Superforma

What Superforma does

Superforma is a French nonprofit cultural association (association loi 1901) headquartered at 8 place des Jacobins, Le Mans, that operates a coordinated network of six complementary music venues across Le Mans and Allonnes in the Sarthe department. Its directly operated/exploited venues include L'Oasis (large concert hall), Le Scarron (intimate club for emerging artists), and Le Silo (the hub, housing 10 rehearsal studios of 25–45 m², a mixing studio, 35 storage lockers, and the main extended-hours box office). Cooperation partner venues include L'Alambik! at MJC Ronceray, Salle Jean Carmet, Théâtre de Chaoué, and Les Saulnières — the latter hosting the annual Folkiri folk festival. The association curates live music programming across 10+ genres (jazz, rock, metal, pop, hip-hop, folk, traditional, electro, chanson, blues, punk, world, reggae) and produces the annual Jazz Tangentes festival in cooperation with Collectif 3h10.

The underlying technology stack centers on an online ticketing and e-commerce platform at billetterie.superforma.fr powered by Supersoniks, integrated with Reelax Tickets for the official secondary market (bourse aux billets). Commercial SaaS integrations include PAYBOX Systems for payment processing, Mailchimp for newsletter management, and Google Analytics (GA4) for audience measurement. Marketing relies on the superforma.fr content hub, email newsletters, social media (Facebook, Instagram), quarterly playlists on Deezer/SoundCloud/YouTube, the Le Médiator digital resource platform and quarterly print brochure, plus a community/volunteer network and local press partnerships. Distribution runs across 8 box office/purchase points, partner outlets (CE, COS Ville du Mans), and the e.pass culture sport youth subsidy program.

Superforma operates a hybrid commercial-noncommercial revenue model: ticket sales and venue rental generate transactional revenue; rehearsal studio rental (€6/hour/group, €3/hour solo, €60 day pass, €150 monthly plus mandatory €10 annual membership) and annual subscription cards (€5–€25) generate recurring revenue; gift cards (€10–€100, 12-month validity) generate one-time revenue; and public funding from Ville du Mans, Département de la Sarthe, and DRAC Pays de la Loire, plus a formal mécénat/patronage program (60% tax deduction, capped at 0.5% of revenue), constitute significant non-commercial revenue. Customer segments include general public/music audiences (primary), local amateur-to-professional musicians, young audiences and families, schools/educational institutions (via CLEAC and Peace and Lobe programs), and specialized populations served through 110+ cultural-action interventions annually. The organization's 11–50 employees deliver an integrated portfolio spanning concert programming, the Jazz Tangentes and Folkiri festivals, the Dispositif Starter artist support program (3–6 artists annually since 2021), the Artiste associée annual residency, rehearsal services (En studio, Répétition scénique, Ateliers Booster), the Carte Superforma subscription, and venue rental (Location d'espaces).

Name

Superforma

Legal name

SUPERFORMA

Website

https://superforma.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Superforma is a French nonprofit cultural association operating six complementary music venues across Le Mans and Allonnes, offering live concert programming, rehearsal studios, artist development programs, festivals (Jazz Tangentes, Folkiri), and cultural education for the Sarthe region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Venues & Cultural Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

DJ & Electronic Music Venues (MPAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Live music venues
• Concert programming
• Artist development
• Rehearsal studios
• Cultural association

