THE husband-and-wife founders of an online video hosting service are set to raise a seven- figure sum from investors after being invited to appear at an influential developers forum by senior executives from YouTube last week.
Glasgow-based Moviecom.tv, which helps businesses promote themselves on the web in a “gritty” informal style, presented its technology to an audience of thousands at the prestigious Google I/O “Developer Sandbox” in San Francisco.
Gillian and Kev O’Neil, the couple behind Moviecom.tv, said attendance at the conference would allow the business to push forward as it plans to tackle the vast US small to medium-sized business market.
Gillian said: “Receiving an invitation to take part in this year’s Google I/O conference was truly phenomenal and marks a significant moment in Moviecom.tv’s journey.
“Providing the perfect stage to showcase our product, the Developer Sandbox – and the entire Google I/O conference for that matter – enables us to rub shoulders and communicate with some of the most influential figures in the online video industry, and get further involved in the wider Silicon Valley business community.
“There is real opportunity for us. We have a clear vision to become an international leading company in the B2B online video space.”
Launched in 2007, Moviecom.tv has achieved significant growth, Gillian said. The firm has signed up 3,000 customers, including office supply company, Staples, spread-betting firm City Index, and Internet World – a brand of UBM Events.
Gillian said: “We’re hoping to engage further with Google and YouTube, and to really move our core business forward in the US, and to do so we would look to meet potential investors and potential partners with mass B2B customers that could plug into our technology for a mutually beneficial collaboration.”
The Google I/O conference is focused on the technology world’s latest web, mobile and social breakthroughs. The Developer Sandbox event – first introduced at I/O 2009 – offers developers of pioneering applications the opportunity to demonstrate their technology, answer questions on their service or products, and exchange ideas.
Moviecom.tv has so far received backing from two angel investors, Kevin and Vincent “Vinnie” Moore. Kevin, a Cumbernauld solicitor, was a former investor and director of Partick Thistle FC while Vincent was a footballer and latterly manager of Albion Rovers. The duo own and run a document management firm, Xltec Solutions, which also includes their interests in recruitment, insurance brokerage and property.
Gillian, a former stockbroker with Glasgow-based investment manager Speirs & Jeffery, also worked with global branding and labelling giant, Avery Dennison.
Kev, a digital and graphic artist, also worked at Avery, working with brands such as Bacardi, Smirnoff, Shell, ICI and The BodyShop.
The duo plan to open a US office this year but maintain their headquarters in Glasgow.
Gillian said: “We have our roots in Glasgow – it’s been our home for many years and has given us a fantastic environment to nurture our business and core team.
“While our growth strategy is fixed on expanding into the US market, we will not neglect the UK market and will continue to develop our operations in that sector from our HQ in Glasgow.”