Celebrating a Milestone: My SMASH Media's Leap Forward

At Activate Studio, we're partners in the pioneering journeys of our portfolio startups. Today, we're excited to spotlight My SMASH Media, a standout in our roster that recently celebrated a major triumph - securing over £370k in their latest funding round. This milestone underscores the viability of their vision and marks a pivotal leap forward in the realm of the creative industry.

Founded by independent feature film producers Fiona Gillies and Christine Hartland, alongside digital product expert Mahesh Ramachandra, My SMASH Media offers an AI-powered matchmaking platform designed for content creators and distributors. The platform brings together Content Creators, such as writers and producers, with Discoverers, including content commissioners, production companies, and financiers. Leveraging proprietary AI technology, the startup not only matches projects but also provides an array of tools to enhance and refine pitches, generate film sales estimates, manage legalities, edit scripts, find locations, and create comprehensive project briefs and callouts.

A New Chapter in Innovation

My SMASH Media has recently secured over £370k in investment. This achievement speaks volumes about the industry’s confidence in their groundbreaking approach. As their partners from day one, we've had a front-row seat to their passion, innovation, and dedication.

This funding round drew the support of prominent backers, including Equity Gap, Scottish Enterprise, Investing Women and Innovate UK. The involvement of Equity Gap and Investing Women Angels has brought more than financial support, including a rich network of expertise and mentorship.

Recognition and Validation

My SMASH Media's innovative approach has not only attracted financial backing but also earned it critical acclaim. Highlights of their journey include clinching best pitch in the ‘AI for Good’ category at Edinburgh University’s AI Accelerator program, snagging a Gold Award at Cannes NEXT, part of the Cannes Film Festival for tech innovation, and being selected for the Creative Catalyst SXSW Programme in Austin, Texas.

These accolades reinforce My SMASH Media's commitment to leveraging AI for transformative, meaningful purposes within the creative industry, affirming their position as leaders at the nexus of AI and creative content. "This 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," says Fiona Gillies, co-founder of the startup.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Horizons

The new funds will fuel My SMASH Media’s next growth phase, with ambitious plans to enhance and broaden its AI matchmaking capabilities. The development of AI SMASHCupid, in partnership with Activate Intelligence, promises to revolutionise how Discoverers and Content Creators connect. By enabling discovery beyond traditional networks, My SMASH Media aims to foster a new era of creativity and collaboration.

Moreover, the investment will support expansion beyond the film and TV sectors into gaming, podcasts, and video, a strategic move to nurture creativity across a wider spectrum of media and democratise access to opportunities for creators worldwide.

A Partnership Built on Shared Vision

Our collaboration with My SMASH Media is rooted in a shared belief in the transformative power of digital platforms. Since welcoming SMASH into our portfolio, we have supported the journey of their innovative platform from ideation to its development.

“As first-time founders from the creative industry, the team’s active involvement at every step ensured we were heading in the right direction, which was crucial for securing nearly half a million in investment and earning recognition,” state Christine Hartland and Fiona Gillies.

Join Us: Shape the Future

We are thrilled about SMASH’s future plans and remain dedicated to supporting their journey every step of the way. Inspired by SMASH’s story? If you're driven to redefine industries and transform your idea into reality, apply today to become part of our portfolio at Activate Studio.