Melodie Secures $1M in Bridge Round Funding

Melodie nabs $1 million in fresh funds, a sum that will “fuel strategic partnerships” and international growth, which includes the opening later this year of its first European office.

Founded in November 2017, the music licensing startup has secured total funding at close-to $3 million from investors including early Atlassian employee and Code Barrel founder Nick Menere, and Peter Strain, co-owner of The Drop Festival.

It’s full steam ahead for Melodie, whose European office is set to open in France later this year, ahead of a strategic capital raise planned for 2025.

Evan Buist, Melodie’s founder and managing director, was recently recognised by The CEO Magazine as “Highly Commended Entrepreneur of the Year” and last month won for product of the year, one of 19 categories presented at the 2024 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

“It’s been a big news month for us,” Buist tells The Music Network.

Evan Buist

Melodie has facilitated 20 million minutes of its artists music broadcast on Australian free-to-air television and VOD platforms in shows like Australian Ninja Warrior, Four Corners, Deadly Women, The Amazing Race and Territory Cops. 

“As we mark our sixth year of operation,” Buist explains in a statement, “we are building closer relationships with our partners, and broadening our global presence. Three of the world’s four largest royalty markets are France, the U.K. and Germany.”

He continues, “we are looking to replicate that (Australian) success in key European markets, leveraging data to create long-term, powerful strategic alliances.”

Melodie will lay the groundwork when it exhibits at IBC Amsterdam in September, and MIPCOM Cannes in October.