Investor directory

Y Combinator

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Focus

Seed RoundPre Seed RoundSeries AEarly VentureScale StageShow more
http://ycombinator.com
https://angel.co/company/y-combinator
https://crunchbase.com/organization/y-combinator
https://facebook.com/ycombinator
https://linkedin.com/company/y-combinator
https://pitchbook.com/profiles/investor/40420-36
https://signal.nfx.com/firms/y-combinator
https://twitter.com/ycombinator
https://www.capitaliq.com/CIQDotNet/company.aspx?companyId=32514318
https://www.privateequityinternational.com/database/#/profile?id=14195

Gustaf Alstromer

Group Partner

Matt Bogrand

Associate, YC Continuity Fund

Timothy Brady

Partner

Craig R. Cannon

Director of Marketing

Adora Cheung

Partner

Nic Dardenne

Principal

Aaron Epstein

Group Partner

Brad Flora

Group Partner

Jared Friedman

Managing Director, Software and Group Partner

Aaron Harris

Partner

Carolynn Levy

Partner

Bradford (Brad) Lightcap

Associate, YC Continuity

Kat Manalac

Managing Partner

Eric Migicovsky

Partner

Kirsty Nathoo

Partner

Verena Prescher

Director of Finance

Geoff Ralston

president

Ali Rowghani

Managing Partner

Arnav Sahu

Principal

Michael Seibel

Managing Director

Harj Taggar

Partner

Past deals in Music Streaming

Charge Running

Seed Round in 2021
Charge Running, Inc. is a mobile fitness application designed for iPhone and Apple Watch users, enabling runners to participate in live, instructor-led running classes from any location. Founded in 2017 and based in Manhattan, Illinois, Charge offers interactive experiences that include competitive leaderboards and real-time feedback from professional trainers. The platform fosters a sense of community by connecting runners worldwide and motivating them through engaging workouts. For those unable to join live sessions, Charge provides an on-demand option featuring pre-recorded workouts, ensuring users can access training at their convenience. The app is tailored for individuals who enjoy the dynamics of group fitness, emphasizing competition, motivation, and accessibility in their running routines.

Jamiphy

Seed Round in 2020
Jamiphy Inc. is a San Francisco-based company founded in 2019 that specializes in a music video application designed for musicians and music enthusiasts. The app allows users to create, host, and share short live-music videos, facilitating both the discovery and production of these musical moments. With a focus on user-friendly tools, Jamiphy aims to enhance the experience of capturing and sharing live performances, making it accessible for individuals to showcase their musical talents.

Listle

Seed Round in 2019
Listle Inc. is a technology company based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2019. The company specializes in creating application software that enables users to listen to audio versions of stories available on the Internet, including news articles and various online content. By providing a platform for audio articles, Listle aims to enhance the accessibility and consumption of written content for its users.

Mux

Series B in 2019
Mux is a company focused on enhancing online video infrastructure through advanced performance monitoring and analytics. Initially, it developed Mux Data, a leading tool for performance analytics that is widely used by developers at prominent organizations such as Vimeo, Robinhood, and PBS. Following this, Mux introduced Mux Video, a straightforward API designed for video hosting, encoding, and streaming. This service enables seamless playback of video files and live streams across various devices, incorporating features such as automatic thumbnails and data-driven encoding. Mux emphasizes critical performance metrics relevant to viewer experience, including rebuffering, startup time, and video quality. Its user-friendly dashboard provides insights that help users identify issues and implement improvements, supported by features like A/B testing and detailed analytics for each video view.

Laylo

Seed Round in 2019
Laylo is a fan engagement platform that connects artists with their most dedicated fans worldwide, enabling direct interaction and monetization opportunities. The platform provides a suite of tools such as landing pages, messaging, and link tracking, which empower musicians, celebrities, and brands to manage announcements and enhance fan communication. By analyzing consumer listening behavior and social media activity, Laylo identifies key fans for each artist, facilitating targeted engagement. The company collaborates with major record labels, managers, and artists to innovate within the music industry and improve how artists communicate with their audience, ultimately driving sales and streaming around significant moments in their careers.

Cloud Workout

Seed Round in 2018
Cloud Workout is a health and fitness platform offering live fitness classes taught by instructors from around the world.

