Compagnie Pockemon Crew

What Compagnie Pockemon Crew does

Compagnie Pockemon Crew is a French non-profit performing arts company (association loi 1901) founded in 1999 by Riyad Fghani in Lyon, France, and operating from headquarters at 11 rue de Saint-Cyr, 69009 Lyon. The company is the world's most awarded breakdance company, holding 25+ documented international titles including Battle of the Year World Champion (2003), UK BBoy Championships World Champion (2007, 2014), and Red Bull BC One (2009). Its core offering is a repertoire of 13 choreographic pieces built on hip-hop and breakdance choreography that blends battle traditions with theatrical writing, performed by a rotating pool of 80+ dancers across a six-generation internal talent pipeline. Productions span a broad thematic range, including the recently premiered #Hashtag Déclic (2025, Venice) on digital/ social media impact, De la Rue aux Jeux (2024) tracing breakdance's Olympic journey, and Contrappunto (2022), a co-creation with the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon fusing hip-hop with classical ballet. The company has reached over 1 million spectators across 50+ countries.

The business model combines multiple revenue streams: ticketed performances at theaters and venues (prices set externally by venue box offices), custom turnkey shows for corporate and institutional clients (quote-based), battle event organization, and an education/transmission vertical including workshops, masterclasses, and a mentoring program for emerging choreographers. Distribution is event-driven via direct venue booking, with co-production partnerships anchoring reach (Opéra de Lyon, Théâtre Théo Argence, La Machinerie, Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon). Marketing relies on organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn), a newsletter, and earned cultural press coverage. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and depends on individual venues and negotiated custom-show terms. The company operates as a founder-led artistic enterprise under artistic director Riyad Fghani, with executive director Sonia Cova handling operations and a technical coordination lead (Rudy Muet). There is no parent company, no disclosed external investors, and no funding rounds evidenced; the entity appears to be self-sustaining, likely supplemented by French public arts subsidies typical for this class of performing arts company.

Name

Compagnie Pockemon Crew

Legal name

Pockemon Crew

Website

https://pockemoncrew.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Compagnie Pockemon Crew is a Lyon-based, founder-led non-profit performing arts company founded in 1999 that produces and tours an award-winning repertoire of 13 breakdance and hip-hop choreographic pieces across theaters, festivals, and corporate events in 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban/Street Dance Performances (Hip-Hop, Breaking) (MPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Theatre Services & Design (Scenic/Costume/Props/Stage Management) (MPAGABAO)

Keywords

• Breakdance performances
• Hip-hop dance company
• Choreographic productions
• Dance education services
• Performing arts company

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Live Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticketed performances at theaters and venues across France and internationally. Shows are offered in different versions (general audience and young audience) with varying durations.
2. Custom Show Creation: Tailor-made performances for corporate events, institutions, municipalities, and agencies. 'Turnkey' performances combining artistic quality, technical mastery, and adaptation to each context.
3. Battle Event Organization: Organization of breakdance battles and competitions for events, creating interactive experiences with live performances.
4. Workshops and Masterclasses: Training sessions, workshops, and masterclasses delivered to various audiences in France and internationally, including educational programs and cultural modules.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Compagnie Pockemon Crew produces and tours original choreographic performances that blend hip-hop and breakdance with theatrical writing, currently showcasing repertoire pieces such as #Hashtag Déclic, Contrappunto, and De la Rue aux Jeux. Beyond stage productions, the company offers tailor-made shows for corporate and institutional events, organizes battle events, and runs a transmission program of workshops, masterclasses, educational modules, and a mentorship program for emerging choreographers.

