Riding an AI Rocketship with Mikey Shulman, CEO of Suno
Mar 28, 2025
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Mikey Schulman, CEO of Suno, dives into the exciting interplay between AI and music. He shares how fun fuels AI development, emphasizing its role in enhancing creativity rather than just boosting productivity. Mikey debunks the myth that AI can only replicate past data, showcasing its potential for innovation. He also discusses his company's growth while sidestepping hype, focusing instead on user feedback. The conversation touches on the nuances of copyright in AI-generated music and the evolving landscape of artist collaboration and remix culture.
Mikey Schulman emphasizes the significance of fun in AI development, advocating for creativity over the industry's typical focus on productivity gains.
Schulman believes AI can be a powerful tool for innovation in music, harnessing human creativity to explore new artistic expressions.
Suno's strategic fundraising approach during market fluctuations highlights the importance of timing and positioning in accelerating company growth.
Deep dives
The Four-Minute Mile Philosophy
The concept of achieving significant revenue with a small team is likened to breaking the four-minute mile, representing a benchmark for modern entrepreneurship. This idea is central to the discussion, highlighting how a ten-person company can reach over $100 million in revenue. The conversation explores the implications of this philosophy for startup founders, emphasizing that such goals, while ambitious, have become tangible with proper execution. It underscores the notion that the right team dynamics, vision, and determination can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Vertical Growth and Fundraising Success
Suno's journey illustrates unique vertical growth strategies that defy traditional startup scaling methods. The company has successfully attracted over $130 million in funding through various rounds, showcasing a well-timed approach to fundraising amidst market fluctuations. Mikey Schulman shares insights into their decision to withhold funding announcements until they were ready for rapid hiring, which created an impressive narrative for potential investors. This deliberate strategy of timing and positioning contributed to their sense of confidence and momentum during critical phases of growth.
AI's Role in Creative Expression
The interaction between artificial intelligence and creativity, particularly in music, is a focal point of discussion, challenging common perceptions about AI's limitations. Schulman argues that while AI is often dismissed in creative contexts, it can enhance human creativity by enabling artists to explore new dimensions they may not reach independently. The podcast delves into how AI tools can foster a deeper connection to music and artistic expression, driving innovation in the industry. This perspective encourages a re-evaluation of how technology intersects with creative processes.
Embracing Change in the Music Industry
The evolution of technology in music production and distribution presents both challenges and opportunities, with resistance from traditionalists often surfacing. The podcast highlights that while technology can democratize music creation, it raises valid concerns among artists fearing for their craft's integrity. Schulman emphasizes the importance of keeping music production accessible while also respecting the artistry involved. He suggests that the future of music will greatly benefit from widespread engagement and creativity, allowing diverse voices to be heard and celebrated.
The Personal Journey of Leadership
Mikey Schulman reflects on the personal growth and challenges of leading a startup in a rapidly changing environment, emphasizing the need for humility and adaptation. He mentions the importance of surrounding himself with capable team members, recognizing that his strength lies in harnessing the talents of others rather than solely relying on his ideas. Schulman's approach to leadership is characterized by openness to feedback, continuous learning, and drawing on experiences to inform decision-making. This perspective highlights the essential qualities of resilience and adaptability in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.
He’s running a rocket ship of a company, has $100M+ in funding from some of the top VCs, and is working on an opportunity that he’s passionate about.
Mikey hit my radar because of a text from my friend TJ. His firm was an early backer of Suno, and he said that if any company they work with was going to hit our “4 Min Mile” challenge of $100M in revenue with fewer than 10 employees, it'd be Suno.
That was the conversation I was planning to have with Mikey when we stepped into the studio at Suno HQ in Cambridge. What unfolded was a conversation with much more nuance and range than I’d originally anticipated.
Some takeaways:
Mikey emphasizes the importance of fun in AI development, contrasting with the industry’s focus on productivity gains. He sees AI as a tool for enhancing human creativity in music, potentially leading to new heights in artistic expression.
Shulman sees AI as a tool that, like humans, learns from past data to create new expressions. He disagrees with the notion that AI can only look backward, arguing that it can be a powerful instrument for innovation in music when guided by human creativity.
Thecompany’s rapid growth was aided by staying somewhat removed from the AI hype cycle, allowing them to focus on building value and iterating quickly based on user feedback.
Despite raising significant capital, Shulman actively tries to avoid fixating on the company’s war chest. He believes constantly thinking about available funds can distort decision-making and lead to inefficient resource allocation.
Shulman credits much of Suno’s success to his talent for hiring and building a strong team, rather than his own ideas. He stresses the value of finding people who are passionate and committed to the company’s mission.
As Suno approaches the $100M mark with a much bigger team than 10, I can’t help but wonder if there’s more indie can be doing to encourage and support founders who are thinking similarly about small teams with ambitions for massive scale.
We’re doing that already through our direct investing, but I wonder if there’s a program we could put together that would involve investment and shared learnings from a group of like-minded founders working towards a similar goal that could help the whole get there that much quicker.
If you have thoughts on this, please share. It’s something we’re actively thinking through, and I would value additional ideas and points of view.
As always, we hope you enjoy watching this one as much as we enjoyed recording it. If you’re working on something with a similar ethos to Suno and looking for investment, don’t hesitate to reach out.
