Pocketwatch, a new startup that creates, acquires, distributes and curates content for kids age 2-11 and presents it across a variety of platforms, has secured funding from the likes of CBS CEO Les Moonves and Robert Downey Jr.
The company has secured $6 million in funding ahead of its expected launch this summer.
Other investors include producer Jon Landau, United Talent Agency and Chris Jacquemin, partner and head of digital media at WME.
Pocketwatch intends to use the money to build media channels on platforms including YouTube, develop new premium franchises, and lure in popular YouTube creatives. The company is promising to grant a “significant” amount of equity to creators that sign on.
The company is led by Chris Williams as CEO, Albie Hecht, chief content officer, and Jon Moonves, chief strategy officer.
“Pocketwatch’s mission is to create the ultimate headquarters for kids in a vast entertainment universe, that will celebrate all the stuff kids love,” said Williams.
“Having spent five out of the last ten years at Disney, I’ve seen first-hand how challenging it can be for traditional kids media companies to embrace new business models. By bringing together a team of visionaries responsible for developing and producing some of the most beloved kids franchises in history and combining them with digital natives, creators and experts known for creating short-form videos consumed by millions of kids, Pocketwatch is creating a new blueprint for a multi-platform entertainment company.”
