NeverEnding

NeverEnding, Inc. operates a digital platform designed to democratize content creation, allowing users to produce animated stories without requiring specialized artistic or technical skills. The company was founded in 2020 by Jamie Van Doren and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Van Doren's personal experiences, including growing up poor, dealing with bullying, and finding a sense of connection through tabletop gaming, directly shaped the company's mission. This background fostered a commitment to creating an inclusive space where underrepresented individuals can feel seen and share their narratives.

The business provides a web-based application where users can build customizable 2D avatars, design scenes, and generate content ranging from webcomics to animated videos. A key focus is on deep customization and representation, offering a wide array of options for different body types, ethnicities, cultures, and disabilities, including prosthetics. This allows creators to build characters and stories that authentically reflect their own identities and experiences, providing an alternative to being on camera. The platform is built on a technology stack that includes Python, Django, and Unity, with considerations for using the open-source Godot engine for future development.

NeverEnding targets a broad market of content creators, with a specific focus on minority and marginalized communities, a segment Van Doren identifies as a significant untapped market. By providing tools that simplify the animation process, the company aims to empower individuals who might otherwise be excluded from traditional content creation pipelines. The business model is subscription-based, offering tiered access to its features. A free "Villager" tier provides limited character options and storage, while paid "Hireling" and "Hero" tiers unlock thousands of character options and increased storage capacity for a monthly or annual fee. The company secured $425,000 in a seed funding round in August 2021, with investors including Comeback Capital, Zapis Capital, and the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund.

Keywords: content creation platform, avatar creator, animation tools, digital storytelling, webcomic generator, character builder, inclusive technology, diverse representation, creator economy, animated video maker, tabletop roleplaying games, TTRPG tools, Jamie Van Doren, democratize animation, social media avatars, user-generated content, storytelling app, 2D animation software, creative expression, virtual identity