Startup story: CineGlue X Film and Multimedia Accelerator

Each year, dozens of high-potential startups develop their products and services in Tehnopol’s accelerator programmes. One of the teams currently participating in the Film and Multimedia Accelerator is CineGlue.

CineGlue is an all-in-one operating system for filmmaking, bringing together production management, professional networking and equipment booking in one place. The platform is designed for filmmakers, production teams, students and film schools, helping them connect, collaborate and manage the filmmaking process from the initial idea to final production.

CineGlue was founded by Leonardo Esposito, Co-Founder and CEO, and Raffaele Russo, Co-Founder and CTO. Leonardo is a director and screenwriter with a background in film education and hands-on production experience, as well as experience working with software companies. Raffaele is a software engineer with expertise in product architecture and long-term technical strategy, alongside a background in AI research. Leonardo shared more about CineGlue’s journey.

How did you come up with the idea to create a startup?

“The idea came from experiencing how fragmented filmmaking can be. People, equipment, schedules and production information are often spread across different tools and disconnected networks. We wanted to build a platform that brings these elements together, allowing filmmakers to spend less time managing complexity and more time creating.”

What have been the biggest challenges or failures, and the biggest wins so far?

“One of our biggest challenges has been turning a complex and fragmented industry into a product that is both practical for everyday use and accessible to film schools, students and independent filmmakers.

One of our most important wins has been developing the platform far enough to start conversations with film schools, including institutions in Estonia and Italy, while also building an initial community around the project.”

What sets CineGlue apart from competitors?

“Most solutions focus on just one part of the filmmaking process, such as networking, production management or equipment rental. CineGlue connects these functions within one ecosystem. We have a particular focus on film schools, where students, teachers, equipment and productions can all work together within the same environment. Our ambition is not simply to help people meet, but to support the entire process of making films.”

Why did you apply to the Film and Multimedia Accelerator?

“We applied because we want to develop CineGlue within an ecosystem that understands both the creative industries and the challenges of building a technology company. We are looking for experienced mentors, strategic partnerships and access to investors who can help us validate our business model, strengthen our go-to-market strategy and expand internationally.”

Where do you see your startup in 1 year? And in 5 years?

“In one year, we aim to have CineGlue adopted by a growing number of film schools and productions, with a validated business model and an active professional community.

In five years, we want CineGlue to become a leading operating system for the audiovisual industry, connecting education, production and professional opportunities across international markets.”

Who is the next Estonian unicorn?

“I would bet on an Estonian company using AI to solve complex, high-value problems for businesses. Estonia has shown that a small country can build technology companies with global ambitions, and I believe the next unicorn will combine that international mindset with a product that can scale across industries.”

Which books, podcasts, publications and people in your field do you follow and recommend to other aspiring entrepreneurs?

“For entrepreneurship, I would recommend Eric Ries’s The Lean Startup for its approach to testing assumptions and building through experimentation, and Peter Thiel’s Zero to One for thinking about differentiation and creating something genuinely valuable.

For the film industry, I would also encourage aspiring founders to follow independent filmmakers and producers, study how productions actually work, and learn directly from the people experiencing the industry’s everyday challenges.”

Pictured: Leonardo Esposito (left) with Tehnopol mentor Tauri Kärson

Applications for the Tehnopol Film and Multimedia Accelerator are open until 18 October. If you are developing an innovative solution for the film, multimedia or creative industries and want to take it further with the support of experienced mentors, industry experts and an international network, now is the time to apply. Read more and submit your application here.