Brazen Announces Series Seed Round Led by Lotus Singapore Group
Brazen (Project Brazen Pte. Ltd.), a journalist-founded storytelling studio, today announced a US$2.5 million investment from Lotus Singapore Group as part of its Series Seed round.
Founded by journalists and authors Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, Brazen combines investigative reporting with creative development. It publishes directly to readers and listeners through The Foundry, Whale Hunting and Brazen FM. Its articles and podcasts stand as complete works; selected stories are also developed with partners in publishing, documentary, television and film.
“We built Brazen so we could back our own judgment about a story,” said Bradley Hope, co-founder of Brazen. “When we find something worth pursuing, we can start reporting and give it the time it needs. This investment lets us do more of that work and publish it ourselves.” The investment will support new investigations and the development of selected projects, including the legal and business work needed to manage rights and partnerships.
The Foundry is Brazen’s new digital magazine for long-form stories about extraordinary characters and hidden worlds. On 18 September, it began publishing The Tell, Hope’s investigation into former Supreme Court litigator and high-stakes poker player Tom Goldstein. The first parts are available at thfndry.com, with the remaining instalments publishing throughout the week.
Upcoming work includes The Missing Masterpiece of Tehran, a Random House Audiobook Original by Hope about Oliver Hoare, the art dealer who negotiated a Persian masterpiece’s return to Iran while having an affair with Princess Diana. Narrated by Christian Coulson, it is available to preorder ahead of its 29 September release.
Brazen’s development slate includes Fat Leonard, Billion Dollar Whale and The Illuminator, which it is developing with writer-director Farah Halime. The company has multiple projects in the works in partnership with Halime’s Stonebaby Productions in London.
Brazen also has a strategic relationship with SK Global Entertainment, an international film and television studio whose work includes Crazy Rich Asians, Hell or High Water and Delhi Crime.
“A tip or a chance conversation can be the spark. But it takes reporting to understand what you’ve really found, and storytelling to make someone else care,” said Tom Wright, co-founder of Brazen. “When a story has a life beyond the original article or podcast, we want to find the right people to help us take it further.”
“Original reporting is the foundation of Brazen’s business,” said Nirmal Singh, the executive chairman of Lotus Singapore Group. “Bradley and Tom have the experience to find compelling stories and the ambition to bring them to audiences around the world. We’re backing them to build a company that can keep doing that over the long term.”
About Brazen
Brazen is a journalist-founded storytelling studio. Established by Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, it finds, reports and publishes original work through The Foundry, Whale Hunting and Brazen FM. For selected projects, it works with partners in publishing, documentary, television and film. Brazen Studios is the company’s creative agency, building brands through powerful storytelling. Its work spans brand strategy, design, campaigns, websites, digital products, film and podcasts for selected clients. It also provides research, creative development and production support for Brazen’s own projects and operates a broadcast-quality audio and video studio in central London.
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