CASE

MAIA Universe

Automated music licensing platform for filmmakers and artists

Background

Originally known as Freshsound, MAIA Universe is a Stockholm-based music licensing startup founded in 2021. They set out to digitize the complex, often manual process of syncing songs to visual content in film, TV, gaming, and advertising.

In early 2023, the company secured 1.3 million euros in a pre-seed round from high-profile backers including former Hipgnosis executive Shiv Prakash, Aligned Ventures, and music industry veterans from Epidemic Sound and PRMD publishing.

Five years running — from first sketch to international rollout.

The challenge

Instant pricing

Enable instant quotes for any type of commercial use — from blockbuster films to Instagram ads — replacing weeks of manual negotiation.

Rights management

Keep rights holders in full control with transparent terms and flexible pricing across territories and usage types.

Global catalog

Handle a growing worldwide catalog of songs with quick, accurate discovery and filtering.

Scalable infrastructure

Build for rapid growth as more labels, publishers, and content creators join the platform.

Solution

Rhyme partnered with MAIA Universe early on to build the platform from scratch — taking responsibility for architecture, development, and design for the first launch.

Key features:

•Dynamic pricing model that instantly calculates costs based on project type, distribution, and territory
•Full rights and metadata management with transparency for all stakeholders
•Advanced search and filtering for creators to find the perfect track in seconds
•Cloud infrastructure designed for global scale

After the initial launch, MAIA Universe hired an in-house CTO but kept Rhyme as a key partner. For five years running, we've contributed technical expertise, new feature development, and architectural upgrades.

Results

MAIA Universe continues to evolve with Rhyme's support — integrating new features, refining the user experience, and ensuring robust security. Our journey exemplifies our commitment to fostering long-term client relationships.

From the earliest design sketches to the platform's latest iteration and international rollout, Rhyme has stayed at the forefront — providing the technical foundation for a bold vision that continues to reshape music licensing.