Funko Inc. is an American company that manufactures licensed pop culture collectibles, best known for its licensed vinyl figurines and bobbleheads. In addition, the company produces licensed plush, action figures, and electronic items such as USB drives, lamps, and headphones.
Founded in 1998 by Mike Becker, Funko was originally conceived as a small project to create various low-tech, nostalgia-themed toys. The company's first manufactured bobblehead was of the well-known restaurant advertising icon, the Big Boy mascot.
Sold in 2005, Funko, LLC, is now headed by CEO Brian Mariotti. Since then, the company has increased the scope of its toy lines and signed licensing deals with major companies such as Marvel, DC Comics, WWE, Lucasfilm, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Hasbro, CBS, Fox, Warner Bros., Disney, HBO, Peanuts Worldwide, BBC, MLB, NFL, Ubisoft, NBCUniversal, Cartoon Network, Netflix, Mattel, 2K Games, Bethesda Games, The Pokémon Company, Sega, Activision, Capcom, The Jim Henson Company, and Sesame Workshop. Its toys and other products now have worldwide distribution.
History[]
Funko was founded as a bobblehead company in 1998 by Mike Becker in his Snohomish, Washington, home. In 2005, Becker sold Funko to its current CEO, Brian Mariotti, who moved its offices to Lynnwood, Washington, and significantly expanded the company's licensed product lines. By 2012, the company had sold more than $20 million worth of merchandise.
In 2013, Fundamental Capital, LLC, acquired Funko along with its management.
In 2016, Funko announced its intention to relocate its headquarters to downtown Everett, Washington, where it is located as of 2018.
ACON Investments, LLC announced in late 2015 that it had acquired Funko from Fundamental Capital, LLC, but would keep current staff and the head of company.
In 2017, Funko stock was divested thru an IPO.