boomsatsuma
Boomsatsuma is a Bristol-based private creative education provider offering Level 3 diplomas, Kingston University-validated degrees, and short courses in film, photography, games, and digital media to 16-18 year-olds, undergraduates, and SEND learners, supplemented by a Digital Heritage Studio commercial product line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What boomsatsuma does
Boomsatsuma Education Limited is a private creative education provider founded in 2007 and headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, operating with 11-50 employees across multiple sites including The Bottle Yard Studios, Tobacco Factory, and Portland Square. It delivers Level 3 vocational diplomas (Art and Design, Creative and Digital Media, Game Design and Development, Film and Television, Photography, Sports Media Production), undergraduate degrees validated by Kingston University (Filmmaking: Production, Filmmaking: Post Production, Game Design and Production, Photography and Print), short courses, and a SEND-focused traineeship programme (Create Agency). Its core customers are 16-18 year-old college students, undergraduate degree students, short-course learners, and SEND programme participants, primarily drawn from South West England.
The institution is organised around several sub-brands: Bristol Film School (degree-awarding film programmes with RTS recognition), Digital Heritage Studio / Venture Studio (a creative technology incubator producing commercial digital heritage products such as Hadrian's Wall 180 for Microsoft Flight Simulator in partnership with Time Machine Designs), and Create Agency (a supported traineeship programme at The Bottle Yard Studios). Technology stack is centred on creative production tools used in film, television, photography, and game design, augmented by virtual production and machine learning workflows accessed through the UKRI-funded MyWorld Creates programme and partners such as Lux Aeterna VFX and Microsoft.
Boomsatsuma makes money primarily through tuition fees (college courses, degree programmes, and short courses) supplemented by licensing/royalty income from commercial digital heritage products distributed on the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace and by sponsored commercial briefs delivered by students for clients such as Bristol City Leap, Lost and Grounded Brewery, Bauer Media, Clear Channel, and the Somerset Community Foundation. Its go-to-market relies on open days, school and college outreach, UCAS applications, clearing, and word-of-mouth referrals through industry partners (BBC, Aardman Animations, Bottle Yard Studios, Films@59, Gorilla Post Production, Doghouse Post Production).
boomsatsuma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- boomsatsuma
- Legal name
- Boomsatsuma Education Limited
- Website
- https://boomsatsuma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Boomsatsuma is a Bristol-based private creative education provider offering Level 3 diplomas, Kingston University-validated degrees, and short courses in film, photography, games, and digital media to 16-18 year-olds, undergraduates, and SEND learners, supplemented by a Digital Heritage Studio commercial product line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
boomsatsuma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Creative Arts Education
- NAICS
- Commercial Photography (541922), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG)
Keywords
Where boomsatsuma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
boomsatsuma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- College Tuition Fees: Revenue from college-level vocational courses including Art and Design, Creative and Digital Media, Game Design and Development, Film and Television, Photography, and Sports Media Production.
- Degree Programme Fees: Revenue from undergraduate degree programmes validated by Kingston University including Filmmaking: Production, Filmmaking: Post Production, Game Design and Production, and Photography and Print.
- Short Courses: Revenue from short courses including Game Design, Photography Magazine, and 3D Printing/Sculpting workshops.
- Digital Heritage Products: Commercial revenue from digital heritage products such as Hadrian's Wall 180, developed through Venture Studio partnerships with Time Machine Designs and sold via Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
boomsatsuma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Boomsatsuma is a creative education provider offering Level 3 college diplomas, Kingston University-validated undergraduate degrees, and short courses in art, design, film, television, photography, game design, creative and digital media, and sports media production. The institution also operates the Digital Heritage Studio (Venture Studio), which develops and commercialises digital heritage products such as Hadrian's Wall 180 for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the Create Agency SEND traineeship programme delivering real-world commercial brief experience. Programmes are delivered from Bristol facilities at The Bottle Yard Studios, Tobacco Factory, and Portland Square.
Product overview
Boomsatsuma is a creative education provider offering a multi-level portfolio of vocational and degree programmes in film, photography, games, and digital media. The offering spans college-level diplomas (Art and Design, Creative and Digital Media, Game Design and Development, Film and Television, Photography, Sports Media Production), undergraduate degrees (Filmmaking: Production, Filmmaking: Post Production, Game Design and Production, Photography and Print) validated by Kingston University, and short courses. Distinct sub-brands include Bristol Film School (a dedicated film school with industry recognition) and the Digital Heritage Studio/Venture Studio (a commercial technology incubator producing digital heritage products like Hadrian's Wall 180 for Microsoft Flight Simulator). The Create Agency programme provides supported traineeships with real-world commercial experience. The company positions itself as industry-led with real-world connections, operating in Bristol's creative hub near major employers including BBC, Aardman, and The Bottle Yard Studios.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- College Courses (Art and Design, Creative and Digital Media, Game Design and Development, Film and Television, Photography, Sports Media Production) Level 3 vocational diploma programmes for 16-18-year-olds in art, design, creative and digital media, game design and development, film and television, photography, and sports media production. Taught by industry professionals with real-world client briefs.
