Photo Credit: MELON
Metaverse development studio MELON raises $5 million in seed funding.
MELON, a game development studio for the metaverse, has announced it has raised $5 million in seed funding. The team is behind numerous music events on Roblox and experiences for clients that include Chipotle, Clarks, Mattel, the NFL, and PacSun.
Crush Music’s investment arm, Crush Ventures, led the seed round. Crush Music’s management clients include Miley Cyrus, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Lorde, Panic! at the Disco, and Weezer. Former CFO at Roblox and Marvel Entertainment, Matt Finick, who leads a large SPV managed by Crush, has joined MELON’s board.
“MELON is at the forefront of the creative explosion happening in the metaverse,” Finick says. “They are perfectly positioned to build some of the most impactful experiences across music, film and TV, fashion, and sports over the next few years of critical growth on these developing platforms.”
“We’re extremely fortunate to have such a strong collective of early strategic investors in MELON,” adds Josh Neuman, co-founder and co-CEO. “The Metaverse and platforms within it are ripe for disruption and we’re looking forward to evolving our creativity and storytelling in collaboration with our partners, as well as via our original IP. With this group, we’re going to be able to strategize and navigate the evolving landscape at the highest level.”
The company has attracted talent across significant game studios and brands, including EA, Pokémon GO, and Urban Outfitters. MELON believes its multifaceted team has “honed a keen sense for what works in the metaverse,” and that brands are taking notice. MELON’s experience in virtual music events has led to work with Ava Max, KSI, Tai Verdes, and Zara Larsson. The Larsson event won the studio a Clio award earlier this year.
Andrew Kahn, Head of Crush Ventures, added, “Crush Ventures looks to invest in teams that are building the future of how creators and fans will interact. The MELON team has proven to be uniquely capable of building one-of-a-kind games and experiences. We’re thrilled to invest in and partner with MELON as we explore opportunities together for Crush’s talent in the metaverse.”
“MELON is on the cutting edge of bringing experiences directly to where Gen Z lives — their phones,” concludes Tucker Roberts, President of Spectacor Gaming, an entertainment company with connections to Comcast NBCUniversal. “We’re looking forward to the continued innovations that Josh and his incredible team will make at MELON.”