Join leading voices in music and tech at the official music vertical of Slush. The side event is application-based, with all submissions reviewed to ensure a relevant and curated audience for the best experience.
Willard Ahdritz
CEO of Ahdritz + Co Inc., which focuses on advising and investing in entrepreneurs as well as Chairman of the Board of Kobalt Music, a music tech company he founded in 2000 that revolutionized music rights management by creating a more transparent and efficient system for artists, publishers, and record labels to manage their rights and royalties.
#musictech is the premier event at the intersection of music, technology, and global business, and serves as the official music vertical of Slush, Europe’s leading tech conference.
The side event unites trailblazing startups, music industry pioneers, and the creative community with VCs and business angels worldwide. It’s a platform for internationalization, collaboration, and growth, driving the expansion of innovative music tech solutions and the music industry across global markets.
Hosted in Helsinki, a city celebrated for its thriving tech and creative sectors, #musictech connects you with key decision-makers and visionaries shaping the future of the global music industry.
Attending this side event does not require a Slush ticket.
Current partners: Singa, Music Finland, Music x Media conference, Soundtrack Your Brand, StealthWrks, Music Tech Japan, Music Reports, Zaiks Lab.
After the talks, get ready for Singa Karaoke Chaos — a wild karaoke party with free drinks, where over 1,000 Slush attendees come together for an unforgettable night of music mayhem, hosted by London’s finest drag queens.
Doors open
Opening words
Turo Pekari (Music Finland), Jani Jalonen (Music x Media)
...About building successful companies at the intersection of music and tech
Conversation with Willard Ahdritz (Ahdritz + Co Inc, Kobalt Music) & Ola Sars (Soundtrack Technologies)
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:10 PM
WHERE MUSIC, TECH, AND BUSINESS CONVERGE
In case of questions, drop us a line at events@singa.com
WEDNESDAY
NOV 20TH 2024
4:00PM
Apollo Live Club
16 Mannerheimintie Helsinki Uusimaa 00100
THE SPEAKERS
Rufy Ghazi
A seasoned music business professional with over eight years of experience in Product Development, Data Analysis, Research, Business Strategy, and Partnerships within the music industry. An alumna of Tech Nation and the holder of a 5-year UK Global Talent visa, Rufy is currently based in London, serving as the Digital Operations Manager at Amra.
THE SCHEDULE
THE PARTNERS
Ola Sars
Stockholm-based serial entrepreneur in the music-tech space. He is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Soundtrack Technologies, the fastest-growing B2B music platform. Previously, he co-founded Spotify Business and Beats Music, which was acquired by Apple and transformed into Apple Music. Sars has been recognized as a Billboard International Power Player.
Tom Höglund
Chief Business Development Officer and a founding team member at Epidemic Sound. A lawyer by training, he developed the company’s innovative digital rights model, enabling creators and brands to use music while empowering artists. Under his leadership, Epidemic Sound reached a $1.4B valuation in 2021, with its music played 2.5 billion times daily on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Fred Davis
Partner at Raine Group, focusing on advising and investing in digital media and technology companies like Warner Music and SoundCloud. Previously, he was a Founding Partner at CODE Advisors, working with companies such as Spotify, Shazam and Supercell, and he also founded the law firm Davis Shapiro & Lewit. An Executive Vice President at EMI Records, Fred has received several awards, including the ACLU’s Bill of Rights Award.
Aga Samitowska
A music business and tech professional, leading ZAiKS Akademia and ZAiKS Lab, initiatives under Poland’s leading collective rights management organization ZAiKS. She also founded Fenomen Lab and co-founded MusicTech Poland. With over a decade at Kayax, she managed digital distribution and worked with top Polish artists like Brodka and Hey. Aga is also a frequent speaker and host of the “Era Transformera” podcast.
Bill Colitre
COO & General Counsel at Music Reports. He has played a key role in the development of major subscription music services in the U.S. and is a recognized expert in global music licensing. Bill has worked with prominent artists like Diana Ross and Rob Thomas and is a graduate of UC San Diego and Loyola Law School. He is also a member of the Copyright Society of the USA and a former lecturer at USC Gould School of Law..
Takayuki Suzuki
Managing Director of MusicTech Japan, connecting Japan's music tech ecosystem with the global market to enhance both culture and business. His impressive career includes serving as Head of Mobile at MTV Japan and, most recently, as Head of Digital Business Development at Universal Music Japan.
Elizabeth Angel
Helsinki-based social entrepreneur, advisor to Fortune 500 companies, and singer/songwriter. She created Ravyn Lyte, the first Non-Asian AI superstar and mental health advocate, whose debut single in July 2024 reached 55+ million people. Collaborating with producers like Marcus "Bellringer" Bell and Sean Myer, her single "11111 (Just Be the One)" was designed with neuroscientists to promote calmness through music.
Nils Paajanen
COO of Singa with over 10 years of startup experience. Previously, they served as an Investment Manager at Inventure, a venture capital fund with €200 million AUM, and worked in business development at Andreessen Horowitz-backed YourMechanic in San Francisco.
Alex Brees
CEO and Founder of un:hurd
music, a music tech company helping artists reach fans through data-driven marketing. Since its launch, un:hurd has worked with over 105,000 artists globally, raised significant funding, and gained recognition from Music Ally and BBC Dragons' Den. Before un:hurd, Alex was a global analyst at Universal Music, collaborating with artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.
Jakob Wredstrøm
Entrepreneur and producer with over 12 years of experience in the music industry. As the Founder and CEO of Amplitude Ventures AS, a music venture studio and consultancy in Norway, he supports the growth and investment of music and music technology companies. Jakob hosts the Sound Connections Podcast, where he interviews industry experts and discusses trends and opportunities. Additionally, he provides startup consulting, focusing on idea validation and investor readiness for music startups.