- Degree Courses (Filmmaking: Production, Filmmaking: Post Production, Game Design and Production, Photography and Print) BA (Hons) undergraduate degree programmes validated by Kingston University in Filmmaking: Production, Filmmaking: Post Production, Game Design and Production, and Photography and Print. Available via UCAS and clearing.
- Short Courses (Game Design, Photography Magazine, 3D Printing/Sculpting) Short creative workshops including Game Design: Build your own level, Photography: Produce your own magazine, and 3D Printing: Create your own character, for skill development and taster experiences.
- Create Agency (SEND Programme) Supported traineeship programme for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, providing real-world commercial brief experience in content creation and creative production at The Bottle Yard Studios.
- Hadrian's Wall 180 World-first digital heritage experience for Microsoft Flight Simulator allowing users to explore Hadrian's Wall as it stood in 180 AD, featuring 73 miles of reconstructed wall, 158 turrets, 78 milecastles, 18 legionary forts, and over 140 unique building models.
- Bristol Film School Dedicated film school within Boomsatsuma offering Filmmaking: Production and Filmmaking: Post Production degree programmes with industry partnerships including BBC, Aardman Animations, The Bottle Yard Studios, Lux Aeterna VFX, Films@59, Doghouse Post Production and Gorilla Post Production.
- Digital Heritage Studio (Venture Studio) Creative technology incubator partnering emerging talent with professional mentors to develop commercial digital heritage products, including Hadrian's Wall 180 and Worlebury Iron Age Hillfort digital reconstruction.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% student pass rate over five years
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use boomsatsuma
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
boomsatsuma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability6 records
Feature3 records
boomsatsuma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Bristol City LeapcoreCollaboration where Filmmaking: Post Production students created six documentary films for community organisations supported through Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund. Live industry brief for climate action stories.
- Bauer MediacoreCollaboration with global media giant where Creative and Digital Media students created poster designs for Off The Record charity. Selected student work appeared on bus stop billboards across Bristol.
- Off The RecordcoreLocal young people's mental health charity benefiting from student-created graphic design work for bus billboard campaign focusing on self-care messaging.
- Lost and Grounded BrewerycorePhotography and Print degree students reimagined beer label for Lost and Grounded's Helles lager. Students produced studio and location photography for digital, print, and social media campaigns. Exhibition held in brewery taproom.
- Somerset Community FoundationcoreFunding partner for Young Carers awareness film project 'Small Shoulders'. Collaboration between young carers, Create Agency trainees, schools, and multidisciplinary professionals.
- Youth UnlimitedcorePartner in Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) programme supporting young carers aged 5-18 to share their stories through film.
- Time Machine DesignsflagshipCollaboration to develop Hadrian's Wall 180 - a world-first digital reconstruction of Hadrian's Wall for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Students and graduates from Boomsatsuma worked alongside Time Machine Designs professionals to create this innovative digital heritage product. Eight Boomsatsuma students and alumni took key roles in research, design, and development.
- Lux Aeterna VFXcoreCollaboration on behind-the-scenes documentary for short film RENO, developed through MyWorld Creates creative technology programme. Students documented virtual production using cutting-edge ML technologies. VFX team visited school to speak about production and post-production workflows.
- MicrosoftflagshipPartnership for Hadrian's Wall 180 product distributed via Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace. Uses MSFS 'digital twin' technology for historical reconstruction.
- Clear ChannelcoreOngoing collaboration where Creative and Digital Media students designed sustainability in fashion visuals displayed across Bristol on digital screens. Ten students had designs showcased citywide.
- North East MuseumscorePartner supporting Hadrian's Wall 180 digital heritage project, providing research and heritage expertise.
- Vindolanda TrustcoreArchaeological trust partner providing expert advice and reports for Hadrian's Wall 180 reconstruction. Newly discovered turret included in digital model.
- University of ExeterminorAcademic partner in digital heritage research and development.
- Portsmouth UniversityminorAcademic partner in digital heritage and creative technology projects.
- Royal Agricultural UniversityminorAcademic partner in digital heritage projects.
- Time Machine DesignsflagshipVenture Studio collaboration with Time Machine Designs on Hadrian's Wall 180 AD. Partner also working on Theatre of Dionysus (Athens, 5th century BCE) with academic Dr. Victoria Rooney.
- Weston-super-Mare Town CouncilminorCommissioned Worlebury Iron Age Hillfort digital reconstruction for heritage trail.
- MyWorld CreatescoreCreative technology programme funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supporting innovation across film, TV, games and immersive media through industry-education partnerships.
- The Bottle Yard StudiosflagshipHome to Boomsatsuma's main facility. Bristol's largest film and TV studios providing industry connections and professional working environment for students.
- Films@59coreBristol-based film company providing industry connections, workshops, and work experience for film students.
- Doghouse Post ProductioncorePost-production company partner providing industry connections and collaboration opportunities for film students.
- Gorilla Post ProductioncorePost-production company collaborating through workshops, work experience, and expanded partnership including Gorilla Academy Internship for students.
- Cabot Learning FederationminorEducational trust partner in outreach and student recruitment.
- The Olympus Academy TrustminorAcademy trust partner in outreach activities.
