Music Startup Sesh Raises $5 Million to Connect Artists and Fans Through Mobile Wallets

Music startup Sesh has raised $5 million in a seed round led by Miura Global, bringing its total funding to $7 million. Founded by CEO Pepe del Río, COO Iñigo-Hubertus Bunzl Pelayo, CMO María José Guzman, and CPTO Andrés Fajardo, Sesh aims to create a new way for artists to connect with their fans beyond traditional social media platforms. The idea behind Sesh stemmed from the realization that many artists struggle with online content creation, despite their musical talents and desire to perform. "Artists are not content creators; they create music and they like to perform," del Río explained. Social media can often be a distraction or a poor fit for artists who prefer direct interaction with their audience. Sesh offers artists an all-in-one platform to manage and optimize their fan communities. When fans sign up, they provide demographic information such as age, location, and email. In return, they receive personalized notifications about album releases, exclusive content, and live sessions through the Sesh app. A unique feature is the "fan card," which fans can store in their mobile wallets (compatible with both iOS and Android devices). This card serves as a digital pass, giving fans access to special promotions and updates from their favorite artists. The platform supports various interactions between artists and fans, including live chats and real-time engagement during performances. Sesh's artist roster already includes notable names like Anitta, Sofia Reyes, and the Black Eyed Peas. These artists benefit from Sesh's CRM tools, which help them track fan analytics and identify trends that can lead to better monetization opportunities. Sesh’s business model revolves around charging artists and their management teams a monthly fee to use the platform. The company also plans to generate additional revenue by taking a commission from transactions facilitated through its services. By integrating with mobile wallets, Sesh aims to simplify the fan experience and reduce the need for multiple apps, making it easier for artists to reach their audience wherever they are. To appeal to investors, Sesh emphasized several key points in its pitch deck. Firstly, the use of mobile wallet "fan cards" provides a user-friendly way to engage fans, leveraging the familiarity of digital wallets typically used for concert tickets and other digital passes. Secondly, Sesh positions itself as a data-driven company, offering artists comprehensive insights into their fan base. This data helps artists tailor their content and marketing strategies, potentially increasing their income and fan engagement. The team's approach to growth and efficiency is also noteworthy. They are bullish on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their operations, particularly in areas like coding and marketing. This strategy allows them to maintain a lean team, which is appealing to investors looking for cost-effective solutions. The founding team's diverse expertise in technology, marketing, and music further strengthens Sesh's position in the market. Despite facing competition from established players like Community, Patreon, and Laylo, Sesh differentiates itself by focusing on simplicity and the seamless integration of mobile wallets. The company believes this approach will make it stand out in the crowded landscape of fandom startups. According to del Río, the "fan card" feature addresses a common investor concern: "Who the f—k is going to download a community app?" By using a familiar tool, Sesh hopes to overcome user adoption barriers. Industry insiders have praised Sesh for its innovative approach to fan engagement and its potential to help artists build more direct and meaningful relationships with their audience. The company's strategic use of AI and focus on data analytics align with current trends in the technology and entertainment sectors. As the creator economy continues to expand, Sesh’s unique blend of features and its commitment to efficiency could prove to be a valuable asset for artists and a compelling investment opportunity. Sesh’s founders bring a wealth of experience to the table. CEO Pepe del Río has a strong background in the music industry, while COO Iñigo-Hubertus Bunzl Pelayo and CMO María José Guzman contribute expertise in operations and marketing, respectively. CPTO Andrés Fajardo adds technical prowess, ensuring the platform's robustness and scalability. Together, they aim to position Sesh not only as a leading music fan engagement platform but also as a broader player in the creator economy.