Our company name "Si Wei" is derived from the letters "SV", which stand for Steamboat Ventures. The name Si Wei reflects our commitment to "creative thinking" and the creative thinking of the entrepreneurs we support.
Inspired by the bold entrepreneurial spirit of Walt Disney, Steamboat Ventures was founded in 2000, and named after the famous Mickey Mouse cartoon Steamboat Willie. Theatrically released in New York in 1928, Steamboat Willie was the screen debut of Mickey Mouse. It was also the first animated cartoon to use synchronized sound - a great innovation at the time.
Our mission at Steamboat Ventures is to help young companies successfully face the challenges of becoming leaders in their markets. We invest in early through expansion stage companies that are pursuing opportunities in the emerging markets of digital media and consumer technology. Although the fund is primarily focused on technology investments, we also consider venture investments in other areas of broad strategic importance to The Walt Disney Company.