Spotify

Spotify, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, is a global music streaming service provider. As of 2023, it has 602 million monthly active users. The company offers on-demand access to songs across various devices, enabling users to search, discover, and share music. It also provides artists with tools to share their work and promote their careers. Spotify generates revenue through a paid subscription model, known as Spotify Premium, and an ad-supported service. In 2023, these models contributed to 86% and 14% of its total revenue, respectively.

Christian Luiga

CFO, Finance

Alex Norstrom

Chief Business Officer and Co-President

33 past transactions

Doinstruct

Seed Round in 2024
Doinstruct is a digital company specializing in video-based solutions for onboarding and training personnel in various industries. Its platform facilitates employee and service provider training by enabling access via smartphones, which allows for flexible participation across supply chains and in diverse locations. This approach ensures that frontline workers can engage in training at their convenience, enhancing the overall effectiveness and accessibility of workforce development initiatives.

Kinzen

Acquisition in 2022
Kinzen Ltd is a technology company based in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 2017 by Áine Kerr, Mark Little, and Paul Watson. The company develops news applications that empower individuals and publishers by providing personalized access to news and information. Kinzen's platform is designed to help citizens engage meaningfully with content while safeguarding conversations from disinformation and harmful content. By leveraging technology, Kinzen enables online communities to manage information risks without relying solely on human editors. Additionally, the company is working on a publisher-focused version of its platform, supported by the Google Digital News Initiative, to enhance the experience for news organizations.

Heardle

Acquisition in 2022
Heardle the music version of Wordle.

Sonantic

Acquisition in 2022
Sonantic is a startup focused on creating advanced synthetic voice technologies tailored for the video game and entertainment industries. The company specializes in developing expressive and hyperrealistic text-to-speech capabilities, allowing game developers to access realistic voice acting that enhances the immersive experience of their projects. By leveraging machine learning, Sonantic produces believable human voices on-demand, which can be easily edited and directed in real-time. This innovative approach streamlines the workflow for creative professionals, enabling them to sculpt and refine voice performances efficiently.

Chartable

Acquisition in 2022
Chartable, Inc. is a New York-based company that specializes in podcast analytics and marketing tools aimed at helping creators understand, grow, and monetize their audiences. Founded in 2018, Chartable offers a platform that tracks and analyzes podcasts by providing insights into downloads, engagement, charts, ratings, and reviews. This data is accessible through an intuitive dashboard that consolidates information from various distribution channels. By offering these analytics, Chartable empowers both independent podcasters and major media publishers to better understand their podcasts and those of their competitors, facilitating informed decisions to enhance their reach and effectiveness in the podcasting landscape.

Podsights

Acquisition in 2022
Podsights is a New York-based company that specializes in analytics, reporting, and attribution for podcast advertising. Founded in 2018, it offers a platform that provides podcast publishers and advertisers with actionable data and insights to optimize their content and assess campaign performance. The platform features a pixel-based measurement solution, allowing advertisers to track the impact of their podcasts by linking listens to on-site activity. Podsights enhances the advertising experience by delivering modern reporting tools that eliminate the need for manual data sharing, such as emailing download numbers or audio files. By offering real-time downloads, air checks, and placement transcripts, Podsights empowers marketers to gain a deeper understanding of their campaigns and make informed adjustments to improve effectiveness.

Whooshkaa

Acquisition in 2021
Whooshkaa is a podcast hosting platform designed to assist creators and marketers in the creation, distribution, and monetization of audio content. The platform allows users to capture, edit, host, and analyze on-demand podcasts, providing tools that enable effective audience engagement and commercial opportunities. By facilitating the entire podcasting process at an enterprise level, Whooshkaa empowers creators to maximize the value of their audio content while enabling brands to effectively reach and connect with their target audiences.

Findaway

Acquisition in 2021
Findaway World is a company specializing in the development and distribution of audiobooks and eBooks, focused on advancing the digital media landscape. It offers innovative technology solutions designed to enhance the audiobook marketplace for content creators worldwide. By providing a platform that connects authors to a vast network of audiobook sellers, Findaway enables seamless access to digital content for millions of listeners. The company collaborates with leading publishers and best-selling authors, assisting them in creating and distributing audiobooks globally. Through its commitment to expanding the digital publishing market, Findaway World aims to challenge conventional norms and enhance the accessibility of audio content.

