EHFM
EHFM is an Edinburgh-based online community radio station founded in 2018, broadcasting 24/7 via web and mobile apps to amplify local creative voices underrepresented by mainstream media, funded by Patreon subscriptions, donations, and Ground Floor cafe profits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersEdinburgh, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What EHFM does
EHFM is an online community radio station founded in Edinburgh in 2018 to provide a broadcast platform for local creative communities — DJs, musicians, spoken word artists, and cultural commentators — that are under-represented by mainstream media. The station operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a broad programming slate spanning club music, Scottish traditional music, spoken word, film reviews (Cinetopia), and electronic music shows (Broad Spectrum, At Home with Haptic, Plant City), plus an overnight archive program (EHFM Night Music). Distribution is digital-first through the ehfm.live website, native iOS and Android mobile apps, and Mixcloud for archived content, with a physical touchpoint at the Ground Floor cafe on Great Junction Street in Leith, which houses the studio and broadcasts live to cafe visitors.
The underlying technology stack is built on third-party SaaS rather than proprietary infrastructure: Airtime Pro for broadcast automation and live scheduling, Mixcloud for on-demand audio archives, BigCartel for merchandise commerce, and Patreon and PayPal for subscription and donation processing. EHFM does not expose a public API of its own. In 2024, the station relocated from multi-arts venue Summerhall, where it had broadcast for six years, to a purpose-built studio inside the Ground Floor cafe, integrating a physical venue into the operating model.
The business model is a combination of listener-supported subscriptions (£2.99 per month via Patreon, with benefits including webstore discounts and a members card for events), one-off donations via PayPal, merchandise sales via BigCartel, and — most distinctively — profits from the Ground Floor cafe, which are directed entirely toward funding the radio station. The venture is operated by volunteers and presenters, with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or institutional investment. The customer base is geographically concentrated in Edinburgh, and the station explicitly identifies the Edinburgh local creative community as its primary segment.
EHFM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EHFM
- Legal name
- EHFM
- Website
- https://ehfm.live
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EHFM is an Edinburgh-based online community radio station founded in 2018, broadcasting 24/7 via web and mobile apps to amplify local creative voices underrepresented by mainstream media, funded by Patreon subscriptions, donations, and Ground Floor cafe profits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EHFM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)
Keywords
Where EHFM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edinburgh
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
EHFM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly supporter subscription starting at £2.99 per month |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
EHFM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EHFM operates a 24/7 online community radio station for Edinburgh, broadcasting diverse programming including club music, Scottish traditional music, spoken word, and panel discussions. The station is accessible via its website, dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps, and Mixcloud for archived shows. It is funded through supporter subscriptions, donations, and profits from its affiliated Ground Floor cafe in Leith, which also houses the studio.
Product overview
EHFM operates as a unified online community radio platform for Edinburgh, offering a single digital broadcast service (EHFM Online Radio Station) accessible via web, iOS and Android mobile apps. The station broadcasts 24/7 with diverse programming including resident shows (Cinetopia, EHFM Mornings, Welcome To The Dancehall, Mild Peril, Broad Spectrum, At Home with Haptic, Plant City) and the overnight EHFM Night Music archive program. The offering is architected as a direct-to-listener digital service supplemented by a physical community hub (Ground Floor cafe in Leith) that also houses the radio studio. Revenue is generated through subscriptions (Patreon), donations (PayPal), and cafe proceeds.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ground Floor: A cafe based on Great Junction Street in Leith, operated by EHFM and home to their radio studio. Open seven days a week, serving specialty coffee, pastries, toasties and exclusive topped focaccia from Alby's. All profits go towards powering EHFM.
Products and services
- EHFM Online Radio Station 24/7 online community radio station broadcasting diverse programming including club music, Scottish traditional music, spoken word, and panel discussions to Edinburgh-area listeners.
- EHFM iOS App Native iOS application allowing listeners to access EHFM's live radio broadcasts on iPhones and iPads.
- EHFM Android App Native Android application allowing listeners to access EHFM's live radio broadcasts on smartphones and tablets.
- Ground Floor Cafe A physical cafe on Great Junction Street in Leith, Edinburgh, operated by EHFM and housing the radio station's studio; open seven days a week serving specialty coffee, pastries, toasties, and focaccia, with all profits supporting the radio station.
Companies that use EHFM
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
EHFM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature1 record
EHFM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
EHFM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Soho Radio: London-based community and music radio station broadcasting live online with diverse programming and resident shows. Directly comparable to EHFM as a city-focused community radio with online streaming and a focus on local creative scenes.
- Worldwide FM: Online radio station with curated music programming, live streaming, and a global listener base. Comparable to EHFM as an internet-only radio platform with diverse, genre-spanning editorial and a creative-community focus.
- Dublab: Non-profit online radio platform with curated music programming, archived shows, and global listener reach. Comparable to EHFM as an online-only, mission-driven community station with show archives and on-demand streaming.
- Balamii: London-based independent online radio station with diverse electronic and underground programming and live streaming. Directly comparable to EHFM in online-only community radio format and resident DJ model.
- Rinse FM: London-rooted online and DAB radio station with a strong club, grime, and electronic music focus. Comparable to EHFM as a youth/underground music-led radio with digital streaming and community-driven resident presenters.
- NTS Radio: Online community radio station with global live streaming, resident DJs, and a focus on underground and alternative music. Closely comparable to EHFM in digital-first delivery, 24/7 programming, and community-driven editorial model.
- Sub FM: Online radio station broadcasting underground dance and electronic music with live streaming. Comparable to EHFM as an internet-based community radio with electronic and alternative music programming.
- Reprezent Radio: Community radio station broadcasting on DAB and online, focused on youth culture and underrepresented voices. Comparable to EHFM as a purpose-driven community broadcaster amplifying creative communities through digital streaming.
- Subcity Radio: Student and community-run radio station broadcasting from Glasgow, with online streaming and volunteer presenters. Comparable to EHFM as a Scottish community online radio with volunteer-driven programming and 24/7 broadcast.
Others
- Cafe Oto: London-based venue combining a cafe/bar with live experimental music performances, recordings, and broadcasts. Adjacent to EHFM as a comparable physical cultural-venue-plus-audio-programming hybrid that supports local creative communities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
EHFM social profiles
Digital presenceEHFM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EHFM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
EHFM subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
EHFM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EHFM 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 EHFM
What does EHFM do?
EHFM operates a 24/7 online community radio station for Edinburgh, broadcasting diverse programming including club music, Scottish traditional music, spoken word, and panel discussions. The station is accessible via its website, dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps, and Mixcloud for archived shows. It is funded through supporter subscriptions, donations, and profits from its affiliated Ground Floor cafe in Leith, which also houses the studio.
Is EHFM a public or private company?
EHFM is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was EHFM founded?
EHFM was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is EHFM based?
EHFM is headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are EHFM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Soho Radio, Worldwide FM, Dublab, Balamii, Rinse FM, NTS Radio, Sub FM, Reprezent Radio and Subcity Radio. Cafe Oto is listed as an others.
Does EHFM have an API?
No public API is recorded for EHFM.
What industry is EHFM in?
EHFM's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAL, Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.