BWA Studios
BWA Studios is a Black female-owned New York animation studio (11-50 employees) producing 2D, 3D, CGI, and hybrid animation for streaming platforms, broadcast networks, and consumer brands including Hulu, Netflix, WarnerMedia, and Mattel. It supplements production with DEI advisory, training programs, and the Equity Excelerator talent pipeline.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BWA Studios does
BWA Studios, founded in 2018 as Black Women Animate and rebranded around 2023, is a Black female-owned animation production house headquartered in New York with 11-50 employees. The studio produces animation content across 2D, 3D, CGI, and hybrid 2.5D formats for streaming platforms, broadcast networks, consumer brands, and toy companies; named enterprise clients include Hulu, Netflix, A&E Networks, WarnerMedia, Cartoon Network Studios, Adult Swim, HBO, Mattel, Sony, Hello Sunshine, MTV, and Foot Locker, with project examples spanning the Hulu series 'Your Attention Please,' A&E's 'Biography: You Need To Know I,' Mattel's 'Barbie: Life in the City,' and TBS TNT TruTV's International Women's Day 'Open Your Eyes' campaign.
The business operates four interconnected revenue streams on a professional services model: (1) Animation Production Services (co-production, graphics packages, look development, character design); (2) Creative Services (infographics, DEI services, creative direction, IP development); (3) Training & Development Services (delivered with sister social-impact agency Inspire Justice, covering Thrive Culture, DEI in Entertainment, Systemic Inclusion Barriers, transformational coaching, and impact media training); and (4) DEI Advisory Services (equity script reviews and social impact advising). Pricing is quote-based on a project-by-project basis, with no public rates; the Equity Excelerator (E2) program, launched in 2024, adds a donor-supported revenue tier with contribution levels ranging from $250 to $10,000.
Go-to-market is sales-led via direct inquiry through the company website (contact form fields for Name, Email, Timeline, Budget, and Scope of Work) and email channels ([email protected] and [email protected]). The studio supplements this with social presence on Vimeo, LinkedIn, and Instagram, an email newsletter, and earned media across Deadline Hollywood, Variety, LA Times, Animation Magazine, Emmy, IndieWire, and Animation World Network. Distribution is global in scope but US-anchored, with Atlanta emerging as a secondary market through partnerships with the City of Atlanta and Fox 5. Strategic alliances include the Inspire Justice sister agency (training co-delivery), From the Heart as fiscal sponsor for the E2 program, and a 2023 partnership with Titmouse Foundation on the Equity In Animation Initiative.
BWA Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BWA Studios
- Legal name
- BWA Studios
- Website
- https://bwastudios.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BWA Studios is a Black female-owned New York animation studio (11-50 employees) producing 2D, 3D, CGI, and hybrid animation for streaming platforms, broadcast networks, and consumer brands including Hulu, Netflix, WarnerMedia, and Mattel. It supplements production with DEI advisory, training programs, and the Equity Excelerator talent pipeline.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BWA Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio) (BPAFAAAF), Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ)
Keywords
Where BWA Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
BWA Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Animation Production Services: Creating and producing programming and content for all platforms including TV, film, and commercial productions. Services include co-production, graphics packages, look development, and character design.
- Creative Services: Design, animation, and advisory services for commercial and long-form entertainment including infographics, DEI services, creative direction, and IP development.
- Training & Development Services: Partnership with Inspire Justice for training programs including Thrive Culture, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion in Entertainment, Systemic Inclusion Barriers, transformational coaching, and impact media training.
- DEI Advisory Services: DEI consulting services, equity script reviews, and social impact advising for studios, networks, and production companies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based service pricing |
| Other | Annual | Barrier Breaker - $10,000 |
| Other | Annual | Power Player - $5,000+ |
| Other | Annual | Equity Ally - $1,000-$5,000 |
| Other | Annual | Inclusion Excelerator - $250-$1,000 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
BWA Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BWA Studios is a Black female-owned animation house that creates and produces animation programming and content for all platforms (TV, film, commercial). It delivers full-service creative services spanning 2D, 3D, CGI, and hybrid 2.5D animation, including character design, look development, graphics packages, infographics, co-production, and creative direction. The studio also runs the Equity Excelerator (E2) talent development program and offers DEI and training services in partnership with sister agency Inspire Justice.
Product overview
BWA Studios is a Black female-owned animation house that creates and produces programming and content for all platforms. Its product portfolio consists of three interconnected offerings: (1) Creative Services — covering design, animation (2D, 3D, CGI, hybrid 2.5D), character design, look development, graphics packages, infographics, co-production, and advisory/DEI services; (2) the Equity Excelerator (E2) — a talent development program providing software training, business acumen, mentorship, and empowerment for emerging and mid-career animation creators; and (3) Training & Development Services — a suite of cultural-change and professional-skills workshops (Thrive Culture, DEI in Entertainment, Systemic Inclusion Barriers, transformational coaching, equity script reviews) delivered in partnership with sister company Inspire Justice. Together, these services form an integrated studio that combines content production with equity-driven talent pipeline and organizational culture services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Equity Excelerator (E2): Program designed to solve the lack of inclusion of Black and diverse talent in animation by providing software training, business acumen development, empowerment, and mentorship for emerging and mid-career animation creators.
