Minivela
Minivela is a creator-powered microdrama production and distribution platform that develops branded entertainment, original bilingual franchises, and media partnerships for brands, retailers, studios, and streamers targeting U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences across streaming, CTV, retail media, and social platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Minivela does
Minivela is a creator-powered microdrama platform that develops, produces, and distributes short-form vertical entertainment aimed at U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences. The company operates three product lines: Brand Entertainment, which integrates brands into custom narrative content; Original Franchises, which develop bilingual, English, and Spanish IP built for Latino audiences; and Media Partnerships, under which Minivela co-produces and distributes micro-format content with studios, streamers, publishers, and retail media networks. Its flagship proof point is 'Rico's Tacos,' a 20-episode branded micro sitcom co-developed with Albertsons Companies and Procter & Gamble and distributed across Albertsons' digital, social, retail media, in-store, mobile app, and fuel station channels, with a stated plan to replicate the model across additional series and brand collaborations. Distribution also extends through Verizon CTV, Pure Flix Familia (a Spanish-language and bilingual streaming destination launched with Great American Media), and major social platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X.
Under the hood, Minivela operates a mobile-first production model with bilingual (Spanish, English, Spanglish) creative capabilities and production hubs in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, supplemented by key Latin American locations. Differentiating technical components include creator-powered entertainment ecosystems connecting brands, retailers, creators, and audiences; retail media integration including in-store filming across Albertsons banners; and a shopper-insights-driven creative development framework that incorporates retailer and brand data from the outset of production rather than retrofitting it post-production. The company is a subsidiary of Brilla Media Ventures; its leadership comprises Manny Ruiz (Founder & CEO), Carlos Ponce (Founder & Executive Producer), and Angela Sustaita-Ruiz (Founder & Executive Producer, also CEO of Brilla Media Ventures).
Revenue is generated through professional services on branded entertainment and production work, licensing and co-production economics on original franchises, and partnership, distribution, and content-licensing fees from media partners. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the website contact form captures monthly engagement ranges from Under $50K to $250K+, with project timelines ranging from ASAP to 3–6 months and multi-year contracts reported in the pricing model. Go-to-market is sales-led with enterprise field motion aimed at brands, retailers, agencies, studios, streamers, publishers, and retail media networks, supplemented by channel partnerships and an outbound partnership development function; marketing relies on earned media (Wall Street Journal, Progressive Grocer, Digital Commerce 360, GlobeNewswire, Business Wire), owned social accounts, an email newsletter, and a website-anchored case-study library. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; no funding rounds, institutional investors, or M&A activity appear in the source material.
Minivela firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Minivela
- Legal name
- Minivela
- Website
- https://minivela.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Minivela is a creator-powered microdrama production and distribution platform that develops branded entertainment, original bilingual franchises, and media partnerships for brands, retailers, studios, and streamers targeting U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences across streaming, CTV, retail media, and social platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Minivela industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Branded Entertainment Production
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Short-Form Video Advertising & Brand Collaboration Platforms (MPACAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Short-Form User-Generated Video Platforms (MPACABAB), Branded Entertainment & Long-Form Content (Series, Shorts, Films) (MPADAEAG), Influencer/Creator Marketplaces & Brand Deal Platforms (MPACABAI)
Keywords
Where Minivela is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Minivela business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Branded Entertainment: Custom entertainment that integrates brands authentically with stories audiences love, including end-to-end concept development, production, and distribution. Revenue generated through brand-funded entertainment deals with CPG companies, retailers, and agencies.
- Original IP Franchises: Development and production of bilingual, English, and Spanish franchises built for U.S. Latinos and Latin America. Revenue from franchise licensing, co-productions, and franchise development partnerships.
- Media Partnerships: Partnership arrangements with studios, streamers, publishers, and retail media networks for development, production, and distribution of micro format entertainment. Revenue from partnership agreements, distribution fees, and content licensing.
- Paid and Organic Campaign Management: Full management of paid media and organic campaign execution for branded content, extending audience reach through integrated distribution across multiple touchpoints.