Podz

Acquisition in 2021
Podz is a podcast platform founded by Doug Imbruce that innovates audio discovery by blending the depth of long-form podcasts with the user-friendly aspects of social media. The company has developed a unique platform that modernizes podcast discovery, replacing traditional methods with a personalized audio news feed. This platform curates and transforms high-quality mini clips from various podcast episodes into engaging and tailored highlights that cater to individual interests, enabling users to consume content more efficiently. In June 2021, Podz was acquired by Spotify, further expanding its reach in the audio streaming industry.

Betty Labs

Acquisition in 2021
Betty Labs is a developer of a sports trivia application aimed at enhancing live sports experiences. The company’s flagship product, Sideline, is a mobile game that allows viewers to win money by predicting future events during sports broadcasts. This application generates real-time questions based on the ongoing game, transforming mundane moments into engaging opportunities to compete with friends and ascend leaderboards. Additionally, Betty Labs offers a social audio platform where fans can join live discussions with sports insiders and athletes, facilitating conversations about their favorite teams and topics. Through these innovative offerings, Betty Labs seeks to enrich the way fans engage with sports.

Megaphone (formerly Panoply Media)

Acquisition in 2020
At Megaphone, we're committed to helping publishers and advertisers make the most out of podcasting. Our technology empowers content creators with the smartest tools to manage their podcast business, and enables brand advertisers to connect with thousands of unique audience segments. Founded in 2015, Megaphone is headquartered in DC with offices in Brooklyn, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Sounder.fm

Seed Round in 2020
Sounder is the cutting-edge technology platform at the forefront of AI/ML-driven content classification and data extraction for the audio industry. By providing contextual intelligence and brand safety solutions to audio publishers, advertising marketplaces, and brands & agencies, Sounder enables significant monetization opportunities at scale

The Ringer

Acquisition in 2020
The Ringer is a digital platform founded in 2016 by Bill Simmons and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company operates a website and a podcasting network that focuses on a variety of topics, including sports, pop culture, technology, music, and politics. Through its publishing platform, The Ringer delivers news and commentary, catering to a diverse audience interested in contemporary cultural discussions. Its combination of written content and audio programming allows for an engaging and multifaceted approach to media consumption.

Artory

Series A in 2019
Artory is a company that specializes in the tokenization and secure registration of physical artworks and collectibles, preparing them for integration into digital financial markets. Founded in 2016 by Nanne Dekking, Artory leverages its extensive experience in the art industry and a vast network of partners to enhance liquidity and investment opportunities for trusted physical assets. The company has developed a blockchain registry that verifies and records essential information about artworks, enabling users to tokenize these assets for safe trading in both traditional and digital markets. Artory's database, containing over 44 million transaction records from global auction houses, serves as a critical resource for asset valuation and insights in the art market. The company made history in 2018 by partnering with Christie’s to record artwork transactions on the blockchain, and since its public launch in 2019, it has verified and tokenized over $1.5 billion worth of art and collectibles. Through its innovative platform, Artory aims to instill confidence in buyers and collectors by providing them with accurate and secure information about their transactions.

Parcast

Acquisition in 2019
Parcast is a leading podcast network specializing in scripted and story-driven programming. The company focuses on producing engaging and informative audio content, including scripted podcasts and audio dramas. By prioritizing storytelling, Parcast aims to captivate its audience with a blend of entertainment and education, setting itself apart in the podcasting industry.

Anchor

Acquisition in 2019
Anchor is a user-friendly platform designed to simplify podcast creation and distribution. It allows users to record or upload high-quality audio and host unlimited episodes, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced podcasters. Anchor also offers seamless distribution to various platforms with a single click, enhancing the visibility of podcasts. Additionally, it incorporates community features that enrich the audio streaming experience, fostering interaction among users. This combination of ease of use and community engagement positions Anchor as a leading choice for individuals looking to enter the podcasting space.

Gimlet

Acquisition in 2019
Gimlet Media Inc. is a digital media company specializing in the production of narrative podcasts. Founded in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company focuses on creating high-quality audio content that engages listeners and fosters understanding among audiences. By offering a platform that allows users to share, subscribe, and download episodes, Gimlet Media provides clients with a means to deliver compelling stories and enhance their brand visibility. In 2019, Gimlet Media became a subsidiary of Spotify Technology S.A., expanding its reach within the audio streaming industry.

