TastemakerX is a mobile music-discovery app that originally positioned itself as a virtual “stock market for bands,” rewarding users via a T-Score and trading of artist shares. The company has replaced the stock-market metaphor with a new visual “Collections” feature that lets users showcase tastes and generate Spotify playlists. Collections are integrated with Spotify and the app can also pull music from Songkick, SoundCloud and YouTube. TastemakerX is also launching a Fantasy Leagues for Music feature to boost regular user engagement by creating game-like teams and competitions. The product targets new-music enthusiasts and exited beta after launching in beta around Coachella; the company planned a SXSW debut for its new experience. Financially, TastemakerX announced $1.25M in new funding and had previously raised a $1.8M Series A. TastemakerX is a social music platform that lets users buy and sell shares in musicians, earn a T-score measuring their influence, comment, give props, and follow other users. The company launched a private beta just before Coachella and has since redesigned its iOS interface to surface previously buried features. TastemakerX also launched a website so the product is no longer mobile-only. Users trade using a virtual currency called Notes and display portfolios that contribute to their T-score. The company was founded by Marc Ruxin and Sandro Pugliese; Ruxin serves as CEO and both founders previously worked in A&R at EMI. TastemakerX has raised $1.8 million from investors including Baseline Ventures, True Ventures, and AOL Ventures. Planned product improvements include API integrations for concert updates, the ability to buy more Notes, and additional social and gaming features such as badges.

Total raised

$3M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2013