CoSTAR EVOLVE MEET THE COMPANIES

Our vision is to become a category-defining AI production company, with Studio1 as the core platform, creating durable shareholder value through recurring revenue, defensible technology, and trusted industry relationships. Studio1 is the epicentre where the global creative community converges and connects – embedding provenance and active guardrails into every workflow to build trust in digital creativity.

Black Goblin was founded by professional sound designers Ana Betancourt and Gabrielle Haley, who experienced a persistent industry problem firsthand. We saw how the processes and tools for audio post-production, while powerful, were still forcing creatives to spend countless hours on manual work [spotting, logging, and organising] instead of the artistic work that defines great sound. We knew there had to be a better way.

Calico is a Birmingham-based social enterprise using creativity to tackle gendered violence and make public spaces safer. Working with affected communities, Calico builds campaigns that centre lived experience, shift perspectives, and support victim-centred approaches, connecting communities with policymakers to drive system-wide change.

East City Films is an award-winning immersive studio based in London. We produce virtual reality, 360° film and interactive experiences that blend cinematic storytelling with cutting-edge technology. Our work tours internationally and explores powerful cultural, political, and historical themes – transforming how audiences experience stories in physical, emotional, and social space.

Gigsavvy Ltd is an IOSH Approved Training Provider, offering face to face as well as online H&S training to management and operatives in the Live Music & Events Industries. Gigsavvy can also offer Workplace Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance services for companies or training and assessment organisations. 

The Gigsavvy Platform is an integrated digital ecosystem specifically designed for the UK's live music and events industry. We combine IOSH-accredited safety training, compliance management, professional directory services, and scheduling systems into one unique platform. Our solution addresses the need for UK artists and venues to meet current health safety and security legislation, building a positive safety culture across the sector.

Happaning is an immersive video technology company transforming how audiences and organisations experience live events. Our patented ViiVid® technology synchronises videos from multiple sources — fans, creators, and professional cameras — by time and space, enabling seamless multi-angle playback “like Google Street View, but with video.” We empower brands, festivals, and cities to capture, explore, and share authentic crowd perspectives while generating powerful media insights. From live entertainment to security and smart cities, Happaning turns moments into dynamic, interactive experiences that connect people, stories, and data in real time.

Headsoup Ltd is the creator of LIFT Music, an accessible, gesture-controlled music app that turns simple movement into sound. Designed for people with autism, dementia, and those who may experience barriers to traditional music-making. LIFT Music enables joy, creative expression, and meaningful connection through music with no instruments or musical training required.

HoloEdge Digital is an audio-first immersive opera company focused on the production pipeline and distribution networks. Our mission is to redefine how audiences experience opera by leveraging the power of extended reality (XR), virtual production, and other innovative digital tools. We work with top-tier artists, technologists, and creatives to bring extraordinary performances to life in new and interactive ways.

Metrotone is a human-first, AI-native IP studio for film, TV and digital with a core story development engine, Screenburn, at its heart.

MIXD Reality is a creative technology company reimagining inclusive storytelling through Augmented Reality. We create immersive, interactive experiences that bring diverse children’s stories to life, blending creativity, accessibility, and innovation to ensure no child is left out of the story.

Saireco is reimagining how AI understands video through context, personalisation and accessibility in real time. Our "Socially Aware Video AI," delivered via a scalable SaaS and API platform, understands video with human-like context and nuance tackling the critical problem that current AI lacks social intelligence. We provide real-time, automated audio-visual descriptions, making content accessible for over 250 million visually impaired people. For the UK's creative industries, we unlock significant value through intelligent search, automated chapterisation, and deep content personalisation, enabling richer and more inclusive media experiences for all audiences.

CoSTAR Evolve mentor Robyn Winfield-Smith, Founding Director of Liminal Stage Productions talks about how she can help emerging creative companies harness their powers to scale up.

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