A free pre-accelerator program in Detroit called gBETA will operate a cohort this fall focused on “music-tech” and entertainment startups. Applications are being accepted from any startup building music- or entertainment-related products, services, or content.
The program will leverage the networks of a broader partnership announced earlier this year among gener8tor, TechTown Detroit, Motown Museum, and Capitol Music Group. It will work with five startups selected from local and national applicants. Each startup selected for the program will receive coaching and mentorship from the gBETA team during weekly one-on-one meetings.
The startups also will be introduced to more than 25 mentors, including serial entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and investors.
The program kicks off Sept. 19 in Detroit and will wrap up with a free public pitch night the week of Nov. 4. Participants will also be invited to attend and exhibit at Capitol Music Group’s Capitol Royale conference Nov. 16-17.
“The gBETA Musictech program represents an unprecedented opportunity for great talent in Detroit’s history,” says Paul Riser, director of Detroit urban solutions at TechTown Detroit. “I love the promise of the program because it stands to energize our collective tech, entrepreneurial, and music community. When you bring together top-notch program partners and an amazing musical heritage, such as that in the city of Detroit, you provide fertile ground for innovators to write their own chapter within the future of the music industry.”
Adrienne Palm, director of gBETA Musictech in Los Angeles, will also lead the Detroit program. Stella Safari, director of gBETA Detroit, will continue in her role to support the program and local startup ecosystem.
“The combined resources of industry giants like Motown Museum and Capitol Music Group, amplified by local tech heavyweight TechTown Detroit, are one-of-a-kind and essentially stack the deck for the musictech companies who are ultimately chosen to participate in the program,” says Palm.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 8 and can be submitted here.
Gener8tor is a Wisconsin-based turnkey platform for the creative economy that connects startups, entrepreneurs, artists, investors, universities, and corporations. Its platform includes pre-accelerators, accelerators, corporate programming, conferences, and fellowships.
TechTown is Detroit’s entrepreneurship hub. It offers programs for tech and neighborhood small businesses at all stages.
The Motown Museum was originally the recording studios and residence of Berry Gordy and Motown Records. Today it preserves and presents the Motown story.
Capitol Music Group is comprised of record companies and based in California. It is a division of Universal Music Group, a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.
