipop Tales animated series, books, music) and sells multi-category merchandise (plush, homeware, apparel, collectibles) globally through DTC e-commerce, licensing agents, and broadcast distribution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tulipop industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Character-based Children's Entertainment & Merchandise
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Toy & Game E-commerce Specialists (CRALAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail (CRALAFAD), Miniatures & Figurines (Display/Collectible) (CRALAKAB), Traditional Toy Stores (CRALAFAA), Digital/Interactive Toys & Accessories Distribution (CRAOAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Tulipop is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reykjavík
- HQ country
- Iceland
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Tulipop business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of Tulipop-branded products including plush toys, books, homeware, apparel, accessories, and school supplies through the official Shopify storefront
- Licensing and Brand Extension: Licensing the Tulipop brand to third parties for merchandise, publishing, and entertainment; appointing regional licensing agents like Booster Milano for Italy
- TV Content Distribution: Global TV distribution of animated series including Tulipop Tales preschool series and upcoming Tulipop Seasons series through sales team and broadcast partners
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Plush toys from $19.60 (mini) to $39.50 (deluxe) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Books priced at $30.00 USD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel from $21 to $35 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Homeware and accessories ranging $8-$70 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Tulipop product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tulipop Studios develops and commercializes a character-based children's entertainment IP centered on the animated preschool series Tulipop Tales and its cast of fantasy characters. The company sells character-driven merchandise (plush toys, vinyl figurines, books, eco-friendly bamboo homeware, apparel, school supplies, jewelry, and travel accessories) through its own global e-commerce storefront and wholesale channels, and licenses its IP for merchandising, publishing, and TV distribution through broadcast partners such as RAI Yoyo, Canal+, and TF1.
Product overview
Tulipop is an award-winning Icelandic fantasy world IP brand centered around a group of lovable animated characters including Bubble (the shy mushroom boy), Gloomy (the adventurous mushroom girl), Fred (the adorable monster), Miss Maddy (the diva bear), and Mr. Tree (the wise storyteller). The core product is the Tulipop Tales animated preschool series distributed internationally on platforms including RAI Yoyo, RAI Play, Canal+, and TF1, supported by published books including The Forgotten Forest and The Muffinpuffin. The company operates an extensive licensed merchandise portfolio spanning plush toys and figurines, eco-friendly home and kitchen products (bamboo dinnerware, ceramic mugs, LED lamps), children's and adult apparel, school supplies, accessories (jewelry, key rings, patches), and travel accessories. Music albums (Tulipop Tunes) are distributed via Spotify. The company is expanding with a new Tulipop Seasons series slated for late 2025 delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tulipop Tales: Animated preschool series featuring Tulipop characters, aired on RAI Yoyo and RAI Play in Italy
- Tulipop Seasons
- Tulipop Tunes
Products and services
- Tulipop Tales (Animated Series) Preschool animated series featuring Tulipop characters (Bubble, Fred, Gloomy, Maddy, Mr. Tree, Mama Skully), distributed internationally on RAI Yoyo, RAI Play, Canal+, TF1, RUV, and YouTube for preschool children and their families.
- Tulipop Tales: The Forgotten Forest (Book) The first book in the Tulipop Tales series, an imaginative adventure story featuring Tulipop characters, marketed to preschool children and families and priced at $30 USD.
- Tulipop Tales: The Muffinpuffin (Book) The second book in the Tulipop Tales series, continuing the adventures of Tulipop characters for preschool children and families, priced at $30 USD.
- Plush Toys Character plush toys available in Mini Plush (12cm, from $19.60) and Deluxe Plush (27cm, $39.50) sizes, featuring Fred, Bubble, Gloomy, and Maddy, sold to children and collectors.
- Vinyl Blind-Box Figurines Collectible vinyl figurines of Tulipop characters (Fred, Bubble, Gloomy, Miss Maddy) sold in blind-box format, targeted at adult collectors and fans.
- Home & Kitchen Products Eco-friendly bamboo dinnerware sets, ceramic mugs, LED lamps (up to $70), cutlery sets ($28.50), and other home goods featuring Tulipop characters for families and fans.
- School Supplies Backpacks, notebooks, pencil cases, folders, lunch boxes, and steel water bottles featuring Tulipop characters, designed for school-aged children up to 12 years.
- Children's Apparel Children's clothing including T-shirts ($21), toddler tees ($21), and swimsuits ($35) featuring Tulipop characters, including collaboration pieces such as Tulipop x 66°North.
- Adult T-Shirts Adult-sized T-shirts featuring Tulipop characters including Mushroom, Fred, Bubble, Gloomy, and Miss Maddy designs, priced from $21 to $27.50 USD.
- Jewelry & Accessories Jewelry including earrings and necklaces, hand mirrors, key rings, embroidered patches, and bags featuring Tulipop characters for adults and older fans.
- Travel Accessories Luggage tags, passport holders, toiletry bags, and travel sets featuring Tulipop characters, targeted at young adventurers and families.
