Moose Toys Acquires Worlds Apart
Moose Toys today announced an expansion of its European network and growth in innovative product portfolio with the acquisition of popular Scruff-a-Luvs brand and design-led UK business, Worlds Apart.
Worlds Apart is a leading UK toy company and creator of children’s lifestyle products, known for its Scruff-a-Luv, Ready Beds, and Kid Active brands.
“There is a strong values alignment between both companies and synergies in how we design and create,” says Moose Toys CEO Paul Solomon. “We were impressed with their commitment to developing high quality products that kids love. With the initial success of Scruff-a-Luv’s globally, it is a great opportunity to expand their reach and further develop this much loved brand, while also increasing our presence in the UK.”
The acquisition of Worlds Apart will take effect November 16, 2018 and will include all assets and brands; no layoffs are expected to result from this acquisition.
Shark Tank Winning Toy Co, Surprise Ride, Acquired by Fat Brain Toys
Fat Brain Toys announced the acquisition of Surprise Ride, a subscription box service originally featured on ABC’s Shark Tank. The acquisition brings together two leaders in the educational toys space.
Surprise Ride was founded in 2013 by sisters Donna and Rosy Khalife, landing on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank just a few months after launch. The company has developed more than 50 kits—crafts, STEM projects, and games—as part of a subscription box service. The Khalife sisters will continue to develop additional products under the new collaboration with Fat Brain Toys.
“We’ve been evaluating the subscription space for a number of years knowing families today want more convenient ways to get quality products for their kids,” says Fat Brain Toys CEO and co-founder Mark Carson. “Surprise Ride’s mission to get kids off their devices and help them engage in the real world with hands-on activities is just what the market needs.”
Surprise Ride’s products are inspired by memories of Donna and Rosy’s childhood. The dynamic sister duo grew up as war refugees from Lebanon and did a lot of projects with their artist dad as kids to keep busy. After appearing on Shark Tank, Surprise Ride received an investment from celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary who has been instrumental in the company’s growth.
O’Leary says, “Backing Surprise Ride is one of the best moves I made. You’re seeing kids everywhere glued to screens. What Donna and Rosy built for families is sensational, and Fat Brain is the perfect partner. This deal is another great example of how women-founded companies get outstanding returns.”
“This acquisition means big things for the toy industry,” says Surprise Ride COO and co-founder Rosy Khalife. “Every subscription category from food to beauty has a clear leader, except toys. With our products, Fat Brain has the infrastructure to build a global billion-dollar toy subscription.”
Surprise Ride subscriptions can be purchased online at: www.fatbraintoys.com/surpriseride.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.