Giant, an interactive storytelling platform that empowers children as creators, has successfully closed an $8 million seed funding round. The investment was led by Matrix, Decasonic, and Griffin Gaming Partners, with several other notable firms participating. This capital infusion is earmarked for expanding the platform's unique capabilities, which allow children to star in and design their own animated stories.
Fostering Creativity Through Interactive Storytelling
The platform is built on three core experiences: Create, Watch, and Talk, which adapt to each child's imagination. Children can design their own episodes, become the main character in personalized shows, and engage in meaningful conversations with characters who remember them. This model transforms screen time from passive consumption into an active, creative process that nurtures storytelling skills.
CEO and Co-Founder John Kobs emphasizes that while the internet is optimized for attention, children truly need imagination. He founded Giant with the mission to turn kids from consumers into creators, building a product he would want for his own children. This vision underpins the company's commitment to developing a platform that shapes who kids become through positive storytelling.
Impressive Early Growth and Industry Recognition
Since its launch in May 2025, Giant has demonstrated significant early traction and high user engagement. The platform has already surpassed one million minutes of conversation between children and its interactive characters. Additionally, young users have generated and viewed over 200,000 personalized episodes, indicating strong repeat usage and creative investment.
The company's innovative approach has also garnered significant industry acclaim, further validating its market position. Giant recently won the Interactive Media category at Lightspeed’s Game Changers competition, a prestigious honor. The platform was selected from a competitive field of over 1,000 applicants, highlighting its standout potential in the tech landscape.
Investor Confidence and Strategic Vision
Investors have expressed strong confidence in Giant's vision and leadership, particularly in CEO John Kobs, who previously founded Apartment List. Dana Stalder of Matrix praised the platform as a category-defining product combining creativity, emotional intelligence, and AI at scale. This sentiment is echoed by other partners who see Giant defining a new category in AI-powered creative storytelling for the next generation.
A cornerstone of the platform's design is a steadfast commitment to child safety and parental trust. Giant operates with a strict policy of no ads, no tracking, and no data collection, ensuring a secure digital environment. The platform is also certified safe for young users and developed with input from child development experts.
With its new $8 million in funding, Giant is well-positioned to scale its imagination-centric platform and redefine children's digital entertainment. The company's focus on active creation, combined with strong investor backing and a commitment to safety, sets a new standard for interactive media. The Giant application is now available for families to explore on both iOS and Android devices.