Takeoff Partners invests in Artist Exchange, trading platform for live music

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Takeoff Partners kicks off the Fall season with an investment in a Helsinki-based startup company that aims at revolutionizing the way live music is bought and sold. Artist Exchange (www.artistexchange.fi) today announced a half million euro financing round to boost product development and to prepare for internationalizing its live music trading platform. 

Along with Takeoff Partners, Marja-Leena Tuomola who is Head of Sanoma Digital Finland will join on board as an investor and Board member. Samu Haber, lead singer of the internationally successful Finnish band Sunrise Avenue, will also continue as owner and Board member of Artist Exchange.

”We are very happy to start working with professionals who have long experience from developing, leading and internationalizing similar types of web services as ours”, says Hannu Keränen, co-founder of Artist Exchange. ”This investment together with the significant business expertise of our new Board members will open a genuine opportunity for us to take a Finnish music industry innovation global”, Keränen continues.

Digitalization drives the change in live music, too

”Artist Exchange has already proven that they can connect live music buyers with top artists, and we are excited to become part of their future journey. We have high confidence in their experienced and passionate team and look forward to supporting them in their next steps”, says Markko Vaarnas, managing partner of Takeoff Partners.

The live music market continues to grow, music festivals break visitor records around the world, artists have more gigs than ever but still the buying of live music is considered as difficult. Digitalization has already changed the music industry a lot, and now Artist Exchange’s web service makes buying and selling live music easier than ever. The service was opened for professionals in the live music industry in spring 2016, and now it’s also available for businesses and private persons at www.artistexchange.fi