Midemlab, the international music startup competition, helped launch household names like Kickstarter and SoundCloud. A Midemlab win has been a stepping stone to successful funding cycles and acquisitions by the likes of Apple and Spotify. Applications are now open for Midemlab 2020!
Startups from around the world compete for the chance to show what they're made of at Midem, the international music conference held in Cannes every summer. Last year, we had a blast interviewing Midemlab finalists for the podcast and getting a peek at the leading edge of music tech innovation. Music Tectonics will return to Midem in 2020 to record interviews with a new cohort of startups!
Listen to our 2019 "Music Tectonics in Cannes" series to learn more about the Midemlab experience and meet last years winners. We were so excited by what happened at Midem, we recorded twenty mini episodes in a few days! The 2020 call for entries follows.
Midemlab 2020 Call for entry is open!
Midemlab is the leading music tech startup competition and features the most promising international businesses that offer innovative solutions, helping the music industry build new consumer experiences.
2020 will mark the 13th edition of the competition and since its creation, over 250 music startups from 36 countries have participated.
This year, Midemlab launches a brand new “Music Live Experiences” category that will spotlight the most innovative solutions around Live Music for bands, fans, venues, producers, promoters and more.
20 finalists (5 from each category) will be selected by Midemlab selecting partners Music Ally, the leading consulting firm for digital music, The Lynk, an agency that connects creative industries & startups and Plus 8 Equity, a music tech venture firm.
Finalist startups:
Get 1-to1 coaching session with Abbey Road Red advisors
Pitch on stage to a professional jury in front of an international audience
Gain visibility and recognition from the global music industry
Meet advisors, new business partners, international media and investors
Attend masterclasses and receive practical knowledge on music and tech industry
The application deadline is set to 18 February 2020 and startups can apply for free here. The finalists will be announced at the beginning of April.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be available to attend Midem if selected to pitch (2-5 June 2020)
New company (less than five years old)
Business-ready: already launched or in beta stage
Independent and not affiliated to a group
Genuinely original and innovative, with international viability
Categories
Music Creation and Education
Music Distribution & Discovery
Music Marketing & Data/Analytics
Music Live Experiences (NEW)
Winners Package
Free registration for Midem 2021
Free legal, PR and marketing advise
Free mentoring session
Private 1-to-1 session with a venture firm
Free year subscription to a professional music bulletin
Individual private meetings with top-level executives of the industry
Additional media exposure
Free advertising on midem.com (banner in rotation available until January 2021)
Get more info on the Midemlab Dedicated Webpage
(deadline: February 18, 2020)