Siegfried Paquet
MD/Founder of StealthWrks, a NYC-based advisory firm specializing in music strategy for digital services. With 30 years of international experience in media and technology, he has held C-suite roles at major companies like BMG, PolyGram, Universal, and Bertelsmann. Siegfried holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and a BA from ISG Paris.
Lucie Caswell
Music Publishing Specialist & Strategy Lead at Stealthwrks and Director of Publishing Rights Licensing at Songtradr. With a career spanning indie studios to C-suite roles and government affairs, she is a lead copyright negotiator specializing in digital rights and music IP. Lucie has worked with DSPs like Deezer and Sony, and advises on music IP in gaming and AV platforms. Formerly CEO of the FAC, she is now Chief Innovation and Government Affairs Officer at ERA, advocating for equal opportunities and ethical innovation in the arts.
Richard Goold
London-based Wilson Sonsini partner. Wilson Sonsini is a Silicon Valley law firm renowned for working with many of the world’s most famous tech companies. Rich is a strategic advisor to European entrepreneurs. He’s also a DJ, runs a party for the Tech ecosystem (The Download) and has a particular passion for supporting music tech founders.
Phil Hutcheon
Founder and CEO of DICE, the largest independent concert discovery and ticketing platform. He began his career in product and engineering for a financial services company before transitioning to the music industry, helping grow Modular Records into a global label. Frustrated with existing ticketing solutions, Phil launched DICE in 2014 to create a fan-friendly platform focused on culture, data, and technology. Today, the DICE app drives over 60% of ticket sales through its Discovery engine, offering transparent pricing and combating scalping.
Jacquelle Horton
Founder and CEO of Fave, a platform for superfans to lead fan-driven experiences and commerce. Previously a Product Leader at Google, she helped scale YouTube’s creator tools and AI products to over a billion users. She has been recognized by Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.
Andrea Rosen
Andrea, aka DJ Androosh, has built a 20-year career at the intersection of music and startups. Known for her dynamic sets worldwide, she released her EP Proof of Existence on Nervous Records in 2024. As Portfolio Manager at Best Nights VC, Mast Jägermeister SE's venture arm, Andrea leads investments linking culture and tech. She has also advised startups and the European Commission and spoken at top tech events across Europe.
Free event. Slush ticket not required for entry.
Gérôme Vanherf
Co-founder of Wallifornia, with 20 years of experience in building entrepreneurial ecosystems. He specializes in connecting entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, and creatives to foster innovation in the entertainment industry. Gérôme co-founded Wallifornia MusicTech and SportsTech Belgium, promoting innovation in music and sports. He is also the Innovation Manager at Noshaq, a venture capital firm investing in entertainment startups.
Dave Haynes
Based in UK, Dave is partner at FOV Ventures. Dave previously led HTC’s $100m Vive X fund in EMEA and was part of the investment team at Seedcamp (Fund III). Metaverse-related portfolio and angel investments include Wave, LIV, ReadyPlayerMe, Crucible and many others. Prior to investing, Dave founded two of his own startups and was part of the founding team of SoundCloud.
Hans Peter Roth
Hans Peter has been a key figure in the online music industry for nearly 20 years and is currently a Partner at Muserk, overseeing over 15 million works. He previously led the Nordic Societies' licensing hub and managed Online Services at the Network of Music Partners (NMP), gaining expertise in copyright, data management, and the online music value chain. He co-founded the Technical Online Working Group Europe (TOWGE) and serves as Chair of its Steering Committee.
William Evensen
Technology Investor at EQT Growth. William started his career as an investment banker in the Consumer Team at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in New York before joining EQT's dedicated Growth Equity fund where he focuses on growth investments in Music Tech, Digital Media and the broader consumer sector - investments include tech companies such as Epidemic Sound and Vinted.
The growing synergy between the music industry and startups: opportunities, licensing, and challenges
Panel discussion with Hans Peter Roth (Muserk), Lucie Caswell (Songtradr), Maxine Brauman (BUMA)
Moderator: Aga Samitowska (Zaiks Lab)
4:40 PM
Cracking the code: navigating music licensing for startups
Conversation with Bill Colitre (Music Reports) & Nils Paajanen (Singa)
5:00 PM
Tech trends transforming entertainment
Keynote from Fred Davis (Raine Group)
5:45 PM
Ecosystems supporting innovation in music & music tech
Panel discussion with Gerome Vanherf (Wallifornia), Jakob Wredström (Amplitude Ventures), Taka Suzuki (MusicTech Japan), Rufy Ghazi (Amra). Moderator Elizabeth Angel (Bellringer Productions).
6:10 PM
A guide to raising your Series A round within the music space
Panel discussion with Jacquelle Horton (Fave), Andrea Rosen (Best Nights VC), Dave Haynes (FOV Ventures). Moderator: Alex Brees (un:hurd music)
6:40 PM
How big can you take this?
Conversation with Tom Höglund (Epidemic Sound) & William Eversen (EQT Growth)
7:25 PM
DICE journey
Phil Hutcheon (DICE) interviewed by Richard Goold (Wilson Sonsini)
7:50 PM
#musictech wrap up
Keynote by Siegfried Paquet (StealthWrks)
8:15 PM
Open bar & networking
8:40 PM
Slush Day 1 Karaoke Chaos by Singa
Been there, done that? Then you know the drill. For the first-timers: Brace yourself for the most epic karaoke party – a delightful whirlwind of chaos and pure fun hosted by London's finest Drag Queens.
9:30 PM
