Bijou Build

What Bijou Build does

Bijou Build is a woman-owned, direct-to-consumer outdoor play structure company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Maine. Its flagship product, the Mainstay, is described as the world's first collapsible, adaptable, and expandable play structure for families, built around a patented solid steel hinged star hub, woven Teslin fabric panels made from 50% recycled water bottles, and standard 10ft pressure-treated 2x4s sourced through a partnership with Lowe's and Home Depot. The product system supports up to 250 lbs, withstands 50 mph winds, meets ASTM F963, F1148, EN71-1, and EN71-8 safety standards, and includes an integrated 100-LED solar panel. Around the Mainstay, Bijou offers roughly 20 modular accessories (multiple swing types, Clamber Panel, Next Level Platform, Rambler Rope Bridge, Haven shade structure, Nest reading nook) and pre-configured bundles (Big Bijou, Duo Rambler, Monkey Business) priced from $24.99 to $2,189.58, with the Mainstay entry unit at $799.

The company operates exclusively as a U.S. DTC e-commerce business, shipping from a Dallas, Texas warehouse with free shipping on orders over $99 and a 45-day return window. Customer segments include families with children (primary), schools and forest/nature-based education programs, military families, short-term rental and Airbnb hosts, and children with sensory or special needs. The bundle builder tool and tiered discount system ($900+ for 5% off, $1,300+ for 10% off, $1,800+ for 15% off) drive average order value expansion.

Traction signals include 10,000+ units sold, a 4.8/5 customer rating across 100+ verified Mainstay reviews, and a stated base of 2,000+ families and schools. Bijou has received press coverage in Forbes, Inc. 500, The Spruce, Sunset, and The Grommet; design recognition including IDA Design Awards Silver (2022) and Gold (2024), Mom's Choice Awards, and Parents Picks; and founder Amanda Lacy's inclusion on the 2025 Inc. Female Founders 500 list. The company is small (1–10 employees), with no disclosed institutional capital beyond a $1,500 Maine Venture Fund line, and runs a fully bootstrapped, founder-led operation.

Name

Bijou Build

Legal name

Bijou Build

Website

https://bijoubuild.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bijou Build is a woman-owned, D2C outdoor play structure company selling the patented Mainstay modular system — a collapsible, expandable structure with an accessory ecosystem. Founded 2021 in Maine, serving families, schools, and short-term rental operators across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Camden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware/Structure Sales: One-time purchase of modular play structures (Mainstay, accessories, bundles). Products are physical goods sold at fixed prices with optional wood add-ons.
2. Accessories and Add-ons: Individual sale of accessories including swings (Sway, Cocoon, Baby, Hover, Kubix), rope bridges, platforms, planters, and other add-ons that attach to the core Mainstay structure.
3. Bundle Kits: Pre-configured bundles offering savings vs. individual purchases (e.g., Big Bijou, Mainstay & Sway, Duo Rambler). Volume discounts through bundle builder tool.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bijou Build designs and sells modular, collapsible outdoor play structures built around the patented Mainstay core unit, sold direct-to-consumer via bijoubuild.com. The system includes the Mainstay base structure, interchangeable accessories (swings, climbing panels, platforms), the Rambler Rope Bridge, outdoor living structures (Haven, Nest, Moment of Zen), and pre-configured bundle kits. All products use a powder-coated steel star hub frame with Teslin fabric panels and integrate with standard 10ft pressure-treated 2x4s sourced from local Lowe's or Home Depot.