Product overview

Compagnie Pockemon Crew is a world-renowned breakdance and hip-hop dance company offering a portfolio of choreographic performances and professional services. Their core offerings include three main stage productions (#Hashtag Déclic, Contrappunto, and De la Rue aux Jeux) that showcase hip-hop dance artistry ranging from contemporary digital themes to classical ballet collaborations and historical retrospectives. Supplementary offerings include tailor-made shows, battle event organization, artistic collaborations, and educational programs including workshops, masterclasses, consulting, and a mentorship program for emerging choreographers. The company operates on a dual model combining stage creation with professional transmission and education services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• #Hashtag Déclic A choreographic performance exploring the impact of digital technology, social media, and screens on human bodies and connections. Features hip-hop dance that questions illusory digital connections and the search for real human contact. Available in general audience and young audience versions.
• Contrappunto A quintet choreographic piece created in collaboration with the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon, exploring the counterpoint between hip-hop dance spontaneity and classical ballet forms through recomposed J.S. Bach Cello Suites.
• De la Rue aux Jeux A theatrical performance retracing the history of hip-hop and breakdance from 1970s New York streets through cinematic staging, celebrating the discipline's journey into prestigious theaters and the 2024 Olympic Games.
• Millésime First joint creation between Pockemon Crew and the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon, created with dancer Alvaro Dule.
• Nineteen Choreographic piece created by Kevin Berriche, an emerging choreographer from the Crew, as part of the company's mentorship program.
• Tailor-made Shows Custom-created exclusive performances designed for specific events, combining choreographic performance, scenography, and original soundtracks, tailored to client identity and audience.
• Battle Events Organization Organization of competitive artistic battles combining adrenaline, technique, and live performance, creating interaction, energy, and immersion for event audiences.
• Artistic Collaborations Unique creations born from cross-disciplinary artistic dialogues where hip-hop meets other artistic universes for inspiring and unexpected performances.
• Workshops and Masterclasses Professional training sessions sharing breakdance and hip-hop dance techniques, history, and values with participants at all skill levels in an atmosphere of exchange and sharing.
• Educational Programs Cultural action modules combining breakdance discovery, discussions about show themes, and initiation workshops with professional dancers for immersive hip-hop culture experiences.
• Consulting and Expertise Round tables, conferences, documentaries, and interviews where artistic director Riyad Fghani shares expertise on battles, breaking, choreography, and artistic direction.
• Mentoring / Compagnonnage Professional development support for dancers transitioning from performance to choreography, providing company resources, mentorship, and creative opportunities for emerging choreographers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million spectators reached in 50+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Ville de LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe city of Lyon is a key supporter and home base for Pockemon Crew, which originated on the peristyle of the Opéra de Lyon.
• Opéra de LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Lyon Opera served as a 10-year residency home for the company (2003-2013) and is a key coproduction partner for collaborations including Millésime and Contrappunto with the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon.
• La Machinerie - Théâtre de VénissieuxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction partner and artistic residency venue for multiple creations including Contrappunto and De la Rue aux Jeux. Hosted performances and development activities.
• Ballet de l'Opéra de LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaborative partnership creating hybrid performances that blend hip-hop and classical ballet, producing Millésime (2019) and Contrappunto (2022).
• Théâtre Théo Argence (Saint-Priest)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction partner for #Hashtag Déclic and artistic residency host. Key regional partner in the Lyon metropolitan area.
• Blue Line ProductionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction partner for De la Rue aux Jeux performance.
• 6ème Sens ImmobilierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor appearing in partner acknowledgments on the company website.
• SkynightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor appearing in partner acknowledgments on the company website.
• Institut FrançaisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench cultural institution sponsor supporting international presence.
• Agora - Pôle culturel de LimonestsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtistic residency host for performances in the Lyon metropolitan area.
• Comité Départemental Olympique et Sportif RhôneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for De la Rue aux Jeux show that celebrates the Olympic connection to breakdancing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Opéra National de Lyon / Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon: Major French cultural institution and resident ballet company. Pockemon Crew's 10-year residency (2003–2013) and ongoing co-productions (Millésime, Contrappunto) make it a strategic partner-ecosystem counterpart rather than a competitor, and a model for the type of institutional relationship that defines the company's distribution channel.
• Battle of the Year: International breakdance competition organization where Pockemon Crew won multiple titles. Adjacent ecosystem participant: while not a direct producing peer, BOTY represents both a historical recognition channel and a potential competitor for sponsorship and event contracts.
• Red Bull BC One: Global breaking competition brand and event series. Overlaps with Pockemon Crew's battle-event organization offering and shares the same dancer pool; relevant as a competitor for visibility in the competitive-breaking sub-market, though not a producing company.

Emerging players

• Breakin' Convention: Sadler's Wells' annual international hip-hop dance theatre festival. While a producer/presenter rather than a competing troupe, it overlaps directly with Pockemon Crew's audience, artist network, and booking channel for UK and European touring.

Direct peers

• Boy Blue Entertainment: UK-based hip-hop dance company producing choreographic works, educational programs, and immersive performances. Directly comparable to Pockemon Crew in genre, mixed performance/education model, and touring-based distribution.
• Compagnie Käfig: Founded by Mourad Merzouki, Compagnie Käfig is a leading French hip-hop dance company based in Lyon that produces choreographic works and tours internationally — directly comparable in genre, geography, and institutional positioning to Pockemon Crew.

Broad incumbents

• Hofesh Shechter Company: UK contemporary dance company with a strong international touring footprint and significant repertoire. Comparable in scale, non-profit structure, and reliance on prestige-venue bookings, though its movement vocabulary is post-modern/contemporary rather than hip-hop.
• Compagnie Maguy Marin: French contemporary dance company with an established international touring circuit and substantial repertoire. Comparable in size, non-profit structure, and reliance on French cultural-institution residencies, though operating in contemporary rather than hip-hop dance.
• Akram Khan Company: UK-based contemporary dance company with a substantial touring repertoire and prestigious international bookings. Comparable in scale, institutional partnerships, and reliance on a single artistic director (Akram Khan), though its dance vocabulary is contemporary/South-Asian rather than hip-hop.
• Ballet Preljocaj: Angelin Preljocaj's Aix-en-Provence-based contemporary dance company operates at the same prestige-institution tier as Pockemon Crew's collaborations with the Opéra de Lyon, producing and touring choreographic works at comparable cultural venues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CiePockemoncrew/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/PockemonCrewOfficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compagnie-pockemon-crew
• Instagraminstagram.com/pockemoncrew/?hl=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Compagnie Pockemon Crew