With its wireless headphones, Kekz wants to revolutionize the way preschool children consume their favorite audio content at home and on the go. To this end, the Munich startup has developed an entertainment device that works without downloads, without screens, and without an external audio source. Using a plug-and-play mechanism, audio chips are attached via magnets to the outside of the headphones to start playback of the audio content. This allows children between three and six years old to independently control which audiobooks, music, and podcasts they listen to.
The company was founded in 2020 by Carl Taylor and Adin Mumma. In the same year, the two founders also convinced Peter Maffay to invest in their startup. The devices – called Kekzhörer – also won the “German Design Award 2021” and “iF Design Award 2021” last year.
“Kekz solves a problem that probably every family knows,
“Kekz solves a problem that probably every family knows when traveling with children. The idea of a distraction-free entertainment option that almost reminds us of analog times immediately excited us. I’m very much looking forward to working with Carl and Adin”,
commented Peter Maffay on his involvement in 2020.
Now the Horst Brandstätter Group (HBG) has secured a 25 percent stake in Kekz. With this investment – and all future stakes – the company aims to develop new areas of activity with innovative business ideas. In this specific case, it involves two areas of business development: the HBG business area “Inspiring Value Creation” is tasked with creating new business divisions within the company group and investing in concrete projects or new business ideas with partners outside the group. The business area “Inspiring Play Experience” develops diverse and customized offerings to inspire children and adults through play and invite them to new experiences and adventures.
