Michael Breidenbrücker | |
|---|---|
 Breidenbrücker in 2014 | |
| Born | (1972-01-06)6 January 1972 (age 53) Vorarlberg,Austria |
| Alma mater | University of Applied Arts Vienna |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
Michael Breidenbrücker (born 6 January 1972) is an Austrian entrepreneur, artist and engineer. He is best known as a co-founder ofLast.fm, a founder ofRjDj and a partner at the venture firmSpeedinvest. He has worked with musical artists such asHans Zimmer,Imogen Heap,Air andBooka Shade. In 2011, he produced Inception The App withChristopher Nolan andHans Zimmer, which reached number 5 in the USApp Store charts.[1] Between 2000 and 2002, he headed the masters programme in interactive digital media atRavensbourne College of Design and Communication inLondon.[2] He studied digital art at theUniversity of Applied Arts Vienna withPeter Weibel.[3]
In 2002, Breidenbrücker co-founded the Internet radio site for streaming musicLast.fm Ltd. and managed it as CEO from 2002 until 2005. Using a recommend system called Audioscrobbler,Last.fm records users' different musical tastes and makes recommendations. The site also offers different social networking features, allowing users to share their tastes. In May 2007, the company was acquired byCBS Interactive for US$280 million (UK£140 million).[4] In 2003,Last.fm received an Honorary Mention in thePrix Ars Electronica in the category Net vision.[5]
In 2008, he founded RjDj (Reality Jockey Ltd.), a London-based music technology startup. RjDj produced and distributed a network of mobile applications and sold additional musical content within this network.[6]
Mobile applications created with RjDj:
RjDj ceased trading in 2013. In 2016, a revised edition of the RjDj App was released under the name "Hear".[7][8]
In 2011, Breidenbrücker joined the founding team of the Vienna-based venture firm Speedinvest.[9] He was originally in the investment committee of Speedinvest. In the second Speedinvest Fund, he joined the partner team and headed the company builder Speedinvest Studio.
In 2012, he joined the team behind the Zurich-based app discover startup 42matters.[10]
In 2016, Breidenbrücker co-founded Senseforce, anIIoT company.[11] Senseforce was renamed Paze Industries and in 2023, was taken over by Viennese Software company Workheld.[12]
Breidenbrücker was born inVorarlberg, Austria[13] After high school he moved toSweden to study engineering. He then moved to London to study Art.[7]