Spotify

Spotify is a digital audio streaming business that delivers music, podcasts and audiobooks to listeners worldwide. Founded in 2006 and launched in 2008, the company operates in 184 markets and reports 751 million total users, of whom 290 million are paying subscribers. Its stated purpose is to unlock the potential of human creativity, including enabling creative artists to live off their work and bringing enjoyment and inspiration to listeners.

The platform rests on three content offerings. The music streaming service provides on-demand access to more than 100 million tracks. Podcasts add roughly 7 million spoken-word titles alongside music. An audiobook catalogue of about 500,000 titles extends the platform beyond both. The underlying technical work spans audio streaming technology, digital content delivery and online media platforms.

Spotify's origins lie in offering a legal alternative to music piracy, and its product ethos centres on making music accessible to everyone, anywhere. The company describes its aim as creating meaningful connections between artists and listeners. It operates across the music streaming, audio streaming, podcasting, audiobook and wider digital media and entertainment sectors.