Big Timber Media

What Big Timber Media does

Big Timber Media is a privately held, small-cap (1-10 employees) eBook hosting and digital content services company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. It operates a web-hosted platform that aggregates educational eBooks from a network of 20+ publishing partners (including ABDO Digital, The Child's World, ReferencePoint Press, Cherry Lake Press, Focus Readers, and Orca Digital) and makes them accessible to K-12 schools and public libraries through the my.bigtimbermedia.com portal. The platform currently hosts 10,000+ titles, serves hundreds of schools and libraries across the US, Canada, and other international markets, and supports multiple authentication methods (username/password, IP, referring URL, token ID URL) including integration with library MARC records and Google Classroom. The technology stack is HTML5-based, browser-delivered (desktop and mobile), and emphasizes interactive reader features such as flip-style navigation, annotations, search, and zoom.

The company's business model is a hybrid of platform/hosting services and professional services. On the publisher side, Big Timber Media charges for eBook hosting, digital fulfillment, and file conversion from print to digital format, structured around a no-upfront-cost arrangement with recurring hosting/fulfillment economics. On the school/library side, end customers do not purchase eBooks directly from the company; instead, schools and libraries access content purchased through publisher or distribution partners (e.g., Gumdrop Books, Jappleseed Media), with Big Timber Media capturing revenue through the hosting channel. Adjacent revenue comes from custom web development, database builds, and multimedia production (video, graphic design, voiceover) for educational content clients. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and there is no evidence of external funding, M&A, or institutional investment; the company appears to be a bootstrapped, founder-operated business operating in the education vertical with FERPA and COPPA compliance posture documented in its Terms of Service.

Name

Big Timber Media

Legal name

Big Timber Media

Website

https://bigtimbermedia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Big Timber Media is a small private eBook hosting platform founded in 2009 that aggregates 10,000+ educational titles from 20+ publishers and delivers them to K-12 schools and libraries in the US, Canada, and internationally via a web-based reader with multiple authentication options.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational eBook Hosting Platform

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

E-book Subscription & Bundling Services (MPAJAMAB)

Keywords

• Educational eBook hosting
• K-12 digital content
• Library eBook platform
• Educational publishing services
• Digital fulfillment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. eBook Hosting and Fulfillment: Big Timber Media hosts eBooks on behalf of publishers and provides digital fulfillment services. Publishers can support a new revenue stream through existing channels with no upfront costs or overhead. The company reduces publisher overhead by hosting digital files and fulfilling digital orders.
2. Digital Product Services: Additional revenue from web development, hosting, and management services, custom multimedia production (video, graphic design, voiceover, audio mapping), and digital database development for educational content.
3. File Conversion Services: Converting print files to hosted eBooks formatted specifically for student use, enabling publishers to digitize their content catalog.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Big Timber Media operates a web-hosted eBook platform that hosts 10,000+ eBooks from multiple educational publishers, providing digital fulfillment, hosting, and access for K-12 schools and libraries. The company also offers file-conversion services, custom website and database development, and custom multimedia production for educational publishers seeking a low-barrier path into digital distribution.

