Blackbird PLC (AIM:BIRD, OTCQX:BBRDF) said elevate.io, its new end-to-end video and audio content creation platform, has begun early access testing ahead of full release in the first quarter of 2024.
The tools and services segment of the global creator market into which elevate.io is being launched is valued at around US$20 billion today and predicted to mushroom to nearer US$180 billion by 2032, the company said, also pointing to Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS)’ forecast that the wider creator market could approach US$500 billion by 2027.
The software-as-a-service (Saas) platform, built in the cloud with AWS and other providers, is accessible from a web browser and is designed to address issues that content creators face with other software, the AIM-listed company said, offering a simpler array of tools and easier collaboration with other users.
It is built with plug-in architecture to enable functionality to be extended with third-party capabilities such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Blackbird said this latter ability means it can act as a hub, not only extending functionality but also offering the chance of extra revenue streams and futureproofing via the addition of new technologies as they emerge.
Based on the cloud infrastructure behind it, chief executive Ian McDonough said the company has “a unique disruptive product, a world class team in place and the ability to scale globally at speed”.
Chief product officer Sumit Rai also noted that, due to its complexity, video is one of the last formats to successfully move end-to-end workflows to the cloud.
“Elevate.io aims to bring powerful tools to the web, simplifying and centralising postproduction so that users won't want or need to go anywhere else," he said.
At launch, the platform will be marketed to companies, professional content teams and individual creators, with different price points ranging from a free entry level tier to a professional and enterprise tier.