Viaka #11 - A growing music tech startup
Viaka is an initiative connecting new VC’s in emerging markets to networks and investors in the “West”. If you would like to join our private community, please fill out this form and we’ll get in touch with you to see how Viaka can work specifically for you.
Our weekly newsletter shines the spotlight on one of our partner VCs or start-ups, and lists all available opportunities from our network. Feel free to subscribe below.
Hi everyone, this is Hani. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Roadie Music, a tech startup creating products for musicians. I spoke with Hassane Slaibi, CEO of Roadie Music.
Roadie Music Quick Stats
Founded: 2014
HQ: Port Townsend, Washington
Key Individuals: Hassane Slaibi, CEO; Bassam Jalgha, co-founder and CTO
Raison d’être: Roadie Music engineers high-quality technological products for musicians. Their products are used by many professional musicians who appreciate the benefits and qualities Roadie Music tools give them.
Ask: Roadie Music “are currently looking for expertise in optimizing AppStore and PlayStore subscriptions and user acquisition”.
I got the chance to chat with Hassane about Roadie Music’s story, and their goals for the future. Here are some of the insights from our chat.
What is Roadie Music and how/why did it come to life?
Roadie Music is a leading technology startup. In 2014 we launched our first product Roadie Tuner, an automatic guitar tuner that came to life out of a personal need of the founders. The brand Roadie is now trusted by musicians worldwide for reliability, excellent engineering and serious innovation. So far we have launched 5 products, including the most recent Roadie Coach in 2022. Coach is a music tutor and an amazing recorder that attaches to your guitar or ukulele and records vocals at the same time on two separate channels, all in a tiny form factor. We design and engineer our products 100% in house. This is why they have extensive feature sets and serve beginners and the most demanding musicians alike.
What is your personal story and relation to the problem (alongside your founders)
I studied computer engineering at the American University of Beirut. This is where I met my co-founder Bassam, a mechatronics engineer. We are both musicians and had a band at uni. This is where we realized that tuning is annoying and we can do something about it.
What market are you attacking? Are you adding on or trying to replace current offerings?
Like any craftsman, a musician needs excellent tools to master her/his craft. Our focus is on music tools and recently expanded more formally into learning and the practice session. Since our tools are unique, I don't think they are trying to directly replace others. That said, since they are compact and sturdy we have seen many people take them out to their gigs as their preferred tool. Even actual Roadies have been asking for our tuners to take on tour with the best guitarists in the world!
What are you looking for from the Viaka community?
With Roadie Coach we have introduced a subscription service for learning a library of songs on our app. We have signed a license deal to teach songs from the catalog of some of the largest music publishers. We are currently looking for expertise in optimizing AppStore and PlayStore subscriptions and user acquisition.
Where will that take you?
It will help us complete the launch of our educational platform which is quite a big leap for us.
Promising Opportunities from Our MENA Partners
Below are a list of opportunities curated from the Viaka’s MENA partners.
For Founders
Plus.vc invests in early-stage founders (up to Series A) that have a MENA background or connection, but are founding their companies outside of MENA.
For Investors
Desert Farms is looking for a senior advisor with D2C startup experience, preferably in the food & beverage space, and with knowledge of the FDA approval process. This opportunity can be compensated.
For Advisors
Ecomz, a digital platform that enables companies and individuals to create their customized e-commerce websites, is looking for a technical advisor familiar with similar platforms (Shopify, Wordpress, GoDaddy, etc). This opportunity can be compensated.
If you would like to get involved with any of the opportunities above, please fill out the form below and indicate what opportunity you are interested in in the “Reason for Joining” section.
Exciting Announcements From Our Network
Below are a list of updates, wins, and asks emanating from members of the Viaka Network in the “West.”
Startup Boston has launched the registration of its five-day Startup Boston Week. The program will be held from September 19-23rd, 2022, and will have over 80 events and 250 speakers. The week is geared towards anyone with an interest in startups, with resources to connect, scale, and celebrate the community. Sessions featured include topics geared towards first-time founders, startup employees, advisors, and more. Sign up here!
If you’re a member of our Network and would like to share your own update next week, email info.viaka@gmail.com or submit an update via this form.
That’s it for this week. Thank you!
Like what you see? Here are some things you should do:
Check out our sparkling new website
Sign up for the Viaka Network
Subscribe to this newsletter