Manchester-based Green Bean Studios® has announced a record year, with substantial funding, headcount growth and product expansion headlining the firm's 2023. Since the start of the year, the multi award-winning children's IP entertainment brand has raised £180,000, enabling it to develop and launch three new innovations in early 2024, and it has increased its intellectual property portfolio, pushing its valuation to £140m from its previous £68m valuation in 2021.

Other highlights of 2023 include:

• Named winner of Innovate UK's Inclusive Innovation Award and awarded funding from Innovate UK DCMS Create Growth Fund to further develop an animated preschool children's TV series

• Expanding the team from 22 to 26 members of staff

• Launching its Precious Moments campaign, an initiative that aims to unite a community of parents, grandparents, carers or educational professionals who are all passionate about enabling the next generation of children to learn and develop with confidence

• Began the process of B Corp Accreditation

• Collaborating with Lancaster University's Centre for Global Eco-Innovation to develop its range of eco toys, and understand the impact of making and using its toys and how they can fit into a circular economy

Anita Frost, founder of Green Bean Studios, said:

"2023 has been an outstanding year for Green Bean, as we continue our journey to becoming the leading brand in supporting young children's learning and development, sustainably.

"Empowering children to achieve their best, while instilling a love of their environment and world, is at the heart of everything we do. At a time when the world is in turmoil, we want to create opportunities for children to enjoy precious moments with their grown ups, whether indoors with a book or in nature with a kite, and this year's success is testament to the significance of this approach.

"I believe our products can serve as an educational tool to illustrate the importance of sustainable communities, responsible consumption and production. Our work with Universities, our conversations with parents and carers, and our engagement with educational professionals, is ensuring the toys, games and entertainment we create truly support children to play, learn, develop and reach their full potential."

Looking ahead to 2024, the firm is anticipating further growth, with plans to expand the sales and creative team, launch retail lines into three new territories, and announce a new investment round. Green Bean Studios will also unveil new eco products and a hotly anticipated animated TV series next year.

Anita concluded:

"Our passion for providing affordable, sustainable and educational entertainment options, that will elevate children's passion for reading and the outdoors, while sharing valuable time and experiences with their loved ones, remains our core focus.

"With the strong foundations we've set in 2023, and the significant opportunities and plans we have for 2024, we're confident this passion will continue to positively impact the lives of early years children around the world."

Green Bean Studios was founded on Anita Frost's 20+ years of child development and business experience and the team's combined 30+ years of creative industry experience. Harnessing this expertise, the brand has grown to help children learn through play, love outdoor adventures, and nurture the world around them.

Green Bean Studios has built an innovative multi-revenue children's brand, creating a range of collectable children's books called Green Bean Collection, as well as eco toys, games and wholesome media content.

Sustainability is at the heart of Green Bean Studios' mission, from its stories and fictional characters to its educational eco toys and music. Supporting children to play, learn and develop with confidence is another fundamental cornerstone to the firm; across its retail, music, and TV productions, elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework are incorporated to support early years children in their education.

With the recent development of its first children's music album, Time To Dance, Green Bean Studios aims to combat childhood obesity and protect children's mental health.

For more information, please visit www.greenbeanstudios.co.uk