500 Startups Adds 3 From Music Tech: Rapt.fm, SoundBetter and i3zif
500 Startups, one of the leading accelerators in the tech game, just announced their 8th class of startups that will be accelerating in their new San Francisco offices. The group comes from all over the world and includes 3 music tech startups as well as some other companies that may be of future relevance. I don't know what the stats for ultimate success when graduating from an accelerator might be but if they go on to get venture funding, then the odds are against these companies. Check them out now while you can!
500 Startups is not only one of the biggest and most successful tech startup accelerators but it also is the most diverse of those regularly in the news. Prior to their previous batch they posted:
We’re approaching our 7th batch of startups at 500 HQ, have founders and employees in more than 40 countries, and passed our 500th startup not too long ago…"
"One thing we’re particularly proud of is the diversity of our #500Strong family. In addition to an investment team that’s 50% female, we’ve invested in tons of female founders, international entrepreneurs, and other people who have unique insights on underserved markets."
500 Startups announced their 8th batch which includes 3 music tech startups:
Rapt.fm – "Chat roulette for rap battles, but it’s going to be a comprehensive technology for artists to build fan bases, get discovered, give live concerts, and monetize."
SoundBetter – "SoundBetter is the leading marketplace for music production talent. We connect millions of independent musicians with professional music producers, session musicians, mixing & mastering engineers."
i3zif (Play for Music Limited) – "We teach users how to play musical instruments through video tutorials working with some of the best musicians in the Arab world. We’re the first to provide high quality online music education in Arabic, and the first to offer it in English for oriental and eastern instruments."
Check out the announcement for more on these companies as well as a bunch of others.
More:
Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (Twitter/Facebook) is currently relaunching All World Dance. To suggest topics about music tech, DIY music biz or music marketing for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.
Interesting to see 500 Startup moving into the music area and I believe a good sign for the strength of the music biz.