BandLab, the Singapore-based social music platform bringing pro-quality creator tools to music makers worldwide, is announcing its first funding round to involve outside investors. Led by Vulcan Capital with notable participation from K3 Ventures as well as existing investor Caldecott Music Group, the $53m round will allow BandLab to expand its team and continue to refine and grow its offerings to music creators and aspiring artists worldwide.
The $53m round results in a post-money valuation of $303mm and involves several new investors who have played key roles in shaping the social, tech, and music creation landscape. Lead investor Vulcan Capital is the multi-billion-dollar investment arm of Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen. New investor K3 Ventures is a venture capital firm that brings strategic value through its partnerships in the SEA ecosystem, and was an early backer of super app Grab as well as tech giant Bytedance.
BandLab’s next-generation platform supports creators of all kinds of sophistication levels, from first-time creators to GRAMMY-winning producers, much as workplace productivity tools support businesses large and small. Its cross-platform creative ecosystem offers users everything from their award-winning Mix Editor to a comprehensive royalty-free Sounds library, as well as Mastering, newly announced AI-powered SongStarter and more. Beyond creation tools, artist services like Distribution and direct fan subscriptions empower the fast-growing creator economy, and the upcoming integration of recently acquired leading independent artist services platform ReverbNation into BandLab will further expand the suite of services available to independent artists.
“Our vision is a future where there are no barriers to making and sharing music, in particular among independent musicians and creators, and among mobile-first users, the billions with smartphones and original musical ideas,” says BandLab CEO & Co-Founder Meng Ru Kuok. “We’re not only doubling down on our market leading creator tools, but also prioritizing compensation for artists and protection for rights holders. If creators aren’t being paid fairly, it’s a major barrier to their development and growth as artists.”
Managing Director and Head of South-east Asia at Vulcan Capital, Tommy Teo says, “With a passionate community of millions worldwide, BandLab has an incredible track record of providing innovative and meaningful tools for music creators and artists globally, not only to primary markets like the US, but extending far beyond into developing and underserved markets as well. With accessibility, creativity, and collaboration at their core, we strongly believe in their vision for the future of music creation, and are excited to embark on this journey as a partner.”
About BandLab
BandLab’s vision is simple: A future where there are no boundaries to making and sharing music.
Launched in 2015, BandLab is the next-generation social music creation platform on a mission to break down the technical, geographic, and creative barriers for musicians and fans. Free-to-use, the mobile-first cross-platform digital audio workstation and social network, unites the entire creator journey into one place, boasting a suite of features and tools for creators to make and share their music with fans.
To find out why over 40 million creators love and use BandLab, visit bandlab.com or sign up for free on the App Store or Google Play.
BandLab is the flagship product of BandLab Technologies, which also includes professional-level digital audio workstation, Cakewalk.
BandLab Technologies is a technology company that designs and develops innovative tools and services for the next generation of music creators. With a mission to break down the technical, geographic and creative barriers for musicians and fans, the group develops global social music creation network BandLab, digital audio workstation Cakewalk, artist services platform ReverbNation, and beat marketplace Airbit.
For more information and career opportunities, visit BandLab Careers.
NME Networks is a global, next-generation media group that views pop culture through the lens of music.
The group takes audiences on a lifelong journey, from finding their first guitar via Guitar.com and discovering new artists in NME, to deciphering the latest creator tools and technologies via MusicTech.
For more information and career opportunities, visit nmenetworks.com.
Vista Musical Instruments is an innovative, global collective of music-related brands dedicated to building meaningful products and experiences for the music community. Brands include MONO, Harmony, Teisco, Heritage Guitars, Swee Lee and Dawsons.
For more information and career opportunities, visit vistamusic.com.