Spotify SoundCloud Acquisition Could Come At A Deep Discount, As Traffic Flattens

There are conflicting reports has to how likely a Spotify acquisition of SoundCloud is, but any deal would likely happen at a price far below the $700 million – $1.2 billion which investors have valued the company during previous funding rounds. __________________________________ The valuation of SoundCloud fell from around $1.2…

SF MusicTech Names Winners Of 2016 Startup Competition

After careful consideration and many impressive entries, the winners of the SF MusicTech Summit 2016 Startup Competition have been announced. Each winner will be showcasing onstage during the Summit on Monday, October 17th. And don’t forget, Hypebot readers receive discounted registration to the Summit using the code: HYPEBOT or by…

Music’s Streaming Pile Of Garbage [Cortney Harding]

While variety and competition are typically a good sign in most other industries, the same doesn’t seem to hold true in the music industry. An increasing number of not-so-different streaming services are cropping up from companies like Amazon, iHeart, and Pandora, says Cortney Harding. _________________________ Guest post by music tech…

Spotify In ‘Advance Talks’ To Buy SoundCloud

[UPDATED] Spotify is reportedly in advance talks to buy Soundcloud. We’d heard months ago that Soundcloud was hemorrhaging cash, after efforts to monetize had been slowed by label talks. The labels said yes, but perhaps too late; and the way out may be to sell. ____________________________________ Spotify is in advanced…

Capitalizing On Remix Culture: Beatport’s Former CEO Has A New Mission

In this article former Beatport CEO Matthew Adell weighs in on the founding of MetaPop, a company working to bring labels, producers, and remixers together as well as discussing why remixes are so important, and how potentially profitable they could be. _______________________________ Guest post by digital strategist Bas Grasmayer from…

PledgeMusic Finalizes Acquisition of Set.fm, Matt Peterson Named GM PledgeMusic Austin

PledgeMusic today announced that it had finalized deal to acquire Set.fm. Set.fm Founder and CEO Matt Peterson will add the title of PledgeMusic GM, Austin. Set.fm allows artists to capture, promote and sell recordings of their live performances. Launched by Peterson in 2012, the free service creates new revenue streams…

Abbey Road Adds 3 Promising Music Tech Startups To Incubator

Abbey Road Red, the music tech accelerator based at the iconic Abbey Road Studios has named its latest group of startups. It’s the second class for the only music tech incubator in Europe. _________________________________ The latest 3 music tech startups named to the Abbey Road Red accelerator program are: Audio…

New Drone Service Delivers On Demand Vinyl. Just Kidding! Sort Of

In this op-ed, CMO Taishi Fukuyama of the company Qrates discusses how is organization is working to capitalize on the recent vinyl boom, and working to push the boundaries of the medium and implications it might have for the future of the music industry. _______________________________ Guest post by Taishi Fukuyama…

A Streaming Service’s Metamorphosis: Radical.FM Founder Shares His Startup Journey

In this piece traveler and music business entrepreneur Tom McAlevey walks us the through the development of his music streaming startup Radical.FM and how the service has evolved over time to fit the needs of the industry. ____________________ Guest Post by Tom McAlevey on Radical Indie My life swings between…