10 Animation Business Success Stories [2024]
Animated posts and animated ads have become more prevalent today than ever before. Starting an animation business focusing on helping brands create animated ads and illustrations can be fun and profitable.
The animated videos can be posted on Instagram and other social media platforms. To start an animation studio, you should start by hiring some specialists. You need a pair of illustrators, animators, and a scriptwriter to bring the idea to life.
As an animation artist, you can create animation and visual effects for films, gamers, ads, etc.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a animation business:
1. drive80 ($84K/year)
Mike Doyle, the founder of Drive 80 Studios, came up with the idea for his animation company while having coffee with a friend. He was looking to focus on one specific project and she suggested that he specialize in creating explainer animations. Since then, he has been able to attract and retain customers through his unique marketing approach on platforms like LinkedIn, and he continues to look for new opportunities to expand his business.
How much they make: $84K/year
Current team size: 1
An animation company owner generates between $75,000 and $100,000 annually from producing custom explainer animations for start-ups and marketing companies for between $5,500 and $7,500; logo animations for companies that market using videos at $200 to $500; and Instagram Stories stickers beginning at $350.
2. CSS Animation ($6K/year)
Donovan Hutchinson, a website developer, came up with the idea for his business, CSSAnimation.rocks, after realizing the value of sharing his knowledge and learning experiences with others. He started by writing in-depth tutorials on creating web animations using HTML and CSS on his website. The positive reception and social media shares confirmed that he was onto something valuable.
How much they make: $6K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 0
A website developer generates a monthly income of $6k with his website CSSAnimation.rocks, an online platform that offers tutorials on how to create web animations using HTML and CSS, and includes a newsletter, an ebook, and a video course.
So... can you actually make money with a animation business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Filmbaker ($600K/year)
Tarun Lachhwani, along with his co-founders Rakesh R, Gaurav Singh, and Soman Surya Yadav, developed their passion for storytelling while making short films in college. Inspired by their success and their desire to help brands tell their stories, they launched Filmbaker in 2017 with just 4-5 lakhs (INR) in initial funding. Since then, they have grown to serve over 250 clients, including Google and Kingfisher, and are projected to reach 5Cr in revenue this year.
How much they make: $600K/year
Current team size: 35
Indian video production company Filmbaker has a clientele of over 250 brands and has grown from an initial funding of 4-5 lakhs INR to clock over 3Cr in FY 20-21, en route to cross 5Cr this year, by providing storytelling services and delivering consistent, high-quality work.
4. Wyzowl ($2.5M/year)
How much they make: $2.5M/year
Current team size: 19
Explore how Wyzowl's animated explainer videos with fixed costs, fixed turn-around times, and unlimited revisions have taken the company to new heights, collaborating with large organizations like Deloitte, LG, and Standard Chartered.
So... can you actually make money with a animation business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Love & Logic ($96K/year)
Angela had been the co-founder of a large successful agency for over a decade. However, her work-life balance wasn't optimal, and she was struggling to juggle roles between an agency owner and a creative person. Finally, she decided to take the leap and start her own solo creative studio with a clear mind and a focus on freedom.
How much they make: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
Current team size: 0
Love & Logic is a profitable solo creative studio, specializing in brand identity, animation, and motion graphics, averaging around $8k per month, targeting ethical brands, local authorities, and universities with a clear brand strategy, manifest, and reputation for quality and value-based pricing.
So... can you actually make money with a animation business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
6. Next Day Animations ($4.8M/year)
How much they make: $4.8M/year
Current team size: 32
Next Day Animation is a Baltimore-based animation studio founded in 2012 that produces high-quality, powerful animations for clients worldwide, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, HBO, Goodwill, and Johnson & Johnson; the founders never gave up despite their first business name flopping, proper pricing strategy was key from the outset, testing ideas and believing those ideas would succeed were critical success factors.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
