Invisible Narratives, a Santa Monica-based studio focused on turning internet-created hits into mainstream franchises, has secured US$25 million in initial funding and installed new leadership as it pursues larger bets on creator-led intellectual property.
The investment comes from New York–based Verance Capital and funds managed by affiliates of BC Partners Credit. The backers are also weighing more than US$300 million in additional capital for the platform, signalling a push to industrialize development and distribution of IP born on YouTube, TikTok, gaming and social platforms.
Capital to convert online hits into franchises
Founded in 2018 by former Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks executive Adam Goodman and advised by filmmaker Michael Bay, the studio says it will deploy the financing to acquire and build IP and new formats, with potential for acquisitions. The company established its reputation by moving the provocative YouTube phenomenon Skibidi Toilet across platforms, including plans for a television series and a feature film.
Management stated the initial round is connected to a majority acquisition of Skibidi Toilet. The firm added it is actively assessing opportunities to scale using the development rigour and operating playbook common to larger Hollywood operations.
“Audiences have definitively migrated to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Steam, and Roblox where visionary creatives are building the most valuable IP,” said Mark Shedletsky in a statement. “Along with our capital partners Verance and BC Partners, Invisible Narratives is uniquely positioned to become the studio of the future.”
Verance managing partner Lyle Ayes echoed that view in a separate statement, calling it “undeniable” that newer mediums are where the next generation of properties is emerging.
Leadership refresh to scale operations
Alongside the cash infusion, the company named Mark Shedletsky as president and appointed three additional senior executives — Patrick Reese, Greg Salter and Peter Kim — by the end of last month. The expanded team is tasked with systematizing franchise building from creator-originated series and characters, positioning the studio to manage multiple projects concurrently.
Why this matters for media and brands
The funding underlines a shift in how entertainment assets are sourced and scaled. Rather than developing concepts first for theatres or traditional television and hoping to attract online audiences later, the model starts with mass adoption on digital platforms and then extends into mainstream formats where merchandising, licensing and longer-form content can add revenue streams. For marketers and distribution partners, this approach de-risks projects by building on verified audience engagement.
- For creators: Institutional capital and structured studio support can turn viral concepts into durable franchises.
- For advertisers and retailers: Properties with established fanbases on YouTube, TikTok, Steam or Roblox offer measurable traction before broader rollouts.
- For media buyers and streamers: Cross-platform momentum can shorten development cycles and improve predictability of audience interest.
Skibidi Toilet by the numbers
Created by Alexey Gerasimov, Skibidi Toilet originated from a short clip and has since amassed a large following across platforms.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| YouTube subscribers | 47.3 million |
| Roblox visits | 8.7 billion |
| Initial investment | US$25 million |
| Potential additional capital | US$300+ million |
Invisible Narratives says it will continue to evaluate other creator-driven properties using what it describes as a blend of franchise discipline and the operational processes of established studios. That includes looking at formats where audiences already spend time and where monetization paths — from licensing to longer-form content — may be clearer.
What to watch next
The scale of committed and potential capital suggests heightened competition for standout online properties as studios and financiers race to secure control of fast-growing IP. With a reinforced executive bench and fresh funding, the company is positioning itself to be an early consolidator in a segment where audience attention can translate quickly into multi-format revenue.
For consumers and businesses alike, the takeaway is straightforward: the pipeline for tomorrow’s film, television and merchandise may increasingly begin with a creator on a digital platform, backed by professionalized development and distribution — and, as this deal shows, significant capital.
