Institute of Imagination

What Institute of Imagination does

Institute of Imagination is a London-based registered charity (charity number 1109276; company limited by guarantee, number 04921852), founded in 2004, that delivers creative-education programmes for children aged 5–11, primarily those facing hardship. It operates three interconnected programmes: Power of Play, a community engagement initiative enabling children and parents to influence local play provision; a STEAM Programme delivering hands-on creative and STEM learning in schools; and ImagineEd, a teacher professional-development offering that has reportedly driven a 92% increase in teachers' creative thinking. The organisation has supported more than 150,000 children, parents, teachers and community leaders over nearly two decades and reports a 100% increase in creative thinking among participating children.

The business model is non-commercial: the charity is funded through donations, individual philanthropy, corporate fundraising, and bespoke corporate partnerships rather than priced services, with a recently added consultancy line whose pricing is not publicly disclosed. Delivery is routed through three primary channels — direct community/school programme delivery, teacher training, and corporate partnership programmes — and an eight-name partner ecosystem spans consumer brands (LEGO, Disney, Crayola, BBC), NGOs (Save the Children), cultural institutions (Young V&A) and delivery providers (Harca, Bath Spa University). Operations are headquartered at School360, 5 Sugar House Lane, London, E15 2QS, with 18 employees and a UK-only geographic footprint (services concentrated in London). No proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capability, or subscription product is indicated in the source data; the product surface is programme-based services rather than software.

Name

Institute of Imagination

Legal name

Institute of Imagination

Website

https://ioi.london

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Institute of Imagination is a London-based UK charity that delivers creative-education programmes — Power of Play, STEAM and ImagineEd — to children aged 5–11, particularly those facing hardship, through schools, educators and community partners funded by donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Creative Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Innovation & Design Thinking Programs (EDAMAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA), Creative Arts, Music & Movement Content (EDAGACAG)

Keywords

• Children's creative education
• STEAM learning programmes
• Teacher professional development
• Community play initiatives
• Charity education services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Institute of Imagination delivers in-person creative education programmes for children aged 5-11, primarily through three named offerings: Power of Play (community-based play workshops for children and parents), the STEAM Programme (school-based creative thinking and STEM hands-on activities), and ImagineEd (professional development training for teachers). The charity reports supporting over 150,000 children and reports measurable impact including a 100% increase in creative thinking among children and a 92% increase in teachers' creative thinking.

Product overview

Institute of Imagination operates as a single programme portfolio focused on empowering children aged 5-11 to develop creative thinking, confidence, and communication skills. The organisation delivers three interconnected programmes: Power of Play (community engagement), STEAM Programme (school-based learning), and ImagineEd (educator training). These programmes are delivered through events, teacher training, and community initiatives, all designed to support children facing hardship to express themselves and develop essential skills for their future.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Power of Play
• STEAM Programme
• ImagineEd
• Consultancy Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% increase in creative thinking and building cognitive, social and physical skills
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• LEGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEGO is one of the key brand partners working with the Institute of Imagination on creative programmes for children, leveraging LEGO's brand recognition and resources to deliver impactful creative education experiences.
• DisneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney partners with the Institute to deliver creative programmes, bringing their brand and creative resources to support children's imaginative development through play.
• CrayolacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrayola is a brand partner supporting the Institute's creative programmes, providing art and creative materials expertise for hands-on creative learning experiences for children.
• BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBC partners with the Institute to deliver creative education programmes, contributing media and broadcasting resources to amplify the reach and impact of creative learning initiatives.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSave the Children, a major international charity, partners with the Institute to deliver programmes, combining expertise in child welfare with creative education approaches.
• Young V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung V&A (the youth-focused arm of the Victoria and Albert Museum) partners with the Institute for programme delivery, bringing cultural and design expertise to creative education initiatives.
• HarcaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarca is a delivery provider that works with the Institute to deliver creative programmes to children in their community network.
• Bath Spa UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBath Spa University, a higher education institution, delivers programmes in partnership with the Institute, contributing academic expertise and research capabilities to creative education.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-imagination

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 Institute of Imagination