Manifesto
Building got hard cheap.
Attention didn't.
The shift
AI collapsed the cost of making a product. A weekend is now enough for what used to take a team and a year. So the world is about to drown in software nobody asked for.
What didn't get cheaper: getting people to care. Reaching them. Being trusted by them. Artists, athletes and creators with real fans have already solved the hardest part.
Distribution is the moat.
Taste is the easy hard part.
What remains hard
Knowing what to build. Synthesis. Picking the one idea that fits an audience like a glove, then shipping it 0→1 without losing the plot. Tools don't do that. Taste and reps do.
I've done this before.
Hi, I’m Tim
Over the years I've built a few startups where music, fans and technology meet. Each one started at 0→1. Some went further than I expected.
The old playbook: raise money, build, then go hunting for a market. Let's flip the script. Start with the audience and the distribution. That's you. Add someone who's been through the early days a few times. That's me. Then we drop ideas together.
Now I'd rather build with you.
- VL—001B2B / Infrastructure
FUGA
Music distribution infrastructure for labels and distributors. Acquired by Downtown, now part of Universal Music Group.
- VL—002Web / Curation
Shuffler
Turned music blogs into radio, back when blogs ran taste. Before influencers. Before playlists.
- VL—003App / Magazine × Streaming
PAUSE
A music magazine you could play. Featured by Apple, picked up a couple of awards at Midem and SXSW.
- VL—004Chat / Fan messaging
POP
An early chatbot platform connecting artists, influencers and sports teams to fans over WhatsApp and SMS. Used by majors, indies and clubs.
Not a record deal. A venture deal.
The idea
A label signs an artist, puts in the work, and recoups its money before the artist sees a cent. We flip that too. You keep 100% of the IP, and you recoup first, not me.
You bring the attention, the channels and the story. I join your team as venture lead and bring the idea, product, brand, build and go-to-market. Together we launch on top of your audience.
Side A
- A1SignWe agree the deal and a 3-year term.
- A2A&RFind the venture that fits you and your fans. Test demand before building.
- A3BuildProduct, brand, launch plan. I do the heavy lifting.
Side B
- B1DropLaunch through your channels, as a moment. Like a record release.
- B2RecoupYou recoup, not me. First revenue pays your base fee back to you.
- B3ShareThen 75/25 for the rest of the term. My 25% is the upside on top of the base.
The terms
7525
- Base fee
- €5k / month for my hours, 3-month minimum
- Costs
- Tokens, tools and build costs. At cost, no mark-up.
- Recoup
- You recoup your base fee first. Not me.
- Split after
- 75% you, 25% VNTR LBL. My upside, on top of the base.
- IP
- 100% yours
- Term
- 3 years
- Roster
- Up to 4 creators at once
- Formats
- Online only: apps, digital products, memberships
- Downside
- Capped at base fee plus costs
Why not
An agency? They get paid whether it works or not. I take a low base and earn most only if the venture does.
A VC? They take equity and push for hyper-growth. Here a medium-sized, profitable venture counts as a hit.
Who we sign.
The roster
A small roster. Music first, then sport and culture. 1M+ engaged fans, not just followers. A strong main career, no venture team. And the willingness to show up for the drop, not just lend a name.