Bolinda Publishing

What Bolinda Publishing does

Bolinda Publishing (legal entity Bolinda Digital Pty Ltd) is a privately held Australian audiobook publisher and digital library platform operator founded in the late 1980s by the Herrmann family, with headquarters in Tullamarine, Melbourne and regional headquarters in Newbury, United Kingdom. The company operates four product lines: Bolinda Audio (direct-to-consumer audiobook sales via downloads and physical CDs), BorrowBox (a proprietary digital library lending app available on iOS, Android, and Amazon), Bolinda Library (curated content packages supplied to more than 3,000 public and school libraries globally), and Bolinda Originals (proprietary original audiobook IP). Bolinda produces content in in-house recording studios across Melbourne, Sydney, London, New York, and Los Angeles, and represents prestigious international publishers including Penguin, Random House Audiobooks, Harper Audio Australia, Macmillan Audio, Pan Macmillan Audio Australia, Bonnier, Canongate, ABC Audio, Gill Books, and O'Brien.

The company's underlying technology centres on the BorrowBox platform, a cross-operating-system digital lending app with library-card authentication, integrated eBook reader, and audio player supporting half-hour segment downloads for instant listening. BorrowBox is positioned as one of the world's top three apps for eBooks and eAudiobooks and is live in 75% of UK libraries, the entirety of Ireland, and is the fastest-growing digital library platform in Australia, UK, and Germany, with expansion into the Netherlands and broader Europe. Bolinda is also experimenting with AI voice and cloned-voice recording technology in production alongside traditional human narration.

Bolinda generates revenue through four streams: (1) multi-year subscription contracts with public and school libraries for BorrowBox platform access and curated content packages, (2) one-time retail sales of eAudiobooks and physical CDs through Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Spotify, Kobo, Blinkist, Amazon, Book Depository, and Booktopia, (3) direct consumer sales via bolindalibrary.com and the BorrowBox app, and (4) distribution fees and revenue sharing from its represented international publishers. The company is bootstrapped, family-controlled, and operates with 51-100 employees across five countries.

Name

Bolinda Publishing

Legal name

Bolinda Digital Pty Ltd

Website

https://bolinda.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bolinda Publishing is a privately held Australian audiobook publisher and digital library platform operator serving more than 3,000 public and school libraries globally through its BorrowBox app, in-house production studios across five cities, and a 45,000+ title catalogue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiobook Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313), Sound Recording Studios (51224), Record Production and Distribution (51225), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiobook Publishers (Trade & Consumer) (MPAJAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering) (MPAJAIAB), Library & Education Audiobook Distribution (Public Libraries, Schools, Academic) (MPAJAIAE), Audiobook Distribution & Aggregation (To Retailers/Libraries) (MPAJAIAC), Digital Books & Audiobooks Retail (E-books/Audiobooks) (CRALAAAI)

Keywords

• Audiobook publishing
• Digital library lending
• EBook distribution
• Library content supply
• Audiobook production

Headquarters

HQ city

Tullamarine

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Audiobook Sales (Direct and Retail): Bolinda sells audiobooks directly to consumers via its own platforms and through third-party retail and digital channels including Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Spotify, Kobo, Amazon, Book Depository, and Booktopia. Revenue is generated from the sale of downloadable eAudiobooks and physical CDs and MP3 CDs.
2. Library Supply Services: Bolinda supplies digital and physical audiobook and eBook content to public and school libraries through curated, tailored packages. Libraries pay for access to Bolinda's catalogue, which includes exclusive titles. The company has served libraries for over 30 years.
3. BorrowBox Platform (Library Digital Lending): BorrowBox enables public library members to borrow eAudiobooks and eBooks free of charge using their library card. Libraries pay for access to the BorrowBox platform, and the app is available on Apple, Google Play, and Amazon. Two-week loan periods are standard.
4. Publisher Representation: Bolinda represents some of the world's most prestigious publishers (ABC Audio, Harper Audio Australia, Bonnier, Canongate, Gill Books, Macmillan Audio, O'Brien, Pan Macmillan Audio Australia, Penguin, Random House Audiobooks), distributing their titles through Bolinda's library and retail channels, earning revenue through distribution fees or revenue sharing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bolinda Publishing produces, publishes and distributes audiobooks and eBooks through proprietary digital platforms including the BorrowBox library lending app, in-house recording studios, and direct retail channels. The company supplies more than 3,000 libraries globally and also sells consumer audiobooks through major digital retailers such as Audible and Apple Books. Its catalogue spans over 45,000 titles, with the BorrowBox platform adopted by approximately 75% of UK public libraries.

Product overview

Bolinda Publishing operates as a multi-product audiobook and digital content publisher with four distinct offerings: Bolinda Audio (direct-to-consumer audiobook sales via CDs and digital downloads through platforms like Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Spotify, and Kobo), BorrowBox (a digital library lending app enabling public library members to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, available on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices), Bolinda Library (institutional supply service for public and school libraries), and Bolinda Originals (proprietary original audiobook content). The company produces content in owned studios across Melbourne, Sydney, London, New York, and Los Angeles, with a catalogue exceeding 15,000 titles spanning fiction, non-fiction, children's, and young adult categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BorrowBox: Digital library app allowing library members to borrow eAudiobooks and eBooks. One of the world's top three apps for eBooks and eAudiobooks.
• Bolinda Audio
• Bolinda Library
• Bolinda Originals

