Business · Companies · 16 hrs ago
VTech marks 50 years as educational toy maker
VTech is marking 50 years since its founding in Hong Kong in 1976.
Engineers Allan Wong and Stephen Leung started the company, which went on to make electronic toys, including its first educational computer, Lesson One, launched in 1980.
The company now works in educational toys, telecommunications and electronics manufacturing.
Its products are sold in more than 90 countries, and the company has a presence in 19 countries and regions.
VTech entered the Italian market in 2023, with an office in Assago near Milan and Italian-language content for its product lines.
Its Italian business grew 180% between 2023 and 2026, and the company expects sales to rise about 20% in 2026 compared with 2025.
VTech says it is growing faster than Italy's generally subdued toy market and expects to continue that growth.
VTech, founded in Hong Kong in 1976, is marking 50 years in business.
The company has evolved from a consumer electronics pioneer into a maker of educational toys.
Its products are distributed in more than 90 countries, and it has a presence in 19 countries and regions.
VTech entered the Italian market in 2023 and says its business there grew 180% between 2023 and 2026.
VTech Italy expects to finish 2026 with growth of about 20% compared with 2025.
- Who
- VTech, the multinational company founded in Hong Kong by Allan Wong and Stephen Leung.
- What
- It is marking 50 years in business, having developed from a consumer electronics pioneer into an educational toy maker.
- When
- The company was founded in 1976 and is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026.
- Where
- VTech is based in Hong Kong and sells products in more than 90 countries. It entered the Italian market in 2023.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Allan Wong and Stephen Leung founded VTech in Hong Kong.
VTech launched Lesson One, its first educational computer, at the New York Toy Fair.
VTech entered the Italian market, with a base in Assago, Milan.
VTech says its Italian business grew by 180%.
VTech marks 50 years in business and expects its Italian business to grow by about 20% compared with 2025.
- Founded
- 1976
- Founders
- Allan Wong and Stephen Leung
- First educational computer
- Lesson One, launched in February 1980
- Product reach
- More than 90 countries
- Italian market entry
- 2023, with a base in Assago, Milan
- Italy business growth
- 180% between 2023 and 2026
What people are saying
Between 2023 and 2026 the business grew by 180%.
Despite an overall sluggish market, we expect to close 2026 with growth of about 20% compared with 2025.