Tech Founders Launched Vurt Streaming Hub in Miami
Local creators gain a 50-50 revenue share on the new vertical video platform.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Urban
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Miami-based independent filmmakers have a new digital home with the launch of the vertical streaming platform Vurt. Founders Ted Lucas and Hilmon Sorey created the service to help local creators move beyond traditional social media distribution.
Why it matters
The platform seeks to establish South Florida as an epicenter for mobile-first storytelling while providing creators with a professional revenue model. It arrives as the global vertical video industry eyes a revenue target of $150 billion by late 2026.
The global vertical video industry is projected to reach $150 billion in revenue by late 2026, while Vurt offers creators a 50-50 revenue share on advertising. The platform features micro-dramas of 30 to 90 episodes, with each episode lasting between two and three minutes.
The players
Ted Lucas
Co-founder of the Miami-based vertical streaming platform Vurt.
Hilmon Sorey
Co-founder of Vurt who brings 25 years of experience from Silicon Valley.
Urban Film Festival
An Overtown-based festival that partnered with Vurt to distribute independent films.
The details
Vurt is part of a broader tech hub under The Source that integrates tech certifications and scholarships via a partnership with Grow with Google. In Overtown, the platform has partnered with the Urban Film Festival to showcase independent projects. The service features both original and licensed programming, utilizing dramatic hooks and cliffhangers designed for mobile and connected TV viewers.
Timeline
2026: The global vertical video industry revenue is projected to reach $150 billion.
Beyond the 305
Vurt brings a production model to Miami that mirrors the vertical storytelling trends pioneered in markets like China and South Korea. This move represents a strategic attempt to replicate those international successes within the South Florida creative economy.
Local filmmakers can now access a new distribution pipeline that provides a 50-50 revenue split on advertising. Aspiring tech professionals in the area may also qualify for certifications and scholarships through the platform's partnership with Grow with Google.
The takeaway
Vurt aims to provide independent creators with a sustainable alternative to social media monetization. Keep an eye on how the partnership with the Urban Film Festival impacts the visibility of local filmmakers in the coming months.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local media at Urban.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLRN.
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Would you consider using independent platforms over social media to distribute your own creative work?