- Kingston UniversityflagshipValidation partnership for all film, photography and games degrees. Degrees awarded by Kingston University, which has Gold TEF rating and top 10 national rankings. Kingston University's Future Skills programmes integrated into Boomsatsuma degrees. Marks Boomsatsuma as Bristol's first Film School.
- The Royal Photographic SocietyflagshipPhotography and Print degree is the only degree in the South West supported by the Royal Photographic Society. CEO Dan Jones stated support for the degree and new studio facility.
- ShirazcoreInternational fine art print company installed two state-of-the-art large format printers in new Photography and Print studio facility. Provides students opportunities to develop print and publishing skills.
- Vision: 2025minorFilm and TV college students undertook paid commercial commission to capture Vision: 2025's Sustainable Event Summit including live panels, vox pops, and promotional shorts for webinars.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
boomsatsuma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NFTS (National Film and Television School): The UK's National Film and Television School, located in Beaconsfield, is the country's premier specialist film school offering MA/MFA programmes with strong BBC, BFI, and production-industry ties. Directly comparable to Bristol Film School at Boomsatsuma in discipline focus and industry-education bridge, though operating at postgraduate rather than undergraduate level.
- MetFilm School: London-headquartered film school with campuses in London and Berlin, offering BA, MA, and short courses in filmmaking with industry-led teaching and active placement pipelines into UK production houses. Closely comparable business model to Boomsatsuma: real-client briefs, professional equipment access, and creator-focused curriculum.
- London Film School: Long-established London-based specialist film school (founded 1956), offering MA Filmmaking and related programmes recognised by industry. Directly comparable to Bristol Film School in mission, postgraduate/undergraduate film training, and employer recognition within UK production.
- Falmouth University: Cornwall-based public university with a strong creative arts portfolio including BA Film, Television, Games, and Photography. Comparable to Boomsatsuma as a UK creative arts HE provider in the South West region with degree programmes covering similar disciplines.
- Arts University Bournemouth: Specialist creative arts university on the south coast of England offering BA/MA in Film Production, Photography, Animation, Games Design, and Visual Effects. Highly comparable discipline mix and creative-industry focus to Boomsatsuma's portfolio across Filmmaking, Game Design, and Photography.
- Escape Studios (Pearson): London-based creative training provider (part of Pearson) focused on VFX, animation, games, and motion graphics with industry-led curriculum and software house partnerships (Autodesk, Foundry, Unreal). Directly comparable to Boomsatsuma in delivering industry-relevant creative technical training at undergraduate level with professional software pipelines.
- SAE Institute: Global private creative media education provider with UK campuses covering film, audio production, games, and animation. Comparable to Boomsatsuma as a private creative media college with industry-standard equipment, accreditation, and undergraduate degrees in overlapping creative disciplines.
Regional players
- dBs Institute: Plymouth-based UK creative education provider (music production, sound engineering, film, and games with partner university validation). A geographic peer to Boomsatsuma in the South West of England with similar creative portfolio and degree validation structure through partner universities.
Broad incumbents
- BIMM University: Brighton-headquartered UK specialist higher education institution for creative industries (music, performing arts, film, gaming) with strong employer networks and career outcomes focus. Broadly comparable to Boomsatsuma as a UK specialist creative arts HE provider with emphasis on industry connections, though primarily music-weighted.
- Norwich University of the Arts: UK specialist arts university in East Anglia offering BA/MA in Film and Moving Image, Photography, Games, and Graphic Design. Broadly comparable as a UK-focused creative arts degree provider with TEF-recognised teaching quality in disciplines that overlap with Boomsatsuma's portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
boomsatsuma social profiles
Digital presenceboomsatsuma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
boomsatsuma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
boomsatsuma subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
boomsatsuma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
boomsatsuma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about boomsatsuma
What does boomsatsuma do?
Boomsatsuma is a creative education provider offering Level 3 college diplomas, Kingston University-validated undergraduate degrees, and short courses in art, design, film, television, photography, game design, creative and digital media, and sports media production. The institution also operates the Digital Heritage Studio (Venture Studio), which develops and commercialises digital heritage products such as Hadrian's Wall 180 for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the Create Agency SEND traineeship programme delivering real-world commercial brief experience. Programmes are delivered from Bristol facilities at The Bottle Yard Studios, Tobacco Factory, and Portland Square.
Is boomsatsuma a public or private company?
boomsatsuma is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was boomsatsuma founded?
boomsatsuma was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is boomsatsuma based?
boomsatsuma is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does boomsatsuma make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. College Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are degree Programme Fees, short Courses and digital Heritage Products.
Who are boomsatsuma's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NFTS (National Film and Television School), MetFilm School, London Film School, Falmouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, Escape Studios (Pearson) and SAE Institute. dBs Institute is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are BIMM University and Norwich University of the Arts.
Does boomsatsuma have an API?
No public API is recorded for boomsatsuma.
What industry is boomsatsuma in?
boomsatsuma's product category is Creative Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAKAA, Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific), with a secondary code of EDAMAKAK, Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs. Its NAICS code is 541922 and its SIC code is 7812.