HarbourView Leads $30M Investment in Lion Forge Entertainment

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September 2025 — HarbourView Equity Partners has led a $30 million minority investment in Lion Forge Entertainment, the award-winning animation studio best known for the Oscar-winning short Hair Love. Despite this significant capital boost, majority ownership of the company remains with the Steward Family and Polarity.

Founded in 2019 by David Steward II, Lion Forge has built a reputation for mission-driven storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide. The studio produces diverse content for children, families, young adults, and adults alike. Its breakout animated series Iyanu—inspired by African mythology—debuted in April 2025 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max. The show was recently renewed for a second season, alongside plans for two companion feature films.

Sherrese Clarke, Founder and CEO of HarbourView, stated that the investment reflects a vision to support the next generation of multiplatform media companies—those capable of amplifying culturally authentic, socially impactful stories while developing global franchises.

For Steward, the deal is a major milestone:

“This moment feels validating for our young company,” he said, highlighting the strong alignment between HarbourView’s strategy and Lion Forge’s franchise-building model.

With fresh funding, Lion Forge plans to expand its intellectual property portfolio and speed up development across its content divisions. Current projects include collaborations with Nickelodeon (Marley & The Family Band, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Iron Dragon), Penguin Young Readers, George R. R. Martin (A Dozen Tough Jobs), TalesVision (Lostlings adaptation), Oware, and *Rebel Girls.

This investment further solidifies HarbourView’s growing presence in the media and entertainment sector, following notable moves such as an $85 million stake in AI-driven kids’ media group Animaj and other high-profile financing ventures.