Act One Ventures
LA-based seed fund investing in software companies led by diverse and overlooked founders.
Act One is basically the anti-Sand Hill Road fund — they actually get entertainment and aren't trying to force SaaS metrics onto creator businesses. Carlos and team have real Hollywood relationships that can open doors other VCs simply can't. They understand that entertainment startups need different timelines and success metrics than typical tech companies. The downside? Their sweet spot is narrow, so if your startup doesn't clearly fit the entertainment thesis, you're probably wasting everyone's time. They're also LA-based which means they sometimes miss the Valley's faster funding cycles.
- —Best for: Entertainment/creator startups needing Hollywood connections
- —Watch out for: Narrow focus means strict thesis fit required
- —Known for: Actual entertainment industry credibility and relationships
Act One Ventures focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups in entertainment, media, and creator economy sectors. They leverage their Hollywood connections and industry expertise to back founders building the future of content, gaming, and digital experiences.
Pre-seed to Series A, heavily concentrated in entertainment tech, gaming, creator tools, media platforms, and consumer apps with entertainment angles. Portfolio skews toward B2C companies that intersect with Hollywood or creator monetization.
Former Disney executive who led digital strategy and investments. Known for his deep entertainment industry rolodex and ability to open doors with major studios and talent agencies.
Co-founded Pluto TV which sold to Viacom for $340M. Brings operator experience from the streaming wars and understands both content and technology sides of media businesses.
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