Led · Equity · Sep 2025

Lion Forge Entertainment is an Oscar-winning, mission-driven studio founded by David Steward II in 2019 that develops and produces animated and live-action content targeting kids & family, YA and adult audiences. The company emphasizes authentic, diverse storytelling and has won an Academy Award for Hair Love and multiple Emmy awards. Its recent series Iyanu became the number one series among kids on Cartoon Network and a Top 10 Kids & Family series on HBO Max; Season 2 and two feature films expanding the Iyanu universe have been greenlit. Lion Forge maintains a multi-year first-look deal with Nickelodeon and strategic partnerships with the Bob Marley Estate, Penguin Young Readers, and others to develop series and features. Additional projects include an adaptation with George R.R. Martin, an expansion of Lostlings with TalesVision, a first-look deal with Oware, and unscripted work with Rebel Girls. The studio plans to use new capital to scale and expand its IP portfolio and premium franchise pipeline and to fund organic growth across its business verticals.

Participated · Equity · Mar 2023

MACRO operates multiple content studios and creative businesses including MACRO Film Studios, MACRO Television Studios, Brand MACRO and UNCMMN, plus a majority interest in talent firm M88. The company develops, finances and produces film and television content focused on people of color and also provides branding, marketing and talent-management services. MACRO has financed and/or produced 18 films to date that have earned 15 Oscar nominations and three wins, and its television projects have received Emmy and Peabody recognition. The company announced plans to use new capital to scale and expand operations across existing verticals and to invest in organic and inorganic growth initiatives to diversify revenue streams and reinforce core lines of business. MACRO has strategic partnerships including a multiyear first-look film deal with Amazon Studios and ongoing productions with major streamers and networks. The firm was launched in 2015 and is based in Los Angeles. Macro was launched in 2015 by former WME partner/agent Charles D. King as a media asset holding company focused on premium content creation, distribution and engagement for African American, Latino and multicultural (ALM) audiences. The company operates across multiple platforms and has already lined up projects from filmmakers Ryan Coogler and Craig Brewer. Macro’s executive team includes Ronald Hohauser as Chief Financial Officer, Poppy Hanks as SVP/Development and Production, and Michael Palank as VP/Digital and Business Development. The company is based in Los Angeles, CA. Macro closed its first round of funding in 2015; the amount was not disclosed.