Andrea Scarso, a well-established entertainment financier who previously worked at Ingenious Media, has joined the fund management company IPR.VC.
IPR.VC has just raised nearly €100 million ($109 million) in its third funding round and will be investing further in content under the leadership of Scarso, who is joining the banner as partner and investment director.
The company, launched in 2015 and based in Finland, has so far raised €150 million from a broad range of investors. Half of the funds have already been allocated to 35 film and TV productions in Europe and the U.S.
IPR.VC initially focused its investment on Nordic scripted projects, including the Netflix hit series “Bordertown,” and went on to establish strategic partnerships with U.S. and international banners such as A24, XYZ Films and the animation studio Gigglebug.
Based in the company’s London office, Scarso has a long experience in media and entertainment financing, including the sourcing and evaluating of projects, running of commercial negotiations, and managing of all aspects of film and TV projects’ production and distribution.
Scarso most recently served as senior investment director at Ingenious Media, where he worked on more than 200 deals for studio and independent projects, including Oscar-winning films “Judy,” “Selma” and “The Descendants,” as well as Oscar-nominated films “127 Hours,” “Carol” and “Brooklyn; “Life of Pi” and five films in the “X-Men” franchise.
“Whilst industry models may change, we believe strongly in the enduring value of premium film and television content, in being a supportive partner for creatives and a trusted conduit to production for blue chip investors,” said Timo Argillander, IPR.VC co-founder and managing partner. “With our most ambitious fund to date, and one of the most experienced, respected and connected entertainment financiers in the business in Andrea joining the team, we could not be better placed to further evolve our investment strategy, and identify further projects and long-term slate-led partnerships that deliver for all parties,” Argillander continued.
Scarso, meanwhile, said IPR.VC has become “a major player in the industry, building successful relationships with big names, injecting much-needed capital into the market and fuelling the creation of many film and TV projects.”