BiMA Secures €500K to Innovate Screen-Free Storytelling for Kids

Munich-based startup BiMA has successfully raised €500,000 in pre-seed funding, marking a significant step towards redefining children’s storytelling. The funding round was led by Antler, with contributions from a notable group of angel investors, including the Oetinger Publishing Group, known for their early investment in Germany’s popular audio platform, Tonies. Other prominent investors include Andreas Peters, former Managing Director at Disney, Felix van de Sande, founder of Kickbase and design agency COBE, and Silvia Sommer, an expert in e-commerce.

Founded in 2024 by Larissa Ruf and Greta Garkisch, BiMA emerged from a vision that technology should foster genuine connections instead of detracting from them. The duo, who initially met at Academy Consult Munich, aims to create a platform that enhances family interactions through innovative storytelling.

Innovative Screen-Free Experiences

BiMA’s inaugural product is a unique projector designed to transform children’s bedrooms into enchanting storytelling environments. Shaped like a collectible rocket, this device combines gentle projection, light, and sound, offering immersive storytelling experiences without screens. By promoting imagination and focus, it seeks to create a more meaningful bedtime ritual, shifting the narrative from screen time negotiations to shared moments of connection.

This innovative approach positions BiMA alongside established players in the edutainment market, such as Tonies, Yoto Player, and Lunii. While these products emphasize audio or modular play, BiMA introduces a sensory layer that fosters visual immersion without traditional screens. The outcome is a blend of imagination, mindfulness, and family bonding that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, BiMA plans to expand its offerings to create a comprehensive ecosystem of storytelling tools and mindful entertainment products. Larissa Ruf, co-founder and CEO, stated: “Most toys are designed to keep kids busy, and that’s perfectly fine. But we wanted to create something different: a product that brings families together at the most meaningful time of day. With BiMA, evenings become magical moments of connection and imagination.”

Julia Bielenberg, Managing Director at Oetinger Publishing Group, emphasized the importance of this venture by stating, “We see BiMA as a natural continuation of our tradition of storytelling innovation. Just as Tonies created a new way for families to experience stories, BiMA has the potential to redefine the way children interact with imagination, creativity, and calm.”

As BiMA prepares for its market launch, the startup stands poised to make a profound impact on how families engage with storytelling, fostering connections that transcend the distractions of modern technology.