- Slow Ventures’ $60M Creator Fund’s first deal is a $2M investment in woodworking creator Jonathan Katz-Moses.
- Katz-Moses grew from YouTube educator to tool brand founder, with over 75M video views.
- The funding will support product development, patents, and expanded educational content.
Slow Ventures’ $60 million Creator Fund has made its first investment, backing woodworking influencer Jonathan Katz-Moses with $2 million to expand his growing business and content brand. Katz-Moses, known for his instructional woodworking videos and custom tool line, has built an audience of over 600,000 followers and nearly 75 million views.
First Deal for Slow’s $60M Creator Fund
Launched in February, the Creator Fund aims to help influencers transform their online presence into sustainable, off-platform businesses. Partner Billy Parks, who led the investment, said creators today are shifting from media sponsorships toward building and owning their own companies.
“The pandemic accelerated direct-to-consumer growth, but the true signal is in those who have grown beyond that boom,” Parks told TechCrunch. He added that successful creator-founders think like entrepreneurs — prioritizing ownership and long-term growth over fleeting fame.
Katz-Moses’ Journey from Trauma to Business Ownership
Katz-Moses’ path to woodworking began in 2010 after a violent assault left him with severe injuries, including a broken eye socket and 80 stitches. Seeing survival as a turning point, he decided to pursue his passion. He bought a camera, started posting his woodworking projects to YouTube, and gradually expanded into selling his own tools and accessories.
Today, he runs a 30,000-square-foot workshop in Santa Barbara, with a team managing business operations, product development, and content creation. The Slow Ventures funding will help scale production, secure patents, and expand educational content across platforms, with YouTube remaining the primary focus.
A Broader Bet on the Creator Economy
Katz-Moses was selected from more than 700 applicants, with Parks citing his strong brand identity, engaged community, and clear market niche as deciding factors. “That combination makes for businesses with strong foundations and durable growth,” Parks said.
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The investment highlights a growing trend of venture capital entering the creator economy, backing influencers with proven authority in their craft. For Katz-Moses, the partnership marks a new chapter — one focused on scaling his woodworking business while continuing to inspire his audience.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of CoinBrief.io. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Coin Brief is not responsible for any financial losses.
