Why This Minneapolis Startup is the New Rival to Ableton

A tiny tech startup from Minneapolis recently found itself in rarefied air as an award finalist alongside global titans like Apple, Fender, and Steinberg. While those multinational powerhouses have thousands of employees and massive budgets, Caedence was built by “five dudes in a basement,” according to co founder Anton Friant.

The Highest Honor

On January 22, 2026, Caedence competed in a five product lineup for the sound recording industry’s most prestigious honor: a NAMM TEC Award. The startup stood as a finalist in the Audio Apps and Hardware category for its innovative music making platform. Although the top prize ultimately went to Apple for Logic Pro, co founders Jeff Bernett and Friant left the Anaheim ceremony feeling validated. As Bernett put it, if you are going to lose to anyone, lose to Apple.

A Google Docs for Musicians

What sets Caedence apart from industry standards like Ableton or GarageBand is its accessibility.

Browser Based: Unlike traditional software that requires heavy downloads, Caedence runs entirely in a web browser.
Real Time Collaboration: Friant describes it as “Google Docs for music,” where anyone in the world can join a session and play along instantly.
Patented Tech: The platform uses its patented Timelock technology to sync an indefinite number of devices through the cloud, eliminating the “Where do we start?” frustration of rehearsals.

From Rehearsals to Paisley Park

The idea for Caedence began before the pandemic when Bernett felt frustrated by the constant interruptions of band rehearsals. Along with developers Terrance Schubring, Demetri Dillard, and Jon Voth, the team spent years self funding the project. Their proof of concept came when a friend used the platform to perform at Paisley Park.

Today, the platform is gaining traction in education, with the Minneapolis Public School District already adopting a discounted subscription. While the company is still working toward breaking even, the enthusiastic response from the 2026 NAMM Show has proved they are pointed in the right direction. For a team that started in a basement, standing on the same stage as Apple is more than just a pat on the back. It is a sign that the future of music production might just be a browser link away.