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Sellaband.com, the Amsterdam-based Web site that has helped bands including Australia's Vegas Dragons and New York's BulletProof Messenger raise money to record and sell their music, has scored some major funding of its own. Under an agreement unveiled Tuesday, Sellaband will receive $5 million in Series A capital, led by Prime Technology Ventures. The early-stage venture capital firm has offices in Amsterdam and Cambridge, England. "We believe in the concept and the longevity of the Sellaband model, and so investing in the company makes complete financial sense," Sake Bosch, Prime Technology's managing partner, said in a statement. "We look forward to working together with Sellaband as they continue to change the face of the music industry." In a phone interview Sellaband co-founder and CEO Johan Vosmeijer said the company had recently received expressions of interest from several VC firms but was most impressed with Prime Ventures. "The way they approached us was very hands-on but was also very down to earth and direct," said Vosmeijer, who previously ran the Epic and Columbia labels for Sony Music Corp. in the Benelux region and who helped launch the Red Ink boutique label for Sony BMG. "They didn't promise the world but just said, 'Hey, we think we can take you to the next level.' This is what appealed to us." Specifically, Sellaband hopes to use the new capital to expand in the U.S. by signing on corporate partners. In Europe, it has partnerships with Amazon.com Inc. in the U.K. and Dutch brewing giant Heineken NV, the main sponsor of Sellaband live events. Although Prime Ventures did not disclose the size of its stake in Sellaband, it typically seeks shares of 10% to 40% in European technology-driven companies, targeting the Benelux, the U.K. and Nordic regions. In February, Prime Ventures led a ¤6.5 million ($10.2 million) Series B funding road for eBuddy, a Dutch provider of Web and mobile instant messaging. Vosmeijer runs Sellaband along with creative director Pim Betist, music director Dagmar Heijmans and so-called tech-crunch Christiaan Kröner. Originally funded by several private investors from Germany, the company has so far helped 18 artists from 11 countries raise the $50,000 needed to record, mix and make an album. To join Sellaband, bands are required to set up a profile and upload some of their music to attract "Believers," who can contribute as much as they want--starting at $10--to help toward the $50,000 target. Bands can join Sellaband for free, which gives them exposure to a fan and funding base, and can leave Sellaband at any time. For bands that stay with the Web site, Sellaband provides access to marketing models, distribution of their music and a network of industry professionals. All income from advertising and music sales are split evenly between artists, Believers and Sellaband. Vosmeijer himself boasts of being the first "Believer" in Wetwerks, an indie rock band from New York that has shared the stage with Bon Jovi and Cypress Hill. "They rock," Vosmeijer said. "These guys write fantastic songs, they are extremely professional and dedicated and also very dedicated to the Sellaband concept. "They want to control their own destiny, and Sellaband does that for them." -- Renee Cordes
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Cordial saludo
Mi inquietud es saber como es el proceso, requisitos, pasos, etc., para participar en sellaband.com.
Atentamente
bayron luis peralta marchena