Silicon Valley Venture Directs Retail Investors Toward “New Tech Hollywood™,” Merging Crowdfunding with Digital Media Franchise Production
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — July 22, 2026 — Rice Rocket, an emerging digital media powerhouse headquartered in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) district, today announced plans to launch a $25 million “Mini IPO” targeting retail investors nationwide. The capital raise will culminate at San Diego Comic-Con International 2027, offering mainstream investors a direct equity stake in the company’s vision to build a “New Tech Hollywood™.”
Under the terms of the planned offering, Rice Rocket will sell a 10% equity stake at a $250 million post-money valuation, with long-term plans targeting a strategic unicorn exit on the Nasdaq market.
Founded by video game industry veteran and San Francisco Chinatown native Ludon Lee, Rice Rocket seeks to disrupt the independent film and entertainment sector. The company’s model integrates the creator economy—encompassing comic book creators, musical artists, and YouTubers—to produce integrated franchises spanning feature films, video games, original music, digital comics, and collectible merchandise.
The strategy utilizes a proprietary “Kickstarter meets Shark Tank” interactive video model hosted on YouTube, designed to engage audiences directly in the funding and greenlighting process.
Redefining SoMa as the Capital of “New Tech Hollywood™”
Rice Rocket is actively transforming San Francisco’s SoMa district into a global hub for next-generation media production. Key pillars of the infrastructure include:
- Five AI Digital Media Studios: Purpose-built production hubs designed for cross-platform media creation.
- Gamespace™: A co-working and innovation hub conceptualized as the “WeWork for Video Games.”
- Video Game Academy™: A youth development nonprofit focused on mentoring at-risk high school teens for high-growth careers within the digital entertainment ecosystem.
“The legacy Hollywood studio system is ripe for structural disruption,” said Ludon Lee, Founder and CEO of Rice Rocket. “By uniting technology, creator ownership, and retail capital, we are turning San Francisco’s SoMa district into the epicenter of a decentralized, creator-first entertainment engine.”
Alignment with Market Trends and Creator-First Terms
The announcement comes at a time of accelerated convergence between digital media, creator economies, and retail finance. Industry analysts project the global media and entertainment market to surpass $1 trillion by 2030, while the global crowdfunding ecosystem is forecast to reach $72.8 billion over the same period.
Rice Rocket’s platform features two core structural innovations:
- The Creator Program: Designed to solve long-standing IP disputes in legacy entertainment, creators retain full IP ownership and creative control over their original franchises while participating in a 50/50 net profit-sharing model with the studio.
- BankMe™ Mobile App: An in-development, SEC-registered mobile crowdsourcing application designed to act as a “Wall Street for Digital Media Entertainment.” BankMe™ aims to grant accredited and non-accredited retail investors access to private equity markets, allowing them to invest in individual projects and earn potential passive income from commercial distributions.
Rice Rocket plans to host investor previews and community launch events leading up to its formal Mini IPO debut at San Diego Comic-Con 2027.
About Rice Rocket
Rice Rocket Entertainment (Rice Rocket) is a disruptive media company founded by Ludon Lee that seeks to overhaul traditional film financing through a model called New Tech Hollywood™. By leveraging the BankMe™ platform and equity crowdfunding regulations, the venture allows everyday fans to invest directly in creative franchises rather than relying on elite private equity. The business focuses on building integrated intellectual properties that span movies, video games, and merchandise, ensuring creators retain full ownership while sharing profits. Operating out of five specialized studios in San Francisco’s SOMA district, the company utilizes YouTube as a primary hub for global distribution and fundraising. Ultimately, the startup aims to become a Silicon Valley unicorn by capitalizing on the massive growth of the digital entertainment market and the expansion of 5G technology.
RSVP! Rice Rocket’s Mini IPO “New Tech Hollywood” @ San Diego Comic-Con International 2027
Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding planned securities offerings, market projections, and operational targets. Securities offered through equity crowdfunding or Regulation A+ (“Mini IPO”) involve a high degree of risk, and investors should perform thorough due diligence prior to participating. SEC registration for BankMe remains subject to regulatory review and approval.
“We believe Raw Studios can help us deliver new and compelling intellectual properties for the mass market,” D2 Comics producer Ludon Lee said. “We are convinced that Raw Studios can gather the best talents in its industry who are looking to cross over into a new age of digital entertainment.” 