StoryCO

StoryCo is a Los Angeles-based media and technology company building a collaborative storytelling platform. The company was founded by brothers J.P. and Justin Alanís, who bring a blend of experience from entertainment, technology, and private equity. J.P. Alanís is a development executive who previously co-created and led GOLF MEDIA, a direct-to-consumer media company founded by musician Tyler, The Creator, where he was instrumental in selling shows to networks like Adult Swim and Viceland. Justin Alanís is a technology entrepreneur who founded and served as CEO of a data analytics company that was acquired in 2018, and is an active investor in the Web3 and startup ecosystems.

The company's core mission is to disrupt traditional Hollywood models by creating a system where creators and fans can co-create and co-own the next generation of media franchises. StoryCo provides tools for storytellers to develop their ideas into multimedia productions, incorporating elements like art, music, and interactive features. The platform operates in the creator economy, targeting writers, artists, and fans who want to participate more directly in the creative process. It aims to empower creators who are often excluded from the financial success of the intellectual property they help build.

StoryCo's business model centers on building expansive, never-ending story worlds. It leverages blockchain technology and NFTs to facilitate co-ownership and community participation. For its inaugural project, "The Disco Ball," community members were required to acquire a "StoryPass" NFT to influence the narrative by solving puzzles and quests. This allows participants to earn digital art and gain the right to help control the story's future. The company also launched the StoryCo Accelerator, a program offering funding (between $5,000-$10,000 per project) and resources to help creators develop their original ideas into multimedia proofs-of-concept on the platform.

In January 2023, StoryCo announced it had raised $6 million in a seed funding round. The round was co-led by Collab + Currency and Patron, with participation from other firms like Floodgate Ventures and Blockchange Ventures, as well as angel investors from the media, gaming, and technology sectors. This capital is intended to accelerate the platform's growth and expand its operations.

Keywords: collaborative storytelling, creator economy, Web3 media, decentralized IP, multimedia production, fan-owned content, interactive narrative, story franchise, blockchain entertainment, story accelerator, digital collectibles, community co-creation, Hollywood disruption, NFT media, interactive media, J.P. Alanís, Justin Alanís, The Disco Ball, social storytelling, creator tools