Zaia Ventures, the venture capital firm established by former Prime Video executive Ukonwo Ojo in 2022, has invested significantly in Taeps Animation Studios, a promising animation studio in Lagos. Taeps gained prominence when their short animated film, Ewa, was nominated for Best Animation Short Film at the African Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2023, and this partnership is set to further elevate their status in the industry.
The news of this investment was first reported by Variety Magazine on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Established in 2017 by Adeoyin Okuboyejo and Ayobami Bello, Taeps is developing its first feature film, “Adétóún and the Heart of Time.” The film follows the story of Adétóún, a young descendant of an ancient warrior.
Adeoyin Okuboyejo, the CEO of Taeps, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Ukonwa, stating, “For us, this deal marks a great partnership with Ukonwa, bringing her wealth of experience from Amazon, Mac, Unilever, RB to Taeps and our team at large,” in an Instagram post announcing the deal.
Speaking about the collaboration, Okuboyejo added, “This collaboration with Zaia Ventures is evidence of our shared vision of celebrating African heritage through animation. With Ukonwa Ojo’s expertise and support, we are embarking on our most ambitious project yet: Adétóún and the Heart of Time. Together, we will entertain, inspire, and educate audiences on the uniqueness of African storytelling.”
Ukonwa Ojo, the CEO of Zaia Ventures, also expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am excited to collaborate with Taeps Animation Studios to amplify African voices and narratives in the animation world. Their dedication to authenticity and excellence in storytelling perfectly aligns with our vision at Zaia Ventures. Together, we will showcase African culture’s beauty, complexity, and diversity to a global audience, marking a significant milestone in our respective journeys.”
Ojo’s departure from her previous role as chief marketing officer of Prime Video and Amazon Studios in 2022 after two years led to the establishment of Zaia Ventures, aiming to ” build and scale businesses that serve underrepresented and marginalized communities.”
As a member of Taeps’ board, Ojo will provide expertise and strategic guidance to support the company’s growth and development.
This investment comes when Nigerian creators attract substantial investments from major Hollywood studios to develop animated series based on Nigerian mythologies and magical realist re-imaginings of the country. Notable examples include Disney’s release of “Iwaju,” set in a futuristic Lagos, and Cartoon Network’s current work on “Iyanu,” based on the graphic novel by Roye Okupe.
