What Panda Models does

Panda Models is a Warsaw-headquartered modeling agency founded in 2010 by Lukasz Stepien, operating as the first and only Polish agency dedicated exclusively to male models. The agency's core product is a categorized online model portfolio (Mainboard, New Faces, Runway, Commercial, Direct) hosting 100+ models, supplemented by a free digital model application platform that accepts submissions with smartphone photographs from candidates aged 15+ and between 184-194 cm tall worldwide.

The business monetizes through three transactional revenue streams: (1) booking commissions on placements in fashion shows, editorials, advertising campaigns, catalogues, music videos, TV commercials and film; (2) separate usage fees granting image rights for a single medium and season; and (3) fees for test photography sessions. Pricing is structured around an 8-hour day rate (9am-6pm), with overtime at 1.5x, fittings at half the hourly rate (minimum €50/hr), and Sunday/holiday surcharges. Payment terms are net-30 with 5% above Barclays base rate for late payment.

Go-to-market operates on two parallel motions: direct enterprise sales through organized castings and a dedicated booking director (handling domestic direct bookings and international client flow), and direct-to-consumer talent acquisition via the website application funnel. The agency maintains a small 6-person team and is GDPR/CCPA compliant, with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or M&A activity since founding. The founder's prior experience at Diesel and Marc Jacobs, combined with 15+ years of category leadership in Polish male modeling, anchors the agency's positioning.

Name

Panda Models

Legal name

PANDA MODELS L.T.D.

Website

https://pandamodels.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Panda Models is a Warsaw-based boutique modeling agency founded in 2010 and the first Polish agency dedicated exclusively to male models, serving fashion, editorial, advertising, and entertainment clients with a 100+ model roster and direct domestic and international booking capabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Warsaw

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Model Booking Fees: The agency earns commission from bookings of models for fashion shows, editorials, advertising campaigns, catalogues, music videos, TV commercials and film. All negotiations and bookings must be handled through the agency - direct negotiations with models are prohibited.
2. Usage Fees: Fees for the right to use the model's image are charged separately from booking fees and are payable whether or not the right is exercised. Usage fees grant entitlement to use one image via a single published medium for a single season.
3. Test Photography Fees: When the agency agrees to allow photographers to take test or experimental photography, specific arrangements must be made before the session. The photographer is not entitled to use test photographs for commercial purposes unless specific arrangements have been made.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Panda Models is a male-exclusive modeling agency headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, representing professional male models for fashion shows, editorials, advertising campaigns, catalogues, music videos, TV commercials, and film productions. The agency operates a model portfolio and directory, accepts applications from aspiring talent globally, and provides comprehensive booking, scouting, and career development services. Established in 2010, it is the first and only agency in Poland known to represent exclusively male models.

Product overview

Panda Models operates a unified modeling agency platform consisting of a digital model portfolio and directory with categorized listings (Mainboard, New Faces, Runway, Commercial, Direct), a model application submission system for aspiring talent, and comprehensive booking services for fashion shows, editorials, advertising campaigns, catalogues, music videos, TV commercials, and film productions. The agency, established in 2010 and headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, was the first and only agency in Poland to represent exclusively male models. Additional services include model scouting and development, with a focus on finding fresh faces between 184-194 cm tall and over 15 years old.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Model Portfolio & Directory
• Model Application Platform
• Model Booking Services

Quantifiable outcome

• First agency in Poland to bring male models to top model status on international catwalks

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Select Model Management: European modeling agency with offices in London, Paris, and other cities. Comparable in representing male models for international fashion weeks, advertising campaigns, and editorial work.
• United Models: Polish modeling agency based in Poland. Comparable as a domestic/regional competitor in the same Polish market, working with similar fashion and advertising clients.
• Supa Model Management: European modeling agency based in Germany. Comparable in representing male models for international fashion and editorial work, serving a similar brand and agency client base in Europe.
• Models 1: UK-based modeling agency with significant male and female boards. Comparable as a European modeling agency offering male talent for fashion shows, advertising, and editorial clients.

Broad incumbents

• Next Management: Global modeling agency with a significant male board, established worldwide. Comparable to Panda Models as both represent male talent for fashion, editorial, and commercial bookings, though Next operates at much larger scale and global reach.
• DNA Model Management: International modeling agency with male and female divisions. Comparable as both agencies book male models for fashion shows, editorials, and advertising campaigns with an international client base.
• IMG Models: One of the world's largest modeling agencies with extensive male talent rosters. Directly comparable business model - model representation, booking, and casting services for fashion and entertainment clients.
• Elite Model Management: Global agency with male and female divisions across fashion, commercial, and editorial work. Comparable to Panda Models in core service offering (model booking and representation) and target client base (fashion brands, advertising agencies).
• Ford Models: Established US-based modeling agency with strong male board. Comparable in offering male model representation for fashion shows, editorials, advertising, and related commercial bookings.
• Wilhelmina Models: Modeling and talent management agency with a male division. Comparable business model of model representation, booking, and casting for fashion and entertainment clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 Panda Models