fbpx

Spotify Wants Women Of Color To Pitch Podcast Ideas: 3 Will Get Funding

Spotify Wants Women Of Color To Pitch Podcast Ideas: 3 Will Get Funding

Music, podcast, and video-streaming service Spotify wants women of color who have great ideas for podcasts to apply for a week-long, all-expenses-paid podcast bootcamp scheduled for June in the company’s New York office.

Following its successful public listing on April 3, 2018, Spotify is now worth around $25 billion, making it the most valuable music company in the world, NPR reported.

The purpose for the Sound Up Bootcamp — a weeklong intensive program for aspiring female podcasters of color — is “to move towards equity for women of color in podcasting,” Spotify said in a press release:

Women of color have been breaking ground in podcasting well ahead of the latest boom. But there’s plenty more to be done — a recent study showed that only 22 percent of podcasts are hosted by women, and the number’s even smaller when it comes to women of color.

Spotify brings in almost $5 billion a year, but 79 percent of that is paid out to record labels, producers, songwriters and artists, NPR reported. There’s not enough left over to make a profit, said David Pakman, a venture capitalist who has run several digital music companies including eMusic and Apple’s Music Group.

Anyone who self-identifies as a woman of color, is passionate about podcasting, and has a great idea is eligible to apply —  no prior experience required.

“We’re looking for the best ideas,” Spotify said.

The week-long training will be led by radio and podcast veterans Rekha Murthy and Graham Griffith. Both have spent decades working with top industry shows, and smaller ones too. “They are passionate about raising up new voices, and helping podcasts reach new, big, and devoted audiences,” Spotify said.

Ten applicants will be chosen to attend the bootcamp, where they’ll learn about the art of podcast creation, from initial ideation to editing, producing, and marketing from experts in the field. On the final day, attendees will have the chance to pitch their podcast ideas to a panel of experts and professionals. The top three pitches will have the pilot process funded, up to $10,000.

The bootcamp will be held June 25 to June 29, 2018 at Spotify’s New York City offices.

The program will be targeted towards first-time and amateur podcasters applying as individuals, not as shows or groups. They must be U.S. residents.

The program is free and includes five days of workshops, panels, and activities around podcasting, travel, hotel, and most meals.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST on April 10, 2018.

You can apply here.

Photo by Kate Oseen on Unsplash