Even without the ecosystem around Spotify we’ve got a lot of hot music startups popping up in the region – whose late nights of hacking are already fueled by Red Bull – so here’s an opportunity for a much stronger collaboration. Red Bull has now gotten into the startup accelerator game, plugging music-tech startups into their networks and media properties, all while not taking any equity. The program, called Red Bull Amplifier will be based in London and is currently accepting applications from european-wide startups.
Red Bull already has a music label and eight recording studios worldwide, and is helping up-and-coming musicians through Red Bull Music Academy, so this seems like a somewhat logical step to make sure their brand has close access to the up-and-coming music tech and services that will help market their brand. On top of that, Red Bull is everywhere though events, giving startups access to real consumers.
Their panel includes Dave Haynes, VP Business Development for SoundCloud; Davide Bortot, of Red Bull Music Academy and former editor-in-chief of the hip-hop magazine, Juice; British musician Ghostpoet; and Ciara Byrne, a tech journalist from a number of media properties.
But on a more day-to-day side, their website states that the startups will be working with the incubator/consultancy group Sidekick Studios and Red Bull Media House, or in general “a crack team of marketing specialists across artist relations, events and digital media who will work with you to create a bespoke and totally innovative support program.”
As mentioned above, the accelerator isn’t taking any equity, but by getting startups to associate with their media properties, I imagine they picture some strong network benefits. And for startups, free help is good help, especially when you’re working with one of the world’s strongest companies in the music marketing and branding space.
More information can be found here.
