Canadian multi-channel e-commerce platform Shopify has launched Shopify Studios, a television and film content development and production hub aimed at promoting entrepreneurship via storytelling.

Based in L.A., Shopify Studios will partner with international creators and producers to develop, produce, and finance a variety of projects for streaming platforms and traditional networks.

The company has already set deals with U.S. companies including Anonymous Content, Wheelhouse Entertainment’s Spoke Studios and Saville Productions to develop non-branded, original docuseries and feature documentaries that showcase stories of entrepreneurship.

Shopify Studios also produces short- to mid-form content – including weekly series – for Shopify’s YouTube channel. This includes the original series Studio Films, in which each instalment features the story of an “inspired individual” who has delved into the entrepreneurship world and overcome challenges in order to build a business and create positive change in the world.

In the docuseries And Nowhere Else, the relationship between where individuals live and what they choose to create is examined. Each episode takes viewers to a new part of the world to explore the unique entrepreneurial opportunities the locale has to offer. The series also looks at the challenges budding entrepreneurs face in building and operating businesses in a variety of communities.

“Shopify Studios’ content aims to inspire the next wave of creators and iconoclasts to embrace and manifest the possibilities before them,” said Jason Badal (pictured), head of Shopify Studios, in a statement.

“This partnership with Shopify embodies Wheelhouse and Spoke’s mission to work with forward-thinking businesses at the source of concept-creation, essentially developing bespoke content,”  added Wheelhouse Entertainment chief strategy officer Edward Simpson. “We see this as one of the hallmarks of our company and are ecstatic to have such an exceptional partner.”