TalentRun is a karaoke media service provider that runs Germany's first online karaoke.
Ever since the success of TV shows like "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (the equivalent for "American Idol") or "Popstars" (the equivalent for "Making the band") and the high demand for Sony's PlayStation game "SingStar", karaoke has become a mega- trend. The idea of users singing karaoke online first came up in Asia and the US in 2006. In summer 2007, Dirk Wischnewski and Matthias Krause, both longstanding karaoke fans themselves, decided to realize such a concept for the German market.
Having overcome the challenges with regard to royalty law, the online karaoke portal TalentRun was launched in January 2008 and has been offering free karaoke for everyone ever since. No matter if you're home alone in your living room or at a party with friends - singing enthusiasts just choose their favorite song and can then sing along to the music, while the lyrics are displayed on the screen. You can even record your own individual version of the song! After that, you can release your song within the TalentRun community, according to the come-and-participate concept of Web 2.0 or prove your talent in a contest, just as you would at a casting, while other users comment on your recording.
Users neither have to download a software, nor do they need a game console. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a microphone - and the karaoke fun can begin. Users have the possibility to record themselves with their webcams, thus creating their own individual video recording.
Furthermore, online portals with a broad range of products and services are offered a white label karaoke channel solution by TalentRun GmbH, who, in their position as full service provider, run a special karaoke channel for these customers. Such a solution has, for example, already been implemented for MSN Germany.
TalentRun GmbH, seated in Berlin, was founded in April 2007 by Dirk Wischnewski and Matthias Krause. Investors are Holtzbrinck Ventures, Neuhaus Partners and other well-known Business Angels.