Products and services

• Bolinda Audio Consumer-facing audiobook retail offering distributed through major digital retailers including Audible and Apple Books, providing individual listeners with access to Bolinda's catalogue of audiobooks.
• BorrowBox
• Bolinda Library
• Bolinda Originals

Quantifiable outcome

• 37% of first-time Australian audiobook listeners made their first purchase in 2020, indicating massive category expansion that Bolinda is well-positioned to capture.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ABC AudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABC Audio (Australia) is one of the prestigious publishers represented by Bolinda, whose titles are distributed through Bolinda's library and retail channels.
• AudiblecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAudible (Amazon-owned) is a key digital distribution partner for Bolinda audiobooks. Bolinda titles are available for purchase and download on Audible's global platform.
• Harper Audio AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarper Audio Australia is one of the prestigious publishers whose audiobook titles Bolinda represents and distributes globally through its library and retail channels.
• BonniercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBonnier (Swedish media group) is a publisher partner whose audiobook titles Bolinda distributes through its library supply and retail channels globally.
• CanongatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK independent publisher Canongate is a partner whose audiobook titles are distributed by Bolinda through library and retail channels.
• Gill BookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish publisher Gill Books is represented by Bolinda for audiobook distribution through library and retail channels.
• Macmillan AudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMacmillan Audio is a key publisher partner whose audiobook catalogue is distributed by Bolinda through library and retail channels.
• O'BriencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerO'Brien (Irish publisher) is a publisher partner whose titles Bolinda distributes in audiobook format through library and retail channels.
• Pan Macmillan Audio AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan Macmillan Audio Australia is a core publisher partner, publishing titles including Kate Morton's works. Their catalogue is distributed by Bolinda globally.
• PenguincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPenguin is one of Bolinda's most prestigious publisher partners, with a broad catalogue of bestselling audio titles distributed by Bolinda globally.
• Random House AudiobookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRandom House Audiobooks is a flagship publisher partner whose titles Bolinda distributes through its library and retail channels globally.
• BlinkistminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlinkist is a distribution partner for Bolinda audiobooks, providing additional reach to its summary-focused reader audience.
• Apple BookscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple Books is a primary distribution channel for Bolinda audiobooks, enabling Bolinda to reach iOS users globally through the Apple Books store.
• Google PlaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGoogle Play serves as a global distribution platform for Bolinda audiobooks, reaching Android users and Google ecosystem consumers.
• SpotifyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpotify is a growing audio distribution platform partner for Bolinda, making audiobooks available alongside music and podcasts to Spotify's massive global user base.
• KobominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKobo is a distribution partner for Bolinda audiobooks, expanding Bolinda's reach to Kobo's global eBook and eAudiobook audience.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OverDrive / Libby: Leading digital library lending platform serving public and school libraries globally with eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video via the Libby app. The most direct competitor to Bolinda's BorrowBox in the library lending space, and an obvious benchmark for Bolinda's market share and library penetration strategy.
• Storytel: Swedish audiobook and e-book subscription streaming service with publisher operations across the Nordics, Europe, and emerging markets. Comparable to Bolinda as an integrated publisher-plus-streaming platform pursuing international expansion, particularly relevant given Bolinda's UK and European footprint.
• Scribd: Subscription-based digital reading platform offering audiobooks, e-books, and documents. Comparable to Bolinda as a digital subscription platform for audiobook and eBook access with cross-category content discovery, competing for the same consumer direct-purchase wallet.
• Recorded Books: Audiobook publisher and library distributor producing and distributing audiobooks to libraries, schools, and retailers. Comparable to Bolinda Audio and Bolinda Library in publisher representation and library supply model, particularly in the English-language market.
• hoopla Digital (Midwest Tape): Library digital lending platform providing eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, and video to public library patrons. Direct competitor to Bolinda's BorrowBox in the North American and increasingly global library digital lending market.
• Audiobooks.com: Subscription-based audiobook service competing directly with Audible in the consumer market. Comparable to Bolinda's direct-to-consumer audiobook offering in pricing model, catalogue breadth, and consumer marketing.

Emerging players

• Libro.fm: Audiobook subscription service supporting independent bookstores with DRM-free audiobooks. Comparable to Bolinda's direct-to-consumer audiobook model with an indie-focused distribution angle and a shared emphasis on curated, author-narrator content.

Broad incumbents

• Audible (Amazon): Amazon-owned audiobook platform and the dominant global audiobook subscription service. Comparable to Bolinda as a key distribution partner but vastly larger in scale; Audible sets the competitive baseline for English-language audiobook consumption that Bolinda's BorrowBox and library supply model must compete against.
• Spotify (Audiobooks): Global audio streaming giant that entered audiobooks via the Findaway acquisition and offers audiobooks to Premium subscribers. A distribution channel for Bolinda today, but a long-term competitive threat given Spotify's user scale, bundling power, and deepening audiobook catalogue.

Others

• Penguin Random House Audio: One of the largest audiobook publishers globally and a partner of Bolinda. Listed as an OTHERS peer because PRH Audio is both a content supplier to Bolinda and a producer of competing audiobooks; the relationship is symbiotic at the distribution layer but competitive at the publisher layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bolindaaudio
• YouTubesoundcloud.com/bolindaaudio
• Facebookfacebook.com/BolindaAudio
• Instagraminstagram.com/bolindaaudio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Bolinda Publishing