Cocreative Technology: AI-powered music tools put focus on fun

Founder: Kyle Worrall, Founder & CEO (PGR, University of York)

For many musicians, the creative process can be bogged down by repetitive and non-creative tasks. Cocreative Technology, founded by University of York researcher Kyle Worrall, is on a mission to change that. The venture is developing AI-powered tools that automate the laborious aspects of music creation, freeing artists to focus on what they do best: making music.

The idea for the venture evolved during Kyle’s PhD. While he initially planned to build the technology for a different purpose, it was through interviewing composers for a study that he discovered its true commercial potential. The core premise is to empower music creators by using ethically trained data to build tools that streamline the less creative parts of their workflow. As Kyle describes it, the goal is to “allow music creators to focus on the fun part of making music by automating non-creative tasks.”

Before joining the AI SuperConnector (AISC), Kyle had a published algorithm but no meaningful way to test it with his target market. The programme provided the impetus and resources to transform the concept into a tangible product. Using AISC funds, he hired a C++ engineer, web developer and data engineering interns who helped build an early version of the product ready for user testing. A product designer has also been hired, who has been invaluable in designing the product’s GUI (graphical user interface), company’s website, new marketing material and slide decks.

The impact of the AISC went far beyond funding. “AISC has taught me a lot about entrepreneurship and allowed me to develop my confidence in pitching to investors, as well as to understand what is required of me when going to market with new technology,” Kyle states. “In particular, the access to mentors has been fantastic in developing knowledge, and the funds have played a pivotal role in de-risking the business.”

This support has enabled the development of a strong go-to-market strategy, plans for a protective business “moat” built on exclusive, ethical data agreements, and even a potential promotional agreement with a multi-million pound company. The venture’s ambitions have grown, with plans to use its core algorithm to create a whole suite of products.

The next 12 months are focused on a strategic launch. The plan is to release a free ‘lite’ version of the tool while getting the full version into the hands of high-profile users for serious market testing. In parallel, Kyle will be pitching for pre-seed funding to build a full-time team and begin collecting the large, exclusive datasets needed to power future products. The venture boasts letters of intent from a board of industry expert advisors and has had many productive discussions with interested investors, signalling a bright future for this innovative music-tech startup.