Slow Ventures has made the very first investment from its $60 million Creator Fund, backing renowned woodworking expert and content creator Jonathan Katz-Moses. With nearly 600,000 followers, over 75 million video views, and his own line of woodworking tools, Katz-Moses is expanding his business with a $2 million capital injection.
From Creator to Entrepreneur
According to Billy Parks, partner at Slow Ventures and lead investor on the deal, the role of creators has changed dramatically over the past decade. No longer limited to brand partnerships and media deals, creators are now building “off-platform” businesses that have real, lasting value. The pandemic accelerated the growth of direct-to-consumer sales, Parks noted, but the true test is whether creators can sustain and grow beyond that initial boom.
Katz-Moses is one such creator-turned-founder. He produces educational woodworking videos while selling his own tools and accessories to his audience. His team handles business development, operations, and content creation for YouTube.
A Turning Point in Life
Katz-Moses’s journey into woodworking was sparked by a life-altering event. In 2010, he was violently assaulted, suffering severe facial injuries. In his own words, waking up alive after the attack became the happiest moment of his life, despite the trauma. He decided to pursue his passions — buying a camera, sharing his creations online, and steadily building a loyal community.
The Investment Process
The Creator Fund received around 700 applications, and Parks was impressed after visiting Katz-Moses’s 30,000-square-foot workshop in Santa Barbara, noting his deep, long-term commitment to building a strong brand and scalable business.
For Slow Ventures, successful creator partnerships are built with individuals who have a clearly defined niche, a dedicated audience, and authority in their craft — much like the criteria venture capitalists use when evaluating startup founders.
Looking Ahead
With the new funding, Katz-Moses has hired product developers, filed patent applications, and begun working on new product lines. His goal is to share content across all major platforms, while keeping YouTube as the primary focus.
Slow Ventures’ move underscores a growing trend in venture capital — increasing interest in the creator economy and investing in influencers who are evolving into serious business leaders.
