Music Tectonics is expanding its annual Swimming with Narwhals startup pitch competition with a new focus on the music industry's next generation of entrepreneurs.
The conference announced a partnership with the Yamaha Music Innovations Fund to invite very early-stage startups — including companies that are less than a year old or still at the idea stage — to apply for this year's competition. Applications are open through August 7, with finalists pitching live during the Music Tectonics Conference in Santa Monica, California, October 27–29.
Unlike previous editions, this year's competition explicitly welcomes founders who may have little more than a compelling concept and investor deck. Eligible companies can be pre-seed, pre-launch, or have an early minimum viable product (MVP), and while Music Tectonics remains rooted in music innovation, applicants are encouraged from across the broader media, entertainment, and creator economy technology sectors.
A panel of investors will select semifinalists, who will first pitch during the Music Tectonics Online Pre-conference on September 23 before finalists advance to the live competition in October.
Beyond the competition itself, organizers say Swimming with Narwhals is designed to connect founders with venture capital firms, strategic investors, and industry leaders. Previous participants have gone on to build successful companies, including AI audio platform AudioShake and creator engagement startup Fave, both of which used early appearances at Music Tectonics to gain visibility with investors before raising significant funding rounds.
Andrew Kahn, Managing Partner of the Yamaha Music Innovations Fund, says:
"If this is your first pitch, this is the competition for you. If you have a brilliant idea and stellar deck but are just at the beginning of your journey, you’re the person we’re looking for."
The partnership is intended to help identify entrepreneurs with promising ideas at the earliest stages of development.
Applications for the 2026 Swimming with Narwhals competition are open from July 15 through August 7. Semifinalists will be announced on August 18, with the final competition taking place during Music Tectonics in Santa Monica later this fall.
Winner or not, this conference program gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with major VCs and investors. Want to be a narwhal? Apply here.
The Yamaha Music Innovations Fund launched in 2025 with a mission to invest in early-stage founders building technology that changes how culture is made, shared and experienced.
