40 amazing entertainment startups you need to know (2024)

What are entertainment startups?

In essence, entertainment startups are an ecosystem consisting of all the startups that are innovating on the technologies, products, marketing, and business models within the entertainment industry. Live streaming, VR gaming, and most recently the Metaverse are just some of the innovations in the last couple of years.

The most innovative entertainment startups for 2024

In today’s article, we’ve separated some of the most innovative and exciting entertainment startups for 2024. Each and every one of these companies are leading the way in innovation in their own unique ways.

Substack

Substack is an online platform that lets independent writers and journalists create and distribute their own digital newsletters. Writers can use Substack to publish newsletters covering any topics they want, and then sell subscriptions to their newsletters to readers. The model allows writers to have more creative freedom and build direct relationships with readers who subscribe and fund their work, rather than relying on ads or publishing companies.

Substack handles the technology and subscription payments for the writers, while letting them maintain full ownership and editorial control of their newsletters. This allows individual writers to run a profitable media business through the Substack platform by creating content their subscribers value enough to pay for on an ongoing basis.

Authentify Art

Authentify Art is an art-driven entertainment startup that focuses on securing and connecting digital and physical art pieces. 

They use a unique tamper-proof IoT (internet of things) tags. These tags ensure a verified proof of presence and tracking information about each and every art piece.

In addition, the entertainment startup also offer its users an easy access to the collected data.

Located in San Diego, California, Autentify art has a great team of pros whose motto is using technology to do good in the world of art.

Banger Games

Banger Games is an entertainment startup located in Spain that combines gaming and blockchain. The team at Banger Games has built this platform with the future in mind because it’s tailor-made for the metaverse. 

Namely, the gaming-oriented entertainment startup created a platform where gamers can trade NFTs on many triple-A titles with Counter-Strike being one of the most popular ones.

Banger Games’ goal is to get people out of the traditional singleplayer and multiplayer environment. And get their users into a community-first gaming ecosystem.

G2 Esports

G2 Esports was founded by a legendary League of Legends player, Carlos “Ocelote” Rodriguez, back in 2015. From there, the eSports team started leading the way when it comes to eSports and Gaming. 

It’s one of the most popular teams in many competitive eSport games including League of Legends, Counter-Strike, COD and others.

Their vision is to build a well-recognized brand whose foundations are on esports and gaming by entertaining their audience.

Tracklib

Tracklib is a subscription-based service that offers musicians a way of making music without having to go through the hassle of millions of track packs, loops, or sample tracks.

They allow their users to dive deep into a sea of music tracks and find what suits their needs.

Barnebys

A Swedish company based in Stockholm, Barnebys was founded in 2011. Since then, they’ve opened up offices in lots of famous locations such as France, Spain, Germany, the UK, the USA, etc.

They pride themselves in collecting some of the top-tier antique dealers, galleries, and auctioneers under their belt. On their site, you can also find a huge database of free auction results as well as a great valuation service!

Peoople

Peoople allows you to search for and save the best entertainment that your friends and some of the most followed influencers recommend.

This platform also allows you to recommend your favorite entertainment pieces whether it’s a movie, music video, documentary, or a book.

Aiva Technologies

Aiva Technologies is an entertainment startup that’s focusing on creating music tracks for movies. They’re not a typical music composer because they are using Artificial Intelligence in order to create the music tracks. 

Moreover, there’s also something that separates Aiva from other AI-based platforms. Namely, Avia is able to compose beautiful, dramatic, and emotional music which is not the case with other AI-based music composers.

PlaySight

PlaySight’s is the next-gen platform for future athletes and the future of sports. In fact, they’ve connected many sports rings, arenas, and fields with their platform.

Their main goal is to ensure the best analytics for the improvement of the next generation of elite athletes. Namely, Playsight combines technology and sport in order to get the best analysis possible.

PlaySight works by implementing lots of high-performance cameras in different sports arenas enabling them to gather great data.

