What Vivlio does

Vivlio is a Lyon-headquartered French digital reading platform founded in 2011 (originally as TEA, rebranded to Vivlio in 2019) that builds and operates an integrated e-reading ecosystem for European consumers and bookstore chain partners. Its product surface spans seven proprietary e-ink e-reader models priced €84.99–€309.99 (Light Zen, One, Light, Light HD, Light HD Color, InkPad 4, InkPad Color 3), a cross-device mobile reading application for iOS and Android, the My Vivlio cloud-based digital library for purchase and reading-position synchronization, and the Vivlio e-bookstore stocking over 1 million ebook titles and 25,000+ audiobooks. Underlying technology includes e-ink firmware, Readium LCP-certified CARE DRM for content protection and library interoperability, Smartlight frontlighting, and accessibility features (dyslexia-friendly fonts, voice synthesis, adjustable typography).

Vivlio generates revenue through four principal streams: (1) direct e-reader hardware sales via shop.vivlio.com and liseuses.vivlio.com, (2) ebook and audiobook transactions on its e-bookstore (priced ~25% below print equivalents), (3) white-label B2B platform licensing to bookstore chains (Cultura, E.Leclerc, Standaard Boekhandel, Casa Del Libro, Boulanger, Sistema U, Cdiscount), and (4) Vivlio Studio original publishing and Vivlio Stories mobile subscription. The company serves two primary customer segments: individual readers (D2C, 2M+ users across France, Germany, Spain, Belgium) and bookstore chains/cultural retailers (B2B2C, 1,000+ retail points). Vivlio also operates the TEAFFUSION library loan distribution service integrated with the French PNB system and counts Divibib/EKZ as a CARE DRM customer driving tens of millions of annual downloads. The company employs 40+ people, holds the French Tech scale-up label, and is supported by EU FEDER funding; in 2020 it reported €8 million in revenue, with the Bookeen and Rocambole acquisitions (2022) materially expanding the post-2020 footprint.

Name

Vivlio

Legal name

Vivlio

Website

https://vivlio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vivlio is a French e-reading platform offering proprietary e-ink e-readers, mobile reading apps, and an ebook/audiobook store serving consumers and European bookstore chain partners via direct-to-consumer sales and white-label B2B licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Electronics (E-readers and Digital Reading)

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

E-book Retail & Reading Platforms (Stores, Apps, Devices) (MPAJAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-Readers (E-Ink Readers) (CRACAMAE), eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK), E-Note Devices (E-Ink Writing Tablets) (CRACAMAF)

Keywords

• E-reader devices
• Ebook retail
• Digital reading
• Audiobook distribution
• White-label reading platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. E-reader Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary e-reader devices (e-ink screens) to consumers through direct e-commerce and retail partners.
2. E-book and Audiobook Sales: Digital content sales through the Vivlio e-bookshop, offering over 1 million ebook titles and 25,000+ audiobooks. Revenue generated per transaction at prices averaging 25% cheaper than physical books.
3. B2B White-label Solutions: Licensing of Vivlio's reading platform (apps, DRM, cloud infrastructure) to bookstore chains and cultural retailers as white-label solutions. Revenue from professional services and platform fees.
4. Vivlio Studio Publishing: Original ebook publishing through Vivlio Studio collection, producing exclusive titles not available elsewhere.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vivlio manufactures and sells seven proprietary E-ink e-reader models (Light Zen, One, InkPad Color 3, Light HD Color, Light, Light HD, InkPad 4) and operates an online ebook and audiobook store of more than 1 million titles. The company also licenses a white-label digital reading platform — including iOS/Android apps, the My Vivlio cloud library, and CARE LCP-certified DRM — to bookstore chains, libraries, and publishers across France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium.

