Funko began in 1998, founded by Mike Becker with the idea of creating affordable, nostalgia-inspired collectibles. One of its early successes was a bobblehead based on the Big Boy restaurant mascot, reflecting the company's interest in familiar characters and pop-culture memories. In 2005, Brian Mariotti acquired the company and helped expand its reach, developing a broader range of licensed products and building relationships with entertainment brands.

Funko became especially well known for its Pop! figures, recognizable collectibles featuring stylized designs inspired by characters from movies, television, comics, anime, music, and video games. Over time, the company expanded beyond figures into plush toys, apparel, accessories, and other merchandise that lets fans express their interests in different ways.

Today, Funko describes itself as a hub for pop culture, bringing together an extensive selection of licensed characters and fandoms. Its wider family of brands includes Loungefly, known for character-inspired bags and accessories, and Mondo, which focuses on areas including music, poster art, and collectible figures.

At its heart, Funko celebrates the connections people form with the characters and stories they love, making collecting a playful way to express personal interests and share fandom with others.