Podcast App

Seed Round in 2018
The Podcast App is a streamlined mobile application designed to help users discover and enjoy podcasts that align with their interests. Utilizing advanced machine learning technology, it creates personalized playlists tailored to individual tastes, enhancing the listening experience. The app facilitates a straightforward process for users to find, save, and listen to their favorite podcasts across a wide range of topics, including news, education, comedy, politics, and true crime. By focusing on user preferences, The Podcast App aims to simplify the podcast discovery process and provide a diverse selection of audio content.

Goosebump

Seed Round in 2017
Goosebump is a messenger app that helps users find live music events online.

Wavy Music

Seed Round in 2017
Wavy Music is an app that gives people a new way to experience music through AR. We work with musicians to create AR experiences set to their songs, empowering them to connect with their fans on a deeper level.

Sleep Reset

Seed Round in 2017
Simple Habit is a meditation app designed to drive a healthy lifestyle. Simple Habit's app offers short meditations and audio therapy sessions which has more than 1,500 guided meditations for any situation and mood including before sleep, taking a work break, commuting, and more, allowing people to transform wellness goals into lasting habits.

Mux

Seed Round in 2016
Mux is a company focused on enhancing online video infrastructure through advanced performance monitoring and analytics. Initially, it developed Mux Data, a leading tool for performance analytics that is widely used by developers at prominent organizations such as Vimeo, Robinhood, and PBS. Following this, Mux introduced Mux Video, a straightforward API designed for video hosting, encoding, and streaming. This service enables seamless playback of video files and live streams across various devices, incorporating features such as automatic thumbnails and data-driven encoding. Mux emphasizes critical performance metrics relevant to viewer experience, including rebuffering, startup time, and video quality. Its user-friendly dashboard provides insights that help users identify issues and implement improvements, supported by features like A/B testing and detailed analytics for each video view.

Whyd

Seed Round in 2016
Whyd is a music-centric social media platform based in Paris, France, established in 2009. It offers a free service that allows users to organize, play, and share music from various online sources, including YouTube, SoundCloud, and Deezer. Whyd addresses the fragmentation of the music landscape by serving as a bridge between platforms where music is posted and those where it is shared socially, such as Facebook and Twitter. The service aims to provide music lovers with a dedicated space to curate their musical interests and engage with others in a seamless listening experience. By consolidating access to a vast array of songs available for streaming, Whyd enhances the way users interact with music on the internet.

Mux

Seed Round in 2016
Mux is a company focused on enhancing online video infrastructure through advanced performance monitoring and analytics. Initially, it developed Mux Data, a leading tool for performance analytics that is widely used by developers at prominent organizations such as Vimeo, Robinhood, and PBS. Following this, Mux introduced Mux Video, a straightforward API designed for video hosting, encoding, and streaming. This service enables seamless playback of video files and live streams across various devices, incorporating features such as automatic thumbnails and data-driven encoding. Mux emphasizes critical performance metrics relevant to viewer experience, including rebuffering, startup time, and video quality. Its user-friendly dashboard provides insights that help users identify issues and implement improvements, supported by features like A/B testing and detailed analytics for each video view.

Gigwell

Seed Round in 2016
Gigwell is a cloud-based booking platform that streamlines the process of booking live entertainment. The platform offers an integrated solution for agencies, automating key workflows such as contract negotiation, artist logistics management, and electronic payment collection. By providing tools that facilitate real-time tracking of revenue goals and artist availability, Gigwell enhances efficiency and maximizes revenue potential for agencies involved in the live entertainment industry. This comprehensive approach aims to simplify the complexities of booking and managing artists, making it easier for stakeholders to navigate the challenges of the entertainment sector.

Streamup

Seed Round in 2016
Streamup, Inc. operates a live video streaming platform. Its platform enables to browse various television channels; notifies when favorite channels go live; allows chatting/interacting together with broadcasters and viewers; and facilitates to share on Facebook, Twitter, and more. The company was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Miami, Florida.

Afrostream

Seed Round in 2015
Afrostream Inc is a video-on-demand service that specializes in African and African-American content, offering subscribers unlimited access to a diverse catalog of movies and TV series. Founded in 2014 and based in Ivry-sur-Seine, France, Afrostream addresses the significant demand for black entertainment globally, particularly in Africa, where broadband access is rapidly expanding. The platform provides a range of offerings, including feature films, independent films, TV series, and stand-up comedies, catering to millions of fans who appreciate black culture. By delivering content across multiple devices such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets, Afrostream aims to bridge the gap in available entertainment for the African diaspora and beyond.

breakout room

Seed Round in 2015
Start broadcasting in one click. Screen sharing and video streaming for presenters. Chat and Q&A for attendees.

