Stephen Colbert Launches Scripto with $5M Seed Round to Modernize Hollywood Writing
Stephen Colbert has secured $5 million in seed funding for his screenwriting software company, Scripto, aiming to replace traditional PDF workflows in Hollywood. The tool, originally developed for The Colbert Report, now serves major late-night shows, awards ceremonies, and video game studios. Colbert, who recently left The Late Show, is positioning himself as a tech entrepreneur focused on improving collaborative writing processes for entertainment professionals.
Key points
- Scripto raised $5 million in seed funding led by Todd Stiefel, with participation from J.J. Abrams, Mark Cuban, and Colbert’s wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert.
- The software allows real-time collaborative script editing, auto-saves versions, and integrates with production tools like WritersRoom Pro and Filmustage.
- Scripto originated in 2010 after a costly production error involving an unrecorded goat bit on The Colbert Report, prompting Colbert and writer Rob Dubbin to build a custom solution.
- Current users include The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, Saturday Night Live, the Primetime Emmys, and several AAA video game titles.
- In August 2026, Scripto launched Screenplay Pro, a feature set tailored for narrative television and feature films, including color-coded revisions and page locking.
Background
Colbert’s departure from The Late Show after a decade marked a significant transition in his career. While his show earned nine Emmy nominations in 2026, including categories for writing and technical direction, Colbert has shifted focus to entrepreneurship. He previously considered selling Scripto during the 2023 writers' strike but chose to expand it instead, hiring former Final Draft executive Josh Kline as CEO. This move follows a period where Colbert supported peers like Jimmy Kimmel in award races, highlighting his continued influence in late-night television despite leaving the airwaves.
Why it matters
This development signals a growing trend of entertainment figures leveraging their industry frustrations to build tech solutions. By moving away from static PDFs to cloud-based collaboration, Scripto addresses inefficiencies in script production that have persisted for decades. The involvement of high-profile investors like Mark Cuban and J.J. Abrams suggests confidence in the potential to disrupt traditional writing workflows across film, TV, and gaming sectors.
What to watch
Scripto plans to expand its user base beyond late-night and awards shows into broader Hollywood production. The company will likely focus on marketing Screenplay Pro to narrative television and feature film studios. Colbert has indicated he is open to other opportunities but remains focused on growing Scripto, with no immediate return to hosting late-night television.
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