Hollywood Talent Giant CAA Aims to Invest in the Next Pixar (1)

Creative Artists Agency has spent 40 years looking for the next Paul Newman. Now it’s looking to invest in the next Pixar.

The talent agency, whose clients include Brad Pitt and Chris Paul, has teamed up with venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates to form Connect Ventures, a fund that will invest in media and technology companies, the partners said Wednesday. CAA and NEA have each put in $50 million to start, and plan to increase their investments going forward.

Connect’s first investment is in Spire Animation Studios, a new animation studio formed by “Ratatouille” producer Brad Lewis and ...