Backed by Finance Yorkshire, MediMusic's innovative technology digitally fingerprints music to create relaxing playlists. In NHS trials, these playlists reduced the heart rate of dementia patients by 25%. MediMusic triumphed over 140 firms from around the globe at Wallifornia, the European Music Tech Accelerator & Summit for startups intersecting Music, Technology, Health, and AI.

The technology is currently being trialled in UK care homes, with Warner Music Group aiding MediMusic's expansion into UK and US hospitals.

To date, MediMusic has secured £1.2 million in funding from Finance Yorkshire, the University of Hull, and private investors. The company is preparing for another funding round, attracting interest from several VC and investment funds.

MediMusic’s algorithms extract key features from the digital DNA of music, creating a “fingerprint” for healthcare use. By considering factors such as age, gender, nationality, and ethnicity, MediMusic generates a 20-minute playlist designed to impact multiple brain areas, reducing anxiety and pain.

Patients can listen to these playlists on the MediBeat streaming device with headphones or other devices like smartphones. Initial clinical trials at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust demonstrated a heart rate reduction of up to 25% in dementia patients, and the technology is being successfully trialled in care homes across the UK, including Orchard Court Care Home in Brigg, Lincolnshire.

Warner Music Group recently partnered with MediMusic to trial ‘music as medication’ in care homes and hospitals in the UK and US, granting access to its extensive music catalogue. Additionally, MediMusic secured music licensing deals with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, using Tuned Global’s B2B music and streaming platform to integrate these catalogues. This integration allows MediMusic to focus on patient outcomes while ensuring compliance with music industry requirements.

The Wallifornia jury was composed of global music & tech professionals, innovators, and investors – such as Dirk Reyn (R&S Consulting), Andy Lürling (Lumo Labs), Scott Cohen (JKBX), Lorraine de Silva (Best Nights VC), Rishi Patel (Plus8Equity), Takayuki Suzuki (MusicTech Japan), Patrick Clifton (Clifton Consults), Bertrand Polou (Sacem), Rachel Young (TikTok), Gareth Deakin (Sonorous Global), and Virginie Chelles (Tuned Global) – selected MediMusic from among 140 firms worldwide to win the Wallifornia 2024 award following a 2-day mentoring programme.

Andy Lürling, Founding Partner at LUMO labs said: "I have been impressed by MediMusic’s pitch and their groundbreaking business.

“The fact that they have been trialled in NHS setups and shown effective results on heart rate is really promising.

“They come with a solution to one of society's most pressing issue; mental and cognitive health."

Gary Jones, CEO and co-founder of MediMusic and a former music industry executive, developed the technology after trying to help the mother of a family friend who was living with dementia.

He said: “This win is fantastic news for our team and our global mission to use music as medication to ease pain, anxiety and stress.

“The transformative power of music to make us feel more relaxed and healthier is truly extraordinary. Our initial clinical trials have yielded highly promising results, signalling a groundbreaking future in patient treatment.

“The potential to dispense music as a therapeutic intervention will revolutionise the care of people grappling with pain and anxiety from people in care homes to patients in hospital.

“We believe we will eventually see music prescribed on the NHS. Musical medicine would help the NHS save money on costly medications treating anxiety and stress.”

 Wallifornia’s Programme and Partnership Manager Coralie Doyen added: “Congratulations to MediMusic on being the big winner of our Awards Ceremony.

“The judges were very impressed with this innovative UK startup committed to using music to improve the health and wellbeing of patients. The potential impact of its technology around the world is huge, and that’s why they were worthy winners.

 “At Wallifornia, we value startups that bridge different sectors, combining their strengths to create something remarkable. Bringing these diverse worlds together is at the heart of Wallifornia's mission.”