Čtyřlístek

What Čtyřlístek does

Čtyřlístek spol. s r.o. (operating as Nakladatelství Čtyřlístek) is a family-owned Czech children's publishing house headquartered in Prague, founded in 1969 by illustrator Jaroslav Němeček. The company publishes the flagship Čtyřlístek comic magazine — the most famous Czech children's comic, featuring four characters (Bobík, Fifinka, Myšpulín, Pinďa) from the imaginary town of Třeskoprsky — alongside two related titles, Čtyřlístek Speciál (quarterly) and Čtyřlístek MINI (bi-monthly for younger readers). The portfolio extends into compiled story books, a reading primer (Slabikář se Čtyřlístkem), and a broad licensed merchandise line including plush toys, mugs, school notebooks, bedding, apparel, puzzles, and DVDs.

The business runs primarily as a direct-to-consumer operation through its own nopCommerce e-commerce platform (eshop.ctyrlistek.cz), supplemented by a brick-and-mortar retail store in Prague 4 – Podolí and a dedicated school subscription program with bulk pricing for educational institutions. Distribution is handled domestically via Czech Post, Zásilkovna pickup points, and Balíkovna parcel delivery; payment is supported via bank transfer and card. Marketing channels include email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, the content-rich corporate website, and earned media through Czech Television's Večerníček animated series, which debuted on February 14, 2024 as the first animated adaptation of the comic.

Revenue is generated through magazine subscriptions (788 Kč/year for the flagship, 414 Kč MINI, 276 Kč Speciál, 1,011 Kč bundled), single and double issue retail sales (69 Kč / 99 Kč), school subscriptions (506 Kč per school year), book sales (ranging from 69 Kč to 2,599 Kč for premium collections), and licensed merchandise. The company is privately held by the Němeček family, with Vítek Němeček having succeeded founder Jaroslav Němeček in operational management of the publishing house. The IP has been translated into 13 languages across Europe, although retail distribution currently remains domestic-only within the Czech Republic.

Name

Čtyřlístek

Legal name

Čtyřlístek spol. s r.o.

Website

https://ctyrlistek.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Čtyřlístek is a family-owned Czech children's publishing house that publishes the flagship Čtyřlístek comic magazine alongside two related titles, story books, and licensed merchandise, selling directly to children, parents, schools, and adult collectors across the Czech Republic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Comic Publishing

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Book Retailers and News Dealers (45921), Book Retailers and News Dealers (459210)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Comics, Graphic Novels & Manga Publishing (MPAJAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO), Comic Books, Graphic Novels & Manga Retail (CRALAAAF), Pop Culture Collectibles Retail (Figures, Statues, Funko, etc.) (CRALAGAK)

Keywords

• Children's comic magazine
• Magazine publishing
• Character merchandise
• School subscriptions
• Book publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Magazine Sales: Sales of Čtyřlístek magazine issues, including regular issues (69 Kč), double issues (99 Kč), and subscription packages (788 Kč/year). The magazine publishes under three brands: Čtyřlístek (main), Čtyřlístek Speciál, and Čtyřlístek MINI.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of licensed merchandise including plush toys (40cm characters priced at 620 Kč), mugs, school supplies, notebooks, clothing items, and collectible items. Products are manufactured under license from Jaroslav Němeček.
3. Book Publishing: Publication and sale of bound book collections containing Čtyřlístek comic stories, including the 'Příběhy Čtyřlístku' series (ranging from 216 Kč to 2,599 Kč) and specialized collections.
4. School Subscriptions: Specialized subscription packages for schools and educational institutions, including bulk pricing for classroom use with discounts of up to 20% for orders of 30+ copies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Čtyřlístek publishes the iconic Czech children's comic magazine featuring four characters (Bobík, Myšpulín, Fifinka, Pinďa) from the fictional town of Třeskoprsky, in continuous publication since 1969. The company sells three magazine titles (Čtyřlístek, Čtyřlístek Speciál, Čtyřlístek MINI), bound book collections of compiled stories, and licenses merchandise including plush toys, mugs, school supplies, bedding, and apparel, distributed through its own e-commerce platform and a Prague retail store.

