Rádio Quântica

What Rádio Quântica does

Rádio Quântica is a Lisbon-based, non-profit community radio station founded in 2015, broadcasting 24/7 over the internet with approximately 100 authored shows and a roster of more than 170 resident artists. Programming spans electronic, experimental, ambient, jazz, hip hop, funk, soul, rock, performative arts, and talk shows, serving underground, queer, BIPOC, and otherwise marginalized creators and audiences that lack space on mainstream platforms. The core technology is a 24/7 internet radio streaming platform hosted on DigitalOcean CDN, with simultaneous distribution to Twitch, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Mixcloud, and a dedicated studio at Travessa do Giestal 2A, Alcântara, Lisbon for live broadcasts and recordings.

The organization's product surface extends well beyond radio broadcasting. It operates an independent record label (Quântica Records / QTC) releasing resident artist work and anniversary compilations such as QTC10, sold via Bandcamp alongside merchandise (t-shirts, DIY Community Radio shirts). It runs a recurring event programming slate anchored by the annual Festival Ano Q (5th edition in September 2025) and the CURVS queer body-positive dance series, hosted at partner venues including Lux Frágil, Galeria Zé dos Bois, Higherground, and Passos Manuel. Educational offerings include DJ workshops (20-75 EUR), free arts workshops (Afro-Jazz dance, vocal production, body expression, comics), and the Laboratório de Rádio Comunitária, a 3-month mentorship program. In 2025 it launched Jornal Q, a quarterly independent arts/culture newspaper in print and online. A new B2B line — sound system and DJ equipment rental at accessible prices — was added in February 2026.

The business model is non-profit and multi-stream: donations via PayPal, crowdfunding (GoFundMe for studio relocation and community art space), ticketed events (10-20 EUR), workshop fees, 3 EUR annual memberships with solidarity pricing for those unable to pay, merchandise and label sales through Bandcamp, equipment rental, and public-sector grants from República Portuguesa – Cultura / Direção-Geral das Artes and Câmara Municipal de Lisboa. Customer segments are highly fragmented across individual community members rather than enterprise accounts. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with audience acquisition through workshops, festivals, partner venues, and word-of-mouth within Lisbon's underground and queer scenes.

Name

Rádio Quântica

Legal name

Rádio Quântica

Website

https://radioquantica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rádio Quântica is a Lisbon-based non-profit community radio station broadcasting 24/7 since 2015 with 170+ resident artists and 100 authored shows. It serves underground, queer, and BIPOC communities through radio, an independent label, events, workshops, and the Jornal Q newspaper.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Independent music label
• Cultural event production
• Arts education workshops
• Music distribution platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Crowdfunding: Non-profit organization funded primarily through donations via PayPal and periodic crowdfunding campaigns. The station launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund studio relocation and creation of a community arts space.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from event tickets (e.g., 10 EUR pre-sale for CURVS events, 20 EUR weekend passes for Ano Q festival). Membership cards sold at 3 EUR annually. Solidarity pricing available for those who cannot pay.
3. DJ and Arts Workshops: Fees from DJ workshops (75 EUR for 4 sessions, 25 EUR single session, 25 EUR/hour private), arts workshops (body expression, vocal production, BD comics), and radio community laboratory mentorship program.
4. Merchandise and Music Sales: Bandcamp store selling merchandise (t-shirts, DIY community radio shirts) and music releases from the independent label QTC (Rádio Quântica label), including compilations and artist albums.
5. Equipment Rental: Sound system and DJ equipment rental service for cultural events at 'popular prices', providing revenue while supporting cultural events access to proper sound equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rádio Quântica is a Lisbon-based non-profit community radio station that broadcasts 24/7 online with approximately 100 authored shows produced by more than 170 resident artists across genres including electronic, experimental, ambient, hip hop, funk, soul, rock, and talk programming. Beyond radio broadcasting, the organization operates an independent record label (Quântica Records) releasing resident artists' work and compilations, hosts cultural events (Festival Ano Q, CURVS dance nights), runs accessible DJ and arts workshops and a community radio laboratory training program, publishes the quarterly Jornal Q newspaper, and rents sound and DJ equipment for cultural events.