Eventerprise

Eventerprise is a tech entertainment startup that strives to connect the world of events.

This company is great at creating unforgettable moments and events by helping consumers find the best performers, venues, and vendors.

It also offers event organizers a way to get their event in front of more people and increase their chances of getting a full house!

Singa

Singa allows its users to get access to thousands of songs to enable them to sing karaoke on the go!

Their app is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux computers and phones, so you don’t have to worry about the availability of the service.

Wootzano

Wootzano is a great startup that works with AI and robotics in order to preserve and sort the vegetables that they’re for their customers.

Wootzano combines labor work with cobots in order to get streamlined product packaging and a fresh and good-looking product.

Minute

Minute is a great way of increasing the potential of your video content.

They use media analysis data as well as AI in order to analyze the video and bring the most out of it.

Minute will automatically capture the best moments in your video and combine them into a short preview which will capture the attention of your audience. The content you get out of Minute is automatically optimized for the social media platforms you select.

Tracklib

Tracklib allows its users to create music tracks by sampling from already existing songs. Namely this entertainment startup was created with the musicians in mind. It allows them to create great samples to use freely in their next track.

With clients like Ludacris, J. Cole, and Lil Wayne, and availability in lots of countries, Tracklib has shaken the music-making industry.

Pollen

Founded back in 2014 by two brothers, Callum & Liam Negus-Fancey, Pollen allows its users to choose the next location for their vacation or even modify their travel experience. 

Using this tech entertainment startup you’ll be able to meet with others, organize unique experiences and even meet with some of your favorite entertainers.

FaceIt

FaceIt is an industry-leading entertainment startup that brings gaming competitions alive. 

This platform allows gaming event organizers to reinforce the gaming ecosystem around their game. It also provides them with the tools needed to keep the competition going for as long as it’s needed.

The best thing about FaceIt is the fact that the competitions don’t have to be based on pro players. In fact, in their community, they have players of all skillsets in lots of different games.

Festicket

Festicket is another top-leading startup in the entertainment industry that allows its users to find and book music festival tickets.

Festicket is created with the music audience in mind and it creates an end-to-end experience for anyone who decides to use the platform. 

Founded in 2012 by Zack Sabban and Jonathan Younes, the company is backed by a range of investors including InMotion Venture, Edge, Beringea, ProFounders, and Lepe Partners.

Epidemic Sound

Epidemic Sound is a great platform that empowers content creators to be creative. This tech entertainment startup allows content creators to find royalty-free music to use in their content and includes all the rights to the song or sound effect. 

As a subscription-based platform, Epidemic Sound allows its users to get access to more than 100 000 royalty-free tracks and sound effects once they pay the subscription fee.

Deezer

Deezer was created back in 2007 as a simple project by Daniel Marhely who tried to make it easier for his friends to listen to music.

Today, the music-driven platform is available in more than 180 countries across the world. And it allows its users access to more than 90 million songs, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Storytel

Storytell opens the world of endless storytelling and audiobooks to its users.

It is one of the best subscription-based platforms for streaming audiobooks and e-books offering about a million award-winning titles from all over the world.

Currently, Storytell is only available in 20 markets around the world, but they’re planning on increasing their availability in the coming year.

Patreon

Founded in 2013, Patreon aims to empower creators with sustainable income sources and more creative freedom. The site is used by over 200,000 creators globally across video, music, podcasting, art, and more. Top Patreon performers can earn thousands per month from fan subscriptions.

For followers, Patreon unlocks a deeper involvement with artists and exclusive insider access often not available publicly. Patronage gives fans a direct way to fuel the work they love most.

Splice

Founded in 2013, Splice aims to democratize music creation by providing a more efficient, social, and scalable cloud-based production studio. Amateur and professional musicians alike can craft tracks using Splice’s constantly updated sound library containing millions of files.

