Slow Ventures Creator Fund Invests in Woodworking Entrepreneur Jonathan Katz-Moses
The Slow Ventures Creator Fund has made its first major move by investing $2 million into woodworking creator and entrepreneur Jonathan Katz-Moses. Known for his engaging woodworking tutorials, innovative tools, and loyal online following, Katz-Moses is a prime example of how content creators are evolving into successful business founders. With over 600,000 followers and nearly 75 million video views, he has built a brand that goes far beyond social media, turning his passion into a thriving business. This investment marks the beginning of the fund’s mission to back creators who are ready to grow sustainable, off-platform ventures.
Image Credits:Jonathan Katz-Moses
The Vision Behind the Slow Ventures Creator Fund
Launched with $60 million in February, the Slow Ventures Creator Fund aims to support creators who are building businesses rooted in their expertise and audience trust. Unlike traditional influencer deals focused on brand sponsorships, this fund prioritizes creators who think like entrepreneurs—those who aim to own and scale their operations rather than rely solely on platform monetization.
According to Billy Parks, a partner at Slow Ventures and the lead investor in this deal, the creator economy has transformed over the past decade. Initially, creators primarily focused on media deals and brand partnerships. However, today’s most forward-thinking creators are leveraging their influence to develop tangible products and services. Parks explained that the pandemic accelerated direct-to-consumer business growth, but the real test lies in those who have sustained and expanded that growth well beyond the pandemic’s boom. These are the entrepreneurs who have proven their ability to build lasting, independent businesses.
Jonathan Katz-Moses: From Personal Adversity to Business Success
Jonathan Katz-Moses’ journey into woodworking began from a deeply personal turning point. In 2010, he was violently assaulted, sustaining severe injuries, including a broken eye socket and deep facial wounds requiring 80 stitches. While this was a traumatic moment, Katz-Moses has described it as the moment he realized the value of life and the importance of pursuing meaningful work.
Driven by this new outlook, he embraced woodworking as both a passion and a career path. He purchased a camera and began sharing his creations on YouTube, quickly attracting a loyal audience. Over time, his channel became not only a source of inspiration and education for woodworking enthusiasts but also a launching pad for his own line of tools and accessories.
Like many entrepreneurs, Katz-Moses faced the challenges of managing inventory, scaling production, and ensuring he could pay himself a sustainable salary. With a dedicated team supporting operations, business development, and content creation, his company steadily grew into a recognizable brand. His application to the Slow Ventures Creator Fund was one of 700, and the selection underscores both his business potential and his track record of turning creative passion into a profitable venture.
The Future of Creator-Led Businesses
The partnership between the Slow Ventures Creator Fund and Katz-Moses reflects a broader shift in the creator economy. More creators are recognizing that true long-term success lies in building assets they own and control, rather than relying solely on ad revenue or sponsorships. By investing in physical products, services, or proprietary platforms, creators can create stable revenue streams that endure beyond algorithm changes or platform trends.
For Slow Ventures, this investment represents more than financial backing—it’s a commitment to supporting creators as full-fledged entrepreneurs. By providing capital, strategic guidance, and operational support, the fund aims to help creators bridge the gap between online influence and real-world business success.
For Katz-Moses, the $2 million investment will fuel the expansion of his product line, improve operational efficiency, and allow for more high-quality content creation. His story also serves as inspiration for other creators who are considering the leap into entrepreneurship. The combination of a dedicated audience, a unique product offering, and a solid business plan makes for a powerful growth formula in today’s digital economy.
In essence, the first investment from the Slow Ventures Creator Fund is more than just a milestone—it’s a signal of where the creator economy is headed. As more influencers follow Katz-Moses’ lead, we can expect to see a new wave of creator-founded businesses that blend passion, expertise, and audience trust into sustainable enterprises.
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