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Mans

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: Superforma generates primary revenue from ticket sales for concerts and events produced or hosted across its venues (L'Oasis, Le Scarron, Salle Jean Carmet, Théâtre de Chaoué, Les Saulnières, L'Alambik!). Tickets are sold online, at box offices, and at the door. Pricing varies by event with reduced rates for subscribers and specific audiences.
2. Rehearsal studio rental: Revenue from renting 10 rehearsal studios at Le Silo (27 rue François Monier, Le Mans). Studios are rented hourly (€6/hour per group; €3 for solo musicians), by day pass (€60), or monthly (€150). A mandatory annual membership (€10) is required for all musicians using the studios.
3. Venue rental / Location d'espaces: Private producers, associations, and companies can rent Superforma's equipped venues (stage, sound, lighting) for their own events. Revenue is generated through venue hire contracts, with the team providing artistic, technical, administrative, and promotional support.
4. Subscription / Abonnement: Superforma sells annual subscription cards offering 15–20% discount on tickets for self-produced concerts, free quarterly concerts, partner venue discounts (FEDELIMA network), and other subscriber benefits. Cards range from €5 (musicians under 18, students, benefit recipients) to €25 (duo).
5. Gift cards: Gift cards (cartes cadeaux) sold in €10, €20, €50, or €100 denominations, valid for 12 months for all Superforma activities and subscriptions.
6. Public funding and patronage: Superforma receives structural support from public institutions (Ville du Mans, Département de la Sarthe, DRAC Pays de la Loire) and operates a patronage/mécénat program (60% tax deduction for donors, up to 0.5% of annual revenue). This constitutes a significant non-commercial revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Superforma operates a network of six complementary music venues in Le Mans and Allonnes, France, hosting concerts across diverse genres (jazz, rock, metal, hip-hop, folk, electro, etc.). The organization also provides rehearsal studio rentals, artist development programs (Dispositif Starter, Artiste associée), cultural education initiatives, venue rental services, and runs the annual Jazz Tangentes festival and Le Médiator music news platform.

Product overview

Superforma is a cultural association and music venue network based in Le Mans, France, operating six complementary venues (L'Oasis, Le Scarron, Le Silo, Salle Jean Carmet, L'Alambik!, Théâtre de Chaoué) that serve the artistic and cultural diversity of the region. The organization offers a unified portfolio of services spanning concert programming across all contemporary music genres, artist development programs (Dispositif Starter, Artiste associé·e), rehearsal facilities (En studio, Répétition scénique, Ateliers Booster), event ticketing and subscriptions (Carte Superforma), venue rental, and the Le Médiator online platform for local musician resources. Key offerings include the annual Jazz Tangentes festival and the Dispositif Starter artist support program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jazz Tangentes: Annual jazz and contemporary music festival organized by Superforma and Collectif 3h10, held from May 27-31, 2026.
• Le Médiator

