Meet Ian Grant | CEO & Co-founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ian Grant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ian, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
As someone who came from the industry, as an actor and stuntman, I was always curious about the business side of entertainment. I wanted to know what made it “showbiz” and who really made the money. After becoming a producer and realizing the challenges of getting my own project off the ground, not having a system or anything to help streamline the process, I realized there had to be a better way. So many industries evolve and advance, and I felt like entertainment was still stuck in the analog ages.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Greenlit is a packaging and film financing platform designed for entertainment professionals, and I’m proud to say it’s more than just a business—it’s a solution to a problem I experienced firsthand. As a producer, actor, and stuntman, I saw the challenges filmmakers face in securing financing and navigating the complex landscape of film production. What sets Greenlit apart from others is our holistic approach to film financing and simplifying this process for everyone involved. We provide filmmakers with the tools they need to bring their projects to life and streamline the entire process, from initial development and organization to investor readiness and talent attachment. Having an integrated system for both investors and filmmakers gives all parties a central location to be a source of truth for all stakeholders.

Getting to where we are today business-wise definitely wasn’t easy. My journey began with my experience working at another startup on the ground floor, which provided me with insights into scaling a business. Concurrently, I entered the entertainment industry as an actor to supplement my income, avoiding the need to rely on gig work like Uber Eats. My background as a trained stuntman and actor, combined with my passion for the business side of entertainment, naturally led me to become a producer. I started a production company, produced several projects, and learned every aspect of the industry, from holding a boom mic to managing production budgets. Overcoming the challenges of starting Greenlit involved resilience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the pain points in the film industry. One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of listening to our users and continuously iterating on our platform based on their feedback.

I knew the industry valued community and collaboration from building a previous organization Minorities in Film, I took the same mindset and approach into Greenlit to set out and build a community of like minded investors interested in investing in film.

I want the world to know that Greenlit is here to democratize film financing and support filmmakers in realizing their visions. Our mission is to make the film industry more accessible and inclusive, providing filmmakers with the tools they need to succeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting NYC for a week, I’d ensure they experienced the best the city has to offer, including its rich cultural heritage. We’d start with a stroll through Central Park, followed by a visit to The Met. For food, we’d grab bagels at Ess-a-Bagel, enjoy pizza at Joe’s Pizza, and dine at iconic spots like Sylvia’s in Harlem for soul food and Keens Steakhouse. We’d catch a Broadway show, explore the vibrant streets of Greenwich Village, and visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. To soak in culture, we’d spend time at MoMA and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. Evenings would be for sunset views from the Empire State Building, craft cocktails at Please Don’t Tell, and jazz at The Blue Note.

We’d also wander through SoHo’s art galleries and shops, enjoy seafood at The Boil, and take a sunset cruise around Manhattan. A visit to the Apollo Theater in Harlem would be a must for live music and entertainment. In Brooklyn, we’d explore the Brooklyn Museum and the Weeksville Heritage Center, which highlights one of the first free African American communities in the U.S. We’d enjoy Caribbean cuisine at Negril Village, catch a performance at the Billie Holiday Theatre, and relax at Prospect Park. For a taste of the local nightlife, we’d visit Bed-Stuy’s The Broadway for live music and cocktails.

Giving them the best of both worlds of fast pasted city living with the iconic scenes of Brooklyn.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom really showed me what hard work looked like and where I get a lot of my discipline from. I would also say my early mentors from my marketing days taught me a lot about mindset. My first exposure to entrepreneurship was at 22, and I realized there was a better way of doing things. I watched The Secret, read Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and there was no turning back.

Website: https://getgreenlit.xyz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealianq/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianqgrant/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealianq

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Greenlit/61553635898307/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Getgreenlit

Other: https://linktr.ee/getgreenlit

Image Credits
Brittany Franklin