With over 4 million users, Splice has become a go-to audio creation hub. By combining content libraries, DAW features, and cloud sharing, Splice lets any musician or producer turn inspiration into full-fledged songs quickly.

Fanatiz

Founded in 2019, Fanatiz aims to satisfy underserved demand for international sports streaming tailored to US Hispanics. With web, iOS, and Android apps, their service makes foreign sports accessible on any device. Multi-angle game views provide an immersive experience.

Fanatiz has acquired streaming rights for major soccer properties thanks to relationships with groups like FIFA, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL. Their focus on Latin American and Spanish content attracts loyal expat fans and multicultural viewers.

WinZO

Founded in 2018, WinZO aims to build India’s premier eSports ecosystem by blending competitive gaming, live streaming, and cash prizes. They partner with developers to co-create hit made-in-India multiplayer games using insights into regional preferences.

With over 85 million registered users, WinZO has unlocked a new trend of mobile eSports entertainment. Their platform demonstrates how culturally tailored experiences and monetary rewards together engage Indian users.

Red Ventures

Founded in 2000, Red Ventures pioneered an innovative model of acquiring and scaling high-potential digital brands to leadership positions in their categories. Their expertise in search, content and analytics exponentially grows online audiences and engagement.

Strategic alliances with major partners like Yahoo! allow Red Ventures to expand their reach while enhancing brands. Their digital properties now receive over 100 million unique monthly visitors.

Epidemic Sound

Founded in 2009, Epidemic Sound aims to simplify music licensing for digital platforms and creators through unlimited access to original tunes. Their tracks are made for professional use but priced affordably. The curated library ensures music enhances content effectively.

With users ranging from YouTubers to marketing agencies, Epidemic allows creators to make videos as engaging as television on any budget. The platform indicates how personalized music libraries are driving production music’s digital transformation.

BookMyShow

Founded in 2007, BookMyShow solved the pains of outdated offline ticket booking by bringing convenience and reliability to entertainment reservations in India. Their success reflects India’s embrace of online services and appetite for cinemas, concerts and live events.

With over 60 million monthly users and ticketing partnerships across entertainment brands like Disney and Ticketmaster, BookMyShow has become a habit for an increasingly tech-savvy Indian consumer base. Their continued growth mirrors India’s booming entertainment market.

Topgolf

Founded in 2000, Topgolf pioneered interactive virtual golf games years before innovations like simulation screens and tracking microchips. What began as a novel driving range concept has grown into an iconic global sports and entertainment brand with a technology edge.

With over 70 locations across six countries, Topgolf is increasing golf participation by making the sport more accessible through social, multifaceted entertainment. Their forward-thinking model reflects how technology can drive immersive, multisensory experiences engaging modern consumers.

AnyMind

Founded in 2016, AnyMind aims to enable brands big and small to digitally transform and strengthen direct-to-consumer capabilities in Asia. Their solutions simplify complex e-commerce operations through process automation and data centralization.

With hundreds of employees across 14 offices, AnyMind serves over 60,000 businesses in commerce hotspots like Japan, Singapore and Thailand. Clients include Honda, Nestle, Universal Music and major airlines.

STARZ PLAY

Launched in 2015, STARZ PLAY was among the first global streaming brands to enter the MENA region. Early investment in Arabic content and local partnerships has helped them gain strong market share across 19 countries. The platform reaches over 2 million subscribers.

In an entertainment market long dominated by piracy, STARZ PLAY makes premium global and regional content conveniently available through legal streaming. Their popularity reflects expanding digital connectivity and demand for diverse entertainment in MENA households.

Tiqets

Founded in the Netherlands in 2014, Tiqets aims to make culture more accessible by making attraction ticketing quick, easy and paperless. Their platform currently offers admission to thousands of venues across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. International expansion has accelerated as mobile adoption rises.

As a one-stop shop for attraction reservations, Tiqets helps visitors maximize sightseeing. For attraction operators, their platform drives incremental ticket sales, especially to millennial audiences.