Streem

Seed Round in 2014
Streem provides unlimited cloud storage solutions designed for seamless media storage, streaming, and sharing. By utilizing its platform, users can effectively offload files from their devices, freeing up local storage while maintaining instant access to their content from anywhere at any time. Streem's innovative approach ensures that it occupies no space on users' computers or mobile devices, allowing for smooth and lag-free access to files across various devices and bandwidths. The service converts media on-the-fly, enhancing user experience and accessibility.

MixerBox

Seed Round in 2014
MixerBox Inc, founded in 2018 and based in Palo Alto, California, has developed a mobile application that allows users to play music and videos seamlessly from various services. The app functions as a compliant third-party API client, enabling users to access and enjoy content from platforms like YouTube and MP3s in one unified interface. With its focus on providing an uninterrupted music and video experience, MixerBox aims to enhance the way users discover and enjoy digital media.

MixerBox

Seed Round in 2014
MixerBox Inc, founded in 2018 and based in Palo Alto, California, has developed a mobile application that allows users to play music and videos seamlessly from various services. The app functions as a compliant third-party API client, enabling users to access and enjoy content from platforms like YouTube and MP3s in one unified interface. With its focus on providing an uninterrupted music and video experience, MixerBox aims to enhance the way users discover and enjoy digital media.

bop.fm

Seed Round in 2013
bop.fm is a YCombinator-backed music technology company that creates a home for every song on the internet. The company aggregates several popular music services (Spotify, Rdio, iTunes, YouTube, SoundCloud, Deezer, etc.) into one interface. Users can then search for any song, play it using any service, and share/discover with any friend (even if they use a different service than you). bop.fm powers this same aggregation and service-agnostic music playback for Rap Genius, as well as music content publishers, messaging clients, social networks, artists/labels, and other partners.

Streem

Pre Seed Round in 2012
Streem provides unlimited cloud storage solutions designed for seamless media storage, streaming, and sharing. By utilizing its platform, users can effectively offload files from their devices, freeing up local storage while maintaining instant access to their content from anywhere at any time. Streem's innovative approach ensures that it occupies no space on users' computers or mobile devices, allowing for smooth and lag-free access to files across various devices and bandwidths. The service converts media on-the-fly, enhancing user experience and accessibility.

Hipset

Seed Round in 2012
Hipset connects popular YouTube channels with advertisers.

Voicegem

Seed Round in 2012
Voicegem is a web and iOS app offering an easy way to send voice messages to anyone. Users of Voicegem are provided with the facility to record long messages, and send it to anyone through an email or Facebook message. The recipients (friends or family) of the Voicegem messages can listen and reply to voice messages without installing or signing up with any platform.

Tracks.by

Seed Round in 2012
Tracks.by lets artists launch new music and videos. Using the launch campaigns on the Tracks.by platform, artists can turn every music and video release into an opportunity to get likes on Facebook, find fans that love them, and go viral.

Cubeit.fm

Seed Round in 2012
Cube is music exchanged. We make music sharing easy. Users can send and receive music from friends and follow music blogs to stay tuned in to the best new music. Cube integrates iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify, and Rdio’s music catalogs.

Genius

Convertible Note in 2011
Genius Media Group, Inc. owns and operates an online platform for rap lyrics. The company’s platform also features charts and videos and enables contributors, editors, and musicians who sign up to discuss and deconstruct their favorite songs with fans all around the world. The company was formerly known as Rap Genius. Genius Media Group, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Earbits

Seed Round in 2011
Earbits provides 100% commercial-free, online radio, with no listener subscription fees. Choose from over 400 stations of music, hand picked and curated by a team of music editors. Available worldwide on the web and on Android.

Moki.tv

Seed Round in 2011
Moki.TV is a directory of all paid and free content included on Amazon's streaming service, Netlfix, Hulu, iTunes, and others.