Products and services

• Concert Tickets (Billetterie) Ticket sales for concerts and events produced or hosted across Superforma's six venues. Available online, at box offices, and on the door, with reduced rates for subscribers and specific audiences.
• Jazz Tangentes Festival Annual jazz and contemporary music festival organized by Superforma and Collectif 3h10, featuring concerts, performances, and free events across multiple venues in the Sarthe region.
• Folkiri Festival Annual folk music festival at Les Saulnières featuring bal folk concerts and dance/music workshops.
• Rehearsal Studio Rental (En studio) Ten rehearsal studios (25-45 m²) at Le Silo fully equipped with sound systems, amplifiers, drums, and storage, available for hourly or monthly rental for musicians.
• Stage Rehearsal (Répétition scénique) Stage rehearsal services providing sound and lighting-equipped venues for bands to rehearse their sets, work on sound design, and stage presentation.
• Dispositif Starter Program Artist development program supporting four projects annually with personalized follow-up, stage residencies, and workshops over one year. Running since 2021.
• Artiste associée Residency Program Annual residency program pairing professional artists with Superforma for custom accompaniment and cultural engagement with local audiences.
• Venue Rental (Location d'espaces) Venue rental services for private producers, associations, and companies to host events in equipped spaces with stage, sound, lighting, and full artistic, technical, and promotional support.
• Superforma Subscription Card (Carte Superforma) Annual subscription card offering 15-20% discounts on tickets, free quarterly concerts, reduced rates at partner venues (FEDELIMA network), and access to exclusive subscriber events. Cards range from €5 (reduced) to €25 (duo).
• Gift Cards (Cartes cadeaux) Gift cards available in €10, €20, €50, or €100 denominations, valid for 12 months across all Superforma activities including tickets, subscriptions, and studio rentals.
• Ateliers Booster Workshops Technical workshops addressing sound system issues, audio source calibration, equalization, and hearing protection during rehearsals.
• Local Scene Support (Soutien à la scène locale) Support services for local music scene including personalized advice meetings, resource documentation, collective workshops, and event organization assistance for musicians.
• Patronage/Mécénat Program Patronage/mécénat program offering 60% tax deduction for donors, supporting Superforma's cultural programming and artist development activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ concerts performed annually by resident artists across the network
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Collectif 3h10coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollectif 3h10 is a co-organizer of Jazz Tangentes festival alongside Superforma. The collective contributes to programming and artistic direction of the festival, which focuses on contemporary jazz, improvised music, and alternative scenes. Jazz Tangentes 2026 took place May 27–31, with the next edition scheduled May 15–30, 2027.
• Ville du ManscoreOthersThe City of Le Mans provides structural financial support to Superforma and Jazz Tangentes festival. As a key public patron, the municipality supports the organization's artistic mission and territorial development goals.
• Département de la SarthecoreOthersThe Department of Sarthe provides structural financial support to Superforma and Jazz Tangentes festival. The department backs the organization's cultural programming and regional development activities.
• DRAC Pays de la LoirecoreOthersThe Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles (DRAC) of Pays de la Loire provides structural financial support to Superforma and Jazz Tangentes festival, representing the Ministry of Culture at the regional level.
• La MJC Ronceray (L'Alambik!)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa MJC Ronceray is a historical cooperation partner of Superforma. The two organizations share programming and develop joint projects. MJC Ronceray hosts the L'Alambik! venue, a key component of Superforma's 6-venue network. MJC Ronceray members receive reduced Superforma subscription rates.
• L'Excelsior (Allonnes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Excelsior is a historical cooperation partner operating in Allonnes. The venue (Salle Jean Carmet, Théâtre de Chaoué) is a key component of Superforma's multi-venue network. Superforma provides programming and operational support.
• FEDELIMA (Fédération des Lieux de Musiques Actuelles)minorOthersSuperforma is a member of FEDELIMA, the French federation of independent contemporary music venues. Membership enables subscriber reciprocity: Superforma subscribers receive discounts at FEDELIMA member venues including Stereolux, Pannonica (Nantes), 6PAR4 (Laval), Chabada (Angers), Fuzz'Yon (La Roche-sur-Yon), and Temps Machine (Tours).
• COS Ville du MansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCOS (Comité des OEuvres Sociales) of the Ville du Mans is an authorized ticket reseller for Superforma concerts, offering employees of the City of Le Mans access to preferential ticket pricing.
• e.pass culture sportminorOthersThe e.pass culture sport program enables young people aged 15–19 in Pays de la Loire (or enrolled in schools in the region) to use government cultural subsidies (e.coupon) for Superforma concert tickets at partner box offices.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 6PAR4: Laval-based FEDELIMA member contemporary music venue with similar multi-format (club + hall) concert programming and subscription cards — directly listed in Superforma's reciprocal subscriber network.
• Fuzz'Yon: La Roche-sur-Yon-based FEDELIMA member venue with contemporary music programming and subscription model directly comparable to Superforma.
• Stereolux: Nantes-based FEDELIMA member contemporary music venue operating multiple spaces (Club, Salle) with comparable concert programming, artist support services, and ticket subscription model. Explicitly mentioned in Superforma's reciprocal subscriber discount network.
• Le Chabada: Angers-based FEDELIMA member venue with multi-space operations (club + large hall), rehearsal studios, and contemporary music programming similar to Superforma's L'Oasis + Le Scarron + Le Silo structure.
• Pannonica: Nantes-based FEDELIMA jazz-focused venue with intimate club programming — a tight parallel to Superforma's Le Scarron emerging-artist club, especially given shared jazz programming via the Jazz Tangentes ecosystem.
• Le Temps Machine: Tours-based FEDELIMA member venue offering comparable contemporary music programming across multiple spaces; listed in Superforma's subscriber reciprocity network.

Broad incumbents

• Le Petit Bain: Paris floating-venue contemporary music club with multi-genre programming and emerging artist focus — comparable to Superforma's Le Scarron club programming but at higher national visibility.
• Le Rocher de Palmer: Bordeaux-area multi-venue contemporary music complex (large hall + club) with comparable programming breadth and artist residency initiatives. Similar 'multi-space venue network' architecture but at larger scale.
• La Maroquinerie: Paris-based independent contemporary music venue (larger scale, two rooms) offering similar intimate-to-mid-size programming. Comparable in artist support and ticketing, though serving a much larger urban market.

Emerging players

• Collectif 3h10: Local Le Mans-area jazz/improvised music collective that co-produces Jazz Tangentes festival with Superforma. Highly relevant because they share programming DNA and audience, though they operate as a programming partner rather than venue owner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLPLm9TvbMHYA
• Facebookfacebook.com/hellosuperforma
• Xx.com/superforma72
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/superforma72

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Superforma