Swimming WIth Narwhals
2026 Startup PITCH Competition
Music Tectonics and Yamaha Music Innovations Fund are joining forces to expand the 2026 Swimming with Narwhals Pitch Competition!
YMIF and Music Tectonics see a unique opportunity for new technology and first-time founders to increase access for creatives of all stripes at every stage of their journey. This year we’re expanding the scope of our competition for founders building across the creator economy and creative industries – media, entertainment, creators, influencers, and, yes, music, too – while highlighting companies at their earliest stages.
Still at Big Tech but have an idea that’s been burning inside you? We want to hear from you. At a major music label and know there’s a problem they won’t fix? Apply. In college with a pitch deck and maybe an MVP? Looking to raise your pre-seed and want strategic capital? This is your audience.
Apply for the chance to pitch your startup to a panel of investors and Media and Entertainment industry decision-makers at the Music Tectonics conference.
Applications close August 7
Eligibility
Early stage startups with pitches focused broadly on media and entertainment. Let this be the first stage on which you present!
Applicant companies:
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Can be launched, have a minimum viable project, or have an idea and a thoughtful pitch deck.
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Must be no more than one year old. Idea stage, MVP, pre-launch, and pre-seed startups are very welcome this year!
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May work anywhere in the creator economy and media landscape. Music use cases are not a requirement for pitch competition participation, although music remains a core element of the conference.
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Must purchase at least one conference badge. That's the only application fee! Submit the application form to get a special discount in your inbox. See additional benefits of applying below!
"Pitching at Music Tectonics was a great experience. I originally came from a tech background, so pitching Audioshake in a room full of music people was a great opportunity to connect with the industry. Music Tectonics attendees are a great mix of startups, DSPs, and other kinds of music companies we wanted to meet, and after I pitched people came up to start conversations. It's a warm, friendly competition as well."
Jessica Powell
Audioshake
Winner 2022
CoMPETITION Timeline
July 15 Applications open
August 7 Applications close
August 11 Last day for Early Bird rate
August 18 Semi-finalists announced, selected by investors
September 16 Semi-finalists pitch at Online Preconference
September 29 Finalists announced
At the Music Tectonics Conference in Santa Monica, California
October 26 Startup demos
October 27 Finalists pitch in-person
October 29 Winners announced at conference.
“Winning the Music Tectonics startup competition completely catapulted my company. It was the first time I spoke publicly about my vision outside of moonlighting on the project, and the direct support I received from the judges, industry leads who saw or heard of me from this stage, and the amazing fellow attendee community is what led to me closing a $2.2M seed round from top industry companies just a few months later. So grateful and feel indebted to the MT family for this kickoff.”
Jacquelle Amankonah Horton
FAVE
Winner 2020
Benefits of Applying
Startups get tons of value from Music Tectonics!!
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Networking
Narwhal semi-finalists and finalists get access to an exclusive speed-networking session with investors and industry executives at the conference! Startups at all stages can apply separately for a chance to join the session! Plus, kick off the connections at an online preconference event that includes the semi-final round of the pitch competition. Network with your cohort and get advice from our panel of judges at a Q&A.
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Being seen
Even if you're not selected as a semi-finalist, investors from Yamaha Music Innovations Fund will have eyes on your application. At the conference, you'll get some Narwhal swag for your badge to let everyone know you're in startup mode.
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Time to shine
Narwhal finalists and semi-finalists get complimentary demo tables on one day of the conference. Narwhal applicants can join them at a discounted rate!
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Get business done
Narwhals tell us every year that they meet new partners, clients, and investors at Music Tectonics. Music Tectonics makes space for meeting and building relationships outside panels and keynotes with breaks on the schedule.
“RealCount was really excited to apply and participate in the pitch competition in 2023. It was really great doing the virtual semi-final pitch. We got a lot of great feedback, and it was so nice that people from around the world could attend. I am a bit of a nervous public speaker so being able to win the audience over with RealCount was exciting for me personally as well as for the company.”
Diana Gremore
RealCount
Audience Choice Award Winner 2023
FAQ
What do the winning startups receive?
- The title of Swimming with Narwhals Competition Winner - Feature in a press release about the competition - Founder interviews on the Music Tectonics Podcast after the event - 1 free badge for the 2027 conference
Is there an application fee?
Yes: one member of your company must buy a badge to the conference. Submit your application to get a coupon code! Early Bird badges are $399. Get yours before the price rises to $449 on August 11!
I can't afford a conference badge. What should I do?
Apply for a badge scholarship! Music Tectonics is offering a limited number of free and discounted badge scholarships to startup pitch competition applicants. Preference will be given to students, recent college grads, first-time founders, and members of groups historically excluded from tech and music industry leadership. Use the Music Tectonics contact form to apply, explaining briefly what this support means to your company. Applications close August 7 .
My startup isn't eligible. What else can I do at Music Tectonics?
The conference has opportunities for startups at all stages! Early stage: apply for the pitch competition! Growth stage: apply to join an exclusive speed networking event with investors on day 3 of the conference! (applications open soon!) late-stage / scaleup: Ask us about demo and exhibit opportunities!
Who judges the competition?
All applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of music tech entrepreneurs, investors, and experts. Panels of judges select Finalists and Jury Choice winners based on originality, likeliness to succeed, product-market fit, and likeliness to grow the market for music. Conference attendees vote on the Audience Choice award. The Music Tectonics and Rock Paper Scissors teams do not select winners. Past judges include: Kareem Akhtar, Amazon Investor Fund Blanco Brown, Trailer Trap Music David Dufresne, Investor David Gabeau, Union Street Ventures Kristin Grant, Investor Andrew Kahn, Yamaha Music Innovations Fund Meng Ru Kuok, BandLab Brian Mac Mahon, Expert DOJO Fred McIntyre, Capacitance Bob Moczydlowsky, Techstars Music Aadit Parikh, Sony Ventures Isabelle Persson, Expert Dojo Arabian Prince, Investor & NWA founding member Scott Yusuke Sugino, Yamaha Music Innovations Fund Juliette Rolnick, BDMI Joe Tou, Sony Ventures Deek Velagandula, Waverley Capital Mike Walsh, Structure VC Tom Windish, Wasserman Music Sun Jen Yung, Nfluence Partners
Why narwhals?
Sometimes called the “unicorn whale,” the narwhal mascot represents the spirit and goals of the competition. We invoke the real one-horned animal to poke fun at the cultural obsession with billion-dollar unicorn startups, since we keep the focus on innovators with real-world solutions. And while shark tanks pit founders against each other and antagonistic judges, the Music Tectonics competition is designed to be welcoming and mutually supportive.
Who We Are
PR firm Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. explores the new terrain at the epicenter of music and technology through their PR and marketing services as well as the Music Tectonics Conference, podcast, online events, and in-person meetups.
Everything Music Tectonics does explores the seismic shifts that shake up music and technology the way the earth’s tectonic plates cause quakes and make mountains.