Angel Studios, a Provo-based media production company that bases operational decisions on votes from members of its “Angel’s Guild,” has closed on a previously announced merger with Southport Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company formed specifically to give rising companies the ability to become publicly traded.
With the closing, the combined company, now operating as Angel Studios Inc., has begun trading its Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “ANGX.”
Southport Acquisition Corp., led by Jared Stone as chairman and Jeb S. Spencer as CEO, is an investment firm, commonly called a “blank check” company, formed for the specific purpose of merging with or acquiring another business. The process allows companies to skirt the normal initial public offering process of becoming publicly traded.
Angel Studios is known for producing and distributing faith-based and family-friendly content, including the hit film “Sound of Freedom” and streaming shows like “Dry Bar Comedy,” with a unique model that uses equity crowdfunding and audience input to finance and develop its stories. Its 1.5 million-member Angel’s Guild votes on film and programming projects before the company proceeds with production. No film or show is distributed without guild approval.
On its website, the studio says it “aims to ‘amplify light’ and provide an alternative to mainstream Hollywood, focusing on values-based and uplifting narratives for a dedicated global audience.”
On Sept. 6, Angel closed a Regulation A round of crowdfunding, landing $55 million in commitments from over 40,000 investors in just 18 days. With an earlier $20 million raise from 31,000 subscribers, Angel hit the $75 million JOBS ACT statutory limit.
The company also announced the signing of a $100 million credit line from Phoenix-based Trinity Capital.
In its announcement of the closing of its merger with Southport, Angel Studios said, “Angel’s public company debut underscores the strong momentum propelling the company into its next chapter. Through strong growth in Angel Guild membership, growing revenue performance, and an expanding global audience, Angel has demonstrated market demand and operational scalability. With a successful capital raise completed on Sept. 5, 2025, Angel is well-positioned to accelerate innovation, expand values-based storytelling and deliver long-term shareholder value.”
Angel Studios and Southport executives celebrated their merger by ringing the NYSE closing bell on Sept. 11.