MAKE
MAKE is a Minneapolis-based creative studio producing short-form animated commercials and branded content for enterprise clients across sports, gaming, food/beverage, and technology, while developing and licensing proprietary animated series under the MAKE Originals banner via YouTube.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MAKE does
MAKE, LLC is a Minneapolis-based creative studio specializing in short-form animated entertainment, branded content, and motion design. Founded in 2004, the studio operates as MAKE — A Creation Studio and serves major consumer brands including DICK'S Sporting Goods, Xbox/Microsoft, Adidas, Crunchyroll, GoGo Squeez, Dunkin', Dell, Callaway, Hot Wheels/Mattel, Cheez-It, Mediacom, and Blistex Kanka, alongside nonprofit clients. MAKE runs two parallel business lines: project-based commercial animation services for brand partners (campaigns, commercials, social content, game cinematics) and MAKE Originals, a proprietary IP slate of micro-short animated series (House On The Outlands, Bravehurts, Dead Moon Walking, Sunny Side Down, Mechsplorers, and others) distributed via YouTube and digital platforms.
The studio's technical capabilities center on a hybrid 2D/3D animation pipeline that merges traditional hand-drawn artistry with CGI. Documented proprietary techniques include Gaussian splatting for premium product visualization (deployed in DICK'S Sporting Goods campaigns), hand-painted textures applied within 3D environments to preserve storybook aesthetics, digital marionette character rigging for flexible-yet-rigid animation, and integrated 3D-camera projection of hand-drawn 2D backgrounds. Production operates from a 25,000+ sq ft Minneapolis facility with stage capabilities for live-action/animated hybrid work.
MAKE monetizes through (1) commercial animation services billed as one-time project engagements, (2) creative production services including visual development and creative direction, and (3) licensing/royalty revenue from MAKE Originals IP. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise engagement via a dedicated Director of Creative Partnerships, self-serve/PLG-style YouTube distribution for Originals, and channel-partner representation in UK/EU markets through Lemonade Reps. The company is founder/management-owned with no disclosed institutional capital, expanded its leadership team materially in 2025–2026 with a Global Executive Producer, Director of Creative Partnerships, and two full-time producers, and currently operates at 11–50 employees.
MAKE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MAKE
- Legal name
- MAKE, LLC
- Website
- https://makevisual.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MAKE is a Minneapolis-based creative studio producing short-form animated commercials and branded content for enterprise clients across sports, gaming, food/beverage, and technology, while developing and licensing proprietary animated series under the MAKE Originals banner via YouTube.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MAKE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Creative Animation Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (54143), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio) (BPAFAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD), Creator Content Production & Co-Creation Studios (BPAFAHAD)
Keywords
Where MAKE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MAKE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Commercial Animation Services: MAKE creates custom animated content for brand partners including commercials, social media campaigns, and branded entertainment. Projects are delivered for major brands across sports, food/beverage, gaming, and lifestyle sectors.
- Original Content (MAKE Originals): MAKE develops and produces proprietary animated series and short-form content distributed through YouTube and digital platforms. Creates IP ownership and potential licensing revenue streams.
- Creative Production Services: Full-service creative production including visual development, animation, post-production, and creative direction for agency and brand partners.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
MAKE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MAKE is a Minneapolis-based creative studio that produces custom animated content, motion design, and visual effects for major brand partners across commercials, social media campaigns, and game cinematics. The studio also develops and owns proprietary animated intellectual property under the MAKE Originals banner, producing micro-short series distributed through YouTube and other digital platforms.
Product overview
MAKE is a creative studio specializing in entertainment and branding content, operating across two main offerings: commercial animation services for brand partners (including animated commercials, social media campaigns, and game cinematics) and MAKE Originals (their proprietary animated series and micro-short content including House On The Outlands, Bravehurts, Dead Moon Walking, Sunny Side Down, and Wild Blue Skies). The studio combines 2D and 3D animation techniques, visual development, and production services for clients across sports, food/beverage, technology, gaming, and entertainment sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MAKE Originals: Creative playground featuring original worlds and characters including House On The Outlands, Bravehurts, Dead Moon Walking, Sunny Side Down, Mechsplorers, Synth Aria, Procedural Light, Mitosis, TAAG, Fruitless Effort, and Glumpers.
