Technology has continuously provided artists with new ways to express themselves throughout history. The evolution of technology and art has been closely intertwined. The Impressionists, for example; were able to paint outdoors thanks to the invention of the portable paint tube. The reality is that the relationship between art and technology has always been interwoven, a connection that holds even truer in today’s times.
With each passing day, pioneering startups are weaving together the threads of tradition and innovation, giving birth to a new era of possibilities that redefine how we engage with art and culture. From Stockholm to Barcelona, Paris to Berlin, a wave of ventures is propelling these industries into uncharted territories. They leverage data, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies to craft experiences that bridge the gap between the tangible and the digital.
In this article, we embark on a journey through the visions and endeavours of 10 of the most promising European startups founded between 2019 and the present day. Each one of them plays a distinct role in shaping the future of music, art, and entertainment through technology.
SNAFU Records: Based in Stockholm, SNAFU is an innovative record label operating at the intersection of music and technology. They have developed algorithms that scan data from prominent music platforms like Youtube to identify new artists and songs that stand out, providing valuable insights into the music industry. Established in 2019, they have secured over €15.6 million to continue its exploration of data-driven innovation within the music realm.
Dance Masterclass: Based in Berlin, Dance Masterclass is an online dance training platform that enables individuals to learn from the world’s best dancers and choreographers. Offering a selection of over 100 lessons with a new addition each month, the platform provides users access to instructional content from world-renowned dance masters, choreographers, and sports physicians. This diverse range of resources aims to facilitate healthy and efficient learning, catering to users of all skill levels. Founded in 2021, with undisclosed funding, Dance Masterclass is poised to contribute to dance education in novel ways.
LaCollection: Certified by the world’s greatest museums, La Collection introduces a unique approach to owning digital versions of physical artwork, redefining how people engage with art in the digital era. The Parisian-based startup allows collectors to possess certified digital replicas of masterpieces from the world’s most renowned museums, galleries, and artists. Founded in 2021, they have secured over €9.5 million, making art accessible in novel ways.
Pianity: Based in Paris, Pianity is a music NFT platform that emerged in 2021 as a hub for musicians and their communities to interact. They facilitate the creation, sharing, trading, and collecting of limited-edition music tracks, empowering artists and fans to engage with music on a deeper level. Founded in 2021, the company has raised €5.9 million to continue driving innovation at the intersection of music and blockchain technology.
Condense: Bristol-based Condense, specializes in the convergence of real-world events and virtual experiences. They transform real-world 3D events, including music concerts, into interactive experiences within video games, bridging the gap between physical and virtual realms, and enabling musicians, sports stars, and creatives to perform live in the metaverse. Established in 2019, and backed by a funding amount of over €5.3 million, Condense is pioneering immersive entertainment.
Stage11: Headquartered in Paris, Stage11 is focused on reimagining music for the metaverse by leveraging cutting-edge technology. They create interactive music experiences that immerse fans within the performances and musical worlds of their favourite artists. Founded in 2020, they have been able to successfully secure €5 million, with a vision that encompasses the development of a new music metaverse, empowering artists, brands, creators, and fans to collaboratively create and share unique digital experiences and content.
Biddz: Headquartered in Berlin, Biddz is a platform aiming to reshape the connection between fans and artists. This innovative company introduces new and entertaining ways for fans to support their favourite artists, such as singing along to songs or attending unique music events. Founded in 2021, Biddz secured €4.4 million to further foster transparency and fairness for musicians, enhancing creative community engagement.
Limna: Headquartered in London and founded in 2020, Limna is an AI-powered art advisor aiming to revolutionize the art world by simplifying the process of buying art with confidence. Utilizing machine learning, Limna analyzes millions of data points from the art world in seconds, providing users with precise valuation details for paintings and photographs and empowering both buyers and collectors. The platform tracks over 700,000 artists and their works across exhibitions spanning from 1863 to the present day. With a funding amount of over €2 million, Limna continues to connect buyers with galleries around the world.
Tattoox: Based in Barcelona, Tattoox is an online platform that connects tattoo artists with potential customers. They provide a space where people interested in getting tattoos can find, browse, book and connect with professional tattoo artists. Overall, Tattoox serves as a bridge between individuals seeking tattoos and skilled tattoo artists, making the process of finding and booking tattoo services more accessible and convenient. Founded in 2021, they have raised over €400K aiming to change the way people engage with the world of tattoos.
Tutti: Headquartered in London, Tutti unlocks incredible spaces for content creators and artists to rent for their film and photo shoots, rehearsals, and recordings. They simplify the process of finding and booking creative spaces while connecting individuals in music, theatre, dance, film, and photography with available spaces for rehearsals, auditions, recordings, and workshops. Launched through the Founder Institute in 2019 with funding of over €350K, Tutti empowers creatives to pursue their passions.
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