Freakout

What Freakout does

Freakout is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and community-oriented artist development collective based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2013 as the Psychedelic Holiday Freakout, the organization curates and produces live music programming centered on international and emerging artists, including an annual fall festival (Freakout Festival, held in Ballard), a spring festival introduced in 2022 (Freakout Weekender), and — effective 2026 — a year-round show series called Freakout Presents. The organization operates Freakout Records, an independent record label launched in 2016 that has released music by artists such as Smokey Brights, Acid Tongue, and Shaina Shepherd.

Underlying technology is minimal and non-proprietary: a Squarespace-hosted website, third-party ticketing platforms (Tixr, Dice.fm, AXS, VenuePilot), an Instagram-driven community channel, and a Squarespace-based e-commerce store. There is no API, no SDK, and no AI/ML components.

Revenue mechanics reflect the nonprofit status: ticket sales are intentionally capped at $10 or less with free admission when possible, merchandise (hoodies $25-$50, t-shirts $15-$30, socks $22.50, tote bags tied to donations) is sold through freakoutrec.com/store, donations are accepted across $10-$500 tiers as one-time, monthly, or quarterly contributions, and grants (notably 4Culture's Free Public Access Grant) subsidize accessible pricing. The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, with audience acquisition concentrated at Seattle venues (Tractor Tavern, The Sunset, Conor Byrne, Hidden Hall, The Vera Project, Neumos, Baba Yaga) and a newly added marketing and media partnership with La Bestia Radio in Mexico City. The organization employs 7 people and is governed by a board of directors established when it converted to 501(c)(3) status in 2023.

Name

Freakout

Legal name

Freakout

Website

https://freakoutrec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Freakout is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit live event producer and artist development collective that curates year-round concerts and festivals featuring international and emerging artists, funded through donations, low-cost ticket sales, merchandise, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Freakout relies heavily on donations from the community. Donations support ongoing production of Freakout Festival, Freakout Weekender, and other one-off events. The organization also receives grants such as 4Culture's Free Public Access Grant.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts), accessories (socks), and limited edition festival items. Online store available at freakoutrec.com/store.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue from live event tickets. Shows are priced at accessible levels with $10 or less tickets and free events when possible. Tickets sold through third-party platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Freakout is a community-oriented artist development collective and live event producer operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Seattle. It produces live music experiences (annual fall festival, spring weekender, and year-round Freakout Presents shows) featuring international and emerging artists, releases records through its independent label Freakout Records, and sells branded merchandise while accepting community donations to sustain accessible programming.

Product overview

Freakout is a community-oriented artist development collective and live event producer operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington. The organization offers a portfolio of live music products: Freakout Festival (annual fall festival since 2013), Freakout Weekender (spring festival since 2022), and Freakout Presents (year-round show series launched in 2026). The portfolio also includes Freakout Records, an independent label launched in 2016. Freakout also operates a merchandise store and accepts donations to support event production. The organization bridges borders through music, prioritizing international and emerging artists with accessible ticket pricing ($10 or less).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Freakout Presents: Year-round show programming featuring international and emerging artists at Seattle venues

Products and services

• Freakout Festival Freakout's flagship annual fall music festival featuring international and emerging artists, held in Ballard, Seattle. Originally launched in 2013 as the Psychedelic Holiday Freakout and officially transitioned to Freakout Festival in 2017.
• Freakout Weekender Freakout's spring festival launched in 2022 as a 2-day spring event complementing the annual fall festival, featuring both emerging acts and established headliners alongside local talent.
• Freakout Presents Year-round show series at Seattle venues producing individual ticketed events throughout the year. Launched in 2026 as the organization's new format, with tickets priced at $10 or less and free admission whenever possible, supported by 4Culture's Free Public Access Grant.
• Freakout Records An independent record label formed in 2016, releasing records in various formats for artists including Smokey Brights, Acid Tongue, Shaina Shepherd, My Goodness, and The Grizzled Mighty.
• Freakout Merchandise Store Online merchandise store offering apparel including limited-edition festival merchandise such as hoodies, t-shirts, socks, and tote bags, alongside donation options including one-time and recurring donation tiers.
• Donations and Fundraising Donation program supporting the ongoing production of Freakout Festival, Freakout Weekender, and Freakout Presents events. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations are tax-deductible, with tiers at $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500 available as one-time, monthly, or quarterly recurring gifts.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• La Bestia RadiocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLa Bestia Radio from Mexico City serves as Freakout's new marketing and media arm. They help produce content, amplify artists, and keep the Freakout universe thriving beyond the stage. This partnership extends Freakout's reach to Mexico City and broader audiences.
• 4CulturecoreOthers4Culture awarded Freakout a Free Public Access Grant that supports accessible pricing for events, enabling $10 or less tickets and free shows.
• Seattle Venues (Tractor Tavern, The Sunset, Conor Byrne, Hidden Hall, The Vera Project, Neumos, Baba Yaga)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreakout has developed long-standing partnerships with Ballard venues including Tractor Tavern, The Sunset, and Conor Byrne, plus additional Seattle venues for events.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/freakout
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freakout

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Freakout