Which Kidscreen-bound brands have the most licensing potential?

Wind Sun Sky, Apartment 11 and HEEBOO are among the studios that will compete in the Kidscreen Licensing Challenge at next month’s event.

By Ryan Tuchow

January 28, 2026

Five studios with IPs that have untapped market potential will compete in the second-annual Kidscreen Licensing Challenge at Kidscreen Summit, where they’ll get feedback and advice from some of the licensing industry’s most experienced execs.

A judging panel featuring Rebekah Belzer (Spin Master), Gina Cappi (Mad Engine), Elie Dekel (Dekel Brands), Hollie Holmes (Moose Toys) and Jasen Wright (WildBrain CPLG) selected these brands for presentation from a field of TK submissions, and they will also vote to determine a winner at the event.

The KLC prize package includes a full-page ad in Kidscreen‘s Q2 2026 magazine issue (with bonus distribution at Licensing Expo, Annecy and the Children’s Media Conference), plus mentoring from the judges to plan a consumer products strategy and take their brands to the next level.

The five IPs in the running are as follows:

Claynosaurz – HEEBOO

The LA-based startup behind Claynosaurz has already generated a lot of content around its dino-focused IP, including NFTs and YouTube videos. It’s also developing a 78 x seven-minute CG-animated series about four dinosaurs exploring their mysterious island home.

Future Chicken – Wind Sun Sky Entertainment 

This multimedia franchise starring a chicken from the future who travels back in time to share tips and tricks for protecting the environment with kids spans YouTube shorts, a Roblox game and a podcast. “Future Chicken stands apart because it doesn’t just entertain kids, it empowers them,” says Gregory Little, who consults with Wind Sun Sky Entertainment on partnerships and consumer products. “Our goal in licensing is to create products that turn climate curiosity into everyday action, giving kids and families joyful, tangible ways to be part of the solution.”

Go Togo – Gazelle-Antelope Productions 

Go Togo is a Canadian preschool series about public transit vehicles who use math and logic to solve transportation problems and move riders around Transitville. Now into a second season, the show airs on CBC Kids.

Olga – Apartment 11 Productions 

Another Canadian project up for a 2026 KLC win is Olga (pictured), which was one of the best-attended pitches at Cartoon Forum 2025. Based on Elise Gravel’s graphic novels, this series revolves around an aspiring young scientist who wants to find out everything she can about her pet alien.

“I’m incredibly thrilled that Olga was selected!” says Jonathan Finkelstein, president of Apartment 11. With its cute alien lead, the IP naturally lends itself to collectibles, says Finkelstein, but there’s a lot of other licensing potential there, too, in categories like STEM products, games and even food & beverage (Olga’s alien only eats olives, for example).

Pop Paper City – Pop Paper City 

From the UK, this 2D-animated/stop-motion preschool series airs in 179 territories, including on CBeebies, HBO Max, Milkshake! and ABC Australia. It focuses on a group of friends who make new creations in their paper-based world.

***

Last year’s KLC winner was Serbian studio Metaxilasis for its 2D-animated preschool series ThinkerBen & Motor (26 x 11 minutes), about a young engineer and his robot dog who use STEM skills to solve wacky problems like how to stop a monkey from stealing rockets. Co-producer Toon2Tango has secured broadcast deals with United Media Group (the Balkans) and POP (Slovenia) to date.

Kidscreen Summit 2026 takes place from February 22-25 at the Sheraton San Diego Resort. The Kidscreen Licensing Challenge will take place at 11 a.m. local time on February 24 in the Silver Pearl 3 ballroom.