DistroKid

Corporate Round in 2018
DistroKid is a software-as-a-service platform based in San Francisco, California, that caters to independent musicians, managers, and record labels. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in music distribution and monetization, allowing artists to publish their music across a wide array of online stores and streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. DistroKid's offerings include tools for royalty collection, metadata management, and collaboration earnings, as well as services for publishing credits, lyrics, and cover song licenses. The platform enables users to upload unlimited albums and songs, providing a cost-effective solution for solo musicians, bands, DJs, and content creators to reach audiences globally.

Loudr

Acquisition in 2018
Loudr builds products and services that make it easy for content creators, aggregators and digital music services to identify, track and pay music publishers. Powered by technology that parses song ownership information and matches sound recordings to composition rights holders, Loudr makes it easy to secure mechanical right clearance for song usage at scale. Loudr's flagship products include Loudr Licensing (a la carte cover song licensing platform), Loudr Distribution (the first and only digital music distribution platform with built-in cover song licensing), and Loudr For Business (mechanical licensing support for enterprise clients).

Tencent Music Entertainment Group

Funding Round in 2017
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) is the leading online music entertainment platform in China, formed in 2016 through the merger of QQ Music, Kuwo Music, and Kugou Music. The company operates the top four music mobile applications in the country, catering to a diverse user base with over 800 million monthly active users. TME offers a comprehensive suite of services, including online music streaming, karaoke, and music-centric live streaming, all designed to enhance user engagement. The platform integrates social interactions such as sharing, liking, commenting, and virtual gifting, which complement the core music experience. This focus on social connectivity not only enriches the listening experience but also increases user retention and engagement across its services. Tencent holds a majority stake in TME, ensuring significant influence over its operations and direction.

Soundtrap

Acquisition in 2017
Soundtrap AB is a Stockholm-based company that offers a cloud-based audio recording platform designed for collaboration in music and audio creation. Founded in 2012, it enables users to start, edit, and publish music while supporting a range of devices, including Mac, Windows, iPads, Android tablets and phones, Linux, and Chromebooks. The platform is particularly popular among educational institutions, serving both K-12 and higher education markets for music teaching and podcasting. Soundtrap has gained recognition for its user-friendly approach and was awarded "Best Website for Teaching & Learning 2015" by the American Association of School Librarians. In 2017, Soundtrap became a subsidiary of Spotify AB, further enhancing its position in the audio recording sector.

Niland

Acquisition in 2017
Niland is a music technology start-up founded in 2013 and headquartered in Paris. The company specializes in music search and recommendation engines, utilizing advanced machine learning techniques to analyze acoustic signals and extract meaningful data from audio tracks. Niland's technology addresses common challenges in music search and discovery by automatically identifying musical and emotional characteristics, enabling the creation of personalized playlists and tailored music recommendations for various applications, such as film and advertising. The company's innovative approach has been recognized for its effectiveness, having won the MIREX 2011 competition and maintaining its status as a leader in the field since then. Niland's mission is to connect the right songs with the right users at the right time, facilitating enhanced customer engagement for music companies.

Mediachain

Acquisition in 2017
Mediachain is an open media library that utilizes blockchain technology to seamlessly connect media with its creators and relevant information. Founded in 2016 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company operates as a protocol for registering, identifying, and tracking creative works online. It employs content identification technology to automatically link media to its origin and context, facilitating collaboration among creators, media organizations, and developers on metadata within a universal media library. Mediachain's decentralized architecture allows participants to maintain control over their data while expanding their reach. In April 2017, Mediachain became a subsidiary of Spotify USA Inc.

MightyTV

Acquisition in 2017
MightyTV is a mobile application that specializes in providing personalized video streaming and movie recommendations. Launched in April 2016 and headquartered in New York City, the platform utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze users' personal preferences alongside the opinions of their friends, thereby enhancing the recommendation process. By offering a wide selection of content from various streaming services and allowing users to sort options by price, MightyTV aims to streamline the video discovery experience, helping users spend less time searching for content and more time enjoying it.

Sonalytic

Acquisition in 2017
Sonalytic Ltd. is a London-based company founded in 2016, specializing in the development of advanced audio detection technology for music identification, monitoring, and discovery. The company has created a patented approach that excels in recognizing individual songs, mixed content, and short audio clips with remarkable speed and robustness, even in the presence of obfuscations. This technology leverages machine learning techniques to enhance the user experience by facilitating the discovery and understanding of sound. Sonalytic has conducted extensive trials with major online platforms, demonstrating its superior performance compared to existing identification technologies. In 2017, Sonalytic became a subsidiary of Spotify AB, further integrating its innovative solutions within the music streaming ecosystem.