- Tulipop Tunes Music Albums Music albums featuring songs from the Tulipop animated series distributed on Spotify, including Tulipop Tunes 1 (season one songs), Tulipop Tunes 2 (13 tunes from season two), with Tulipop Tunes 3 and 4 upcoming.
Quantifiable outcome
- Netflix's top 50 kids and family specials generated over 600 million views in 2024, demonstrating the market potential for quality kids entertainment specials
Companies that use Tulipop
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Tulipop technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Tulipop partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Booster MilanocoreBooster Milano was appointed as Tulipop's licensing agent in Italy following the launch of Tulipop Tales animated series on RAI Yoyo and RAI Play. The partnership aims to expand Tulipop's brand in Italy through licensing and merchandising efforts.
- Jonathan AbrahamcoreIndustry veteran hired to manage global TV distribution, responsible for global sales of Tulipop Tales and upcoming Tulipop Seasons series, providing strategic guidance to boost IP's international visibility
- Hannah DubcoffcoreIndustry veteran hired alongside Jonathan Abraham to manage global TV distribution for the Tulipop franchise
- RAI YoyocoreItalian broadcast partner for the Tulipop Tales animated series, part of RAI's children's programming lineup
- RAI PlaycoreItalian streaming platform partner for on-demand access to Tulipop content
- RUVcoreIcelandic national broadcaster streaming Tulipop episodes including The Forgotten Forest, Pool Party, and others
- Canal+regionalPolish broadcast partner distributing Tulipop content through Canal+ platform
- TF1regionalFrench broadcast partner distributing Tulipop content on TF1 channel
- Pop PlayerregionalStreaming platform partner for Tulipop content distribution
- YouTubecoreVideo streaming platform hosting full Tulipop episodes for global audience access
- SpotifycoreMusic streaming partner hosting Tulipop Tunes albums (1, 2, 3, 4) for streaming on Spotify
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tulipop competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pusheen: Iconic character-based merchandise brand (plush, apparel, homeware, accessories) sold globally through DTC storefront — direct comparison point for Tulipop's multi-category character IP commerce.
- Jellycat: London-based plush toy and character merchandise brand operating a strong DTC e-commerce channel and premium positioning — a closely analogous model to Tulipop's plush-led, character-driven DTC business.
- SmileyWorld: Icon-led merchandise and licensing brand with global apparel, accessories, and homeware — comparable IP-driven, lifestyle-extending monetization model.
- Tokidoki: Character-based lifestyle brand with plush, apparel, accessories, and collectibles sold through DTC and licensing — analogous in artist-led character IP commercialization.
- Squishmallows (Jazwares): Character-led plush and figurine franchise with broad mass-market retail distribution and collectible mechanics — a comparable scaled example of the character-plush business Tulipop is pursuing.
- Miffy (Mercis): Dutch character IP (Dick Bruna) with books, animation, toys, homeware, and apparel — comparable in being a designer-led children's character brand monetized through licensing and merchandise.
- Care Bears (Cloudco Entertainment): Multi-generational children's character IP with plush, apparel, and content distribution — comparable franchise structure and licensing-driven merchandise model.
Broad incumbents
- Sanrio (Hello Kitty): Japanese character IP giant with global licensing, retail, and content — relevant incumbent benchmark for the ceiling of a character-IP commerce business and competitive pressure on shelf space.
Emerging players
- Djeco: European (French) children's toy and games brand with strong design-led merchandise — adjacent in product category (kids toys, games, puzzles) and useful European-market distribution comparison.
Regional players
- Moomin Characters: Finnish-origin character IP with global licensing, books, animation, and merchandise — the closest Nordic peer to Tulipop and a useful benchmark for European character-IP licensing economics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tulipop social profiles
Digital presenceTulipop financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tulipop leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Tulipop funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tulipop 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 Tulipop
What does Tulipop do?
Tulipop Studios develops and commercializes a character-based children's entertainment IP centered on the animated preschool series Tulipop Tales and its cast of fantasy characters. The company sells character-driven merchandise (plush toys, vinyl figurines, books, eco-friendly bamboo homeware, apparel, school supplies, jewelry, and travel accessories) through its own global e-commerce storefront and wholesale channels, and licenses its IP for merchandising, publishing, and TV distribution through broadcast partners such as RAI Yoyo, Canal+, and TF1.
Is Tulipop a public or private company?
Tulipop is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Tulipop founded?
Tulipop was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tulipop based?
Tulipop is headquartered in Reykjavík, Iceland, in the Europe region.
How does Tulipop make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct Merchandise Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Brand Extension and TV Content Distribution.
Who are Tulipop's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pusheen, Jellycat, SmileyWorld, Tokidoki, Squishmallows (Jazwares), Miffy (Mercis) and Care Bears (Cloudco Entertainment). Sanrio (Hello Kitty) is listed as a broad incumbent. Djeco is listed as an emerging player. Moomin Characters is listed as a regional player.
Does Tulipop have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tulipop.
What industry is Tulipop in?
Tulipop's product category is Character-based Children's Entertainment & Merchandise. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAFAL, Toy & Game E-commerce Specialists, with a secondary code of CRALAFAD, Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail. Its NAICS code is 45912 and its SIC code is 5945.