In a bold move reshaping the landscape of entertainment economics, KINO Studio, the Los Angeles-based Film Tech Start-up, today announced an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round, securing a remarkable $2 million in funding.
This substantial investment comes from a notable list of high-profile contributors, including Sequoia Capital’s Scout program, Blockchain Founders Fund, Slow Ventures, Metaweb Ventures, Genius Ventures, The Near Protocol, along with various industry experts and angel investors.
The driving force behind KINO’s mission is to revolutionize how filmmakers engage, create, and monetize their content even before it hits the screens.
The company addresses a significant gap in the market, aiming to equip filmmakers with cutting-edge tools and technologies that optimize marketing strategies and product-market fit during the production cycle.
Co-founder Daril Fannin emphasized, “During the production cycle, film and TV shows currently undergo zero marketing or product market fit. This translates to an industry wasting billions of dollars annually. Our technology is designed to solve this glaring inefficiency.”
With a track record that includes working on projects with industry giants like Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel for platforms such as Netflix and Disney, CEO Daril Fannin has spearheaded KINO alongside seasoned tech entrepreneur Austin Worrell, who serves as the COO.
Worrell, with an impressive educational background from USC Law and the London School of Economics, shared insights on how the film and television creator economy has drastically evolved with the advent of the internet and influential social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
He expressed how KINO empowers artists to adapt to these changes, unlocking new revenue streams and pushing for fairer industry standards.
KINO has already garnered a substantial following, captivating over a million film enthusiasts monthly. The company’s avant-garde app, available for early access on the App Store, offers a multitude of features, ranging from celebrity live-streams and exclusive behind-the-scenes content to authentic movie merchandise and exclusive red-carpet event tickets.
Backed by a powerful lineup of advisors and partners from industry giants such as Netflix, Disney, and HBO, KINO is poised to make significant waves in the industry.
Tobias Bauer, Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, commented on KINO’s groundbreaking approach, stating, “The film and TV industry have often lagged in tech adoption. KINO’s innovative approach bridges this gap, tapping into the creator economy and redefining audience engagement. We’re thrilled to back their vision.”
Overall, KINO’s successful pre-seed funding round and its mission to revolutionize the entertainment industry underscore the growing recognition of the need for tech-driven solutions that address longstanding inefficiencies. As the company continues to gain momentum and make strategic partnerships, its impact on the film and television industry is anticipated to be substantial, setting a precedent for a new era in entertainment economics.
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