TechStars Music, a prominent music startup accelerator, has officially ended operations, with Managing Director Bob Moczydlowsky citing the program's model as outdated. The announcement comes after months of speculation following unresponsiveness to applicants earlier this year.

The accelerator's closure stems from two main limitations:

• Insufficient capital provision for startups
• Restrictive "music" label constraining investment scope

Moczydlowsky explained that the program's focus needs to shift from traditional music technology to broader entertainment and self-expression solutions, noting that "instruments will become irrelevant and software will mainly replace them."

The April 2022 class marks the final group of startups funded through the program, which included:

• Beatmatch
• Circle Labs
• Clever.fm
• Green Room
• KEIphone
• Music Games Company
• Musicasa
• Brij
• Radia
• Solace Vision

The accelerator's former selection process involved:

1. Open applications from startups
2. Multiple 1:1 interviews
3. Final screening of 25-30 companies
4. Selection of 10 companies for funding
5. 13-week mentorship program with 300 industry experts
6. Pitch opportunities at the Techstars Music Venture Summit

This closure marks a significant shift in the music technology startup ecosystem, reflecting changing industry dynamics and investment priorities.

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