Now, we know: Katz has teamed up with Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings to launch Raised In Space Enterprises, a new music biz funding group which will “forge proactive collaboration between music and technology with investments ranging from $500,000 to $5 million”.
Other founding partners in Santa Monica-based Raised In Space include Ripple’s Xpring, a blockchain technology and investment firm which already works with Braun’s SB Projects.
According to a press release, Xpring will work with Raised In Space to “integrate blockchain and the digital asset XRP where it can most powerfully benefit and impact the music industry”.
Rounding out Raised In Space’s core team is Forbes 30 Under 30 tech and music entrepreneur, Shara Senderoff.
“I’m excited to launch a company focused on bridging these two industries in a transformative and actionable manner that raises the value of music”.
Scooter Braun
The company’s mission is to guide “extraordinary founders in creating innovative solutions for the music industry, from inception to market adoption”.
Braun, manager of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande (and official helper-outer of Kanye West) said: “The relationship between music and tech has massive untapped potential.
“I’m excited to launch a company focused on bridging these two industries in a transformative and actionable manner that raises the value of music”.
Zach Katz (pictured) officially joins Raised In Space as CEO and partner.
“Writing the check is easy. Hands-on guidance, time, and strategy is the real investment,” said Katz. “There has to be consistent collaboration and conversation – we get into the bones of these companies to help them see and reach their highest potential.
“We will unify the most forward-thinking leaders – the outliers, the out of this world thinkers who feel like they were raised in space – in both music and tech to foster community and ideas that will ultimately catapult the music industry into the future.”
Ethan Beard, SVP of Ripple’s Xpring, commented: “We’re excited about blockchain’s potential to solve problems in the entertainment space – from new ways to monetize creative content to innovative fan engagement models that were not previously possible. Xpring is about empowering the best entrepreneurs to apply technologies like the XRP Ledger in new and novel ways.
“Raised In Space is an extension of that effort, and we couldn’t ask for better partners than Zach, Scooter and Shara. Forming the company is an important first step, now we’re excited to see how the entrepreneurs they back will build new solutions that can reshape the music industry.”Music Business Worldwide
