My Smash Media

My SMASH Media operates as a data-driven, AI-assisted matchmaking platform, functioning as an intellectual property (IP) marketplace for the film and television industry. Founded in 2018 by Fiona Gillies, Christine Hartland, and Mahesh Ramachandra, the company was born from the founders' direct experiences with the industry's challenges. Gillies, an actor turned producer, and Hartland, an independent film producer, recognized the difficulty content creators face in getting their projects before key decision-makers. They partnered with Ramachandra, a digital product expert, to create a solution that streamlines the content discovery process.

The company serves a three-sided market composed of content creators (writers, producers), discoverers (commissioners, financiers, production companies, broadcasters, sales agents), and service providers. For creators, particularly those who are emerging or under-represented, the platform provides a suite of free digital tools. These include a 'Pitch Builder' for creating standardized, professional presentations with access to Getty Images, and a 'Pitch Protector' to log and safeguard their intellectual property. This service aims to democratize access and break down traditional barriers to entry.

For industry 'discoverers', My SMASH Media acts as a curated deal-flow pipeline. Its core AI-powered service, 'SMASHCupid', matches projects on the platform to the specific briefs of these decision-makers, helping them find new talent and commercially viable projects beyond their usual networks. The business model generates revenue through several streams. While creators can use the platform for free, 'discoverers' pay a monthly subscription fee for access to curated project slates. A 5% success fee is charged on all matches facilitated through the platform, and premium 'SMASHPro' accounts offer unlimited pitches and collaboration tools.

Since its inception, My SMASH Media has gained significant traction, securing over £370k in funding from investors like Equity Gap, Scottish Enterprise, and Innovate UK. The platform has received accolades including a Gold Award for tech innovation at the Cannes Film Festival and was selected for the Edinburgh University AI Accelerator's 'AI For Good' category. With a user base of nearly 2,000, predominantly in the UK and US, the company has onboarded clients like Channel 5 and plans to expand its matchmaking technology into the games, podcast, and publishing sectors.

Keywords: film financing, TV project pitching, content marketplace, AI matchmaking, screenplay discovery, intellectual property marketplace, film production, creative industry platform, content creators, media tech, project discovery, production financing, script development, content commissioning, entertainment technology, creator economy, pitch platform, film investment, TV development, new talent discovery