Emerging product makers will get some rocket fuel for their global expansion plans as Dallas-based apparel company Bioworld opens a new investment arm.

Bioworld Ventures is headed up by VP of corporate development Matt Alexander, who will provide funding to pre-seed and Series A toycos and apparel, housewares and electronics manufacturers. The division will offer funding options including equity capital, debt opportunities, strategic licensing partnerships—and even acquisitions. 

Bioworld CEO and founder Raj Malik says now is the right time for the company to form a strategic investment arm so it can scale up the next generation of disruptive consumer product makers and be a part of their success. For now, Bioworld will only focus on potential partners in the US, Canada and the UK, where it believes its investments will have the greatest impact. 

In addition to capital, these early-stage companies will also be able to leverage Bioworld’s global merchandising and distribution platform and work with its operational support and logistics teams to bolster their supply chains. Bioworld’s network spans more than 2,000 retailers, 180 manufacturing partners, 70 in-house sales teams, 13 offices and eight distribution facilities, according to the Ventures website.

Throughout its 25 years in business, Bioworld has built up a licensing portfolio spanning more than 1,000 brands including Disney, Marvel, Pokémon, Dr. Seuss, SpongeBob SquarePants, Harry Potter, Minecraft and Sanrio.