Hottrix

What Hottrix does

Hottrix is a privately-held, artist-owned entertainment company founded in 1996 and headquartered in Las Vegas. The company invents and markets a dual product portfolio: approximately 40 mobile applications distributed through Apple App Store, Google Play, and direct carrier contracts in 200 markets worldwide, alongside 13+ physical magic props and prosthetics sold internationally through retail networks and direct e-commerce.

The flagship mobile product is iBeer, a satirical visual trick app simulating beer drinking via smartphone sensors, which has accumulated over 120 million downloads and was named TIME App of the Year. The company's mobile catalog spans viral social entertainment apps (iSoda, iMunchies, Miracle Selfie), professional magician tools (InstaPrompter teleprompter, Replica4D, KrazyFinger, Five-Star Magic), and children's educational apps (iBug for Kids). Physical products center on Swiss-precision magic gimmicks (Rinkey Dinkey car key reel, Python Pull S retraction device) and proprietary ultra-thin elastic polymer prosthetics (Handz-Up artificial hands, Thumbs-Up slip-on fingers) designed to be indistinguishable under HD/4K cameras for stage, TV, and film productions.

Revenue is generated through one-time paid app purchases ($2.99 typical), in-app upgrades, freemium ad-supported models, and direct hardware sales at price points ranging from $14.95 (Thumbs-Up) to $99.95 (Body Part Mega-Pack). Distribution combines digital storefronts, Amazon Fulfillment, the company's own website, and an authorized retailer network. The customer base spans general consumer app users, professional magicians, film/TV production companies, and food service workers using prosthetics for health code compliance. The company has remained deliberately small with 11-50 employees, no institutional funding, and ongoing defensive IP litigation to protect core inventions.

Name

Hottrix

Legal name

Hottrix, LLC

Website

https://hottrix.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Las Vegas-based, artist-owned company founded in 1996 that invents and sells mobile entertainment apps (40+ titles including iBeer with 120M+ downloads) and precision magic props/prosthetics for professional magicians, film/TV productions, and consumer novelty users worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Mobile App Sales: Apps distributed through Apple App Store, Google Play, and direct carrier contracts in 200 markets. Revenue from paid apps (iBeer $2.99, iBug $2.99) and in-app purchases
2. Physical Magic Products: Tangible magic props including Rinkey Dinkey ($19.99-$59.95), Handz-Up ($59.95), Thumbs-Up ($14.95), Sprizzer ($19.95), and Body Part Mega-Pack ($99.95). Sold internationally through retail network and direct website
3. Software and Tutorials: Professional magic software systems (Jolt, Replica4D, KrazyFinger) and instructional videos/DVDs (Sylvester Pitch Anniversary DVD $29.95, Card Thru Window from $19.99)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hottrix invents and sells products for stage, television, and cinema magic. Its core offering is a combined portfolio of mobile entertainment apps (led by iBeer with 120M+ downloads), professional magic performance software, and a line of hyper-realistic physical magic props and prosthetic devices (Handz-Up, Thumbs-Up, Rinkey Dinkey) used by professional magicians and film/TV productions.

