For as long as the terms “creator economy” and “Web3” have been in use, UTA has been a strong supporter of those two industries. The talent agency, which has already funded companies like Cameo, Bounty, and Rally, is committing to even more investments in creator-facing startups. It is partnering with Investcorp to launch a new venture called UTA.VC.
According to UTA.VC’s website, the partnership between UTA and Investcorp will target companies “where culture meets technology.” The fund will direct its investments toward three sectors, which it describes as the creator economy, Web3, and the “future of entertainment.” Startups already supported by the joint venture include Ethereum-based company ConsenSys and Bounty, which lets creators with small TikTok followings run their own influencer marketing campaigns.
Investcorp is a global investment firm founded in Bahrain. It previously owned a piece of UTA, but it sold its stake earlier this year.
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, UTA.VC has four managing directors. Anand Radhakrishnan will lead the venture from the Investcorp side, while Caroline Jacobs, Clinton Foy, and Sam Wick will represent UTA. Jacobs is a partner with deep knowledge of the creator economy; Foy’s investment portfolio includes companies like Cameo and Streamlabs; and Wick came to UTA after previously working at the multi-channel network Maker Studios.
Though UTA.VC is a recent development, the top-tier Beverly Hills talent agency has already participated in numerous funding rounds through its UTA Ventures wing. That unit has set its sights on influencer-led businesses like Chamberlain Coffee, and it has also backed companies that help creators make money. In August 2021, UTA Ventures backed both Moment House (which works with creators to set up ticketed live events) and Rally (which allows creators to mint digital currencies).
UTA and Investcorp are not the only VC firms looking to back creator economy and web3 startups. Andreessen Horowitz has pledged to support companies based in the metaverse and on the blockchain, and it hired former YouTube exec Lester Chen as one of the leaders of that push.
