Akshay Mehta
Chief Executive Officer
Lighthouse Studios
Akshay Mehta is the CEO of Lighthouse Studios, a new unit within Whalar Group’s The Lighthouse and the first Creator-led entertainment studio designed to help Creators build scalable media networks and original entertainment IP. In this role, Akshay oversees day-to-day operations, drives the overall business and content strategy, and leads execution of the studio’s bold, long-term vision.
Lighthouse Studios is designed as a new kind of home for Creators who want to build entertainment brands that put audiences first. It’s also a launchpad for the next generation of breakout IP, offering Creators the infrastructure, production capabilities, and strategic partnerships they need to scale and thrive. Akshay’s focus is on building this infrastructure, powering original formats, cultural storytelling, and Creator-led IP across platforms.
With more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of entertainment and business, Akshay has held senior leadership roles spanning content strategy, finance, creative development, and operations. As EVP of Content Strategy at Upgrade Productions, he closed deals for over 20 projects in 15 countries and negotiated the company’s founding investment from Constantin Television GmbH. At Luma Pictures, he served as Head of Strategy & Business Development, and at BRON Ventures, he was Chief Investment Officer, overseeing portfolio investments and long-term planning, including BRON’s co-investment with Fremantle in the LatinX studio The Immigrant.
Earlier in his career, Akshay was a key member of CAA Media Finance, where he structured global content deals, including Netflix’s acquisition of Next-Gen, Sony’s purchase of Searching at Sundance, and overhead, investment, and fundraising for various CAA talent and new businesses. He also led international film sales at Exclusive Media and Good Universe, brokering worldwide distribution deals for projects including Rush, The Woman in Black, When We First Met, Extinction, and KIN.
In addition to his role at Lighthouse Studios, Akshay serves as a strategic advisor to film and TV companies worldwide. He advises Tokyo Broadcasting System on its active investments in the US film and television market. He is actively producing and developing projects, including The Last Resort (starring Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich), Last Man in Tower with Spirit Pictures, The Engagement with Caviar Pictures, and The Famulus (TV) with Nick Mohammed attached to star and showrun.
A lifelong fan of all things entertainment, Akshay combines creative instinct, commercial acumen, and a global perspective. He also brings plenty of grit, having fought four amateur boxing matches in his twenties, and flavor, proudly claiming a beef Wellington that could make Gordon Ramsay sweat.
Lighthouse Studios is designed as a new kind of home for Creators who want to build entertainment brands that put audiences first. It’s also a launchpad for the next generation of breakout IP, offering Creators the infrastructure, production capabilities, and strategic partnerships they need to scale and thrive. Akshay’s focus is on building this infrastructure, powering original formats, cultural storytelling, and Creator-led IP across platforms.
With more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of entertainment and business, Akshay has held senior leadership roles spanning content strategy, finance, creative development, and operations. As EVP of Content Strategy at Upgrade Productions, he closed deals for over 20 projects in 15 countries and negotiated the company’s founding investment from Constantin Television GmbH. At Luma Pictures, he served as Head of Strategy & Business Development, and at BRON Ventures, he was Chief Investment Officer, overseeing portfolio investments and long-term planning, including BRON’s co-investment with Fremantle in the LatinX studio The Immigrant.
Earlier in his career, Akshay was a key member of CAA Media Finance, where he structured global content deals, including Netflix’s acquisition of Next-Gen, Sony’s purchase of Searching at Sundance, and overhead, investment, and fundraising for various CAA talent and new businesses. He also led international film sales at Exclusive Media and Good Universe, brokering worldwide distribution deals for projects including Rush, The Woman in Black, When We First Met, Extinction, and KIN.
In addition to his role at Lighthouse Studios, Akshay serves as a strategic advisor to film and TV companies worldwide. He advises Tokyo Broadcasting System on its active investments in the US film and television market. He is actively producing and developing projects, including The Last Resort (starring Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich), Last Man in Tower with Spirit Pictures, The Engagement with Caviar Pictures, and The Famulus (TV) with Nick Mohammed attached to star and showrun.
A lifelong fan of all things entertainment, Akshay combines creative instinct, commercial acumen, and a global perspective. He also brings plenty of grit, having fought four amateur boxing matches in his twenties, and flavor, proudly claiming a beef Wellington that could make Gordon Ramsay sweat.