Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens (operating at explodingkittens.com) is a tabletop game and entertainment company designed to bring playful, social experiences to physical gatherings. Founded in 2015 by Matthew Inman of *The Oatmeal* and Elan Lee, a former Xbox game designer, the company reimagines casual gaming with a mission to inspire connection and laughter. Unlike traditional board games, Exploding Kittens transforms simple mechanics into a high-stakes, kitty-themed twist on Russian Roulette, where players draw cards until an exploding kitten dooms the unlucky participant. The game’s rapid, accessible gameplay—combined with its humorous, shareable design—makes it a standout in the party game space. This allows families, friends, and game night enthusiasts to enjoy lighthearted competition without complex rules or long setup times. Backed by $50 million in funding across three rounds, the company has scaled from a Kickstarter campaign that exceeded $1 million to a recognized player in the entertainment industry, with revenue reaching $19.2 million.