Rethink Music Announces Search for 2014 Next Generation Music Business Entrepreneur
Berklee, Midem, and IE Business School will host the second annual Rethink Music Venture Day in Berlin on Friday, October 24, 2014, at the newly launched and widely acclaimed start-up and technology campus: Factory, in the heart of the German city. Providing a global networking forum with workshops and discussions for international music business start-ups, entrepreneurs, brands, and investors, the 2014 Rethink Music Venture Day will welcome keynote speaker, Paul Hitchman, managing director of Kobalt Label Services, as well as other guest speakers.
The Berlin Venture Day will also provide the stage for the final in Rethink Music’s search for 2014’s “next music business entrepreneur.” Entrepreneurs and businesses have until September 29 to submit their start-up project for the chance to win a “business start-up package” worth more than $10,000. Projects must be "investor ready" with a committed team and tested business model. Criteria for assessment will include innovation, team, growth potential, and scalability. A short-list of 12 start-up projects will be selected to pitch their ventures at the event to a panel of judges made up of experienced music executives and investors. Finalists will be notified by October 6.
The winner will be awarded a ‘business start-up package” featuring $10,000 in legal services through an in-kind donation from Duane Morris, LLP; space at Work bar in Cambridge; enrollment in an online certificate program from Berklee Online; complimentary registration for Midem 2015; as well as access to investors and capital to launch their new music start-up.
Winner of the 2013 Rethink Music Berlin music entrepreneur competition, Berlin start-up company, Nagual Sounds, which also won the Midem Lab 2014 competition, will be presenting and performing at this year’s event, sharing their experiences and exploits since their success at the inaugural 2013 Rethink Music Berlin Venture Day.
“We are excited about returning to Berlin for our second Rethink Music Venture Day and the search for this year’s next generation music business entrepreneur,” commented Allen Bargfrede, executive director of Rethink Music for Berklee. “We had over 300 start-ups and guests from leading international music and creative companies attending last year—with over 50 entries into our start-up competition—and we expect to grow these numbers this year.”
“Music entrepreneurs and business start-ups have a key role to play in furthering the music industry, not least in delivering new original services to positively impact the ecosystem,” explained Bruno Crolot, director of Midem & Music Markets. “Our annual Rethink Music Venture Day is designed to provide the forum—and the tools—to assist these entrepreneurs in developing their ideas and ventures into the successful music businesses of tomorrow. And what better place to host this year’s event than the Factory, a bespoke start-up and technology campus designed to enable entrepreneurs and innovators!”
“With today's new music industry business models, a Venture Day for start-ups in music provides a great networking opportunity for music entrepreneurs, brands and investors alike,” said Paris de L’Etraz, director of the IE Venture Lab. “We are delighted to be partnering with Berklee and Midem once again to merge Rethink Music’s experience in fostering positive change for the future of the music industry with our Venture Day format for the event.”
Admission to the Rethink Music 2014 Berlin Venture Day is free with registration.