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New early-stage VC to invest £28m in media and entertainment startups

A new London-based venture capital firm has officially launched in London this week focused on early-stage entertainment and media companies.

Rooks Nest Ventures, founded by investor and film producer Michael Sackler, is a self-described ‘evergreen fund’ that will look to invest an initial £28m in startups that are innovating with regards to content as well as companies that are creating ‘highly licensable’ intellectual property.

The VC, which will act as a system company to film studio Rooks Nest Entertainment, has already made a string of investments, including mobile phone game developer Disruptor Beam, immersive theatre company PunchDrunk and digital TV rights marketplace Rights Xchange.

Sackler himself is an experienced figure in the entertainment figure, having produced indie films The Witch and Obvious Child, he also sits on the board at animation studio Doodle Productions and theatre company PunchDrunk Global.

According to Sackler, portfolio companies will benefit from his varied and manifold connections in the industry, opening up new partnerships which will help them commercialise their IP and reach their target markets.

Following the launch, he commented: “It’s been clear to me for some time that the media & entertainment sector needs to be brought closer to the world of technology. Content needs tech, and tech need content.

“So while there is some funding available for media & entertainment businesses, none of them truly link technology and content.

“By launching Rooks Nest Ventures I believe we are building this bridge, and ensuring the capital gets where it needs to be, to the synergistic benefit of both media and entertainment and technology. We’re very excited to formally get started!”