The first graduating class of Walt Disney Co.’s Disney Accelerator presented on Tuesday, revealing the results of their scaled growth as well as announcing new partnerships and financing.
Each of the 10 startups, listed below, is now working with Disney.
ChoreMonster: Parents and children can use ChoreMonster’s app to create chore lists, which can be completed in exchange for points and prizes. The Cincinnati startup and Disney are working to build special rewards and content for the app.
Codarica: The mobile app teaches children how to code through storytelling. The Swedish startup’s app is now available on iPad.
Jogg: The L.A. company offers a video platform where celebrities and social influencers can request their fans to send videos such as for special contests. Disney Movies Anywhere plans to pilot Jogg when it officially launches.
Naritiv: The Santa Monica marketing and analytics platform focuses on connecting brands with influencers on Snapchat. Radio Disney and ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” will use Naritiv to launch accounts and grow on the messaging app. Marriott Hotels & Resorts is also set to use Naritiv’s tools.
Sidelines: The San Francisco content marketing platform helps brands expand their influence by facilitating discussions with fans. It is working on campaigns for ESPN, Disney Consumer Products, Disney Interactive, Disney Parks, Honest Co. and Bouqs.
Smart Toy: The children’s toy company, which has rebranded from Ubooly and relocated to Los Angeles from Boulder, Colo., creates customizable toys that cater to a child’s personality. It has been acquired by Culver City children’s products company Cartwheel Kids and expects to ship its first smart toy within nine months.
SnowShoe: Objects can be tagged with a SnowShoe stamp to engage with a mobile screen and showcase digital content. The San Francisco startup is working with Venice’s Skyrocket Toys to scale its manufacturing process, with plans to bring its product to mass market. SnowShoe also announced it completed a $2.3 million seed round. Investors included Disney, TechStars, Foundry Group, 500 Startups, BAM Ventures, Queensbridge Venture Partners and Ludlow Ventures.
Sphero: The Boulder, Colo., creator of app-controlled robotic balls has made more than $20 million in sales since launching in 2012. It tipped off a potential Disney partnership to create a connected play experience for Star Wars.
Twigtale: The L.A. parenting company creates personalized children’s stories. Its mobile app will launch in a few weeks. Twigtale is currently working on co-authoring books with Disney Interactive’s Babble, an online magazine for young parents, and Disney Junior.
Tyffon: The Tokyo startup began by transforming mobile users’ selfies and turning them into zombies. Tyffon announced it is working on an app for Disney that lets fans reimagine themselves into their favorite Disney characters.
Staff reporter Melissah Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MelissahYang for the latest in L.A. tech news.