CHILI

Founded in 2012, CHILI was an earlier disruptor in digital movie distribution, competing with traditional physical formats. Headquartered in Germany, their service now reaches millions of households across Europe and Latin America through smart TV and mobile apps.

In an era where audiences demand flexible, affordable on-demand video, CHILI satisfies cinephile cravings and impulse movie nights with just a few clicks. Their frictionless platform demonstrates how tech innovations can leapfrog population segments into the digital media future.

Musixmatch

Founded in Italy in 2010, Musixmatch realized lyrics held an untapped data layer for powering music AI unlike any other metadata. Their catalog now indexes lyrics for over 20 million titles as they build the infrastructure for lyric-based music understanding.

Major music companies including Warner Music Group and Tencent Music employ Musixmatch’s API services to enhance experiences on their platforms. The technology demonstrates how lyrics’ contextual data enriches audio-based AI.

Kambr

Founded by aviation veterans in 2017, Kambr enables carriers to shift from reactive to predictive revenue management. Their methodology integrates commercial planning across the enterprise to align operations with optimal profitability.

Initial US clients like Southwest and Delta have seen significant financial improvements using Kambr’s analytics. With value demonstrated domestically, international expansion beckons as global aviation eyes recovery.

OverActive

Founded in 2017, OverActive’s leadership saw the potential to bring sports management experience into esports’ early hype phase. Strategic mergers of nascent esports properties under one entity allowed unified growth.

With clubs in major titles plus live events and studio, OverActive covers esports ecosystems holistically. As gaming permeates mainstream culture, their pro franchising approach attracts serious sponsorships like Bud Light and TD Bank.

Tappytoon

Launched in 2019, Tappytoon offers a mobile-optimized platform for discovering and reading premium comics from top creators globally. Available in English, French, German and other languages, their catalog spans genres like romance, sci-fi, and drama.

By providing an intuitive interface tailored for digital consumption, Tappytoon makes webtoon comics accessible to new audiences worldwide. Readers can browse thousands of titles for free or access exclusive series through their premium subscription.

NEXPLAY

Launched in 2021, NEXPLAY develops gamer-centric experiences for today’s spectrum of social, competitive and professional players. As gaming permeates mainstream culture, NEXPLAY bridges entertainment and community around what people love – the games themselves.

From grassroots friend tournaments to pro circuit events, NEXPLAY fuels gaming’s growing ecosystem. As gaming evolves beyond stereotypes into a multidimensional lifestyle, NEXPLAY provides the connective chain between different gaming worlds.

Resemble AI

Founded in 2017, Resemble pushes the boundaries of AI speech synthesis with custom voice models replicating the complexity of human vocals. Their technology has applications from speech prosthetics to creative audio projects wanting lifelike, cost-effective voice acting.

With interest in synthetic media booming, Resemble aims to expand access to personalized, human-quality voices through ethical AI applications. Their solutions help increase vocal representation and empower creative communication in all its diversity.

Specular Theory

Founded in 2016, Specular Theory creates immersive training simulations using virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence technologies. Their systems provide engaging, repeatable skills training tailored to clients’ needs.

Specular Theory’s government and corporate clients use their simulations for mission readiness, equipment operation, safety training, and more. The combination of realism and data-driven insights aim to accelerate expertise development.

Bungie

Founded in 1991, Bungie created blockbuster game franchises like Halo and Destiny. Their epic sci-fi shooters pioneered cinematic storytelling and robust multiplayer experiences in FPS games.

From indie startup origins to now a AAA studio, Bungie’s culture retains a creative spirit. Their games focus on immersive worlds filled with mystery, character, and community.

What all entertainment startups have in common

The best thing that each and every one of these entertainment startups have in common is the fact that they all try to break the barrier and move forward by implementing entertainment technologies, innovations, and content.