The Commercial Court of Paris has approved RIVA Studios’ US$3-million bid to buy Paris-based animation studio TeamTO (Mighty Mike (pictured above), Jade Armor). 

The Italian studio is incorporated in Rome, and its co-founders Marco Balsamo and Tara Demren, along with Lex and Otis founder Jay Oliva, will form a new executive team to keep TeamTO developing and producing projects including Sony Picture Television Kids’ The Creature Cases and original series Angelo Rules. 

The plan is for TeamTO to continue operating in Valence and Paris, retaining a majority of its staff. TeamTO founders Guillaume Hellouin and Corinne Kouper will serve as executive advisors and executive producers on all current and upcoming projects. 

“TeamTO set a world-class standard for animation, and this is a pivotal moment for the studio,” says Balsamo. “Under this new direction, we’re not just continuing the studio’s legacy—we’re building a stronger, more ambitious company that’s ready to elevate that standard and redefine what’s possible.” 

This acquisition has been in the works for the past six months. RIVA filed a document to the Paris Commercial Court in late November outlining a US$3-million offer and its intention to restructure TeamTO into three subsidiaries: a prodco, a service studio and an R&D tech team. 

“We couldn’t be happier as we know this leadership team will honor our two decades of creative excellence with a visionary plan that will ensure TeamTO’s success for another 20 years and beyond,” says Hellouin. 

Pictured from left to right is Marco Balsamo, Jay Oliva and Tara Demren.