# Smashcut

> Smashcut is a New Jersey-based education technology company that has built a next-generation online learning platform designed specifically for video-centric, collaborative education in the visual and media arts. It partners with universities and education brands - including NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Pearson's Escape Studios - to develop and deliver branded, media-based online courses in filmmaking, screenwriting, animation and related creative disciplines, combining video hosting, annotation, live 1:1 instructor feedback and course management in a single platform. The company raised $7 million in Series A funding from Pearson Ventures in 2021.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Montclair, New Jersey, United States
- **Founders:** Daniel Blackman (Founder & CEO)
- **Team size:** ~15 employees
- **Products:** Smashcut Learning Platform, Branded University Programs, Live 1:1 Instructor Review, Smashcut Online Film School
- **Notable:** Raised $7 million Series A from Pearson Ventures (2021), Built branded online programs with NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Collaborated with NYU Tisch and New York Times Op-Docs on an online documentary course and scholarships

## Products & services

- **Smashcut Learning Platform** — A next-generation, media-based online learning platform built for real-time, video-centric education. Combines video hosting and streaming, video annotation, live chat, video meetings and course management for instructors.
- **Branded University Programs** — Customized, co-branded online programs developed and delivered in partnership with universities and education brands, such as NYU Tisch's online courses in filmmaking, screenwriting and branded storytelling.
- **Live 1:1 Instructor Review** — Real-time student project review through live one-on-one video sessions with instructors, recreating the critique-room feedback loop of in-person film education.
- **Smashcut Online Film School** — Direct-to-learner online film and media courses delivered on the Smashcut platform.

## Achievements

- Raised $7 million Series A from Pearson Ventures (2021)
- Built branded online programs with NYU Tisch School of the Arts
- Collaborated with NYU Tisch and New York Times Op-Docs on an online documentary course and scholarships
- Selected to power Pearson College London's Escape Studios animation and gaming courses
- Established relationships across elite institutions including Johns Hopkins, Columbia and University of Chicago

## Latest updates

- **2021-08** — Secured $7 million Series A funding from Pearson Ventures to scale collaborative online education for the visual and media arts.
- **2021-08** — Announced support for Pearson's media-arts programs, starting with Escape Studios animation and gaming development courses.
- **2020-11** — Partnered with NYU Tisch and New York Times Op-Docs on an online documentary course program and scholarships.

## Links

- Website: https://smashcut.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/smashcut
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/smashcut
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/smashcutfilm

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/smashcut
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-18