Product overview

Vivlio is a French e-reading ecosystem consisting of e-readers (7 models: Light Zen, One, InkPad Color 3, Light HD Color, Light, Light HD, InkPad 4), a mobile reading application for iOS/Android, My Vivlio cloud-based digital library, and an e-bookstore with over 1 million titles plus 25,000 audiobooks. For professionals, Vivlio offers white-label solutions, CARE DRM protection (Readium LCP-certified), and TEAFFUSION library loan distribution services. The company also operates Vivlio Studio (exclusive ebook publishing) and Vivlio Stories (subscription service). Acquired Bookeen (e-reader maker) and Rocambole (streaming reading app) to consolidate its European market position.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vivlio Studio: Exclusive ebook collection produced by Vivlio, featuring original titles from authors.

Products and services

• Vivlio Light Zen e-reader Entry-level Vivlio e-reader with 6-inch E-ink screen, 8GB storage, 170g weight and frontlight — minimalist design for essential reading. Priced 109.99€.
• Vivlio One e-reader (limited collector edition) Limited-edition collector e-reader (3,000 units) celebrating Vivlio's 5th anniversary; 6-inch e-ink display with frontlight, minimalist design, EPUB format support. Price 84.99–89.99€.
• Vivlio InkPad Color 3 e-reader Large-format 7.8-inch color E-ink e-reader with 32GB storage, designed for illustrated content, comics and color publications. Priced 309.99€.
• Vivlio Light HD Color e-reader Compact 6-inch HD color E-ink e-reader with audiobook compatibility and IPX8 waterproofing. Priced 179.99€.
• Vivlio Light e-reader Portable 6-inch E-ink Vivlio e-reader with 16GB storage, 182g weight, designed for value-oriented nomadic reading. Priced 129.99€.
• Vivlio Light HD e-reader Compact 6-inch HD-display Vivlio e-reader with 1GB RAM and Smartlight frontlight. Priced 169.99€.
• Vivlio InkPad 4 e-reader Large-format 7.8-inch monochrome HD E-ink Vivlio e-reader designed for extended comfortable reading sessions. Priced 269.99€.
• Vivlio Mobile Application (iOS/Android) Native iOS and Android reading app for ebooks and audiobooks on smartphones and tablets, with cross-device synchronization, customizable reading settings, dyslexia-friendly fonts and audiobook playback. Developed in Lyon, France.
• My Vivlio digital library (cloud) Web-based cloud digital library that synchronizes ebook purchases and reading positions across Vivlio e-readers, the iOS/Android app, and the web.
• Vivlio E-bookstore Online ebook/audiobook store offering 1M+ ebook titles and 25,000+ digital audiobooks, with flash promotions, monthly selections negotiated with publishers, and prices averaging 25% below physical books.
• White-label Solutions for Booksellers B2B white-label customizable reading applications and ebook distribution infrastructure for bookstore chains and cultural retailers, deployable under the partner's own brand (apps, web reader, cloud library).
• CARE DRM (Content & Author Right Environment) Readium LCP-certified digital rights management (DRM) system that secures ebook and PDF distribution, with strong authentication and interoperability with other LCP-certified platforms.
• TEAFFUSION digital library loan distribution Digital library loan distribution service for digital book distributors, supporting the French PNB (Prêt Numérique aux Bibliothèques) system through Dilicom with LCP/Adobe DRM.
• Vivlio Studio (exclusive ebook publishing) Vivlio's exclusive ebook collection featuring original titles published in partnership with authors, available only through Vivlio.
• Vivlio Stories (digital reading subscription) Mobile-exclusive digital reading subscription service offering curated reading content with subscription billing.
• Notéa Digital Notebook Digital notebook for note-taking, relaunched by Vivlio in 2023 following the Bookeen acquisition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% cheaper ebooks on average compared to physical versions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Casa Del LibrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Spain's leading bookstore chain partnered in 2023 with exclusive Vivlio spaces in stores, expanding Vivlio's European footprint.
• RocambolecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Acquired in October 2022 along with Doors streaming reading application, strengthening Vivlio's position in digital reading.
• E.LeclerccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Largest French retailer joined Vivlio ecosystem in 2022, providing massive distribution reach for e-readers and digital content.
• Standaard Boekhandel/ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2020Belgium's leading bookstore chain (144 stores) migrated to Vivlio ecosystem in June 2020. Major milestone demonstrating Vivlio's ability to scale and support large retail infrastructures.
• Divibib (EKZ Group)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Leading European library digital book distributor (subsidiary of German EKZ, market leader) chose Vivlio CARE DRM system in 2018. Enables tens of millions of annual downloads.
• CulturacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor French cultural retailer distributing Vivlio e-readers through entire network. Partner in exclusive collector edition promotions like Vivlio One Gold Ticket contest.
• HachetteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly publishing partner from 2011 founding period, part of initial ecosystem development.
• BayardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly publishing partner from 2011, part of initial ecosystem development.
• HarperCollinsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly publishing partner from 2011, part of initial ecosystem development.
• BookeencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired in 2022, this French e-reader company consolidation made Vivlio the number 1 European e-reader brand.
• BoulangerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElectronics retailer offering exclusive Vivlio e-reader bundles and promotional packs.
• Système UminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEarly retail partner from 2011 founding period.
• CdiscountminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEarly e-commerce partner from 2011 founding period.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Rakuten Kobo: Rakuten Kobo is the leading global challenger to Amazon Kindle in e-readers and ebooks, with strong European presence and a competing white-label program for bookstores. Vivlio competes head-to-head with Kobo on hardware, content catalog, and B2B bookstore partnerships across Europe.
• Tolino: Tolino is a German e-reader alliance of leading bookstore chains (Thalia, Hugendubel, Weltbild) that distributes white-label e-readers and ebooks across the DACH region. Tolino's bookstore-cooperative model is structurally similar to Vivlio's B2B2C retail partnership approach.
• PocketBook: PocketBook is a European e-reader manufacturer headquartered in Switzerland with a multi-country distribution footprint. Both PocketBook and Vivlio compete in the European e-reader hardware segment with overlapping product lines and bookstore-channel ambitions.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Kindle: Amazon Kindle is the dominant global e-reader and ebook platform with unmatched catalog, pricing power, and ecosystem lock-in. Vivlio explicitly positions itself as the European alternative to Kindle, addressing sovereignty and bookstore support gaps Amazon cannot replicate.
• Audible: Audible, an Amazon subsidiary, is the dominant global audiobook subscription platform. Audible competes with Vivlio's 25,000+ audiobook catalog for digital audio listening time, and Vivlio's audiobook positioning must contend with Audible's scale and exclusive content deals.