Products and services
- Commercial Animation Services Custom animated commercial content and creative production services for major brand partners across industries including sports, food/beverage, gaming, entertainment, and technology.
- MAKE Originals MAKE's proprietary intellectual property consisting of micro-short animated series and serialized entertainment content including House On The Outlands, Bravehurts, Dead Moon Walking, Sunny Side Down, and Wild Blue Skies, distributed via YouTube and available for licensing.
- Social Media Content Short-form animated content crafted for social media platforms, designed to turn quick glances into engagement through visually compelling animations for brand social campaigns.
- Game Cinematics Cinematic trailers and game announcement content combining 2D and 3D animation with traditional artistry and technical precision for gaming industry clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- MAKE produces micro-short format content where each episode is bite-sized animated content, demonstrating efficiency in condensed storytelling.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use MAKE
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MAKE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MAKE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- MAKE NW (Regional Entity)minorMAKE NW is part of a five-firm design team appointed by Lancashire County Council for the £13.2 million Innovation Hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone. MAKE NW and the council are jointly developing a framework to appoint a managing operator for the hub. This appears to be a regional entity or project-specific partnership.
- Lemonade RepscoreMAKE joined Lemonade Reps in June 2025 to expand into the UK and EU animation scene. The partnership brings MAKE's strong design and emotionally resonant storytelling to new agency and brand partners in European markets. Corin West serves as the UK/EU representative.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MAKE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Buck: Buck is an independent design and animation studio delivering commercial campaigns, motion design, and original content for global brands. It is the closest direct peer to MAKE in scale, craft, and brand-services positioning.
- Psyop: Psyop is a creative content studio producing commercials, films, and integrated content with strong animation and VFX capabilities. Comparable to MAKE in serving enterprise brands with cinematic, animation-led storytelling.
- Giant Ant: Giant Ant is an animation and design studio known for character-driven brand campaigns and original shorts. Similar size, craft, and dual-services-plus-originals model as MAKE.
- Oddfellows: Oddfellows is a design and animation studio producing commercials, short films, and brand content for major advertisers. Directly comparable to MAKE in client roster, output style, and boutique studio scale.
- Tendril: Tendril is an animation and design studio creating commercials, brand content, and motion design with hybrid 2D/3D capabilities. Strong technical and stylistic overlap with MAKE's hybrid pipeline.
- Hornet Inc. Hornet is a director-driven animation and motion design studio producing commercials and branded content for global brands. Comparable in client type, animation craftsmanship, and boutique studio scale.
- Golden Wolf: Golden Wolf is an animation studio specializing in bold, character-driven commercial work and short-form content for brands. Closely comparable to MAKE's commercial animation and Originals-style character IP approach.
- Block & Tackle: Block & Tackle is a creative animation and production studio delivering brand campaigns, commercials, and original content. Comparable independent studio with similar brand-services + original IP orientation.
- Scholar: Scholar is a creative studio producing commercials, branded content, and original entertainment with a strong animation focus. Comparable to MAKE in combining commercial work with proprietary original content.
Broad incumbents
- Wieden+Kennedy (Content Studio): Wieden+Kennedy operates an in-house content and animation production capability serving major global brands. Represents the broad-incumbent model MAKE competes against for large enterprise briefs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MAKE social profiles
Digital presenceMAKE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MAKE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
MAKE subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
MAKE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MAKE 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 MAKE
What does MAKE do?
MAKE is a Minneapolis-based creative studio that produces custom animated content, motion design, and visual effects for major brand partners across commercials, social media campaigns, and game cinematics. The studio also develops and owns proprietary animated intellectual property under the MAKE Originals banner, producing micro-short series distributed through YouTube and other digital platforms.
Is MAKE a public or private company?
MAKE is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MAKE founded?
MAKE was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MAKE based?
MAKE is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does MAKE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Commercial Animation Services are the primary driver. The others are original Content (MAKE Originals) and creative Production Services.
Who are MAKE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Buck, Psyop, Giant Ant, Oddfellows, Tendril, Hornet Inc., Golden Wolf, Block & Tackle and Scholar. Wieden+Kennedy (Content Studio) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does MAKE have an API?
No public API is recorded for MAKE.
What industry is MAKE in?
MAKE's product category is Creative Animation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAAAF, Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio), with a secondary code of MPAAAAAD, Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX). Its NAICS code is 54143 and its SIC code is 7812.