Movie-Sharing Startup SideStream Launches Equity Crowdfunding Campaign
Los Angeles, Calif. – March 8, 2021 – SideStream, an innovator in the entertainment industry, has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on the MicroVentures website. The SideStream platform offers movie lovers opportunities to host and/or watch virtual screenings of premium movies with friends, family, and fans.
Built by a team with extensive experience in entertainment and social media, SideStream was created as a way for communities large and small to gather together virtually for private screenings of their favorite films, hosted by an interesting friend, a popular social media influencer, or a film-industry insider.
“It’s time to innovate the ‘virtual blockbuster’ model for movie e-tailing,” says Neal Tiles, co-founder and CEO of SideStream. “Since 2008, when Apple first introduced iTunes for video, all legacy e-tailers have simply provided an internet-based way to access movies. Meanwhile, social media has exploded and live streaming has become a huge business. SideStream brings social engagement to the online movie experience.”
While subscription-based streaming services are limited to the films in their catalogs, SideStream is a studio-friendly platform that offers a roster of pay-per-view events across multiple catalogs. SideStream’s initial distribution partner is Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG), a division of Comcast Corporation, with plans to add on other studios, both large Hollywood and smaller independents.
Users pay only for the SideStream events they choose, without committing to another subscription. The hosts of SideStream events determine the ticket price, resulting in opportunities for them to generate revenue, regardless of their audience size.
“We provide a service like Twitch, but focused on movies and monetization,” says co-founder and Chief Product Officer Kevin Pereira, who first worked with Tiles when the two were at the video game and tech-centric cable channel, G4tv. “With SideStream, influencers with audiences of any size can instantly engage and monetize their followings in ways they can’t with ad-based services, which require massive scale to generate revenue. And the process for hosts couldn’t be simpler – there’s nothing to download or configure with SideStream.”
With the success of live-streaming platforms such as Twitch and Instagram stories, the increased popularity of transactional content platforms like Cameo and Master Class, and the growing buzz around apps like Clubhouse – all of which provide access to commentary and discussion appealing to social communities of all sizes – the founders of SideStream realized the time was right for this platform.
And they’re not alone.
In 2020, Google’s Android TV recognized SideStream’s ground-breaking approach by accepting SideStream into its inaugural Innovation Initiative. This highly selective, global program seeds developers with resources that help them bring a shared vision for communication and entertainment to life.
For more information and to learn about investment opportunities, visit SideStream’s MicroVentures page.
Media Contact
Company Name: SideStream
Contact Person: Neal Tiles
Email: Send Email
Phone: (802) 489-6660
Address:1112 Montana Ave, Suite 656
City: Santa Monica
State: CA 90403
Country: United States
Website: https://sidestream.com
