Shazam is a globally recognized music tech platform that allows users to instantly identify songs and connect with artists, TV shows, advertisements, and more. Available on both Android and iOS, it enhances discovery through charts, playlists, and integrations with streaming platforms. Its advanced audio fingerprinting technology made it one of the earliest leaders in music recognition, leading to widespread adoption across entertainment and retail environments.
What Is Shazam and What Does It Do?
Shazam, founded in 2000 by Dhiraj Mukherjee, Avery Wang, and Philip Georges Inghelbrecht, is a London-based (United Kingdom) music technology company.
The company develops an app-based music identification platform that helps users recognize songs within seconds and connect with artists and entertainment content across multiple channels.
Shazam employs 101,450 employees as of December 2023. Its system uses proprietary audio fingerprinting and machine learning to detect music, synchronize charts, and support integrations with radio, cinema, retail, and digital content platforms. Shazam remains a cultural touchpoint for instant music discovery worldwide.
How Much Funding Has Shazam Raised?
1. Series C
- Amount Raised: $48.9M
- Lead Investors: DN Capital, Kleiner Perkins
- Motivation: To scale global music recognition capabilities and expand partnerships.
2. Series C
- Amount Raised: $3M
- Lead Investors: Sony Music
- Motivation: To strengthen industry integrations and enhance catalog coverage.
3. Series C
- Amount Raised: $20M
- Lead Investors: America Movil, DN Capital, Acacia Capital Partners, Kleiner Perkins
- Motivation: To accelerate platform innovation and support global expansion.
Total Funding Raised: $149 Million
Current Valuation: $1 Billion (as of January 2015)
Latest Funding Date: February, 2015
Key Investors
1. DN Capital
- Details: DN Capital is a global technology-focused investment firm backing high-growth digital platforms.
- Focus Areas: Software, fintech, digital media.
- Notable Investments: Shazam, Auto1 Group, Endeca.
2. Kleiner Perkins
- Details: Kleiner Perkins is a renowned venture capital firm supporting transformative technology companies.
- Focus Areas: Consumer tech, enterprise software, digital media.
- Notable Investments: Google, Amazon, Spotify.
3. Sony Music
- Details: Sony Music is a global music powerhouse involved in recorded music and entertainment solutions.
- Focus Areas: Music, entertainment technologies, digital media.
- Notable Investments: Shazam, The Orchard, AWAL.
4. Acacia Capital Partners
- Details: Acacia Capital Partners supports technology-driven scale-ups across multiple regions.
- Focus Areas: Growth-stage technology investments.
- Notable Investments: Shazam, Kobalt.
5. America Movil
- Details: America Movil is one of the world’s largest telecom providers, investing in innovative consumer technologies.
- Focus Areas: Telecommunications, digital services.
- Notable Investments: Shazam, Claro Video.
Where Is Shazam’s Headquarters?
Shazam is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, a global hub for music, entertainment, and technology innovation. Its location provides direct access to global record labels, top streaming platforms, and media partners, enabling seamless collaboration and rapid product evolution.
What’s Next for Shazam?
Post-acquisition, Shazam continues to expand its capabilities through deeper integrations, enhanced audio recognition, and AI-powered discovery experiences. With its established audience and data-rich ecosystem, the platform is positioned to further influence music trends, improve artist visibility, and evolve as a core component of next-gen entertainment discovery.
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