Allen Merck

Founder / CEO

Allen Merck founded Sike Labs to create the kind of opportunity he wished existed when he was growing up.

As a kid, Allen loved drawing and animation, but growing up far from major entertainment hubs meant there were few programs that could help turn that passion into something tangible. Like many young artists, he developed his skills largely on his own—learning by experimenting, studying the work he admired, and pursuing creative education wherever he could find it.

Years later, after building a career in animation, digital media, and education, Allen began noticing something familiar in the students he worked with: many of them shared the same fascination with animation that he once had. They were full of ideas, characters, and stories—but often lacked access to the tools and guidance needed to bring those ideas to life.

Sike Labs was created to change that.

Through hands-on animation programs, students learn storytelling, digital animation tools, and collaborative production skills while creating their own short films. Each year culminates in a red-carpet showcase where students premiere their work to family, friends, and their community.

For Allen, Sike Labs is about more than teaching animation—it’s about helping young creators discover that their stories matter, their voices belong in creative industries, and their imagination can shape the future.