- Select Production Services: Work-for-hire and production services engagements including original series production, executive production, development services, audience growth strategy, and social distribution planning.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise pricing based on project scope and monthly spend range |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels4 records
Minivela product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Minivela produces creator-powered microdramas (vertical short-form dramas) that integrate brands, retailers, and media companies into story-driven content for U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences. It sells end-to-end branded entertainment (concept, production, distribution), develops and licenses original bilingual franchises, and runs media partnership programs with studios, streamers, publishers, and retail media networks. Its signature offerings include the Rico's Tacos retail media microdrama series with Albertsons and P&G and the Pure Flix Familia streaming destination with Great American Media.
Product overview
Minivela is a creator-powered microdrama platform that develops entertainment ecosystems for brands, retailers, and media companies. The company operates three core product lines: Brand Entertainment (custom branded content), Original Franchises (bilingual/Spanish IP for U.S. Latinos and Latin America), and Media Partnerships (studio/streamer/retail collaborations). Key branded products include the industry-first 'Rico's Tacos' retail media microdrama with Albertsons and P&G, alongside Microtainment services. The platform is co-headquartered in L.A. and Miami and works with partners including Great American Media, Pure Flix, and Chicano Hollywood to distribute content across multiple platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Brand Entertainment Custom entertainment services that integrate brands authentically into microdrama storylines, delivered end-to-end with concept development, production, and multi-platform distribution for brands targeting Latino audiences.
- Original Franchises Development and production of bilingual, English, and Spanish entertainment franchise IP built for U.S. Latino and Latin American audiences, available via franchise licensing, co-productions, and franchise development partnerships.
- Media Partnerships Partnership services for studios, streamers, publishers, and retail media networks to launch and scale micro format entertainment through development, production, and distribution, including the Pure Flix Familia launch with Great American Media.
- Rico's Tacos Industry-first branded retail media microdrama series integrating 14 Albertsons banners and 4 Procter & Gamble brands within storylines, with hundreds of supporting creative assets and full paid/organic campaign management.
- Microtainment Creator-powered micro content service spanning drama and other short-form genres, providing brands with lanes to engage consumers through short-form entertainment content.
- Pure Flix Familia Spanish-language and bilingual streaming destination Minivela produces vertical microdramas for under its multi-project partnership with Great American Media/Pure Flix, targeting U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences with faith- and family-centered content.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20-episode branded sitcom integrated across 14 Albertsons banners and 4 P&G brands with hundreds of creative assets
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Minivela
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Minivela technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Minivela partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Albertsons CompaniesflagshipIndustry-first branded entertainment model in partnership with Albertsons Media Collective and Procter & Gamble. The inaugural project is 'Rico's Tacos,' an 8-episode (expanding to 20) Minivela drama series filmed in Albertsons stores, launching June 23 across Albertsons' digital and social platforms with weekly episodes through August. Shopper insights inform creative development from the outset. Companies plan to scale similar branded entertainment campaigns across additional series and brand collaborations.
- Procter & GambleflagshipStrategic partner in the industry-first retail media branded entertainment initiative with Albertsons. P&G contributes consumer knowledge and entertainment expertise alongside Albertsons' shopper intelligence and in-store production environment. Four P&G brands are integrated within the 'Rico's Tacos' storyline across 14 Albertsons banners. Anna Saalveld, Head of P&G Studios, provided testimonial praising Minivela's work quality.
- Great American MediaflagshipMulti-project micro-drama development, distribution, and marketing partnership to launch Pure Flix Familia, a new Spanish-language and bilingual streaming destination for faith- and family-centered content targeting U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences. Minivela produces curated slate of premium vertical micro-dramas including original IP and adaptations from Pure Flix's content library. Partnership positions both companies at forefront of rapidly expanding micro-drama category.
- Pure FlixcorePartnership combining Pure Flix's established faith-and-family audience and content library with Minivela's mobile-first vertical shorts production model for launch of Pure Flix Familia streaming destination. Minivela is lead producing partner, creating micro-dramas in Spanish, English, and Spanglish formats for vertical viewing.
- VerizoncorePartnership for original vertical microdrama production and CTV (Connected TV) distribution. Minivela creates original content distributed through Verizon's connected TV platform, extending reach into telecommunications audience segment.
- PublicisminorAgency collaboration for microdrama campaign, working with Minivela on branded content initiatives for clients.
- Warner Bros PicturesminorLimited microdrama campaign for premiere of 'Wuthering Heights' film. Minivela developed microdrama content to support film marketing and audience engagement.
