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Mansa, the Los Angeles-based streaming platform founded by the Nigerian-born British-American actor David Oyelowo, has raised $8 million in seed funding from a star-studded list of investors, including billionaire Robert F. Smith.
The funding round was led by MaC Venture Capital and included participation from WndrCo, Galaxy Investment Partners, Base Ventures, Dubin & Co, Rainmaker Films, James Norman, and Wemimo Abbey. Mansa has been operating in stealth mode for over a year, and the funds will be used to expand its operations and business reach.
The platform aims to become the premier destination for curated global Black cultural content, positioning itself as the Netflix of the genre. With a free, ad-supported streaming service, Mansa hopes to bring Black culture to a global audience, showcasing its rich history and diverse stories.
Mansa’s mission is to showcase the depth and breadth of Black culture
Oyelowo, the renowned British-American actor who rose to prominence for his portrayal of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the biographical drama film Selma, co-founded Mansa alongside Nate Parker, Chiké Okonkwo, and tech entrepreneur and film financier Zak Tanjeloff.
Mansa’s mission is to showcase the depth and breadth of Black culture on a global scale and challenge negative stereotypes through partnerships with creatives and curators.
The platform boasts a talented team of nearly 30 employees, including top talent from Netflix, BET, and Uber.
With partnerships with 50 content suppliers and over 1,500 hours of licensed content, Mansa is poised to make a significant impact with its on-demand film, TV, and short-form content, as well as its digital linear channels.
Mansa to launch on popular platforms in the second half of 2023
Mansa is expected to launch in the second half of 2023 on popular platforms such as Roku, Amazon FireTV, iOS, Android, Samsung, Vizio, LG, and the Web.
With its impressive collection of content and commitment to showcasing diverse narratives, the platform has the potential to become a major player in the streaming landscape.
As the streaming wars heat up, Mansa has positioned itself to carve out a unique niche with its singular focus on Black culture.
Backed by a talented team and an impressive roster of investors, Mansa has the potential to become a major player in the streaming space.
The launch of Mansa is poised to have a profound impact on the global understanding of Black culture, breaking down stereotypes and exposing audiences to the many layers and levels of arguably the most influential culture on the planet.
