Wonder Workshop, Inc., makers of toy robots that kids can program using mobile apps, announced this week that it has raised $20 million in Series B financing. The funding round was led jointly by WI Harper Group and Idea Bulb Ventures, both venture capital firms that specialize in cross-border investments across U.S. and Asia. According to the company’s official press release, the company will use the new investment to expand into international markets, particularly in Asia.
Wonder Workshop was founded in 2012 by Vikas Gupta, Saurabh Gupta and Mikal Greaves, who wanted to encourage children’s interest in STEM learning by making coding fun. The company’s best known products are Dash and Dot, robots designed with special lights, sounds, and sensors that kids can manipulate using basic programming and the help of accompanying mobile apps. According to the company, Dash & Dot robots are used in more than 7,000 elementary school classrooms in more than 37 countries. The toys have also been endorsed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and they won the 2015 Toy of the Year Award by Good Housekeeping magazine.
“As parents and technologists, we founded Wonder Workshop to make the world a better place for children, and create age-appropriate tools to inspire the future innovators,” said Vikas Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Wonder Workshop. “We are proud to have such passionate investors join us in our mission to lower the barrier to entry for children to learn and enjoy STEM subjects, such as coding and robotics.”