An Edinburgh digital platform that uses AI to matchmake TV and film executives with new scriptwriters has secured more than £370,000 to fuel its global growth plans.
My SMASH Media’s technology automatically matches content creators with potential buyers – ‘disrupting’ traditional ways of connecting studios to new writing and production talent.
The platform will support the explosion in global streaming platforms, allowing creative and innovative concepts to connect with new online audiences.
It will also help production companies and broadcasters to anticipate industry trends, using sophisticated sector knowledge combined with AI matchmaking.
The company has secured over £370K investment from Scottish-based Equity Gap angel syndicate, Scottish Enterprise and a Future Economy Innovate UK grant. Equity Gap also facilitated the involvement of several investors from Investing Women Angels. The company will extend the fundraise to additional investors for a further six weeks, and could be on course to raise close to £500,000.
Fiona Gillies, co-founder, said: “We’re delighted with the initial success of our fundraise, where a number of our existing investors, alongside our new lead investor Equity Gap, and Scottish Enterprise have pledged significant financial backing to help SMASH achieve its global growth ambitions. This initial investment is a real vote of confidence in our proposition, which we will further develop across the TV and film industry and also roll out to other relevant sectors, bringing content creators and discoverers together.
“We would like to acknowledge the support of Investing Women Angels, which has not only been a key early investor, but has also supported and mentored us through its AccelerateHER programme.”
My SMASH Media provides creators with free-to-access digital tools to create powerful pitches and it will use the investment to develop sophisticated AI matchmaking called AI SMASHCupid.
This will help grow user numbers and revenues by enabling buyers to reach beyond their existing networks and provide unprecedented access to new, innovative projects. With its current focus on the film and TV industry, SMASH is also aiming to expand the use of its technology into the games, podcast and video sectors.
My SMASH Media was co-founded by Scottish actor-turned-producer Fiona Gillies and indie producer Christine Hartland who joined forces with Mahesh Ramachandra, digital product expert. The team has partnered with renowned film industry veteran Hilary Davis and are backed by London-based Activate Media, a digital accelerator.
SMASH showcased at the European Film Market and won a Gold Award for tech innovation in Cannes. It was selected for the Creative Catalyst SXSW Programme in Austin, Texas.
