Presenting the 2018 Midemlab Winners: Lirica, Laylo, Seated & Enhancia

This year, a record 234 Midemlab submissions were received from 42 countries, up 68% on last year, underlining the dynamism of entrepreneurship in the music sector. Almost half the submissions came from startups founded in 2017 or 2018. The 20 finalists were selected by Midemlab’s partners Kima Ventures, Music Ally, and bluenove, and between them, cover the full spectrum of music innovation. One winner is chosen by the jury in each of four categories.

And the winners are:

It’s time to discover the winners of #midemlab 2018, #midem’s startup competition, with @deezer! First, in the Music creation & education category: Lirica (UK), which teaches languages through music. Congratulations! #midem pic.twitter.com/RRhMeyuW01

— Midem (@midem) June 6, 2018

Second #midemlab winner, in the Music discovery & distribution category: @layloapp (USA), with which fans compete to find music first and spread it around the world #midem @deezer @bluenove pic.twitter.com/X1w4uIwLL6

— Midem (@midem) June 6, 2018

Third #midemlab winner, in the Marketing & data/analytics category: @GoSeated (USA), which empowers artists to take control of their ticketing experience#midem @deezer @musically pic.twitter.com/mCO5iomED9

— Midem (@midem) June 6, 2018

Fourth & final #midemlab winner, in the Experiential technologies – VR/AR, high resolution, IoT & hardware category: @enhanciamusic (France) maker of Neova, an innovative MIDI Ring controller. We even got a demo 🙂 Congrats to all our winners! #midem @deezer pic.twitter.com/ff8DDZINHC

— Midem (@midem) June 6, 2018

Finalists had the chance to pitch their company to an audience of decision-makers, international media, and potential investors. All Midemlab finalists benefitted from personalised coaching by Abbey Road Red to prepare their pitch. The four winners, chosen by a jury after the pitches, had private meetings with Deezer’s CEO, Hans-Holger Albrecht; Kima Ventures, the world’s most active business angel; Techstars Music, a startup accelerator run by Techstars and leading companies from the global music business such as Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Concord Music. Finalists will also receive free legal advice from Jeff Liebenson of Liebenson Law, and free publicity advice from PR strategist Joanna Kirk.

Thanks to all participants and Midemlab partners; and see you next year!