Product overview

Bijou Build offers a modular outdoor play system built around the Mainstay as the core product. The Mainstay is the world's first and only collapsible, adaptable, and expandable play structure, serving as the foundation for all configurations. The product line consists of the Mainstay core product, various add-on modules (swings including Sway, Cocoon, Sky Hover, Baby, Skate, and Kubix; climbing accessories including Clamber Panel and Next Level Platform; rope bridge; outdoor living structures including Haven, Nest, and Moment of Zen; and accessories like Pocket, Rest, Roller, Anchor Set, LED Twister, Bloom Planters, and Balance Brace), pre-configured bundle/kit combinations (Mainstay and Sway Swing Set, Big Bijou, Duo Rambler, Monkey Business Bundle, Monkey See Monkey Duo, Deluxe Mainstay), and branded merchandise. The system uses standard 10ft pressure-treated 2x4s (coordinated through Lowe's/Home Depot), patented steel hinged star hub technology, and Teslin panels made from recycled materials. All products are designed for sustainability, portability, and multi-generational use (ages 3 to 103) with a 250lb weight limit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mainstay The world's first and only collapsible, adaptable, and expandable outdoor play structure, built around a patented steel hinged star hub and Teslin panels made from recycled materials. Serves as the foundation that all other Bijou accessories attach to, requiring standard 10ft pressure-treated 2x4s.
• Rambler Rope Bridge Suspension rope bridge accessory made from outdoor-grade UV-protected climbing-grade nylon ropes, supporting up to 250lbs, that connects between two Mainstays, Mainstay to tree, or tree-to-tree.
• Bijou Swing Arm Adaptor Swing set kit that transforms the Mainstay into a swing set, allowing various swing accessories to attach for a customized swinging experience.
• Sway Swing Best-selling cozy swing accessory that attaches to the swing arm and provides soothing swaying motion for children.
• Cocoon Swing Swing accessory providing a cocoon-like seating experience, available in Green and Beige colors.
• Sky Hover Swing 5-foot platform swing that elevates the Bijou experience with a spacious seating area for multiple users.
• Outdoor Baby Swing with Supportive Seat Supportive seat swing designed for babies and younger children with enhanced safety features.
• Bijou Kubix Swing Modern hexagon-shaped swing with adjustable ropes, providing a unique design for outdoor swinging.
• Adventure Skate Board Swing Skateboard-style swing accessory providing a unique swinging experience.
• Next Level Platform Second platform designed to connect seamlessly with the Mainstay, creating another place to climb or perch.
• Clamber Panel Climbing accessory that adds an additional climbing surface to the Mainstay for active climbers.
• Sway Expander Bar Accessory that expands swing capabilities, allowing additional swings to be attached.
• Adventure LED Twister Spinner Toy LED-enabled twister spinner toy that adds an interactive play element by spinning to create light patterns.
• Bijou Haven Outdoor living shade structure featuring 3 solid panels using signature outdoor fabric, with patented steel hinged top hub and 5 ground U stakes, serving as a shaded hangout spot or reading nook.
• Bijou Nest Combines Bijou Haven with Sky Hover Swing, plus a hanging strap and 2 pillows, transforming into a shaded reading nook, creative hideaway, or daydream spot.
• Moment of Zen Outdoor living sanctuary set including Haven, Sway Swing with Expander Bar, Hanging Pocket, Rest Beverage Holder, and three sets of Bloom Bags for relaxation and outdoor enjoyment.
• Bijou Pocket Hanging pocket accessory for storing toys, books, or personal items within the Bijou structure.
• Bijou Rest Hanging table accessory that serves as a beverage holder and side table for adults using the Bijou.
• Bijou Roller Storage and transport accessory with collapsible design that allows two adults to collapse the Mainstay and secure it with included straps for relocation or storage.
• Bijou Anchor Set Ground stakes and anchoring equipment for securing the Bijou structure to the ground.
• Bloom Hanging Planters Hanging planters that attach to the Bijou structure for growing plants and adding greenery to the outdoor space.
• Bijou Balance Brace Balance toy accessory for developing coordination and stability skills.
• XL Ultimate Bounce Soccer Ball Oversized soccer ball designed for outdoor play and bouncing activities.
• Bijou Gift Card Gift card for purchasing Bijou Build products, available in various denominations starting at $50.
• Bijou Hats Branded merchandise featuring the Bijou Build logo.
• Mainstay and Sway Swing Set Pre-configured kit combining one Mainstay, one swing arm, and two Sway swings, forming a modular swing set ready for immediate use.
• Big Bijou Ultimate bundle including two Mainstays, one Rambler rope bridge, one swing arm, and two best-selling Sway swings — the largest configuration available.
• Duo Rambler Bundle featuring two Mainstays connected by one Rambler rope bridge for an epic suspension bridge experience.
• Monkey Business Bundle Ultimate climbing kit including one Mainstay with clamber panel, one additional clamber panel, and one Next Level Platform, transforming the Mainstay into a full climbing experience.
• Monkey See Monkey Duo Advanced configuration including 2 Mainstays with clamber panels, two Clamber Panels, two Next Level Platforms, and one Rambler Rope Bridge — the most comprehensive climbing bundle.
• Deluxe Mainstay (Reading Nook) Bundle configuration including one Mainstay and two Bijou Pockets, set up as a reading nook for peaceful outdoor relaxation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rated 4.8/5 with 10,000+ units sold
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Lowe'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBijou coordinates wood delivery from local Lowe's stores. When customers order 'with wood' option, Bijou arranges shipment from the customer's nearest Lowe's location. This partnership enables Bijou's unique local-sourcing model where wood is delivered via existing retail logistics infrastructure.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KidKraft: Maker of wooden outdoor playsets, swing sets, and playhouses for residential use. Comparable in product category, materials (wood + components), and target customer (young families) to Bijou Build.
• Gorilla Playsets: Wooden residential swing sets and play systems sold online and through specialty retailers. Competes in the same backyard-play category with comparable product architecture (wood frame + swings/climbers).
• Lifetime Products: Manufacturer of residential outdoor play equipment, swing sets, and backyard structures sold through big-box retail. Comparable to Bijou in product category, customer base, and target retail channels.
• Backyard Discovery: Largest US maker of residential wooden swing sets, playsets, and outdoor play structures. Directly competes with Bijou in the backyard family-play category across overlapping price tiers and overlapping retail distribution.
• Step2: Manufacturer of molded plastic and hybrid outdoor residential play structures and swing sets for young children. Overlaps with Bijou in target buyer (families with young children) and category (outdoor play equipment), though uses different materials.
• Cedar Summit (Backyard Discovery): Cedar-wood playset line from Backyard Discovery, sold at major retailers. Competes in the same residential outdoor play structure category as Bijou Mainstay at similar price points.
• Swing-N-Slide: DIY-friendly residential wooden swing set and play structure kits sold through home improvement retailers. Comparable in product format (modular wood-frame structures) and target buyer (DIY families).

Regional players

• Plum Products: UK-based maker of outdoor play equipment, swings, and playhouses primarily serving European markets. Comparable in product category and target buyer to Bijou but operates in a different geography.
• TP Toys: UK manufacturer of active outdoor play products including climbing frames, swings, and play towers. Overlaps with Bijou in outdoor play structures for families, primarily in the UK/European market.

Others

• The Grommet: Product discovery platform that has featured Bijou. Functions as a discovery and marketing channel rather than a direct competitor, but is relevant as a go-to-market partner and benchmark for premium DTC consumer product distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bijoubuild
• Facebookfacebook.com/bijoubuild

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Bijou Build