SKYPE A FOUNDER #5: Alexander Ljung, Founder &... |

Video - Permalink

SKYPE A FOUNDER #5: Alexander Ljung, Founder & CEO, Soundcloud

If there is one startup that symbolizes the buzzing startup scene in Berlin, it would have to be Soundcloud. It is creative, bold and disruptive. Oh, and yes, it was launched by expats.

What started out as a tool for DJs to share music tracks, has developed into THE platform for sound creation and sharing.

With more than 5 Million users, an investor lineup that includes well renowned investors such as Index or Union Square Ventures (btw: Fred Wilson’s Blog is a must read for any startup entrepreneur) and offices in Berlin, London and Silicon Valley, Soundcloud has become a global player.

However, even though many of his platform partners reside in the US, Alexander sees Berlin as the place to be, explaining that the intersection of “art, culture and technology” made him move to Berlin to start the company with Eric Wahlforss in 2007.

Watch the interview to find out how Soundcloud achieved hockey stick growth without paid user acquisition, how the music space is evolving and what other startups Alexanders finds hot at the moment.

And just for the record: Alexander said that Soundcloud will never move its HQ away from Berlin. #keepingitreal

Enjoy!

(Sorry for the video “freezes”. #skype #fail :-))

by Nikolas Woischnik