Music Apps Startup From Former Spotify Executive
A Vinyl Bar in Shibuya, founded by former Spotify head of innovation Máuhan M Zonoozy, has raised $5.5 million in a pre-seed funding round.
A Vinyl Bar in Shibuya, a music apps startup created by former Spotify innovation leader Máuhan M Zonoozy, has successfully raised a total of $5.5 million in a pre-seed investment round.
Investment and Backers
The $5.5 million pre-seed funding round for the startup was joined by prominent funds such as Mantis VC, SV Angel, Boxgroup, Quiet Capital, Remarkable Ventures, Common Metal, Gold House, Liquid 2 Ventures, Breakers VC, Collaborative Fund, and Systemic Ventures. In addition, former Spotify executive Dawn Ostroff has joined the project as an advisor.
Founding Purpose of the Startup
Founded by Máuhan M Zonoozy, who left Spotify in 2024, the company argues that while music streaming services have solved access issues, music interaction still remains largely consumption-focused, and it develops applications allowing users to play with audio and vocals.
Application Model
The company releases its experimental products like singles that are part of an album. Through various websites and browser extensions, users are allowed to modify and transform audio elements and create their own music experiences.
Developed Products
The product lineup includes various alternatives such as Speed Surfer, which changes browser speed and audio filters; Usersound, where letters form notes; Stacks, which allows mixing on a 3-by-3 grid; and Sampler, which turns YouTube videos into samples.
Bop and Multiplayer Version
One of the company's most ambitious products, an iOS app named bop, makes it possible to create different mixes of a base song. Users can easily export these mixes to platforms like TikTok or Instagram, and a multiplayer version is also under development.
Artificial Intelligence Approach
Zonoozy states that they made a conscious choice not to integrate artificial intelligence into every area of the applications. He notes that they are open to AI to power the infrastructure and build products, and they aim to release a sandbox mixer product this year that allows users to play with music production elements.