“Winning the Zinemaldia & Technology Startup Challenge in 2019 was a significant milestone for our project”

Largo.ai

Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the prestigious Swiss university EPFL, Largo.ai has continued to collaborate with highly recognized scientists from EPFL to provide next-generation storytelling tools for the audiovisual industry using artificial intelligence. Headquartered at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, an ecosystem for world-class start-ups and companies, Largo.ai also has presence in Los Angeles, London, and Istanbul.

Since the release of its SaaS platform in 2020, Largo.ai has quickly become a pioneer in introducing AI to the audiovisual industry. Many movies that have used Largo.ai’s platform have been released in theaters and on platforms such as Netflix, with some even being nominated for Oscars. The company has won numerous awards, including the Best Start-up Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, the EFM Horizon Start-ups at the Berlinale, the Top 100 Swiss Start-up Awards, and several competitive grants from university, cantonal, and federal organizations. This success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented team.

Largo.ai analyses screenplays, videos, and packaging & casting of movies to provide film industry leaders with meaningful insights and actionable data.

How did you meet and start the project?

Our project had its roots in my background, which combines computer science and the film industry. During my Ph.D. in Computer Science, specializing in computational aesthetics, I also pursued a career as a film director. The opportunity to merge these two passions arose when I joined forces with my Ph.D. advisor, Prof. Sabine Süsstrunk. Together, we embarked on the journey of creating Largo.ai.

Largo.ai won the Zinemaldia & Technology Startup Challenge last year. What does that mean to you?

Winning the Zinemaldia & Technology Startup Challenge in 2019 was a significant milestone for our project. At that time, we were already discussing how AI would transform the movie industry, even before it became widely acknowledged by stakeholders. The recognition we received from the jury nearly four years in advance gave us a tremendous boost and instilled confidence in Largo.ai within the industry. It validated our vision and the potential impact of our work.

Why do you recommend other startups to participate?

Participating in the Startup Challenge is highly beneficial, especially for startups in the media sector. It provides a unique opportunity to engage with the movie industry world and be a part of the organization and stage at one of the most prestigious festivals worldwide. The exposure and connections gained through this experience can be invaluable for startups looking to make a mark in the industry.

Hundreds of companies from 20+ countries are using Largo.ai today. Why? What is your differential value?

Largo.ai holds the distinction of being one of the pioneering companies to introduce AI to the movie industry. Over the years, we have gained extensive experience and received numerous positive testimonials about the effectiveness of our AI applications. Our platform offers a range of powerful tools that enable movie producers and distributors to analyze scripts, identify strengths and weaknesses, understand the potential audience and financial prospects of a film, and even utilize AI as a talent agency to find the best matches for characters automatically. Our proven track record and industry-leading solutions have attracted companies from across the globe to choose Largo.ai.

What is your business model?

Our business model revolves around providing Largo.ai as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, available through a subscription model. Producers, distributors, and studios can subscribe to our platform and access our comprehensive suite of tools tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

How much money did you need to launch your startup? How many additional rounds of investments did you need, and where have you spent the capital raised?

To launch our startup, we raised €2 million in our seed round. Additionally, we secured over €1 million in support for our research and development activities from several organizations in Switzerland. Currently, we are in the process of raising another round for our Series A funding. The capital we have raised so far has been primarily allocated towards enhancing our technology, expanding our team, and driving market penetration.

Could you name the venture capitalists and business angels that invested in your company?

DAA Capital is one of the venture capital firms that has invested in our company, providing crucial support and guidance. We have also received investments from various angel investors associated with SICTIC. Furthermore, Jean-Luc Berlot, an experienced expert in the industry, has been a valuable supporter. Additionally, we have been fortunate to receive grants from organizations such as Innosuisse, GRS, FIT Vaud, and EPFL, further contributing to our growth and success.

What are your goals for the months ahead?

Looking ahead, we are incredibly excited about the developments in the AI industry, particularly in the field of generative AI, which is gaining significant interest. We are actively incorporating generative AI tools into our system to further empower our platform. Additionally, we are expanding our services to include actors as well. With our system, once a script is uploaded, we can propose suitable actors to the producers. Now, we are taking it a step further by allowing the actors recommended by our system to connect directly with producers. This streamlined approach enhances the casting process and opens up new opportunities for both actors and producers.

Furthermore, we are launching our tools specifically designed for advertisement productions. This expansion will enable advertising professionals to leverage our AI capabilities in creating more targeted and impactful campaigns.

In summary, our goals for the coming months revolve around incorporating generative AI, expanding our actor-related services, and introducing specialized tools for advertisement productions. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of AI in the audiovisual industry and providing innovative solutions that empower filmmakers, producers, distributors, agencies, and actors alike.