HOLYWATER Raises Record $22 Million to Scale Microdramas in the U.S. Market

HOLYWATER has closed a $22 million financing round to solidify its leadership in the booming microdrama market. The investment was led by Horizon Capital, with participation from US-based Endeavor Catalyst and Wheelhouse. This transaction stands as the largest confirmed funding for the sector outside of Asia.

The company aims to use this capital to build a mobile-first streaming platform comparable to a vertical version of Netflix. Plans include expanding their tech-forward ecosystem to include AI-enabled comics and anime alongside existing vertical series. This expansion will significantly strengthen their engine for discovering and distributing new stories across various genres.

Based in Kyiv and Los Angeles, the tech firm operates several successful platforms including the flagship app My Drama. Their internal system allows them to test stories as digital books on My Passion before adapting proven hits into filmed series. This data-driven approach has already helped the company reach over 85 million users globally. A major catalyst for this growth is the company's existing partnership with Fox Entertainment. Fox is currently producing a massive slate of more than 200 original microdramas specifically for HOLYWATER's platforms. These high-quality vertical series will debut over the next two years as the company collaborates with top Hollywood talent.

The rise of microdramas reflects a significant shift in consumer habits toward high-production short-form content. While global market demand is estimated at $11 billion, the US market alone reached $1.3 billion in revenue during 2025. Unlike traditional television, vertical series are produced quickly with budgets ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 per show.

Co-CEOs Bogdan Nesvit and Anatolii Kasianov emphasize that studio-quality vertical storytelling is here to stay. They believe the format serves as a powerful engine for the next generation of global hits across multiple genres. With support from their new partners, the company is redefining how audiences worldwide discover and experience stories on their phones.