VENTURE STUDIOS: Dana Point’s Nobody Studios lands a knockout with first startup

Dana Point-based Nobody Studios announced Oct. 19 Ray Leonard Jr., the son of boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard, has been appointed as CEO of Ovationz, its first startup, which is developing a platform for engaging virtual events.

It’s one of 14 startups Nobody Studios is currently developing, according to founder and Chief Nobody Mark McNally.

Nobody Studios is a venture studio launched in December 2020. It builds companies from concept to market with a focus not on funding goals and high valuations, but on profitability and proven business models.

The studio aims to create 100 companies in the next five years. “I know it’s really uncomfortable, what we’re doing, and that makes me more sure we should do it,” McNally told the Business Journal.

According to McNally, Nobody Studios seeks entrepreneurs with ideas that can go to market within 12 months.

“We’re not a traditional accelerator or incubator. Our model will not be ‘Let us help you.,” he said. “If you want to join, let’s talk and we’d love to have you. We’re 100% involved in everything we do, and we’re going to do that at a higher scale than people can fathom.”

Entrepreneurs also earn equity in every company Nobody Studios builds, he added.

“You get your part if our company sells,” he added. “It’s going to be a talent battleground for the next 20 years and we must offer something people haven’t seen before.”