Fuhu, the company that created Nabi, an Android tablet for kids and an Adobe Air application that allows children to access the Internet in a parent-controlled environment, is growing fast. Based in El Segundo, California, Fuhu was created in 2008 and in the last 3 years has grown 158,957%. It made $195.6m in revenue during that time. According to Inc Magazine, Fuhu was the fastest-growing companies in America.
In a recent interview on NPR, Fuhu’s founders Robb Fujioka and Jim Mitchell spoke about their fast growth. Here are some interesting takeaways:
On Managing Growth
As for dealing with the astronomical growth, the founders explain that it can be a bit chaotic but it’s how they are structured. “When a company is growing this fast, you’re constantly running and you’re running at full speed,” said Mitchell. “You have to learn to run in the dark.”
Image: Inc Magazine by Michael Lewis
On Company Culture
“We are built as an entrepreneurial organization that has changed over time. Overall our souls and hearts are of an entrepreneur so our company is made to make mistakes,” said Mitchell.
“I wanted to remind people that we are a company for kids,” explained Fujioka to why he decided to build a ball pit in the middle of the conference room. “And symbolically, how each individual ball combined can support and help people.”
On What Inspires Them
“Our children in many ways are our inspiration to what we create,” said Mitchell.