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On January 22, 2026, a small Minneapolis startup stood shoulder to shoulder with industry titans at the prestigious NAMM TEC Awards in Anaheim, California. Caedence, a browser-based music-making platform developed under the LLC Stageware, was named a finalist alongside companies like Apple, Fender, and Steinberg. For co-founders Anton Friant and Jeff Bernett—who once described their operation as “five dudes in a basement”—the recognition marked a defining moment.
From College Jam Sessions to Cloud-Based Innovation
Friant and Bernett first met as college-age musicians in the early 2000s, attending the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota, respectively. In the mid- to late-2010s, they reconnected and began discussing an idea Bernett described as “a Guitar Hero for real bands.” Frustrated by the inefficiencies of rehearsals—constant questions about tempo, key, and structure—they envisioned a platform that could streamline collaboration.
When Friant’s NDA with Fender expired during the pandemic, “that’s when we hit the ground running.” What started as a prototype quickly evolved into a fully realized platform powered by patented technology.
Patents, Pixels, and a Browser-First Approach
Unlike traditional digital audio workstations such as Ableton or GarageBand, Caedence operates entirely in a web browser. “It’s like Google Docs,” Friant says. “Anybody in the world can log into your Caedence session and play along, or sing along, or clap their hands.”
Two core patents set the platform apart. Timelock, patented in 2020, allows an indefinite number of devices to sync through a cloud-based virtual BPM. “Our ‘light bulb’ came when we started working with cloud computing,” Friant explains. Flexview, developed later, lets musicians customize how they see song elements—recognizing that no two players prefer identical visual layouts.
The result is a collaborative tool designed for both rehearsal rooms and live stages, capable of even triggering lighting or production effects.
Real-World Validation and Education Expansion
Caedence officially launched its subscription service in 2025 and has already found traction. Musicians have used it at Paisley Park, and Riverside City College students demonstrated it during a live NAMM performance. In a YouTube review, drum tech creator Harry Younger remarked, “I didn’t realize how powerful you can essentially make a website.”
Beyond performance, the company is leaning into education. As part of the MIDI in Music Education Special Interest Group, Caedence is helping develop open-source curriculum for teachers and offers discounted pricing to institutions like the Minneapolis Public School District.
A Startup Pointed in the Right Direction
Though still self-funded and not yet breaking even, the founders say they are “never not considering” potential funding paths. For now, industry recognition has fueled momentum. The NAMM finalist nod was “such a great pat on the back from the industry,” Friant says, and proof they’re “pointed in the right direction.”
Caedence’s rise demonstrates that even a small, determined team can compete with global tech giants—and perhaps redefine how musicians collaborate in the digital era.
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