The Venture Codex Logo

The Venture Codex

Universal

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA, 91608, United States

Overview

Universal Pictures creates and distributes theatrical and non-theatrical filmed entertainment for a growing global marketplace. Universal also produces, acquires, and distributes direct-to-DVD titles, classic titles from the Universal library, consumer products (across all traditional categories, as well as interactive and wireless platforms), and specialty motion pictures under focus features. Through its international production group, the studio partners with leading international film companies to make and acquire films for wide commercial release or distribution in specific countries. Universal’s content is released across traditional and digital distribution channels, including theatrical exhibition, physical and electronic home entertainment, pay and free television, and subscription on-demand services. Over the years, Universal has achieved both popular success and critical acclaim with Academy Award-winning films such as Atonement, The Bourne Ultimatum, King Kong, Brokeback Mountain, Ray, A Beautiful Mind, The Pianist, and Lost in Translation. Classic, Academy Award-winning films from Universal include All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), The Deer Hunter (1978), and Schindler’s List (1993). In 2007, Universal began an all-audience family film business with Illumination Entertainment. Its first production, the 3D CGI blockbuster Despicable Me, was one of the highest-grossing and most profitable films of 2010. In addition to filmed entertainment, Universal produces live stage productions, including the cultural phenomenon Wicked and the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot The Musical.

Total investments
1
Lead investments
1
Investments · 12mo
0
Active investors
0

Sector focus

  • Film
  • Theatre
Visit website

Investment portfolio

  • PRIMA Cinema

    Led · Equity · Dec 2010

    Prima Cinema installs a proprietary Prima box in customers' homes to enable downloading and private screening of first‑run films. The company charges $20,500 for the initial installation/first movie and $500 for subsequent titles. Founder Jason Pang is leading the effort to broaden access to early releases beyond entertainment‑industry elites. Prima secured capital to support deployment and commercialization of the service. The company received $5 million in funding from the venture arms of Best Buy and Universal. Reporting notes Prima's pitch to wealthy consumers and its aim to generate revenue for studios by monetizing early home screenings.

Team

No current team members are available.