In a world increasingly shaped by screens, Munich-based startup BiMA is carving out a new path for children’s entertainment. The company has secured €500,000 in pre-seed funding, led by Antler, with participation from a distinguished group of angel investors, including the Oetinger Publishing Group, the first backers of Germany’s hit audio platform Tonies.
Among the other investors are Andreas Peters, former Managing Director at Disney, Felix van de Sande, founder of Kickbase and design agency COBE, and Silvia Sommer, e-commerce expert and organiser of the Fast & Curious events in Munich.
The fresh funding will fuel BiMA’s entry into the market and support its ambition to redefine how families share stories.
Creating meaningful moments for families
Founded in 2024 by Larissa Ruf (CEO) and Greta Garkisch (CTO), BiMA was born out of a belief that technology should deepen real connections rather than distract from them.
The two Munich natives first met at Academy Consult Munich, a leading student consultancy, before founding a joint business and later BiMA. Together, they’re using technology to create meaningful moments for families.
BiMA’s first product is a screen-free projector that turns children’s bedrooms into story-infused, ambient spaces. The device, shaped like a collectable rocket, blends gentle projection, light, and sound to create immersive storytelling experiences. Its design encourages imagination and focus without the overstimulation associated with traditional screens. Parents can turn bedtime into a shared ritual rather than a negotiation over screen time.
The concept places BiMA in direct conversation with leading players in the edutainment market, including Tonies, Yoto Player, and Lunii. But while those products focus on audio or modular play, BiMA introduces a new sensory layer: visual immersion without screens. The result bridges imagination, mindfulness, and family connection in a way that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking.
What’s next?
Looking beyond the launch, BiMA aims to build a broader ecosystem of storytelling tools and mindful entertainment products. Larissa Ruf, co-founder and CEO of BiMA, comments: “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, comments: “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.”
