GammaTime, a Hollywood-backed micro-drama streaming startup, announced a $14 million seed round to launch the first premium short-form entertainment platform designed for American audiences. The funding round was led by vgames and Pitango, with participation from Alexis Ohanian, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Traverse Ventures. The company was founded by Bill Block (former CEO of Miramax), Slava Mudrykh (former Google Gaming executive), and Alex Montalvo (former Quibi executive).
GammaTime enters a rapidly expanding entertainment sector defined by the global rise of mobile-first vertical video. Combining cinematic storytelling with data-driven production, the platform offers a new standard of high-quality short-form content. It launched this month on iOS and Android with more than 20 original series across genres including suspense, romance, and true crime.
The company’s early lineup will feature new works from Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, marking a major Hollywood endorsement of the micro-drama format. Zuiker’s involvement highlights the creative potential of vertical storytelling, which has already achieved massive popularity abroad, with global micro-drama revenues rising 8,000% in 2024 and reaching $7 billion in China alone.
GammaTime uses predictive AI, audience testing, and mobile engagement analytics to optimize storylines before production. The approach mirrors the precision of mobile gaming engagement models, ensuring that each show resonates with audiences while maintaining creative integrity.
The company’s debut slate includes 22 titles, among them Zuiker’s The Temptress and Lust Cop, as well as The Player, The Vengeance Affair, The Wife Remover, and The Puppet Mistress—a mix of high-concept dramas, true-crime adaptations, and viral story reinterpretations.
Operating under a freemium model, GammaTime allows users to sample content before subscribing, aiming to replicate the discovery-driven user behavior popularized by TikTok and YouTube Shorts while elevating production quality to Hollywood standards.
KEY QUOTES:
“While early micro-drama apps proved the storytelling format works, they’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible. We are a demand-driven, technologically determined content app where the next billion consumers will discover premium stories to satisfy their appetite. Combine that interest with our creative talent and Slava Mudrykh’s mobile team of experts and we are well positioned to win in this category.”
Bill Block, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GammaTime
“We’re bringing the same data-driven sophistication to storytelling that top mobile games use for player engagement. Every story is tested and optimized before full production. It’s not about replacing creativity—it’s about amplifying it by aligning with what audiences truly crave.”
Slava Mudrykh, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer, GammaTime
“The global rise of microdramas is one of the most exciting shifts in media since streaming began. Bill, Slava, and Alex are perfectly positioned to lead this category, combining storytelling mastery with mobile-native innovation. Pitango is proud to back a team that understands both audience emotion and platform mechanics.”
Gad Huldai, General Partner, Pitango
“It’s a privilege to back Slava after working together for many years. His deep expertise in mobile growth, combined with the Hollywood leadership and creativity of Bill and Alex, represents the natural evolution of the entertainment content space. Gamma is exactly that team.”
Daniel Mironov, Partner, vgames
“Partnering with GammaTime is every writer’s dream realized. The team empowers creators with an always-green light, a culture of trust, and the freedom to deliver film after film without compromise. The vertical short represents not just the next chapter in cinema, but a revolution in how audiences consume story—because the movie theater no longer requires a seat and a screen, it now exists in the palm of your hand.”
Anthony E. Zuiker, Creator, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
“There are so many more genres to explore and customer segments to reach in this format. Working with the best A-list and emerging talent right here in Hollywood, we will be the future of entertainment on your phone.”
Alex Montalvo, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer, GammaTime
