When Seed&Spark CEO Emily Best taught creative workshops, only a handful of people would volunteer to pitch their projects. That didn't happen in Atlanta.
When the founder of the film and entertainment startup was teaching a workshop called "Art of the Pitch" in the city, all but 10 people in a room of 125 volunteered their ideas.
“Everyone was excited to show their ideas,” said Best. “I thought ‘Oh, the synergy and creativity here is different.’”
Now, after a decade based in Los Angeles, Best is moving her startup to Atlanta. The relocation is a testament to Georgia's robust film industry and Atlanta's growing technology ecosystem.
“When we started working on the intersection of creativity and enterprise, there was no other place we could go,” Best said. “If you think about where there are so many enterprise businesses and a creator community, Atlanta is the only place in the country that has what it has.”
Intersection of inclusivity, tech and creativity
Seed&Spark provides a crowdfunding platform and training to filmmakers to help them promote their work. The company has helped create over 3,100 films and has several Fortune 100 companies in entertainment and finance as clients, Best said.
"The intersection of inclusivity in tech and the creative community makes Atlanta a magnetic place to be a tech startup,” said Joey Womack, CEO of nonprofit Goodie Nation, which helps founders with education and networking. “We'll see more of these startups move their headquarters here, and more effort will be put into building the hybrid tech and creative community.”
Georgia has long been considered a competitor to Hollywood as an entertainment hub. The state’s film tax incentives and state-of-the-art studios provide accommodations to filmmakers and media production. Atlanta is home to CNN, Turner Network Television and Cox Media Group, as well as growing movie and television studios.
Within five years, Seed&Spark plans to put $500 million into the hands of creators, Best said. It is currently raising a $5 million Series A round. About $3 million is already committed by investors.
Following the round, the company anticipates a five-fold increase in its annual recurring revenue to $16 million. Within 2 years, It also aims to grow its full-time staff from 17 to 50, with those hires in sales and customer support. Its currently has 28 enterprise clients.
A part of Atlanta's film community
Before Best decided to relocate to Atlanta, she hosted local events such as the Creative Sustainability Summit and The South Has Something To Say.
In 2019, Atlanta also became the testing ground for a Seed&Spark initiative that helped artists show their work to different types of audiences in order to challenge their world views. The company piloted three events in the city where creators across different domains such as comedy, film, music and community leadership showcased their work to a diverse audience.
After the move, Best says the company will generate more events in the city with local organizations such as the Bronze Lense Film Festival and the Atlanta Film Festival. It anticipates an increase of film projects produced in Atlanta through its platform.
Best also hopes to have an influence at the policy level in Georgia, following the lead of nonprofit organization Film Impact Georgia.
“I think Atlanta is where we are building a blueprint for the future of democracy, and the future of an intersection between creativity and commerce,” said Best. “It is this magical terminus for so many industries and companies.”
