London-based Sandbox, a provider of digital learning products and services, has acquired PlayKids, a digital education platform in Brazil, Latin America's largest economy.  

PlayKids provides video content, books and e-learning experiences through two core brands: the "PlayKids" app, an award-winning video-on-demand platform for children aged 2-6, and Leiturinha, one of the largest kids' book-subscription services in Brazil. Together, they reach more than four million monthly users. 

PlayKids' majority owner, Movile, a long-term investor in LatAm tech companies, will become a minority investor in Sandbox.  

"We have been big fans of PlayKids and Leiturinha and are delighted to welcome them to the Sandbox family as a perfect complement to our existing suite of products," says Bhav Singh, founder and chief executive officer, Sandbox. "I'm excited to have Guilherme Martins, chief executive officer, PlayKids, on board to lead the rollout of our wider portfolio into LatAm and am equally thrilled that Movile is joining us as shareholders as we continue to build towards an industrial-scale enterprise focused on 'super serving' millennial and Gen Z families." 

"Last year, following the pandemic's impact, there was a clear uptake in digital acceleration and a need to quickly reinvent how kids are educated and entertained during the lockdowns," said Guilherme Martins, chief executive officer, PlayKids and founder, Leiturinha. "I see that trend continuing and am excited to work with Bhav and the other Sandboxers to extend our digital offerings and introduce Sandbox online learning products to the Latin American market." 

"We have built PlayKids from an app serving a few thousand learners to a globally recognized children's education platform in the last few years," says Silvia Motta, strategy and mergers and acquisitions director, Movile. "With the great talent, know-how and entrepreneurial grit that Sandbox offers, the combination of the two businesses will deliver engaging educational experiences and improve learning around the world. We look forward to continuing on this journey with Sandbox."