- Brilla MediaflagshipBrilla Media is the parent company of Minivela. Brilla Media Ventures is the parent entity, with Minivela representing the vertical shorts platform. Manny Ruiz, co-founder of Brilla Media, serves as Minivela CEO. Angela Sustaita-Ruiz serves as CEO of Brilla Media Ventures.
- Chicano HollywoodcoreProduction and creative partner bringing deep understanding of authentic Latino storytelling and creator culture. Together developing and producing content reflecting evolving realities of Latino audiences while remaining accessible to mainstream viewers seeking compelling, family-friendly, and culturally resonant stories.
- Nueva NetworkcorePartnership with Nueva Network expected to enhance distribution, sales, and advertiser reach, supporting Minivela's content development and scalability for U.S. Hispanic and Latin American vertical shorts markets.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Minivela competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TelevisaUnivision: TelevisaUnivision is the dominant Spanish-language broadcaster and streamer in U.S. Hispanic media, making it a broad incumbent in the same audience Minivela targets and a natural acquirer or large-scale competitor.
- Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Crackle): Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment operates Crackle and other CTV/AVOD distribution assets including faith-and-family content, comparable as a competing distribution and content partner to Minivela's deals with Verizon CTV and Pure Flix Familia.
Emerging players
- GoodShort: GoodShort is an emerging microdrama platform competing in the same short-form vertical drama category as Minivela, focused on bilingual and multilingual audiences with a similar app-based consumption model.
- Pocket FM: Pocket FM operates a leading audio-based episodic storytelling platform that has expanded into short-form video microdramas, making it a comparable serialized, episode-based mobile entertainment operator.
Direct peers
- Canela.Media: Canela.Media is a digital media company producing premium streaming content and advertising solutions for U.S. Hispanic audiences, directly comparable to Minivela's branded entertainment and audience-targeting approach for Latino viewers.
- Mitú: Mitú is a digital media platform producing short-form, Latino-focused video content for social channels, directly comparable to Minivela's creator-powered, mobile-first, bilingual entertainment approach.
- DramaBox (Storymatrix): DramaBox is a global short-drama streaming app producing vertical microdramas for international and U.S. audiences, closely comparable to Minivela's episodic format, mobile distribution, and ad/subscription monetization mix.
- Crazy Maple Studio (ReelShort): Crazy Maple Studio operates ReelShort, the leading English-language microdrama app, and is the closest direct competitor to Minivela in short-form vertical serialized entertainment, with a comparable production-and-distribution model built around mobile-first episode drops.
Others
- Publicis Groupe: Publicis is one of Minivela's named agency collaborators and a global advertising holding company whose agencies (e.g., Leo Burnett, Publicis Sapient) routinely buy branded entertainment for enterprise clients — comparable as both partner and adjacent buyer of Minivela-style production services.
- Whip Media: Whip Media provides data and analytics used by major studios, streamers, and networks to inform content strategy — adjacent to Minivela's shopper-insights-driven creative development and similarly placed with enterprise entertainment clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Minivela social profiles
Digital presenceMinivela financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Minivela leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Minivela funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Minivela 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 Minivela
What does Minivela do?
Minivela produces creator-powered microdramas (vertical short-form dramas) that integrate brands, retailers, and media companies into story-driven content for U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences. It sells end-to-end branded entertainment (concept, production, distribution), develops and licenses original bilingual franchises, and runs media partnership programs with studios, streamers, publishers, and retail media networks. Its signature offerings include the Rico's Tacos retail media microdrama series with Albertsons and P&G and the Pure Flix Familia streaming destination with Great American Media.
Is Minivela a public or private company?
Minivela is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Minivela founded?
Minivela was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Minivela based?
Minivela is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does Minivela make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Branded Entertainment is the primary driver. The others are original IP Franchises, media Partnerships, paid and Organic Campaign Management and select Production Services.
Who are Minivela's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TelevisaUnivision and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Crackle). Emerging players are GoodShort and Pocket FM. Direct peers are Canela.Media, Mitú, DramaBox (Storymatrix) and Crazy Maple Studio (ReelShort). Others are Publicis Groupe and Whip Media.
Does Minivela have an API?
No public API is recorded for Minivela.
What industry is Minivela in?
Minivela's product category is Branded Entertainment Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAHAH, Short-Form Video Advertising & Brand Collaboration Platforms, with a secondary code of MPACABAB, Short-Form User-Generated Video Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7812.