Encore provides a mobile-first platform and the Encore Studio App for artists to create and perform live in custom augmented‑reality environments from their phones and tablets. Fans engage through gamified microtransactions—a ten‑cent “clap”—to watch shows, chat, and interact, enabling direct payments to artists. The company launched its Studio App following a $9M seed raise led by Battery Ventures. While in private beta, hundreds of artists including SSGKobe, The Cool Kids, Too $hort, and DC the Don performed to tens of thousands of fans who have collectively clapped almost a million times. Encore was co‑founded in 2020 by Kid Cudi (Chief Creative Officer), Ian Edelman (President), and Jonathan Gray (CEO) and is headquartered in Los Angeles. The team says the product is aimed at democratizing the music industry by allowing artists to create personalized live experiences without a production budget and earn cash directly from fans. Encore is a mobile-first live music experience that lets artists drop new music, chat with fans and host live shows from anywhere. The app enables fans to interact and contribute content to communities centered around artists and shows, and to purchase unique artist experiences and merchandise. Its stated mission is to help more artists make a living from their music by encouraging collaboration and direct relationships with fans, addressing shortcomings of the streaming model. Co‑founders include Kid Cudi (Chief Creative Officer), Ian Edelman (President) and Jonathan Gray (CEO), combining creative and technical leadership. Encore is currently in private beta and is inviting artists and fans to sign up for access. Earlier this year it closed a $2M Seed round led by Battery Ventures, providing early financial backing as it develops and scales its product.

Total raised

$11M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Feb 2022