Product overview

Hottrix is a Las Vegas-based company founded in 1996 that invents products for stage, television, and cinema magic. The company operates a portfolio of approximately 40 entertainment apps (including iBeer with 120 million downloads, Five-Star Magic App, KrazyFinger, Replica Engine, InstaPrompter, Magic Wallet, MindBeam, iMunchies, and various visual comedy apps like iSoda, iMilk, iChocolate, iBug, iFireplace, Jarheads, and Miracle Selfie) and 13+ physical products (including the Rinkey Dinkey car key gimmick, Handz-Up prosthetic hands, Thumbs-Up Soft/Hard fingers, Automatic Thimbles, CupOodles, Magnet-Up, Sprizzer, and Python Pull reels). The company also offers instructional videos (Sylvester Pitch DVD, Peter Marvey's Card Thru Window) and the InstantApp software tool. Products are distributed through all major app stores, direct carrier contracts in 200 markets, and a network of retail outlets internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• iBeer Flagship satirical visual trick app that simulates drinking beer from a smartphone using device motion sensors, with tilt-to-drink and shake-for-foam interactions. Targeted at general consumers for social entertainment and party use.
• Five-Star Magic App Magic performance app that enables performers to control all phones in a room, displaying custom content on screens and driving social media engagement. Targeted at professional magicians.
• KrazyFinger Magic trick app that makes the user's finger appear to separate from their hand and interact with a spectator's smartphone. Targeted at professional magicians and entertainers.
• Replica Engine (Replica4D) Magic app that makes objects appear to jump out of social media posts and photos into the real world with customizable 3D effects and dynamic shadows. Targeted at professional magicians.
• InstaPrompter Stage teleprompter and intercom system allowing real-time text messaging from an iPhone to hidden iPads or tablets on stage, with voice-to-text and multiple language support. Targeted at professional stage performers and speakers.
• Magic Wallet Magic trick app that simulates an iPhone becoming an ATM, allowing users to mint currencies and reach through the screen to grab coins. Targeted at magicians and consumers.
• MindBeam Mind-reading magic app that allows performers to predict which card a spectator is thinking of from any distance. Targeted at mentalists and professional magicians.
• iMunchies Magic trick app that simulates pulling popcorn and snacks from inside a smartphone screen, with fingers appearing to enter the device. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.
• iSoda iTunes Award-winning visual trick app simulating drinking soda from a smartphone with tilt and shake interactions. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.
• iMilk Visual trick app simulating drinking milk and shaking whipped cream from a smartphone. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.
• iChocolate Visual comedy trick app simulating drinking chocolate from a smartphone. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.
• iBug Interactive app featuring realistic bugs that can be fed, tickled, and made to grow on the smartphone screen. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.
• iBug for Kids Educational app for children featuring a ladybug that teaches colors, foods, numbers, and the alphabet through interactive gameplay. Targeted at children ages 1-6 and parents seeking ad-free educational content.
• Jarheads Horror-themed comedy app featuring a character in a jar with interactive liquid effects and sound. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.
• Miracle Selfie Face-swapping photo app that appears as a beautifier but switches everyone's faces in group selfies. Targeted at general consumers for social entertainment.
• iGoldfish Visual trick app featuring a realistic goldfish that lives on the smartphone and can be fed. Targeted at general consumers for entertainment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120 million+ app downloads for iBeer alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• PropDogminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPropDog created updated versions of Rinkey Dinkey, such as Ring Flight Revolution, designed to resemble 2014 mainstream cars (fat fob) and Mini car keys
• Murphy's Magic SuppliesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMonopolistic US distributor that Hottrix has publicly opposed for enabling IP theft. Not a partnership - company actively boycotts Murphy's due to alleged complicity in stealing Rinkey Dinkey invention

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Smule: iPhone-era pioneer of sensor-driven viral entertainment apps (Ocarina, Magic Piano, I Am T-Pain). Comparable as a small studio whose breakout app-defined consumer entertainment category and rode smartphone hardware transitions.
• Rovio Entertainment: Mobile games studio famous for Angry Birds—an order-of-magnitude larger analog in terms of converting a viral entertainment app into an enduring consumer-products IP licensing business.
• Funko: Pop-culture collectibles/figurine maker with physical novelty products sold through international retail networks. Comparable in operating licensed/IP-driven novelty product lines via mass retail.
• Niantic: Developer of AR entertainment apps (Pokémon GO, Ingress, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite) leveraging smartphone sensors for location and camera-based interactive experiences. Comparable as a dominant AR entertainment app publisher.
• Party City: Mass-market novelty and party-supply retailer with international footprint. Comparable as an aggregator/distributor of trick/novelty/prank merchandise, though at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Ellusionist: Direct-to-magician playing card and prop brand with strong designer/magician ownership culture. Comparable as a design-forward magic products company selling through its own storefront and authorized retailers.
• Theory11: Premium magic prop and playing-card manufacturer targeting professional magicians and cardists. Closely comparable in offering high-margin physical props (cards, gimmicks, accessories) to a magician audience.
• Yigal Mesika: Professional magician and prop inventor behind iTricks, Loop, and similar reel/wallet devices. Operates as a fellow independent inventor of stage magic gimmicks in the same price band as Hottrix's Rinkey Dinkey/Python Pull line.
• Penguin Magic: Largest digital magic retailer/distributor with downloadable tricks, tutorials, and a creator community. Operates in the same magician-customer segment as Hottrix and competes for the same professional and hobbyist spend.

Emerging players

• Imangi Studios: Independent mobile game developer behind Temple Run, a multi-billion-download viral hit. Comparable as a small studio that landed a singular cultural-moment app and built sustained consumer-entertainment brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/hottrix
• Facebookfacebook.com/hottrix
• Xx.com/HOTTRIX
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hottrix-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Hottrix