Warner joins $14M funding round in AI music startup lifescore, Founded by Siri Co-Inventor Tom Gruber

AI music technology company LifeScore has raised £11 million ($14.4m) in Series A funding, led by Octopus Ventures, and bringing its total funding raised to £12 million ($15.7m). The round saw participation from Warner Music Group, IDEO and 4 Good Ventures. Additional investment was received from existing investor Metaplanet Holdings OÜ, an early backer of the company. LifeScore creates adaptive music on demand which the company says is “algorithmically tailored to the context and needs of the listener”. The startup was founded by film and video game composer Philip Sheppard, Tom Gruber, the co-inventor of Siri and a respected AI expert, Ian Drew, who is described as “a serial technology entrepreneur”, and Chris Walch, a former attorney at Latham & Watkins. The company is a graduate of Abbey Road RED Incubator 2019 program. LifeScore says that its technology has applications across AR and other simulated environments, live streaming, gaming, automotive, sleep, fitness, health and wellness and has already signed a licensing agreement with Audi. The startup intends to use the £11 million investment to accelerate its traction in Europe, the US and Asia by strengthening its technical, audio and operations teams, expanding its customer base, and further investing in its proprietary adaptive music technology. LifeScore says that its platform can generate music in real time that sounds as if it were created by “talented human composers and played by virtuoso players”. According to the startup, it’s AI platform works by using what it calls ‘Cellular Composition’, which it says is a patented method “to transform the building blocks of a composition or artists’ recorded ‘cells’  into adaptive music by algorithmically selecting, combining, layering, sequencing, mixing, and playing out the final product in real time”. The result sounds like music created by human artists, says LifeScore, because it is generated from “musical raw materials that are composed and performed by world class musicians”. Tara Tan of IDEO said: “LifeScore is creating music for the Metaverse, and is building the future of creative collaboration bridging man and machine.” Philip Sheppard, Co-founder and CEO of LifeScore, commented: “Music isn’t just a luxury, it’s an essential part of life. Whether for sleep, mental wellbeing, exercise or a much needed adrenalin rush, music is there to soundtrack our lives. “LifeScore wants to bring the composer into the action, using Augmented Intelligence to surprise and delight, rendering music reactive and dynamic in real time. “We are thrilled to have found such supportive partners in this investment round, and believe that this will enable us to bring an entirely new music platform to fruition whilst creating many opportunities for musicians.” Akriti Dokania, Investor at Octopus Ventures, said: “LifeScore has made truly pioneering advances with its music technology. “Music is central to our way of living and mood and by creating adaptive music on demand, the technology is algorithmically tailored to the context and needs of the listener. “Philip Sheppard and the team have a huge vision for the future of music and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be supporting them on this journey.” Oana Ruxandra, Chief Digital Officer & EVP, Business Development, Warner Music Group, said: “Interactivity is at the core of the music ecosystem’s evolution and adaptive music will be a key driver of this interactivity. “Fundamental to the investment is the importance that LifeScore places on the artist. “Adaptive AI, held at the fingertips of our artists, will provide powerful opportunities to tailor and personalize experiences for fans. We’re excited to get started.”Music Business Worldwide.