GalaxyCon

What GalaxyCon does

GalaxyCon is a private, Fort Lauderdale-based live event and consumer products company that operates multi-day fan conventions across 14 U.S. cities. Founded in 2017 and operating under three sub-brands — GalaxyCon (general pop culture), Animate! (anime and animation), and Nightmare Weekend (horror) — the company serves fandom enthusiasts, collectors, families, anime fans, and horror fans through celebrity meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, photo opportunities, cosplay contests, panels, and after-dark programming at major U.S. convention centers spanning coast-to-coast. Its celebrity pipeline has included William Shatner, Kevin Smith, Vincent D'Onofrio, Antony Starr, and Ben Schwartz for autograph and photo-op experiences.

The company's product portfolio spans physical events, a Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling JSA-certified autographed photos, Funko Pops, comics, CGC-graded signed comics, curated mystery boxes, and branded merchandise, and a virtual private signing service that delivers celebrity autographs to customers' homes. Exclusive variant comic books are produced in partnership with major publishers including Marvel, DC, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, IDW Publishing, and Dynamite Entertainment, with limited print runs as low as 250 copies. Third-party authentication is integrated end-to-end via JSA (autograph verification) and CGC (comic grading), providing authenticity guarantees for collector-grade SKUs priced up to $749.95.

GalaxyCon generates revenue through five primary streams: multi-day event ticket sales across 14 markets, celebrity autograph and photo-op purchases, exhibitor and artist alley booth fees (including a Deep Space Boutique tier for adult exhibitors), e-commerce transactions across its own Shopify store and eBay presence, and curated mystery box subscriptions priced between $74.95 and $249.95. The underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight — Shopify for e-commerce, Eventeny for exhibitor applications, and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) for top-of-funnel marketing — with no proprietary platform disclosed. The company operates with 51-100 employees and has not publicly disclosed funding, ownership, or revenue figures.

Name

GalaxyCon

Legal name

GalaxyCon

Website

https://galaxycon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GalaxyCon is a private U.S. fan convention operator running 14 multi-day pop culture events across the country under the GalaxyCon, Animate!, and Nightmare Weekend brands, complemented by a Shopify-based e-commerce store selling JSA- and CGC-certified autographed collectibles, mystery boxes, and merchandise to fandom enthusiasts and collectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fan Conventions & Live Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960)

akta.pro primary industry

Beauty, Fashion & Pop-Culture Conventions (MPAGAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail, Consumer Goods & Lifestyle Shows Organizers (THAHABAJ), Sports, Concert & Venue Gift Shops (CRALAJAH), Sports Hospitality & Premium Experiences (VIP, Suites, Fan Zones) (MPAGAMAJ)

Keywords

• Fan conventions
• Pop culture events
• Celebrity autographs
• Collectible merchandise
• Comic conventions

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Event Tickets & Admissions: Ticket sales for multi-day convention attendance at 14+ events across the United States, including GalaxyCon, Animate!, and Nightmare Weekend branded events.
2. Celebrity Experiences: Revenue from celebrity autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and special event packages. Autograph prices vary by celebrity, with some under $65.
3. Exhibitor & Vendor Fees: Booth rental fees from exhibitors, artists, and vendors. Standard booths, premier booths, artist alley tables, and Deep Space Boutique (18+) booth options available.
4. E-commerce Sales: Online sales of autographed collectibles, Funko Pops, photos, posters, comics, CGC-graded comics, mystery boxes, and branded merchandise.
5. Mystery Boxes: Curated mystery boxes featuring autographed collectibles from fandoms including Anime, Pop Culture, Horror, Star Wars, Star Trek, Wrestling, and RWBY.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GalaxyCon hosts multi-day fan convention events across 14 U.S. cities under three sub-brands (GalaxyCon for general pop culture, Animate! for anime/animation, and Nightmare Weekend for horror), featuring celebrity autograph sessions, photo ops, panels, cosplay, and exhibitor halls. It complements live events with a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store on Shopify selling JSA-certified autographed photos, Funko Pops, comics, CGC-graded variants, and themed mystery boxes, plus virtual Private Signing services that deliver celebrity autographs to fans' homes.

Product overview

GalaxyCon operates a multi-platform fandom festival business consisting of live convention events across 14 U.S. cities, an e-commerce store powered by Shopify, and virtual/private signing services. The live events include GalaxyCon (general pop-culture conventions), Animate! (anime/animation-focused events), and Nightmare Weekend (horror-themed events). The GalaxyCon Store sells JSA-certified autographed collectibles including photos, Funko Pops, comics, and mystery boxes across dozens of entertainment fandoms. Private Signings enable virtual celebrity meet & greets with autographs delivered by mail. The company also offers mail-in autograph services, photo ops, and exclusive variant comics through partnerships with major publishers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Animate!: Animation and anime-focused event brand operating alongside GalaxyCon events in Orlando, Philadelphia, and Raleigh.
• Nightmare Weekend