Regional players

• Barnes & Noble Nook: Barnes & Noble's Nook is a US bookstore-branded e-reader and ebook platform with comparable B2B2C retail integration. While Nook operates primarily in North America, it shares Vivlio's strategic playbook of coupling physical bookstore distribution with proprietary digital reading hardware.
• Onyx Boox: Onyx Boox is an e-reader and E-Ink tablet manufacturer with strong presence in Asian and Eastern European markets. Both companies produce large-format and note-taking E-Ink devices (Vivlio's Notéa overlaps with Boox's note-taking product line), though Onyx is far weaker in Western Europe.

Emerging players

• Storytel: Storytel is a leading European audiobook and ebook subscription service with Nordic roots expanding across the continent. Storytel competes with Vivlio Stories on subscription audiobook/ebook consumption and overlaps in serving German, Spanish, and other European reading markets.
• Scribd: Scribd operates a global ebook and audiobook subscription platform with a deep catalog and unlimited-reading model. Scribd competes with Vivlio Stories for subscription reading share and represents the SaaS-style consumption model Vivlio's newer subscription product must compete against.

Others

• Divibib (EKZ Group): Divibib is a leading European library digital book distributor that selected Vivlio's CARE DRM system in 2018 to power library lending. While a partner rather than competitor, Divibib operates in the adjacent digital distribution space and represents a strategic relationship that anchors Vivlio's library interoperability moat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/vivlio_fr
• Xx.com/Vivlio_fr
• Facebookfacebook.com/vivliofr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vivlio-france

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Vivlio