Product overview

Čtyřlístek is a Czech children's comic magazine publisher offering a multi-product portfolio centered on the iconic comic featuring four animal characters (Bobík, Fifinka, Myšpulín, Pinďa) from the town of Třeskoprsky. The core offering consists of three magazine titles (Čtyřlístek, Čtyřlístek Speciál, Čtyřlístek MINI), an extensive catalog of compiled story books, and licensed merchandise including plush toys, mugs, bedding, school supplies, and apparel. Products are sold via a dedicated e-commerce platform and physical retail store in Prague.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Čtyřlístek Magazine The flagship Czech children's comic magazine featuring the adventures of four friends (Bobík, Myšpulín, Fifinka, Pinďa) from the fictional town of Třeskoprsky. Published since May 15, 1969, with approximately 12 issues per year including double issues. Single issues priced at 69 Kč, double issues at 99 Kč.
• Čtyřlístek Speciál Special edition magazine with themed content, published quarterly with 4 issues per year. Quarterly issues priced at 79 Kč each.
• Čtyřlístek MINI Magazine for youngest readers featuring playful content that develops skills through games and activities. Published 6 times per year, priced at 79 Kč per issue.
• Velké knihy (Story Compilation Books) Large-format compiled books containing bound stories from the magazine, such as 'Věhlasné příběhy', 'Senzační příběhy', 'Dobrodružné příběhy', organized by year of original publication. Prices range from 216 Kč to 2,599 Kč.
• Edice 4 (Four-Story Books) Series of books containing 4 themed stories per volume, including Pohádkové (Fairy Tale), Prázdninové (Holiday), Vesmírné (Space), Starodávné (Ancient), and Filmové (Film) story collections.
• Slabikář se čtyřlístkem Reading primer with Čtyřlístek characters for early readers, accompanied by a workbook.
• Plyšové hračky 40cm (Plush Toys) 40cm plush toys of the four main characters (Bobík, Myšpulín, Fifinka, Pinďa) made from soft microvelour, machine washable at 40 degrees. Priced at 620 Kč each.
• Hrnečky Čtyřlístek (Mugs) Porcelain mugs with colorful fired print featuring Čtyřlístek characters. Dimensions: 8cm height x 7.5cm diameter. Made in Czech Republic.
• Školní sešity Čtyřlístek (School Notebooks) School notebooks with Čtyřlístek themed covers, available in multiple colors (blue, green, orange, red) and formats (lined, unlined).
• Pořadače Čtyřlístek A4 (Binders) A4 binders for storing one year of Čtyřlístek and Čtyřlístek Speciál magazines. Available in themed designs (School, Garden, Winter, Summer House, Helm, Trip). Made in Czech Republic.
• Předplatné (Annual Subscriptions) Annual floating subscriptions for Čtyřlístek (788 Kč/year), Čtyřlístek MINI (414 Kč/year), and Čtyřlístek Speciál (276 Kč/year), providing all issues throughout the year with free shipping. Bundle subscription for Čtyřlístek + Speciál at 1,011 Kč/year.
• Školní předplatné (School Subscriptions) School-year subscriptions (September-June) for classrooms, with 20% discounts on orders of 30+ copies and delivery within 5 days. School subscription 2023/24 priced at 506 Kč.
• Večerníček (Animated TV Series) Animated television series adaptation of Čtyřlístek comics, broadcast on Czech Television as part of the Večerníček programming block since February 2024. Represents the first animated adaptation of the 55-year-old comic brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55+ years of continuous publication since 1969
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Česká televize (Czech Television)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024Česká televize partnered with Nakladatelství Čtyřlístek to adapt the comic into animated segments for the iconic Czech children's program 'Večerníček.' The first episodes aired starting February 14, 2024, marking the first time Čtyřlístek appeared in animated form. The partnership was produced by director Michal Žabka and represents a major cultural milestone for the brand.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Egmont Publishing: Pan-European children's magazine and book publisher (e.g., Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse magazines, Anders And). Directly comparable to Čtyřlístek as a multi-country children's comic magazine publisher with licensing, book, and merchandise revenue streams.
• Egmont (Czech operations): Czech subsidiary of Egmont Publishing, publishing children's magazines such as 'Donald Duck' (Kačer Donald) and 'W.I.T.C.H.' in Czech. The closest direct competitor in the Czech children's comic magazine category.
• Svojtka & Co. Czech children's book publisher with a portfolio of original and licensed children's titles. Comparable as a domestic Czech children's content publisher competing for the same parent-purchase and gift-giving occasions.
• Albatros Media: Czech-based children's book publisher with strong domestic market presence and children's IP. Comparable as a Czech publisher of children's content with both original and licensed titles, competing for the same readers and shelf space.

Regional players

• Knihy.ABZ.cz: Czech online bookstore carrying children's books and periodicals. Comparable as a Czech-language book/periodical retailer channel that distributes competing children's content to the same consumer base.
• Brio / Lars Mulleur: Although primarily a wooden toy brand, Brio is an example of a Nordic long-running children's brand with multi-generational appeal and merchandise licensing — a useful European comparable for navigating brand longevity and cross-generational merchandising.
• Grada (nakladatelství Grada): One of the largest Czech publishers, with a portfolio including children's and educational titles. Comparable as a Czech-language publisher operating in the same domestic market across books, periodicals, and educational content.
• Kosmas (Czech book retailer): Largest Czech online bookstore and a retail channel for Czech-language children's books. Comparable as a Czech book and periodical retailer with overlapping audience and supplier relationships, though focused on distribution rather than own IP.

Broad incumbents

• Studio Walt Disney (Disney Publishing): Global children's comic and book publisher (Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Marvel). Directly comparable product category (children's comics) and similar multi-format monetization (magazines, books, merchandise, TV), but operates at much larger scale and with global reach.
• Hachette Livre: Global book publisher with significant children's and illustrated book divisions. Comparable in the book publishing category, particularly for illustrated children's content and licensed character books.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ctyrlistekvydavatelstvi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C4%8Dty%C5%99l%C3%ADstek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Čtyřlístek