Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 20, 2026

Mindshapes

Mindshapes is an interactive learning company that creates virtual worlds and apps that help children and adults learn through gameplay. Founded in October 2010, the company is headquartered in London and has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Mindshapes’ products include educational apps for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch for children aged 2–12, as well as their flagship product My Story World.

Last revised
Jun 20, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
589 w
Citations
21
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Mindshapes
TypePrivate
IndustryInteractive Learning
Electronic Publishing
Online Education
Educational Software
HeadquartersLondon, UK,
Key people
Shukri Shammas (Chairman and Co-Founder)
Chris Michaels (co-CEO)
Nina Pustilnik (co-CEO)
Sami Lababidi (CTO and Co-Founder)
Christian Dorffer (CIO and Co-Founder)
Tareq Naqib (CFO and Co-Founder)
ProductsMy Story World
Websitewww.mindshapes.com

Mindshapes is an interactive learning company that creates virtual worlds and apps that help children and adults learn through gameplay. Founded in October 2010,1 the company is headquartered in London and has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco.2 Mindshapes’ products include educational apps for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch for children aged 2–12,34 as well as their flagship product My Story World.5

Mindshapes secured $5 million (£3.1 million) of Series A funding in November 2011 from the company’s five founders and unnamed angel investors.6

Company Background

Mindshapes is led by co-CEOs Chris Michaels and Nina Pustilnik.7 Other notable staff include Chairman Shukri Shammas; CTO George Taylor, "Chief Ninja" Sami Lababidi; Creative Director Raj Pathmanathan, CIO Christian Dorffer; and CFO Tareq Naqib.8 Shammas and Lababidi were two of the four co-founders of Playfish, which was acquired by Electronic Arts in November 2009.9

Products

Mindshapes looks to “promote learning through a fusion of gaming and educational principles”.10 The company has a team of advisors specialising in education, including Professor Paul Harris at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.11 Mindshapes also partners12 with charities such as the National Literacy Trust.

Mindshapes has published a range of educational children’s apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Aside from My Story World,13 their apps include The Opposites;14 Casper’s Scare School;15 Lingo Zoo;16 Meteor Math;17 Hickory Dickory Dock;18 Jack and the Beanstalk by Mindshapes;19 Jellytoons Toddler Skills: Bobo’s Birthday Challenge20 and Tap-a-Tune.21

References

References

  1. "Education App Publisher Mindshapes Raises $5 Million, Inks Content Deals". paidContent:UK. Archived from the original on 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  2. Sakuraoka-Gilman, Matt. "Educational game developer Mindshapes receives $5 million in series A funding". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  3. Andy Penfold, Mobile Marketing, 1 November 2011, http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/content/mindshapes-secures-5m-investment, retrieved 30 January 2012
  4. "Mindshapes talks kids' apps, character creation and iPad education". The Guardian. 2011-09-19. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  5. My Story World, http://www.appsplayground.com/apps/2013/05/02/mindshapes-my-story-world-ipad/, retrieved 02 May 2013
  6. Dredge, Stuart (2011-11-01). "UK firm Mindshapes raises £3.1m to make its play in the kid-apps market". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  7. "Mindshapes appoints new joint CEOs in executive shuffle". Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  8. "Education App Publisher Mindshapes Raises $5 Million, Inks Content Deals". mocoNews. Archived from the original on 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  9. Kane, Yukari Iwatani. "EA to Cut 17% of Staff and Buy Playfish". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  10. Lynch, Gerald (2011-12-19). "Mindshapes: Bringing learning to life through apps and play". Tech Digest. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  11. "Faculty and Staff Directory". Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  12. Mindshapes partners, http://www.mindshapes.com/partners/, retrieved 23 February 2012
  13. "iTunes", 2 May 2013, [1], retrieved 2 May 2013
  14. "Review: Opposites App for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad | Geek Dad Blog". geekdad.daddyforever.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  15. "148Apps » iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and iPod touch App Reviews and News | 148Apps". www.148apps.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  16. Mummy’s Space, 20 October 2011, http://www.mummysspace.com/2011/10/review-of-lingo-zoo.html, retrieved 23 February 2012
  17. Forbeck, Matt. "Meteor Math for iOS Makes Math Fast and Fun". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  18. "Best Apps for Kids: Curated App Lists, & App Reviews". Best Apps For Kids. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  19. Kelly, James Floyd. "Trying Out Digital Storybooks With a 4-Year-Old, Part 1: Jack and the Beanstalk". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  20. Stuart Dredge, Apps Playground, 17 March 2011, http://www.appsplayground.com/apps/2011/03/17/jellytoons-wants-to-train-your-toddler-on-iphone-and-ipad/, retrieved 23 February 2012
  21. BlogByBaby, 7 January 2011, "Blog by baby: Mindshapes Tap-A-Tune ipad app". Archived from the original on 2012-01-16. Retrieved 2012-02-23. , retrieved 23 February 2012