Ventures / Portfolio
The portfolio is a record of what we believe is worth investigating.
Portfolio
Some companies begin with our research.
Some begin with founders.
Some begin with investors, operators, business owners, or people unusually close to a market.
Some are already companies when we encounter them.
Others begin as a question.
Taken together, they show where Storyworlding has chosen to invest attention, capability, relationships, and capital.
We expect the portfolio to compound twice: economically and intellectually.
What we are building, partnering on, and researching
Mastline
Partnered / Launched- Core thesis
- Software can carry enough of the distribution and transaction work that photographers keep more of what their work earns.
- Origin
- A paparazzi photographer who understood an economic problem in his industry.
- Storyworlding role
- Built the software; the industry partner shares in ownership.
- Focus area
- Markets that redistribute value
The Pull
Partnered / In validation- Core thesis
- Hospitality and fashion collaborations can be brokered and scored instead of arranged over DM.
- Origin
- A lawyer who specializes in placements and sponsorships.
- Storyworlding role
- Building the company around a partner's insight; the partner is paid on every deal.
- Focus area
- Culture as infrastructure
Clout
Built / Launched- Core thesis
- Operators who have earned a point of view should be able to publish it without a media team.
- Origin
- Storyworlding.
- Storyworlding role
- Originated and built the brand, offer, and product.
Lia
Built / Launched- Core thesis
- Reputation work needs judgment. Nothing should publish without a person approving it.
- Origin
- Storyworlding.
- Storyworlding role
- Originated and built.
Fanwise
Built / Launched- Core thesis
- Creators should list a product once, not once per marketplace.
- Origin
- Storyworlding.
- Storyworlding role
- Originated and built.
- Focus area
- Markets that redistribute value
Door Money
Built / Building- Core thesis
- Brands and patrons want to back working musicians; the money should reach the musician directly.
- Origin
- Storyworlding.
- Storyworlding role
- Originated; building the platform.
- Focus area
- Markets that redistribute value
Mirror
Built / In validation- Core thesis
- First-party data should create first-person value.
- Origin
- Storyworlding.
- Storyworlding role
- Originated; selling founding engagements before productizing.
Nightside
Researching / On the bench- Core thesis
- People who do their best work after hours need a place built for them in New York.
- Origin
- Storyworlding.
- Storyworlding role
- Concept, membership model, and residency plan written; not yet tested.
- Focus area
- Culture as infrastructure
The Recommendation Audit
Researching / In progress- Core thesis
- How AI models define luxury will shape which places and products people are sent to.
- Origin
- Storyworlding research.
- Storyworlding role
- Running the study; results go out in our newsletter, Forefield.
- Focus area
- Intelligence and the future of work
Built: originated and built by Storyworlding. Partnered: built with someone who brought the opportunity. Researching: attention we are investing before a company exists. Statuses are current as we understand them, and most of these companies are early.
The next entry often begins as a question.
Bring us the one you keep coming back to.