Product overview

Big Timber Media operates as an eBook hosting and distribution platform for the K-12 educational market. The core offering is the eBook Platform, which hosts over 10,000 eBooks from multiple educational publishers on behalf of schools and libraries. The platform is accessed through my.bigtimbermedia.com, where users can search and access content. Beyond the core eBook hosting, the company offers digital products including custom website and database development, and custom multimedia services (video, graphic design, voiceover). For publishers, services include file conversion, hosting/fulfillment, and technical support. The company is headquartered in Minnesota and has operated since 2009.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• eBook Platform Web-hosted platform hosting 10,000+ eBooks from multiple educational publishers, providing multi-user access for K-12 schools and libraries in the US, Canada, and worldwide, with various authentication options and cross-device browser access.
• my.bigtimbermedia.com access platform User-facing platform where schools, libraries, and administrators access purchased hosted eBooks, with search by subject, reading level, language, ISBN, author, and series name, and account management tools for administrators.
• File Conversion Services Converts publishers' print files to hosted eBooks formatted specifically for student use, enabling publishers without existing digital content to enter the eBook market.
• Hosting and Fulfillment Services Platform hosting for publishers' digital files with no upfront costs, including digital order fulfillment and subscription management delivered via the Big Timber Media platform.
• Websites and Databases Custom web development, hosting, and management services for educational publishers, including user interface design, secure authentication, leveled content development with read-aloud audio, and print content reformatting for digital consumption.
• Custom Multimedia Full-service design team offering video production, graphic design, voiceover services, and audio mapping for educational publishers and content creators, used to create promotional and instructional assets such as those produced for The Child's World.
• Technical Support Services Personalized subscription management and technical support for publishers and their school/library customers, including QR code program support, account access assistance, and troubleshooting.
• exploringissues.com Digital Database Easy-to-use digital database for grades 5-12 featuring Google Classroom integration and MLA/APA citation export tools, developed for ReferencePoint Press and hosted on the Big Timber Media platform.
• abdozoom.com Digital Database Database tool for PreK-2 learners including leveled text, read-along audio, educational videos, interactive games, and printable activities, developed for ABDO Digital and hosted on the Big Timber Media platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ eBooks available on the platform
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• 45th Parallel PresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing eBook content for K-12 education. Their content is hosted on Big Timber Media's platform and distributed to schools and libraries.
• ABDO DigitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor educational publisher providing eBook content including the ABDO Zoom database for PreK-2 learners hosted on the platform.
• Apex EditionssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on Big Timber Media's platform.
• Beech Street BookssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing Canadian educational content hosted on the platform.
• Cherry Blossom PresssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner whose content is hosted on Big Timber Media's platform.
• Cherry Lake PresssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on the platform.
• The Child's WorldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor educational publisher for which Big Timber Media has created dozens of promotional videos. Their content is hosted on the platform.
• Easy English NewssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing English language learning content hosted on the platform.
• Focus ReaderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNonfiction imprint publisher whose website Big Timber Media developed. Their content is hosted on the platform with educator resources.
• Jolly Fish PresssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner (imprint of North Star Editions) providing hosted eBooks on the platform.
• Little Blue HousesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on Big Timber Media's platform.
• Mason CrestsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner whose educational content is hosted on the platform.
• Mitchell Lane PublisherssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on the platform.
• Orca DigitalsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian publishing partner providing digital educational content hosted on the platform.
• Press Box BookssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on the platform.
• ReferencePoint PresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner for which Big Timber Media developed the exploringissues.com digital database. Their eBooks are hosted on the platform.
• Sleeping Bear PresssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on the platform.
• State Standards PublishingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner providing educational content hosted on the platform.
• Torch Graphic PresssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishing partner (imprint of Cherry Lake Publishing) providing educational content hosted on the platform.
• Gumdrop BookssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner facilitating sales of hosted eBooks to schools and libraries.
• Jappleseed MediasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner (associated with Saunders Book Company) facilitating sales of hosted eBooks.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• OverDrive (Kobo): OverDrive operates the leading digital library lending platform (Sora for schools, Libby for public libraries), serving both K-12 and public library markets with eBook and audiobook distribution. Directly comparable to Big Timber Media's school/library eBook hosting business, but at vastly greater scale and with proprietary mobile apps.
• Follett School Solutions: Follett provides K-12 library management systems (Destiny) and digital content including eBooks, serving school districts across the US. Comparable to Big Timber Media as a K-12 digital content platform, but with a much broader library-management software footprint and direct school-district contracts.
• EBSCO Information Services: EBSCO provides eBooks, research databases, and discovery services to academic, school, and public libraries. Comparable to Big Timber Media as a library-focused eBook aggregator, though EBSCO's primary focus is academic and research libraries rather than K-12 specifically.
• Gale (Cengage): Gale provides eBooks, digital reference, and research databases to academic, school, and public libraries. Overlaps with Big Timber Media's library eBook hosting and educational content focus, but operates at significantly larger scale with broader content categories.
• ProQuest / Clarivate: ProQuest (part of Clarivate) provides eBooks, dissertations, and research content to academic and public libraries through the Ebook Central platform. Comparable as a library eBook aggregator, though oriented more toward higher-education and research libraries than K-12.

Direct peers

• Booksource: Booksource is a K-12 book distributor offering curated classroom and library collections, including digital resources, to schools across the US. Comparable to Big Timber Media as a K-12-focused book distribution and content provider, though primarily print-oriented with growing digital offerings.
• Capstone / Capstone Connect: Capstone is an educational publisher that operates Capstone Connect, a digital platform offering interactive eBooks, databases, and literacy tools for K-12 schools. Comparable as an integrated publisher-plus-platform model serving the same K-12 school/library market.
• Mackin: Mackin is a K-12 educational content provider offering print books, eBooks, and digital resources to schools and libraries, including the MackinVIA digital platform. Directly comparable to Big Timber Media's eBook aggregation and distribution model for K-12 schools and public libraries.
• TumbleBooks (TumbleReadables): TumbleBooks offers animated, talking eBooks and read-along content specifically designed for K-12 students and school libraries. Directly comparable to Big Timber Media as a K-12 eBook/digital content platform, though focused more on early-grades animated content.
• Perma-Bound Books: Perma-Bound is a K-12 book distributor providing bound books, eBooks, and digital content to schools and libraries. Comparable to Big Timber Media as a K-12/school-library content distributor that has expanded into digital and eBook fulfillment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bigtimbermedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/big.timber.media
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-timber-media

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Big Timber Media