Call for Pitches: Innovative Digital Solutions for Media Organisations

In an ever-evolving media landscape, SustainMedia recognizes the importance of embracing innovation to stay ahead of the curve. They are in search of innovative partners who can provide transformative solutions across different areas of media operations, including content creation, distribution, audience engagement, and monetization.

Objective of the Pitch

• Identifying and enabling development of Innovative Solutions by encouraging technology partners to collaborate with media organisations and to propose innovative digital solutions that address challenges faced by media organizations in the Western Balkans.

 Focus Areas 

• Your Pitch can address one or more aspects from the key focus areas:
  • Content Management:
    • Content Creation Tools: Proposals should include innovative solutions for content creation, such as advanced editing software, graphic design tools, and multimedia production applications.
    • Organizational Systems: Submissions should address efficient content organization, categorization, and tagging to enhance accessibility and retrieval.
    • Distribution Platforms: Solutions that facilitate seamless content distribution across various channels, including websites, social media, and other digital platforms.
  • Workflow Optimization:
    • Collaboration Tools: Proposals should present tools that foster collaboration among team members, both internally and externally, by providing real-time communication and project management features.
    • Automation Technologies: Submissions should include technologies that automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows, optimizing the production process.
    • Integration Capabilities: Solutions should be capable of integrating with existing tools and systems, ensuring a cohesive and interconnected ecosystem.
  • Security Measures:
    • Data Encryption and Protection: Proposals should highlight robust data encryption measures to safeguard sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access. Another option could be ensuring Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions.
    • Cyber Threat Detection: Submissions should include advanced cybersecurity features, such as threat detection, intrusion prevention, and real-time monitoring to ensure a secure digital environment.
    • Compliance and Regulation: Solutions should align with industry regulations and compliance standards to ensure data security and legal adherence.
  • Analytics and Insights:
    • Data Analytics Tools: Proposals should introduce advanced analytics tools that provide insights into audience behavior, content performance, and market trends.
    • Predictive Analytics: Submissions should showcase predictive analytics capabilities to help anticipate future trends, enabling informed decision-making.
    • Customizable Reporting: Solutions should offer customizable reporting features to tailor analytics outputs according to specific business requirements.
  • Solutions for monetization:
    • Subscription Management Systems: Solutions should help media outlets to introduce and manage subscriptions, billing, and recurring payments for premium content or services. This system should support flexible pricing plans, metered usage, and customer retention strategies.
    • Paywalls and Membership Platforms: Developing and/or deploying paywalls or membership platforms that allow media outlets to offer exclusive content to paying subscribers. This platform should provide tools for managing memberships, creating tiered subscription plans, and tracking subscriber engagement.
    • E-commerce and Merchandising Platforms: Developing and setting up e-commerce and merchandising platforms that enable media outlets to sell merchandise, digital products, or event tickets directly to their audience. This platform should offer features for inventory management, order processing, and payment integration.

Funding Information

• Grant Size: up to EUR 10.000
• No of Pitches to be awarded: 5
• Note: 10 shortlisted Applicants will be announced on June 14th, 2024 and invited to pitch their solutions live on June 24th – 26th, 2024  at  POINT 12 Conference in Sarajevo where the 5 winners will be selected by a Committee. The cost for the in-person pitching will be covered by SustainMedia Programme.

Who can apply?

• They are inviting innovative solution providers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to partner up with at least one media organization and to submit proposals that can revolutionize media operations, enhance audience experiences and drive sustained growth.

For more information, visit SustainMedia.