Products and services
- Creative Services Full-service design, animation, and advisory offering covering graphics packages, look development, character design, infographics, co-production, 3D and CGI animation, 2D and hybrid 2.5D animation, DEI services, creative direction, partnership development, and IP development and sales. Sold to entertainment networks, streaming platforms, and consumer brands.
- Equity Excelerator (E2) A mission-driven program that broadens opportunities and builds pathways for emerging and mid-career animation creators through software training, business acumen development, empowerment, and mentorship, preparing talent for animated commercial, TV, and film productions.
- Training & Development Services Facilitated training and development programs for studios, networks, and production companies covering Thrive Culture, Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Entertainment, Systemic Inclusion Barriers, transformational coaching, social impact advising, impact media training, equity script reviews, and a Transformative Justice Institute, offered in partnership with Inspire Justice.
Quantifiable outcome
- Founded in 2018, signed with APA agency in 2018, launched inaugural Black In Animation Awards in 2020
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use BWA Studios
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BWA Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BWA Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Titmouse FoundationmajorBlack Women Animate Studios partnered with Titmouse Foundation on the Equity In Animation Initiative, focusing on community building and expanding opportunities for diverse talent in animation.
- Inspire JusticecoreInspire Justice is BWA Studios' sister company and social impact agency partner. Together they facilitate robust training and development for studios, networks, and production companies, covering topics including Thrive Culture, DEI in Entertainment, and Systemic Inclusion Barriers.
- From the HeartcoreFrom the Heart is BWA Studios' fiscal sponsor for the Equity Excelerator program, enabling tax-deductible donations to support the initiative.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BWA Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Titmouse Inc. Titmouse is a major independent animation studio producing 2D, 3D, and hybrid animation for adult and kids' networks (Netflix, Amazon, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network). It is the most direct peer to BWA in production services for top-tier streamers and is also an explicit strategic partner of BWA via the Titmouse Foundation.
- Curious Pictures: Curious Pictures is a New York-based independent animation and production studio creating branded content, commercials, and series for major brands and networks. It is comparable to BWA in New York location, mid-size boutique studio scale, and focus on branded animation work for enterprise clients.
- ShadowMachine: ShadowMachine is an independent stop-motion and 2D animation studio producing series for Netflix, Adult Swim, and Cartoon Network (BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie). Comparable to BWA in independent studio positioning, multi-format capability, and the same premium streamer buyer set.
- Powerhouse Animation Studios: Powerhouse is an independent animation studio (Castlevania, Blood of Zeus, Seis Manos) producing premium 2D and 3D content for Netflix and other major streamers — closely comparable to BWA in service offering, target clients, and production style.
- Mercury Filmworks: Mercury is an independent animation studio producing 2D and CG animation for major studios and streamers (Disney, Netflix, Amazon). It competes with BWA for the same enterprise animation production engagements and serves the same Disney/Netflix/Hulu buyer set.
- Lion Forge Entertainment: Lion Forge is a Black-owned animation and comics company that produces IP-driven animated series (e.g., 'Iyanu') with a mission-aligned focus on diverse storytelling. It is a direct peer in mission, target buyer (Netflix, Cartoon Network), and is also an active BWA partner for Iyanu pre-production talent.
- Augenblick Studios: Augenblick is an independent 2D animation studio producing adult and kids' content for Adult Swim, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. Comparable to BWA in independent studio positioning, 2D animation focus, and adult-skewing network client base (e.g., Adult Swim).
- Bent Image Lab: Bent Image is a Portland-based independent animation and live-action studio producing commercials, branded content, and series for major brands and networks. It is comparable to BWA in mid-size boutique studio scale, hybrid 2D/3D/CGI capability, and branded-content work for large advertisers and networks.
- Six Point Harness: Six Point Harness is an independent Emmy-winning animation studio (BoJack Horseman, Forky Asks a Question) producing 2D/3D and stop-motion content for Netflix, Disney+, and other major platforms — a direct comparable in studio scale, capability mix, and enterprise client roster.
Broad incumbents
- Cartoon Network Studios: Cartoon Network Studios is the in-house animation studio for Cartoon Network/Adult Swim content, an anchor client and co-creation partner of BWA (Black In Animation Awards). It is a broad incumbent that both buys from and competes with independent studios like BWA for talent and production capacity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BWA Studios social profiles
Digital presenceBWA Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BWA Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
BWA Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BWA Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BWA Studios
What does BWA Studios do?
BWA Studios is a Black female-owned animation house that creates and produces animation programming and content for all platforms (TV, film, commercial). It delivers full-service creative services spanning 2D, 3D, CGI, and hybrid 2.5D animation, including character design, look development, graphics packages, infographics, co-production, and creative direction. The studio also runs the Equity Excelerator (E2) talent development program and offers DEI and training services in partnership with sister agency Inspire Justice.
Is BWA Studios a public or private company?
BWA Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BWA Studios founded?
BWA Studios was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BWA Studios based?
BWA Studios is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does BWA Studios make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Animation Production Services are the primary driver. The others are creative Services, training & Development Services and DEI Advisory Services.
Who are BWA Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Titmouse Inc., Curious Pictures, ShadowMachine, Powerhouse Animation Studios, Mercury Filmworks, Lion Forge Entertainment, Augenblick Studios, Bent Image Lab and Six Point Harness. Cartoon Network Studios is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does BWA Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for BWA Studios.
What industry is BWA Studios in?
BWA Studios's product category is Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAKAM, Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO), with a secondary code of BPAFAAAF, Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.