Gaiam
| Public | |
| Traded as | NASDAQ: GAIA |
| Industry | Video Production |
| Predecessor | Gaiam, Inc. |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Jirka Rysavy |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Colorado, United States |
| Website | www |
Gaia, Inc., previously known as Gaiam, Inc., is an online video subscription service. Under their former name of Gaiam, they also provided fitness products and media, including products relating to stress relief and the practice of yoga. Gaia, mother Earth, was honored on the Isle of Crete in ancient Greece 5,000 years ago by the Minoan civilization. The concept of Gaia stems from the ancient philosophy that the Earth is a living entity. Its brands include Gaiam TV which changed its name to Gaia in 2016.
Gaiam was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1988 by Jirka Rysavy. His vision was to serve the "conscious consumer", a group subsequently named the "Cultural Creatives" by sociologist Paul Ray in 1996: educated consumers who make purchasing decisions based on their values. Paul Ray now serves on Gaiam's board of directors.
In 2003, it bought a 50.1% share in its UK distributor Leisure Systems International (LSI). LSI subsequently changed its name to Gaiam Ltd. In May 2008 however the UK directors of Gaiam Ltd bought back their share of the business and changed the company name again to HAB International Ltd.
In 2001, Gaiam merged with Real Goods Solar, a California-based company specializing in the production and distribution of solar power systems, other renewable energy equipment, and off-grid/sustainable living products.
In 2005, Gaiam acquired the media assets of GoodTimes Entertainment Inc and Jetlag Productions which included brands such as GT Xpress, The FIRM, and Billy Blanks.
Gaiam launched Real Goods in 2008 to provide "off grid living" items like solar power invertors and tankless water heaters.
In 2007, Gaiam acquired both Lime.com and Zaadz.com for a greater community presence. Zaadz then was renamed Gaia.com, but it was deemed unprofitable and eventually it was shut down in 2010.
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