Napster has been acquired by immersive tech company Infinite Reality for $207 million. The company aims to transform Napster into a social music platform, focusing on fan engagement, virtual experiences, and AI-driven personalization.
Plans include 3D virtual spaces for concerts, social listening parties, and integrated monetization options for artists. Infinite Reality also owns the Drone Racing League and several esports ventures, signaling a broader entertainment ecosystem. Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos will stay on, emphasizing the need for innovation in music streaming.
Infinite Reality, founded in 2019, recently raised $3 billion at a $12.25 billion valuation. Investors include major firms like RSE Ventures, Liberty Media, Live Nation, and MGM, alongside high-profile figures such as Steve Aoki, Imagine Dragons, NBA's Rudy Gobert, and tennis pro Taylor Fritz. This financial backing strengthens its push to evolve Napster into an immersive social music platform.
John Acunto, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Reality shared the following:
By acquiring Napster, we're paving a path to a brighter future for artists, fans, and the music industry at large. This strategic move aligns with Infinite Reality's vision to lead an internet industry shift from a flat 2D clickable web to a 3D conversational one — giving all creators modern tools to better engage, monetize, and measure their audiences.
Steve Kokinos, co-founder of Algorand and chairman of the board of Napster added:
We are delighted that Napster is now going to be a part of Infinite Reality, validating a new paradigm for music and media. We always believed in Jon's long held vision and experience from Roblox that the next frontier of digital music and super fan experiences will be more immersive, more social and more shoppable.
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