Products and services

• GalaxyCon Live Events Multi-day (3-4 day) fan convention events held across 9 U.S. cities (Columbus, Des Moines, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Raleigh, Richmond, San Jose, St. Louis) featuring celebrity guests, artists, voice actors, cosplayers, wrestlers, exhibitor halls, panels, photo ops, and autograph sessions.
• Animate! Animation and anime-focused convention events held in Orlando, Philadelphia, and Raleigh, featuring voice actors, Q&As, video and tabletop gaming, anime panels, costume contests, and cosplay wrestling.
• Nightmare Weekend Horror-themed convention event held in Raleigh featuring horror legends, horror-themed panels, cosplay, and horror celebrity encounters.
• Private Signings Virtual celebrity meet & greets and personalized autograph signings delivered to customers' homes, including celebrity Q&As and one-on-one virtual chats; for fans who cannot attend live events.
• GalaxyCon Store Direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront on Shopify selling JSA-certified autographed photos, Funko Pops, comics, mystery boxes, and branded merchandise, organized by fandom (Anime, Pop Culture, Horror, Star Wars, Star Trek, Wrestling, RWBY, Disney, The Boys, Hazbin Hotel, Scream, Clerks).
• Mystery Boxes Premium curated autograph mystery boxes featuring special autographed collectibles across Anime, Pop Culture, Horror, Star Wars, Star Trek, Wrestling, and RWBY fandoms, priced $74.95 to $249.95.
• Autographed Photos & Posters JSA-certified autographed photographs and posters from celebrities across Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Disney, anime, wrestling, and other entertainment properties, priced $49.95 to $269.95.
• Autographed Funko Pops & Figures

Quantifiable outcome

• JSA (James Spence Authentication) certification provides third-party verification of autograph authenticity for collectors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JSA (James Spence Authentication)coreOthersGalaxyCon partners with JSA for third-party authentication of celebrity autographs, providing collectors with verified authentic memorabilia. All autographed photos, Funko Pops, and collectibles are JSA-certified.
• CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)coreOthersGalaxyCon partners with CGC for comic book grading and authentication. Exclusive variant comics are often CGC-certified with signature series grades, and the company promotes CGC submission services at events.
• Marvel ComicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher partner for exclusive variant comic books including Ahsoka, Star Wars: The Mandalorian, and other Marvel properties.
• Dynamite EntertainmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher partner for exclusive variant comics including The Boys, Red Sonja, and other Dynamite properties.
• BOOM! StudioscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher partner for exclusive variant comics.
• IDW PublishingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher partner for exclusive variant comics including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and Star Trek properties.
• Image ComicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher partner for exclusive variant comics.
• AWA StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher partner for exclusive variant comics.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Heritage Auctions: Largest collectibles auction house for comics and memorabilia — adjacent to GalaxyCon's CGC-graded variant and JSA-certified autograph business as an alternative buyer/seller channel for the same collectors.
• CGC: Certifier and grading partner for GalaxyCon's premium comics — adjacent ecosystem player whose submission services and signature-series authentication underpin the value of GalaxyCon's exclusive variants.

Direct peers

• Awesome Con: Washington DC-based pop-culture convention with celebrity guests, autographs, comic creators, and exhibitor floor — the same operating template as GalaxyCon's mid-market city events.
• ReedPop: Operates the largest portfolio of multi-city fan conventions including New York Comic Con, C2E2, MCM Comic Con, Emerald City Comic Con, and PAX — the most direct comparable to GalaxyCon's touring pop-culture convention model.
• Fan Expo HQ: Owns Fan Expo-branded events across North America (Toronto, Dallas, Chicago, etc.), with a similar multi-city pop-culture convention strategy plus an attached D2C collectibles platform.
• FAN EXPO Dallas: Mid-market multi-day fan convention with celebrity photo ops, autographs, and exhibitor hall — directly competes with GalaxyCon for premium guest bookings in the US interior.
• Comic-Con International: San Diego Comic-Con operator — the flagship event in the fan convention space and benchmark for GalaxyCon's core pop-culture event offering.
• MCM Comic Con: ReedPop-run UK/European fan convention series with celebrity autographs, comic creators, and cosplay — comparable in format to GalaxyCon's touring model, though regional to Europe.
• Florida Supercon: Multi-day pop-culture convention in Florida (with sister events) featuring similar celebrity autograph and exhibitor hall mechanics, directly comparable to GalaxyCon's Animate! and GalaxyCon Florida footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Funko: Larger publicly-traded collectibles manufacturer (Funko Pops, mystery boxes, signed collectibles) — competes with GalaxyCon for share of fan wallet at the product level and operates its own convention presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GalaxyConOnline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfEPZbudIyFV6YBoZPyMAfg
• Facebookfacebook.com/galaxyconlive
• Instagraminstagram.com/galaxyconlive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/galaxycon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 GalaxyCon