Our Story

Every child is an artist

Kiko & Manyi was born from a belief that children’s art deserves to be worn, not forgotten in a drawer. We combine AI with premium print-on-demand so families can preserve creativity in the most wearable way possible.

It started with a dinosaur

In 2022, Sofia’s six-year-old daughter Emma drew a brachiosaurus in green crayon and declared it “the best thing I have ever made.” A few weeks later, the drawing was lost in a house move.

Sofia wished she had put it on a T-shirt. She searched for a service that could do that simply, beautifully, and affordably — and found nothing that truly worked.

So she called Marcus, and Kiko & Manyi was born. Named after the Swahili words for “little one” and “one who creates”, the company has one mission: make it effortless to turn a child’s imagination into something the whole family can wear.

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Emma, age 6 — the drawing that started it all

What we stand for

Family First

Every decision we make is guided by one question: does this create a more meaningful experience for families? From design to delivery, we put the moments that matter at the centre.

Creativity Unleashed

We believe every scribble, every splash of colour, every wobbly line is worth celebrating. Our AI doesn’t replace children’s creativity — it amplifies it.

Global Community

Families from 45 countries have used Kiko & Manyi to preserve childhood art on wearable pieces. Art has no borders — neither does our shipping.

Responsible Production

We partner with GOTS-certified print facilities, use water-based inks, and offset shipping emissions. A happy planet makes the best backdrop for childhood.

Our journey

2022

Kiko & Manyi founded — first 50 T-shirts shipped from a kitchen table in London.

2023

TreeArt AI engine launched; upload-to-tee time dropped from 3 days to 48 hours.

2024

10,000 families served. Expanded to 40 countries. Launched referral programme.

2025

AI Enhancement feature launched — children’s drawings transformed into premium artwork in seconds.

2026

4,800+ active families, 12,000+ designs in the community gallery, 45 countries.

Meet the team

Sofia Chen

Sofia Chen

Co-founder & CEO

Former product lead at ASOS, mum of two. Started Kiko & Manyi after her daughter’s dinosaur drawing went missing in a house move.

Marcus Osei

Marcus Osei

Co-founder & CTO

ML engineer, previously at DeepMind. Believes AI should empower human creativity, not replace it.

Priya Patel

Priya Patel

Head of Design

10 years in children’s publishing. Obsessed with colour theory and making complex things feel simple.

Luca Russo

Luca Russo

Head of Operations

Supply chain expert with a background in sustainable fashion manufacturing.

As featured in

TechCrunchForbesWiredDesign WeekJunior Magazine

Ready to make something unforgettable?

Join 4,800+ families who’ve turned children’s art into wearable heirlooms.

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