Agnes Kozera and David Kierzkowski, the co-founders of the podcast sponsorship marketplace Podcorn, have launched their latest app—Storiaverse. Storiaverse is a short-form entertainment platform that offers a unique multi-format reading experience, combining animated video and written content.
Now available on iOS and Android devices, Storiaverse caters to graphic novel enthusiasts and adult animation fans interested in discovering original stories in a short-form, animated format.
“Our goal is to establish Storiaverse as the premier storytelling platform, enhancing the immersive and engaging nature of reading,” Kozera shared with TechCrunch. She is also known for co-founding FameBit, a YouTube marketing platform acquired by Google in 2016.
“We believe that our format not only appeals to existing literature and animation fans but also has the potential to attract broader audiences seeking new forms of entertainment… Even individuals who may have avoided reading due to their preference for visual content can enjoy our patent-pending read-watch format,” she added.
Image Credits: Storiaverse
Storiaverse’s “Read-Watch” format allows users to swipe up on a story to watch a series of animated clips and then tap the screen to enter reading mode. Users have the option to skip the videos if they prefer to read all the chapters first and then view the animation. Stories vary in length, ranging from five to ten minutes.
Upon launch, Storiaverse presents 25 original titles across genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, and comedy. Notable creators contributing to the app’s content include animator Josh Ryba, recognized for his work on Netflix shows like “Raised by Wolves” and “One Piece,” as well as animator Jonathan Fontaine, known for his involvement in the Disney movie “Descendants,” and writer John M. Floyd, featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.
HarperCollins, the book publisher, has partnered with Storiaverse to adapt titles like Madeleine Roux’s horror novel series “Asylum” and Joelle Charbonneau’s fantasy series “Dividing Eden.” Additionally, TikTok star and independent animator King Science (Science Akbar) is collaborating on an exclusive story for the platform.
Currently, Storiaverse is working with over 100 creators and has more than 100 stories in development.
Co-founders Agnes Kozera and David Kierzkowski. Image Credits: Storiaverse
Storiaverse arrives at a time when many creators are concerned about the future of TikTok, the popular short-form video app owned by ByteDance. TikTok has been instrumental for storytellers like King Science and his 13 million followers who showcase their work on the platform.
Similar to TikTok and YouTube Shorts, Storiaverse provides an additional revenue stream for creators.
“There is a large community of independent writers who often struggle with recognition and compensation. We believe their content can be revitalized in a modern format to reach new readers,” Kozera explained, noting that Storiaverse compensates writers and animators for their contributions to the app. “The compensation fee varies based on factors such as story length and complexity,” she elaborated.
The company is considering implementing ads, merchandise, subscriptions, and product placement in videos, inspired by strategies utilized by competitors.
Storiaverse has already received thousands of submissions from writers. Writers can apply on Storiaverse’s website. Upon acceptance, writers are paired with animators to bring their stories to life.
The company is developing a Creator Suite to facilitate collaboration between creators, provide insights on story performance, and explore additional monetization opportunities, Kozera disclosed.
Storiaverse has secured $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by 500 Global.