Preact

Acquisition in 2016
Preact is a cloud-based customer success service designed to assist subscription software companies in maximizing customer lifetime value. By focusing on reducing churn, acquiring new paid customers, and increasing user revenues, Preact offers tailored health metrics that track detailed session-level usage across web and mobile applications, as well as server APIs. The company leverages big data analytics, behavioral science, and machine learning to predict customer behavior, identifying those likely to churn, renew, or upgrade. Additionally, Preact enhances customer support and product quality by providing deep, real-time visibility into product usage. The platform integrates seamlessly with several leading cloud-based applications, including Gmail, Salesforce, and Zendesk, to facilitate effective customer engagement.

CrowdAlbum

Acquisition in 2016
CrowdAlbum is a company based in San Francisco, California, founded by Tracy Chan. It specializes in aggregating and displaying images and videos shared on social media during events. The platform uses advanced algorithms to collect, filter, and showcase this content from various applications, regardless of the hashtags used. CrowdAlbum's services are particularly valuable for concerts, celebrations, news coverage, disasters, and historical moments. It offers an "invite only" mode that has attracted over 1000 high-profile partners, including prominent musicians and sports teams. The company was acquired by Spotify Technology S.A. in April 2016.

Soundwave

Acquisition in 2016
Soundwave Analytics Limited is a music discovery application that enables users to view in real-time the songs being played by others around them. Founded in 2012 in Dublin, Ireland, by Brendan O’Driscoll, Aidan Sliney, and Craig Watson, the app allows users to create charts based on specific locations, social circles, and preferences while filtering by time and genre. Before its acquisition by Spotify in January 2016, Soundwave attracted over 1.5 million users across 190 countries and tracked more than 150 million song plays. The app has received recognition for its innovation, being named "Best Innovation in Music" by Apple and featured in Google’s Android "Editors Choice" section. Soundwave's unique capability to track music listening habits in real-time has positioned it as a notable player in the music streaming industry.

Cord Project

Acquisition in 2016
Cord Project Inc., established in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, specializes in voice messaging technology. The company has developed an audio messaging platform that enables users to communicate through voice commands, facilitating both one-on-one and group conversations. Cord's application is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, allowing for quick and seamless voice communication on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Since January 20, 2016, Cord Project Inc. has operated as a subsidiary of Spotify USA Inc.

Seed Scientific

Acquisition in 2015
Seed Scientific is a New York City-based company that specializes in developing software and algorithms aimed at understanding individuals' preferences and behaviors. The firm focuses on delivering personalized and contextually relevant experiences and recommendations. Seed Scientific's expertise lies in conceiving, prototyping, and scaling data-driven innovations, which often involve real-time data collection, custom algorithms, data visualization, and software development. Additionally, the company serves as a recruitment hub, providing talent acquisition and vacancy advertising services that connect job seekers with employers in the scientific field. By bridging technology and recruitment, Seed Scientific addresses the needs of both clients in the commercial and social sectors and the talent market.

Soundtrack Your Brand

Series B in 2015
Soundtrack Your Brand is a business-to-business music platform that enables small business owners to create and legally play personalized playlists in their venues. The company offers a subscription-based service that provides access to a vast commercial catalog of songs, allowing businesses to play any music they choose. This service ensures compliance with music licensing regulations while helping businesses enhance their digital media presence through curated soundtracks. By offering unlimited and customizable playlists, Soundtrack Your Brand caters to various business settings and events, ensuring an enjoyable experience for both customers and employees.

The Echo Nest

Acquisition in 2014
The Echo Nest is a music intelligence company that offers music services to developers and media companies. The company’s services enable high-scale music platforms to help fans better discover, share, and interact with the music they love. Their customer base reaches over 100 million every month through more than 400 applications and sites powered by The Echo Nest. The Echo Nest was founded by Brian Whitman and Tristan Jehan in July 2005 and is based in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Tunigo

Acquisition in 2013
Tunigo offers the easiest and most fun way to find, create, and share new music and playlists on Spotify. With Tunigo you will discover specific music for all occasions, grouped by the real events of your life. Plus you will also be keeping track of the latest releases, charts, reviews and current music news.
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