Colbert's Post-Late Show Pivot: From TV Host to Tech Mogul

Stephen Colbert is transitioning from his decade-long tenure as host of The Late Show to a new role as a tech mogul. His scriptwriting software company, Scripto, has successfully raised $5 million in seed funding. This funding round was spearheaded by Todd Steifel and saw participation from notable investors including Colbert himself, his wife Evelyn McGee Colbert, J.J. Abrams, and Marc Cuban.

Scripto, co-founded by Colbert and Rob Dubbin, originated from a $800 "goat incident" on The Colbert Report, highlighting the flaws in existing scriptwriting systems. The cloud-based software enables real-time collaboration among writing teams, offering professional formatting distinct from simpler tools like Google Docs. It features autosave, script library searching, and integration with other production tools.

With the new capital, Colbert plans to expand Scripto's reach across Hollywood, moving beyond its current user base which includes "Saturday Night Live" and "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver." He expressed frustration with the continued use of outdated methods like distributing PDFs on set. Scripto is free for personal use, with charges applying only for team collaboration.

Colbert views this new venture as a natural progression, stating he wants "everyone to do it" and even jokingly aspiring to become a "Tech Oligarch." The company has also introduced Screenplay Pro, a feature set tailored for narrative television and feature films, already adopted by one sitcom. This marks a significant new chapter for Colbert, moving from entertainment to technology.