Spotify app

Spotify was founded in 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden, by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. The platform was created as a legal alternative to music piracy, which was rampant at the time, offering a 'freemium' model that balances free ad-supported access with premium paid subscriptions. Since its public launch in 2008, it has grown into the world's largest music streaming service.

Technically a digital product, the app is developed and maintained across several global hubs, primarily in Sweden and the United States. As of 2026, the company operates under a sophisticated ownership structure following its 2018 direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange. While it is a public company (Spotify Technology S.A.), the original founders maintain significant strategic control through a dual-class share structure that grants them outsized voting rights. In early 2026, the company underwent a leadership evolution where Daniel Ek transitioned to Executive Chairman, with Alex Norström and Gustav Söderström serving as co-CEOs.