Total amount raised
$508.9 Millions
Latest funding date
03/01/2021
Location
Epidemic Sound has successfully raised significant funding through multiple rounds, with notable investors including Blackstone Group and AMF. The platform offers a comprehensive catalog of music and sound effects, catering to a wide range of content creators across various platforms.
Keep reading to explore the intricacies of Epidemic Sound's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative platform.
What Is Epidemic Sound?
Epidemic Sound, founded in 2009, is a Swedish-based company headquartered in Stockholm. The company operates in the digital entertainment and music streaming industries, providing a vast catalog of music and sound effects for content creators across various platforms.
The founders of Epidemic Sound include David Stenmarck, Hjalmar Winbladh, Jan Zachrisson, Oscar Höglund, and Peer Åström. The company employs between 501 and 1000 people, working directly with composers to offer high-quality music ideal for online video content.
How Much Funding Has Epidemic Sound Raised?
- Private Equity Round
- Amount Raised: $450M
- Date: March 2021
- Lead Investors: Blackstone Group, EQT
- Valuation at Round: $1.4 billion
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand international reach, localize digital offerings, and invest in core user experience.
- Venture Round
- Amount Raised: $20M
- Date: July 2019
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: $370 million
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support growth as tracks were playing for an average of 250 million hours each month on YouTube.
- Private Equity Round
- Amount Raised: SEK 277M (approx. $30M)
- Date: November 2017
- Lead Investors: EQT
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance technology and expand the music catalog.
- Venture Round
- Amount Raised: $1M
- Date: April 2017
- Lead Investors: Kichi Invest
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support initial growth and product development.
- Series A
- Amount Raised: $5M
- Date: May 2014
- Lead Investors: Creandum
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To scale operations and expand the music library.
Total Amount Raised: $506M
Current Valuation: $1.4 billion
Key Investors
- Blackstone Group
- Details: Blackstone Group is a leading global investment firm founded in 1985. It focuses on private equity, real estate, credit, and hedge fund investment strategies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, real estate, consumer goods.
- Notable Investments: Hilton Worldwide, Bumble, Ancestry.com.
- EQT
- Details: EQT is a global investment organization with a 25-year history of investing in companies and helping them grow. It focuses on sustainable growth and operational excellence.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, industrial technology, services, consumer.
- Notable Investments: AutoStore, SUSE, IFS.
- Kichi Invest
- Details: Kichi Invest is a private investment firm focusing on early-stage investments. It aims to support innovative startups in their growth journey.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, media, entertainment.
- Notable Investments: Information not available.
- Creandum
- Details: Creandum is a leading European early-stage venture capital firm. It has a strong track record of investing in successful startups.
- Investment Focus Areas: Consumer internet, software, fintech, health tech.
- Notable Investments: Spotify, Klarna, iZettle.
What's Next for Epidemic Sound?
As Epidemic Sound looks to the future, the opportunities for growth are vast. With a recent $450 million funding round, the company is poised to expand its international reach and localize its digital offerings. This significant investment underscores the potential for further fundraising to support these ambitious goals.
However, the path forward is not without challenges. The company must navigate a competitive landscape, manage regulatory complexities in new markets, and continuously innovate to stay ahead. Despite these hurdles, the growing demand for restriction-free music and the rise of the creator economy present a promising horizon for Epidemic Sound.
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