First, what is MassChallenge?

MassChallenge is the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet. A non-profit, they help entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, industries, and regions around the world.

At the end of the program, the highest-impact startup will be rewarded in equity-free cash awards. We’re honored to be in the running as we take advantage of the resources offered in the program.

Just a little history . . .  to date, 1,500 MassChallenge alumni have raised over $3 billion in funding, generated approximately $2 billion in revenue, and created over 80,000 total jobs.

How we landed a spot in this year’s cohort

“Part of our appeal, is they like what we are and who we are. They tend to look at a team of people, and they look at an idea, and those are the two big ones,” says Your Heaven CEO Steve Schwartz.

Your Heaven Audio is a unique company in the cohort in that we’re already manufacturing a product that resolves a real world problem.

“Live amplification and recording for acoustic instruments is something people struggle with, and we have invented a really innovative product that solves a lot of problems that musicians face,” says Your Heaven COO Prachi Jain. “We are a manufacturing company, so eventually we’ll be creating a lot of jobs. There’s potential as a startup.” 

Danny Warshay, Executive Director of the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship at Brown, was introduced to Steve Schwartz by colleague Professor Barrett Hazeltine. Warshay was an early mentor and supporter of Your Heaven Audio, and has helped the company to develop and expand its team. After watching the team grow, he believes a few things have helped Your Heaven land more opportunities such as the MassChallenge – like winning the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition this past May. 

May 2018 when we won the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition

“The RI Business Plan Competition judges noticed a huge difference in YH from last year’s entry to this year’s.” Warshay believes a part of that is a reflection of the planning process that was initiated and supported in regular mentorship meetings.

Schwartz believes another reason they were awarded this prize was due to Your Heaven’s commitment to local production. “We would love to continue to assemble locally, as much as possible,”  he explains. 

And finally, Your Heaven has a proven track record.

“Not only do we have a working product, we are already making sales and have amazing traction with partners like Berklee school of music,” Explains Jain.

Social Enterprise Greenhouse, a co-work space we have access to in Providence through the MassChallenge

Some Highlights

“The process YH has undertaken in participating . . .  has been valuable in itself” Says Warshay, “I often say that the value of a business plan is partly in the plan itself and especially in the planING. The process of having to develop a plan, in other words, is valuable.”

It’s also been a pleasure to access the Makers Lab.

Interior of Made at MassChallenge Maker Lab

“The community here is great. In Boston, it is so nice to be around all of these startups – really passionate, and really believing in their idea. It’s challenging to fight against the odds, and to make prototypes in the office basement. Suddenly we’re no longer in a vacuum, we’re sharing our challenges and joys with highly motivated people,” Says Jain.

Schwartz agrees, saying “There’s way more going on than I’m possibly able to look at! I’ve gotten to meet a handful of people over and over again. There’s a community sense, and feeding off of each other’s energy and helping each other – in pragmatic ways, in thinking with each other and bouncing ideas off of eachother.”

There’s also the workshops.

“The forums have been pretty good for me personally. I don’t have a formal background in business . . . For me, it’s interesting to learn more about marketing.”  Says Schwartz. “Enterprise or indirect selling – those terms were so vague to me before but now they aren’t. And I can see the value in pursuing partnerships with other manufacturers and parts companies,” he explains.

Want to learn more about our CloseUp® System? Visit our Product Overview page!

Opening night concert – Georgia on My Mind: Start off the week with a great concert, “Georgia On My Mind” (Tuesday, June 26, 2018, 7:30 – 10:30 pm at the Ryman Auditorium). Hosted by the Peach Pickers, this show features artists in a musical celebration of their home state of Georgia. Proceeds go to the Georgia Music Foundation to support music education, preservation, and outreach.

Crafting a Hit Record: Working on your latest album? Check out this session, “Crafting a Hit Record,” where a multi-Grammy panel shares their tips on how you can craft your best record yet. (Thursday, June 28, 2018, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Music City Center, TEC Tracks (Booth 153))

New Trends in the Guitar: Calling all guitar fans: check out this presentation, “New Trends in the Guitar,” led by Laura B. Whitmore of Mad Sun Marketing, where you’ll hear about the future trends of the guitar in a digital world. (Friday, June 29, 2018, 4:00 – 5:00 pm at the Music City Center, NAMM Idea Center (Booth 453))

World’s Fastest Drummer: With a packed schedule of events, time can pass in a blur… but it might literally, at the World’s Fastest Drummer Finals (Saturday, June 30, 2018, 10:00 – 10:40am at the NAMM Reverb Stage on the Terrace). If you can’t make it to the final showdown, be sure to catch the prelims on Thursday or Friday.

Best in Show: It’s the end of the week, and why not top it off with the NAMM “Best In Show”? Sip your coffee, join your friends for breakfast, and hear about the newest best new tech of the year. For everyone – musicians, retailers, or exhibitors – this is an event not to miss. (Saturday, June 30, 2018, 8:00 – 9:30 am at the Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom)

Your Heaven Audio exhibit booth: Come say hello! Looking for a microphone that isolates and captures your true, beautiful acoustic sound? We’ll be demoing systems for mandolin and strings, as well as our new and updated built-in version for acoustic guitar. Plus, we are excited to meet manufacturers to establish partnerships. Stop by the Your Heaven Audio table to say hi, meet our team, and learn more about what we’ve been doing to help make your sound even better. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!