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Zuru
	Logo used since 2023
Company type	Private
Industry	Toys; Consumer Goods;
Founded	2003
Founder	Nick Mowbray & Mat Mowbray
Headquarters	Hong Kong
Brands	Bunch O Balloons; X-Shot; Rainbocorns; Max: Build More; Mini Brands; Robo Alive Smashers; 5 Surprise; Pets Alive;
Website	https://zuru.com/

Zuru (stylized as ZURU) is a Hong Kong–based toy, disruptive, and a FMCG company that manufactures multiple brands of toys and consumer goods products. As of 2024^[update], the company operates four main divisions: ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science.^[1]

History

When Nick Mowbray was twelve in 1997, he designed and created a hot air balloon model kit, won by a national science fair in New Zealand. He started selling the kits with his brother, Mat, as a first mini business of also delivering. They sold their kits throughout high school, and eventually decided to attend university. They returned to delivering kits after one year of university^[1]

In 2003, Mowbray moved to Hong Kong from New Zealand and at age 18, with his brother, started a factory in Guangzhou, China. They were financed with a $20,000 loan from their parents, which they used to buy an injection molding machine. Soon after they ran into difficulties due to a lack of managerial and administrive experience, communication skills and knowledge of intellectual property legislation.^[2] In 2005, their sister Anna joined the business. The company was named Zuru after they discovered their original name had been trademarked by a different company.^[2]

Walmart later expressed interest in Zuru's products and began selling them in their stores.^[2]

In November 2024, CBS News 8 reported on a Zuru product that was featuring explicit language. Phrases containing "manic," "motorized rage fire," "berzerko," "mad mega barrel," and "insanity" were on boxes marketed towards children.^[3]

Trademark Infringement

In May 2019, Zuru had settled all pending infringement proceedings with Telebrands and Bulbhead.com LLC for making ZURU Bunch o Balloons product similar to their Balloon Bonanza, Battle Balloons and Easy Einstein products. Their settlement issued a full payment of $31 million final judgment, including additional substantial payment for Telebrands' product infringement and agreement that they will not sell any of their accused products.^[4] ^{[better source needed]}

In 2020, Zuru was blocked by Lego from making its version of minifigures, as the court found ZURU infringed upon Lego's trademark.^[5]

Zuru was also sued by Lego for its ZURU Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.^[6]

Recognition

In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.^[7]

In December 2024, the Mowbrays were named 'visionary leaders of the year' at the 2024 Deloitte Top 200 Awards.^[8]

Sustainability

The company has been known for designing their toy products to be more recyclable and reusable. As of 2019, Bunch O Balloons itself and the stem's rubber material had changed to recyclable natural rubber latex, and its packaging is recyclable, too. The company also partnered with TerraCycle.^[9]^{[better source needed]}

Brands

Zuru created a variety of brands over the years ^[10] including X-Shot, Bunch O Balloons, 5 Surprise, Mini Brands, X-Shot Water, Rainbocorn, Gumi Yum, and Snackles. They also partnered with The Walt Disney Company,^[11] Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, and DreamWorks.^[4]^{[better source needed]}

Partnership

In 2024, the company announced a collaboration with Ulta Beauty in designing a first-ever beauty Mini Brands collection.^[12] They also launched a partnership with KFC.^[13]