Like.fm

Seed Round in 2011
Like.fm is a fast, beautiful, and fun way to share your favorite songs. Pick a song or paste a YouTube link, select a photo, then post to Like.fm. Share to Facebook or Twitter as well.

Sendoid

Seed Round in 2011
Sendoid is an on-demand peer to peer transfer system. It makes transferring any size file between two people as simple as clicking a link!

NOWBOX

Angel Round in 2010
Nowmov is an endless stream of videos recommended to users based on their interests, friends and what's trending around the world.

NOWBOX

Seed Round in 2010
Nowmov is an endless stream of videos recommended to users based on their interests, friends and what's trending around the world.

thesixtyone

Seed Round in 2009
thesixtyone is a music discovery platform designed to connect independent artists with fans through a community-driven approach. Users can sign up to explore a wide range of indie music, voting for their favorite tracks using a limited number of "hearts" each day. As songs gain popularity from these votes, users earn reputation points and unlock various community features, including achievement badges for engaging with diverse genres or reaching listening milestones. The platform allows for fully streamable tracks, which can be organized into tag-based playlists. Additionally, thesixtyone incorporates an innovative navigation system that facilitates seamless audio playback across different pages, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Echodio

Seed Round in 2009
Echodio provides a solution for managing iTunes music libraries by allowing users to sync their libraries, securely back them up, and stream music from any location. The service facilitates the transition of iTunes content to the cloud, ensuring that users can access their music conveniently and safely. This approach modernizes music management for users who want to maintain their collections in a flexible and accessible format.

Popcuts

Seed Round in 2008
[Popcuts](http://www.popcuts.com/) is a unique online music store. DRM-free songs are sold for 99cents, but every time a song you bought sells, you get a cut of the proceeds (earlier buyers get a bigger cut).

Mixwit

Seed Round in 2008
Mixwit describes itself as a combination of Slide and iTunes. While it has more ambitious plans, it currently provides an easy way to make sharable mix tapes with songs found through MP3 search engines Seeqpod and Skreamr.

ZumoDrive

Seed Round in 2007
ZumoDrive is a defunct cloud-based file hosting service that allows content in the cloud to appear local to the filesystem. The company wirelessly syncs playlists between devices, auto-detects content, and lets users link file folders on their devices. The service also integrates with media applications, like iTunes, so users can play entire music libraries saved in ZumoDrive on multiple devices without manually syncing content.

iJigg

Seed Round in 2007
iJigg is a social music site that lets users vote on submitted singles using Digg-like voting. The site's home page shows what popular or recent singles the iJigg community is "jigging." Users can rate songs, embed songs on MySpace or find similar music fans. Competitors include Contrastream. Social music competitors include [FineTune](http://www.crunchbase.com/c/finetune), [Last.fm](http://www.crunchbase.com/c/last.fm), [Pandora](http://www.crunchbase.com/c/pandora) and [iLike](http://www.crunchbase.com/c/ilike).

Songkick

Pre Seed Round in 2007
Songkick is a ticketing vendor and online database focused on concert discovery for music fans. Launched in 2007 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the platform allows users to track their favorite artists and discover local concerts. Songkick partners with over 500 artists and serves more than 10 million fans monthly, facilitating ticket sales for over 10,000 events worldwide each year.

Wolf - Band Radio

Seed Round in 2007
Scoprire nuova musica attraverso Friend Radio.

Reble

Seed Round in 2007
Reble offers a software download, only for windows, that allows users to stream music from your friends who also have installed Reble. It launched into public beta on Feb. 5th, 2008, and is a [Y Combinator](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/y-combinator)-funded company.

Whitenoise Networks

Seed Round in 2007
Whitenoise is like a social network for the music industry. It comes with specially made tools for bands, agents, publicists, and venues to manage each part of their business. Bands will be able to manage their cross country tours by map, using a venue search to find gigs in any town they're passing through. Venues will get access to a full list of artists in their area along with samples and ways to reach their agent to book a show.

Scribd

Seed Round in 2007
Scribd, Inc. operates a digital reading subscription service that provides users with unlimited access to a diverse collection of audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, and documents. Founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, California, Scribd allows members to read and listen on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. The platform aims to enhance the reading experience by offering a wide range of content, including popular books and articles, all accessible through a single app. Scribd's mission is to support readers in their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

Jamglue

Seed Round in 2006
Jamglue is a music remixing community on the web.