It began as an independent record label, founded in 1996 by Ryan Lewis and Daniel Geller to help create a unified music scene of Athens.

[1][2] After the dissolution of the record label, Lewis and Geller partnered with Cash Carter and Bill Fortenberry to revive Kindercore as a vinyl pressing plant.

In 1998, the label moved to New York and joined with Emperor Norton records, creating better finances and more national exposure for Kindercore.

[1] After struggling to find financial backing, the group found a local investor interested in their idea to use plant-based PVC for the records.

[5][6] With a $1,000,000 investment, the plant acquired three brand new pressing machines, each costing $200,000, created by Canadian company Viryl Technologies.