SHOWRUNNER, an entertainment software startup founded by film independent film directors, producers and screenwriters, emerged from stealth on Monday with $4 million in funding. It also announced that it is relocating from New York to the Windy City.
The fresh funding round was led by Chicago-based VC firm Lightbank and also included participation from Craft Ventures and Gaingels.
While SHOWRUNNER is still in its early stages, it claims that its software will make “waves in the entertainment industry.” The company was co-founded by screenwriter Shane Snow along with producer and director Sylvia Brindis, software engineer Nicholas Bartlett and director Brandon Jordan. According to the company, its tech will be useful for other small and independent filmmakers to produce their films in a more efficient way without the need for mega producers.
The startup also hopes to improve the treatment of film crew workers, who frequently report working long hours and being mistreated, which in recent years has culminated with film worker unions going on strikes.
“Film is an industry that everyone wants to work in because the end product is magic,” Snow, SHOWRUNNER CEO, said in a statement. “We think it’s time to stop taking advantage of crews’ love of film and actually start making the job easier so they can focus on being creative and get home in time for dinner. And we think technology is the key to that.”
SHOWRUNNER was launched out of New York City, however, the startup conducted industry analysis and trends and concluded to move its HQ to Chicago. This move is due to Chicago’s springing tech hub status and because the startup believes it will be the next film production hub.
“We looked closely at Mexico City, Salt Lake and other regions where we think the film industry is about to see outsized growth,” Snow said. “And after all that research, we’re all-in on Chicago. This city is going to be the next big production hotspot.”
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