BeatConnect, a platform for collaborative music creation, has raised an additional CAD $2.25 million ($1.7 million) in funding to fuel the upcoming launch of its music creation platform that it says takes a gamified approach.
The latest investment round is backed by prominent tech and music industry investors like Sfermion and existing investors FICC (Fonds d’investissement de la culture et des communications), Anges Québec, and Triptyq Capital.
This latest funding round adds to BeatConnect’s growing war chest. In October 2022, the company secured CAD $3 million ($2.2 million) in an investment round that was led by FICC.
BeatConnect says its gamified approach to music creation seeks to change the way musicians, producers and vocalists connect and create music together.
Slated for spring 2024, the relaunch will unveil a revamp of BeatConnect’s mDAW (multiplayer Digital Audio Workstation). The platform will boast new functionalities and will integrate the Unity game engine to introduce engaging gaming elements into the music production experience, BeatConnect said.
“This platform evolution embodies BeatConnect’s commitment to innovation and their belief in the transformative impact of merging music creation with gaming dynamics.”
BeatConnect
“This platform evolution embodies BeatConnect’s commitment to innovation and their belief in the transformative impact of merging music creation with gaming dynamics,” the startup said in a press release.
Dan Patterson, Board Member of lead investor Sfermion, said, “Sfermion is committed to supporting intelligent, interactive, and immersive technologies that are building our digital future. BeatConnect’s deliberate focus on enhancing the user’s creative process through UX design sets them apart from other online collaboration platforms.”
Sfermion, a US venture capital firm, also took part in the $8 million series A funding round of Modhaus in November 2023. Modhaus is a South Korean startup that also counts K-Pop powerhouse SM Entertainment among its investors. Sfermion’s portfolio of investments also includes Pixelynx, a music metaverse gaming platform founded by musicians deadmau5 (Joel Zimmerman) and Plastikman (Richie Hawtin); as well as SoundMint, described as a “generative platform for music NFTs.”
BeatConnect Co-Founder Alexandre Turbide added: “We are grateful to have the support of some of the most forward-thinking investors in digital entertainment and tech. The upcoming enhancements will broaden access to music creation, fostering new creative possibilities while focusing on the fun of making music.”
The startup’s multiplayer DAW platform offers tools like Multiplayer Plugins and a Shared Sequencer. The platform lets artists and their collaborators work together online in real-time. Users can create new sounds by editing other users’ plug-ins in real-time. Beyond music creation, BeatConnect says it is “cultivating a community where innovation, creativity, and collaboration flourish.”
BeatConnect is the latest music creation platform to raise millions of dollars in capital amid the rise of do-it-yourself artists and the increasing accessibility of music production tools.
Less than a month ago, EngineEars, a music/tech startup that describes itself as “a vertical software platform for artists, engineers, producers and record labels,” said it has raised $7.5 million in a seed funding round led by VC firm Drive Capital, with participation from 645 Ventures, as well as existing investors Slauson & Co. and FLÜS Investment Group (the venture arm of SALxCO).
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