87. We Are Colony

Founder: Sarah Tierney
Founded: February 2013 (launched February 2015)
Website: www.wearecolony.com

Despite the film industry continuing to undergo enormous disruption and streaming services estimated to be the fastest growing vertical in the market – revenues are expected to hit $51.1bn in 2020 – there has thus far been little diversification in the on-demand space.

Hoping to change that is London-based We Are Colony: unlike other film streaming services, the platform gives movie fans access to exclusive behind-the-scenes extras, the likes of which used to be found on DVDs – sales of which fell below digital revenues this year. Currently users can rent or buy film bundles via a pay-as-you-go model, with We Are Colony operating a revenue split from its more than 40 global licensors (including BBC Films, Film4 and Momentum), as well as gaining additional revenue from a still in development affiliate programme and data-as-a-service engine. And despite big brand competition, it seems We Are Colony’s bonus extras have found a rapt audience. The company has registered account holders in 115 countries and paying users in 84 countries.

Currently with over 80 titles on release through the platform, We Are Colony hopes to increase this by adding another 100 titles during 2016. To date the company has raised £1.4m, backed by funds including Seedcamp, Archer Gray and Firestartr. Headed up by Sarah Tierney, an Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning filmmaker, We Are Colony is – excuse the pun – one to watch.