Product overview

Rádio Quântica is a Lisbon-based community radio station established in 2015, operating as a non-profit with a safe creative space for underground artists and activists. The core offering is its 24/7 online radio broadcasting platform featuring approximately 100 authored shows and 170 resident artists across genres including electronic, experimental, ambient, jazz, hip hop, and talk shows. Complementing the radio platform, the organization offers an independent label (QTC10) releasing residents' works and compilations; events programming including the annual Festival Ano Q and CURVS queer dance series; accessible DJ and arts workshops; a community radio laboratory training program; an independent newspaper (Jornal Q); sound system and DJ equipment rental; and merchandise. The various shows and events are organized under categories (Ambient, Baile, Club, Jazz, R&B, Reggaeton, Talk, Techno) and broadcast across platforms including Twitch, YouTube, Soundcloud, and Mixcloud.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Quântica Records: Independent homonymous label where works of residents have been released, as well as special compilations for fundraising.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Planeta ManascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural space in Prior Velho where the radio station originally established its studio. Home to collective mina and various underground music events. The radio has been developing from this space since 2015, hosting events and maintaining close ties with the venue's programming.
• Lux FrágilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIconic Lisbon nightclub that witnessed the birth of the radio station. Hosted the 10-year anniversary celebration on February 20th. The venue is described as the radio's 'original home' and site of first anniversary celebration.
• Passos ManuelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Porto venue that hosted the 10-year anniversary celebration on February 15th. Located in Porto city center, representing the station's northern presence.
• Galeria Zé dos BoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLisbon gallery that hosts Ano Q festival and other radio events. Venue for the Phoebe album launch concert and festival programming.
• Higherground LisboasecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue hosting CURVS #16 event on April 30th. CURVS is the radio's queer body-positive dance event series.
• mina CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueer feminist rave collective that co-curates programming at Planeta Manas. Collaboration on events and shared community space usage. BleED and Sasha founded ins3kt Ræve at Planeta Manas as a collaborative sonic exploration project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Soho Radio: London-based community internet and FM radio station with diverse resident DJs, live shows, and physical studio. Comparable in its community-led multi-format programming and event-driven approach.
• The Lot Radio: Brooklyn-based independent online radio station broadcasting from a waterfront shack, hosting resident DJs and live shows. Highly comparable in its independent, location-anchored community radio model with resident artists, events, and merchandise, though physically established in New York rather than Lisbon.
• Cashmere Radio: Berlin-based community internet radio station focused on experimental, queer, and BIPOC communities with workshops, residencies, and events. Highly comparable to Rádio Quântica in its inclusive underground ethos, workshop programming, and community-event integration.
• dublab: Los Angeles-based non-profit independent online radio founded in 1999 with resident DJs, eclectic programming, and live events. Comparable as a long-running community-led internet radio station emphasizing experimental and underground music.
• WFMU: New Jersey-based listener-supported freeform community radio station with eclectic programming and live broadcasts. Comparable as one of the longest-running independent non-profit community radio stations with broad format programming and donor-supported model.
• Worldwide FM: London-based independent internet radio station with global resident DJs, focused on diverse underground music and culture. Comparable in its community-led multi-genre programming, international artist network, and event-driven GTM motion.
• NTS Radio: London-based community internet radio station with resident DJs, live shows, and a strong independent label (NTS Records). Closely comparable to Rádio Quântica in its underground/independent positioning, multi-genre programming, and event programming, though at significantly larger scale.
• Balamii: London-based community internet radio station broadcasting from Peckham with resident DJs across underground genres. Comparable in its independent, community-led model with strong venue ties and resident-artist programming.
• Rinse FM: London community internet and former pirate radio station focused on underground electronic, grime, and bass music with resident DJs and events. Comparable to Rádio Quântica in grassroots origins, community-led programming model, and emphasis on underrepresented scenes.

Broad incumbents

• KEXP: Seattle-based non-profit community radio station with global online streaming, deep music programming, and live sessions. Comparable in its non-profit community radio model and online streaming distribution, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quanticaonline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrJUlunwq20no8FY9oczb_A
• Facebookfacebook.com/quanticaonline
• Instagraminstagram.com/quanticaonline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/r%C3%A1dio-qu%C3%A2ntica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Rádio Quântica