QRATES
QRATES is a Tokyo-based platform, founded in 2015, that provided independent artists, labels, and brands with tools to crowdfund and produce small-run vinyl records. It has temporarily suspended service due to financial difficulties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
QRATES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QRATES
- Website
- https://qrates.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- QRATES is a Tokyo-based platform, founded in 2015, that provided independent artists, labels, and brands with tools to crowdfund and produce small-run vinyl records. It has temporarily suspended service due to financial difficulties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
QRATES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vinyl Record Manufacturing and Pressing Services
- NAICS
- Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- SIC
- Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Physical Recorded Music Manufacturing (Vinyl/CD/Cassette) (MPAIAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Music Production Workflow & Project Management Tools (Session management, asset/versioning) (MPAIAIAK)
Keywords
Where QRATES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
QRATES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
QRATES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QRATES provides artists, labels, and brands with tools and services to produce custom vinyl records. The company offers an end-to-end vinyl pressing service, including mastering (via QRATES Studio) and physical record production, enabling independent musicians and music industry professionals to create tangible music products without large minimum order requirements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Vinyl Pressing Service
- QRATES Studio
QRATES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
QRATES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bandcamp: Bandcamp is a direct-to-fan music platform that enables artists to sell digital and physical music, including vinyl. QRATES's artist-direct pressing model directly overlaps with Bandcamp's physical-goods marketplace approach.
- Mondo: Mondo is a specialty vinyl label and retailer producing high-end collectible records for fans and franchises. It competes with QRATES for the same artist and collector audience seeking premium, limited-run physical music.
- Vinyl Me, Please: Vinyl Me, Please is a curated vinyl subscription and pressing service that connects artists and listeners with new physical releases. It is directly comparable to QRATES as a creator-facing vinyl-on-demand platform serving indie music communities.
- Discogs: Discogs operates a global marketplace for physical music including vinyl records and connects collectors, sellers and pressing interest. It is comparable to QRATES in serving vinyl buyers and sellers through a digital platform layer.
Others
- Pirates Press: Pirates Press is an independent vinyl pressing plant serving labels and artists directly. It represents the supplier-side ecosystem on which QRATES's marketplace layer depends, making it an enabling/ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
- Furnace Record Pressing: Furnace Record Pressing is a US-based vinyl pressing manufacturer serving independent labels and artists. Like Pirates Press, it is a pressing-plant participant in the same supply chain that QRATES aggregates.
Broad incumbents
- The Vinyl Factory: The Vinyl Factory is a London-based music and culture platform producing limited-edition vinyl releases and live events. It overlaps with QRATES in artist-driven physical music production and collector-grade pressing.
- Third Man Records: Third Man Records operates its own label and Third Man Pressing, a vertically integrated vinyl pressing plant serving both internal releases and external customers. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps QRATES's on-demand value proposition.
Market position
Customer concentration
QRATES social profiles
Digital presenceQRATES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QRATES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
QRATES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QRATES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QRATES
What does QRATES do?
QRATES provides artists, labels, and brands with tools and services to produce custom vinyl records. The company offers an end-to-end vinyl pressing service, including mastering (via QRATES Studio) and physical record production, enabling independent musicians and music industry professionals to create tangible music products without large minimum order requirements.
Is QRATES a public or private company?
QRATES is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently closed.
When was QRATES founded?
QRATES was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is QRATES based?
QRATES is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
Who are QRATES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bandcamp, Mondo, Vinyl Me, Please and Discogs. Others are Pirates Press and Furnace Record Pressing. Broad incumbents are The Vinyl Factory and Third Man Records.
Does QRATES have an API?
No public API is recorded for QRATES.
What industry is QRATES in?
QRATES's product category is Vinyl Record Manufacturing and Pressing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAAAE, Physical Recorded Music Manufacturing (Vinyl/CD/Cassette), with a secondary code of MPAIAIAK, Music Production Workflow & Project Management Tools (Session management, asset/versioning). Its NAICS code is 51225 and its SIC code is 3652.