Start Rec

What Start Rec does

Start-Rec SAS is a Paris-based independent sound agency founded in 2002 that delivers a unified suite of audio production services to enterprise clients, primarily in France. Its core offerings span seven interconnected service pillars: sound identity (sonic logos and brand audio systems), original music composition and production, sync and licensing, sound design for TV channels and events, synthetic/text-to-speech voice production, original podcast production, and fiction scoring. The firm positions itself as a creative partner rather than a software platform, with bespoke project-based pricing and multi-year contracts, and operates a single Paris studio at 36 rue des Petits Hôtels. Co-founders Alex Jaffray and Gilles Facérias lead a small team (11-50 employees) that has completed more than 400 projects, working directly with major French brands (Renault, Citroën, BNP Paribas, Cartier, Hennessy, Kering) and broadcasters (TF1, France TV) and through advertising agency partnerships with BETC, Publicis Conseil, Traction, and others.

The firm's underlying technology stack is a conventional professional audio production environment: a sound production studio with recording capabilities, sound design software, music composition and arrangement tools, plus a synthetic voice capability delivered through a 2020 partnership with Voxygen rather than in-house AI development. Distribution is entirely B2B and relationship-driven, with no self-serve channels, SaaS offering, or direct-to-consumer product; marketing relies on a portfolio website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and a planned 2026 rebrand ("Start-Rec se réinvente") launching a new site in Autumn 2026. Revenue streams are dominated by professional services fees across sound branding, composition, sound design, and synthetic voice, supplemented by sync and licensing royalties; pricing is quote-based with no public tiers.

The company is privately held with a modest €8,000 share capital, no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no subsidiaries, and is GDPR and CCPA-compliant in its data handling. The client base is exclusively enterprise, concentrated in France with select international engagements (notably the 2022 African Cup of Nations ceremony soundtrack), and the business is managed by an experienced founder-led team with a 2020 hire of Domitille Mahieux as Executive Director overseeing strategy and production.

Name

Start Rec

Legal name

Start-Rec SAS

Website

https://start-rec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Start-Rec is a Paris-based independent sound agency founded in 2002 that provides sound branding, music composition, sync licensing, and synthetic voice services to major French enterprise clients and broadcasters. It works directly with brands and through advertising agency partnerships, delivering bespoke audio projects across TV, radio, digital, and live events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sound Branding and Audio Production Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (51224), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Sound Design (Creative/Design-Heavy FX, World-Building) (MPAHAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Editing & Scoring Support (Conform, Stem Prep, Score-Stage Support) (MPAHAEAG), Sound Post-Production (Dialogue, ADR, Foley, Mixing) (MPADAGAC), Sample Library & Sound Design Creation (for production use) (MPAIAHAM)

Keywords

• Sound branding
• Audio production
• Music composition
• Sync licensing
• Synthetic voice

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sound Branding & Identity: Creation of sonic logos and brand sound identities for visual and broadcast media
2. Composition & Production: Original music composition for advertising, TV, film, events and corporate communications
3. Sync & Licensing: Music synchronization rights and licensing for advertising campaigns, film and TV productions
4. Sound Design: Audio branding, jingles, and sonic elements for TV channels, events and corporate projects
5. Synthetic Voice Solutions: Digital voice casting and production for multi-device brand experiences
6. Podcast Production: Design and production of branded podcasts and audio content

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Start-Rec is an independent Paris-based sound agency that creates sonic identities, original music, and audio experiences for brands, broadcasters, and live events. Core offerings include sound branding, music composition and production, sync and licensing, synthetic/text-to-speech voice production, podcast production, and original film and TV scores. The agency also designs immersive sound experiences for ceremonies, video mappings, and product launches.

Product overview

Start Rec is a Paris-based independent music production agency founded in 2002, providing comprehensive sound services. The company operates as a single unified offering (not a platform) centered around seven interconnected service pillars: Sound Identity (branding), Composition & Production, Sync & Licensing, Sound Experiences (events), Synthetic Speech (TTS voices), Podcast Production, and Fiction Scores. Their portfolio includes TV/channel branding jingles, advertising music, original film scores, and synthetic voice creation. The agency works primarily with major French brands and broadcasters including Renault Group, France TV, TF1, Vinci, and Citroën.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sound Identity (Branding Sonore)
• Composition & Production
• Sync & Licensing
• Sound Experiences (Expériences Sonores)
• Synthetic Speech (Voix de Synthèse)
• Podcast Production
• Fiction Original Scores
• TV Branding & Jingles
• Events Sound Production

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 successful projects completed since 2002
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VoxygencoreTechnology or Integration · 21 April 2020Strategic partnership for synthetic voice technology. Start-Rec sources, produces and realizes personalized multi-device synthetic voices (Telmi for BNP Paribas, HelloiZ for HelloBank!) in collaboration with Voxygen's voice synthesis technology.
• L'Oréal ProfessionnelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2020Created digital brand music for Majirel haircolor range campaign through Mediatv agency partnership.
• BETC TractioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing agency partnership for Citroën campaigns including AMI, C4, ë-C4 and other model launches. Provides creative direction and production services for automotive advertising.
• Freedom FryminorOthersFranco-American musical duo whose song 'The Summer' was licensed for Citroën C3 Aircross Rip Curl campaign.
• TransdevcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped complete sound identity for Transdev transportation company, creating their sonic brand signature.
• Tears for FearsminorOthersLicensed 'Everybody wants to rule the world' reinterpreted by French artist Mill for Caisse d'Épargne sound identity campaign.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• amp sound branding: UK-based sound branding agency creating sonic logos, brand sound systems and music for global brands; comparable boutique creative positioning and end-to-end audio branding service model to Start-Rec.
• Made Music Studio: US-based sonic branding and original music studio serving major global advertisers and broadcasters; highly comparable in terms of brand-sound-identity services, original score work, and agency partnership GTM.
• MassiveMusic: Amsterdam-headquartered global sound branding agency offering sonic logos, brand sound identity, music supervision and original composition — directly comparable service portfolio and target customer base (global brands, agencies) to Start-Rec.
• Sixième Son: France-based independent sound branding agency that, like Start-Rec, specializes in sonic identity, audio branding, and original music for French and international brands, operating in the same domestic market with the same product offering.
• Antfood: Brazil/US-headquartered sound design and music studio providing sonic branding, original composition and sound experiences for global brands, agencies and broadcasters — closely overlapping service lines and customer segments with Start-Rec.
• Yessian: US-based music and sound production agency creating original music, sonic branding and audio content for advertising, film and television; directly comparable boutique creative agency model serving similar enterprise and agency clients.
• Barkley Kaliphosna: Independent music and sound agency offering sonic branding, original composition and audio post; comparable in size and service scope, with similar positioning around creative-led brand audio for enterprise customers.
• JSM Music: US-based independent music and sonic branding agency serving global brands and agencies with original composition, sound design and brand audio systems; similar creative-services business model and enterprise client profile.

Broad incumbents

• Publicis Groupe: Global advertising holding company whose agencies (e.g., Publicis Conseil, BETC) frequently commission Start-Rec for sound branding work; relevant as a broad incumbent that could in-house or consolidate audio production capabilities at scale.

Emerging players

• ElevenLabs: AI-native synthetic voice platform whose technology directly competes with the Voxygen-powered brand-voice offering Start-Rec delivers for clients like BNP Paribas and HelloBank!; relevant as an emerging player that could compress margins in Start-Rec's synthetic voice stream.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/start-rec
• Instagraminstagram.com/startrec_agency
• Xx.com/startrecparis
• Facebookfacebook.com/StartRecAgency

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Start Rec