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Startle is the fully managed background music and digital signage provider for cafes and coffee shops.
Music isn’t just atmosphere, it changes how people behave. Research dating back to the 1980s found that tempo affects how quickly people eat and drink, nudging a quick counter visit or a longer, more considered stay. University of Illinois research found that moderate ambient noise, around the level of a busy cafe, actually boosts creative thinking, which is why the soundtrack matters as much to the laptop crowd as it does to a queue of walk-in customers.
Over 100 professional, sector specific playlists that can shift automatically between dayparts; a slower morning opening, a livelier lunchtime rush.
We get to know your brand, your space and your customers, then build a soundtrack that's entirely yours.
In a cafe, the screen behind the counter does as much selling as the barista.
Here’s how we take you from that first conversation to fully live soundtracks and screens across every coffee shop.
Replicate a perfectly curated atmosphere across your whole coffee shop estate from a single platform with Startle Studio.
BEAR Coffee wanted a sound to match their trendy store designs, and the flexibility to move from coffee shop by day to cocktail bar by night. Startle’s music team took the playlists BEAR had already started and grew them into a full brand sound - soul, disco and indie at around 116BPM, with funkier disco and house for evening sessions.
Their sites are soundtracked perfectly to match their brand, with access to the easy Startle Studio to make changes when needed, as well as our 24/7/365 Relentless Support™.
Finding our brand sound has been an exciting journey, and the support from the Startle team has been incredibly valuable. They nailed it from the start, and we’ve been happily listening to these playlists ever since.
Marketing Manager
Startle’s music solution was exactly what we were looking for. Their team worked collaboratively with Santander to create the interactive Jukebox. Our customers like the music and the way they can select the tracks using a touchscreen. The music adds to the buzz of the Work Café.
Project Manager
Book your free brand sound discovery call to see how Startle can transform your music and signage across all locations.
On this call we’ll:
Just need a quote? Request pricing here.
Frequently asked questions.
Automatically, according to your schedule. Playlists shift energy through set dayparts - a calmer morning opening building to a busier lunchtime rush - with no staff intervention needed.
Yes, through the Studio platform, with permission levels so store teams have exactly as much control as you want them to.
A predictable monthly cost based on your number of sites - get in touch for a tailored quote.
Yes - commercial premises need a licence. More on music licensing here.
