ACCELERATING ACTION: An interview with Ana Betancourt CEO of Black Goblin

committing fully to a venture you’re passionate about is a must, if you don't really believe in what you do, who else will?

This International Women’s Day 2025, our Emerging Companies team is highlighting the gender funding gap. Burges Salmon is proud to be connected with a number of inspirational women and will be sharing a series of articles and interviews (see our previous interviews with (i) Jane Pearce, CEO of Rookwood Operations Ltd, (ii) Cristina Diez Santos, CEO of Open Hydro, (iii) Natasha McKenzie, CEO of Talisman Sparro, and (iv) Sophie Creese, CEO of HeyFlow and Founder of MotherBoard) to inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs, and demonstrate the potential and impact of investing in female innovators and female-led businesses.

Ana Betancourt is the CEO and co-founder of Black Goblin, a pioneering company dedicated to revolutionising sound design and audio creation tools for creative industries. With over a decade of experience as a sound professional, Ana has been instrumental in shaping the company's vision and infrastructure, with an emphasis on enhancing accessibility and artistic innovation. Ana's leadership continues to drive Black Goblin's mission to empower sound designers and transform the creative process. 

Ana generously took the time to share her journey and experiences as a female business owner. 

What inspired you to start your company?

I've spent 14 years immersed in sound design for Film, TV, and progressing into games, and exhibition work. Over time, I noticed that sound designers were often sidelined by industry uncertainty, tight budgets, and limited time to fully express our creativity. Further chats with fellow sound designers revealed that many of us were facing the same challenges: the demand for high-volume, high-quality content wasn’t matched by fair support for the creative process. From COVID-19 onwards, the resilience of the creative sector and its enormous contribution to countries' GDP has been noticed but it has not really been reflected in the distribution of revenue generated. This inspired me to evolve from a consultancy offering tech on the side into a tech-focused company dedicated solely to empowering sound designers. In 2024, Black Goblin pivoted to building robust, sustainable solutions that help creatives focus on their craft without compromising their livelihood. 

What were the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages, and how did you overcome them?

Navigating those early days was a real rollercoaster. Securing funding was one of the toughest challenges; I often felt the pressure of proving myself as a first-time and female founder in an industry where I was one of the few similar voices, and doing so in a country that wasn’t my own added an extra layer of uncertainty. I leaned on my industry knowledge and reached out to seasoned sound designers, asking for honest feedback and learning from their experiences, I keep doing this. This continuous process of learning and adapting helped me make informed decisions and build the resilience needed to keep going. I’ve also come to realise that true resilience isn’t about pushing through non-stop, it’s about recognising when you need a break and giving yourself permission to pause and regroup, even if that means having a moment to let it all out. 

What are the key factors that have contributed to your company's success?

Our journey is very much a work in progress, but there are a few key factors that have set us on the right path. First, our small yet incredibly dedicated team is the heart of Black Goblin—their creativity and commitment drive our every step forward. Early on, my co-founder, Gabrielle Haley, played a pivotal role in shaping our vision and fostering a spirit of genuine support, which has been invaluable even as our team has evolved.

On a personal note, my family has been a steady source of strength; they have been there through every twist and turn, offering unwavering encouragement. These combined influences have helped us navigate challenges and build a company that’s poised for ongoing growth.

What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs looking to start a business?

I have always felt genuinely uncomfortable giving advice, but some years ago, I joined the creative Edinburgh's mentoring programme, first as a mentee and a year later as a mentor, and that taught me the value of sharing experiences and growing together. And something I have learned from looking at other female entrepreneurs and that has also worked for me is to believe in your vision with unwavering confidence, yet remain open to learning and feedback. Listen closely to your audience; understanding their needs will shape a product that truly resonates. And, even if networking feels daunting (especially for introverts, like myself), it’s essential for organic growth and building meaningful connections. Setbacks are inevitable, but allowing oneself time to process and recharge, and always prioritising self-care can make all the difference. Ultimately, committing fully to a venture you’re passionate about is a must, if you don't really believe in what you do, who else will? 

How do you balance work and personal life as an entrepreneur?

I won’t pretend that I’ve mastered the work–life balance yet, there’s always room for improvement. Right now, I’m actively working on setting clearer boundaries: taking weekends off, creating a schedule that ensures regular sleep and meals, and learning to forgive myself on the tougher days. Every small change is a step toward a more sustainable routine. I’m continually open to new strategies and advice that can help me better harmonise the demands of entrepreneurship with personal well-being, but the only thing I have learned and that works for me is that being kind to myself is essential for long-term success.

We would like to thank Ana for kindly taking the time to contribute to our Accelerating Action series. 

If you would like to discuss any of the points raised in this article, please get in touch with your Burges Salmon contact or the Emerging Companies Team on [email protected]. In addition to providing legal advice generally to start-ups, scale-ups, founders, and investors, we deliver legal advice to early-stage companies through the firm’s legal accelerator: BScale, with the aim of supporting early-stage businesses in scaling up their operations by providing corporate, regulatory, tax, employment, IP and commercial advice.

Written by Eleanor Furlong and Joanna Gray