Wow! Stuff has secured a £4.5 million facility from Independent Growth Finance to help the award-winning toy innovator in its ongoing growth aspirations, particularly across the European market.
As a company already working with global brands, the Wolverhampton-headquartered business has offices in LA and Hong Kong, but is now looking to expand in the European market. The additional funding will allow the firm to expand its branded range throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Founded in 2006, Wow! Stuff has become a global developer and supplier of branded toys, gifts, and gadgets, with significant success in the UK, European, and US markets. The firm now works with what it bills Tier One licensing partners across a portfolio that spans names like Disney, Marvel, and Warner Brothers.
Paul Edmeades, ABL director at IGF, commented: “We pride ourselves on working closely with prospects and clients to ensure the facilities we provide not only meet their initial funding requirements but also their longer-term needs. Wow! Stuff is a highly respected Midland’s based business with a global presence, and we are delighted to be working with them.”
David Neate, partner at Springboard Corporate Finance, added: “We have worked with the owners of Wow! Stuff for a number of years and were delighted to introduce IGF to them when seeking new facilities. IGF showed strong sector knowledge and a willingness to understand the business from an early stage and we look forward to working with them on future opportunities.”
Ewan Gibb, finance director at Wow! Stuff, said: “While sectors of the toys and gift market were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company wanted to spend the time continuing to innovate.
“We wanted to invest in new products and work with a range of new character licenses to prepare for the future. Working together with IGF, we were able to deliver a funding solution to enable this and support Wow! Stuff product expansion in European growth.”
As lockdown lifts, the company feels it is in a great position to focus on growth aspirations with its branded range and continue to innovate across the market.
Toy News May 2021