A technology executive with over 20 years of building and scaling SaaS businesses has launched a platform designed to solve what he calls “one of the most overlooked inefficiencies in the music industry”
Michel Meijerink spent two decades serving as CEO, CTO and President across multiple international organisations, specialising in turnarounds, commercial acceleration and preparing companies for successful exits.
But throughout that career, one passion remained constant: DJing.
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“I was inspired to start DJFAN by combining my early passion for DJing with over 20 years of building technology companies,” the London-based founder told Founder Insights..
“While analysing the creator economy through a recent project, I realised how outdated the electronic music industry is in terms of digital tools and monetisation.
“Seeing how other creators thrive with direct fan relationships made it clear that DJs needed a platform built for them – and that insight sparked the creation of DJFAN.”
DJFAN Limited, launched two and a half years ago, is a platform designed to help DJs build stronger fan relationships and unlock new revenue streams.
It gives artists the tools to engage their audience directly, share exclusive content and experiences, and grow a loyal community around their music.
The platform serves three groups: DJs, who gain modern creator tools and new monetisation options; fans, who get closer access to the artists they love; and venues, which can strengthen DJ-fan engagement and drive better event interactions.
Michel said: “DJFAN makes nightlife transparent, ensures artists get recognised and fairly compensated, and gives fans an instant connection to the music they love.
“It’s a simple idea with the power to reshape how value flows in music.”
The turning point came when Michel’s co-founder, Judith van Dijk, posed a question that brought everything into focus.
“The idea for DJFAN sparked when my co-founder asked me, ‘What is your why?'” Michel said.
“That question made everything clear: my passion for DJing and my 20+ years building technology start-ups were the driving force.
“Bringing those two worlds together revealed the opportunity – and that’s when DJFAN was born.”
The business found its first customers by bringing in someone with a strong network in the DJ and producer community.
“His relationships opened the door to early adopters, and because many of them are natural influencers, their posts and social activity helped drive our initial customer acquisition,” Michel said.
“Their authenticity and reach created immediate visibility and organic traction for DJFAN.”
But the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
“The biggest challenge as a founder is carrying the full weight of the vision – the pressure to deliver for investors, the team, customers, and yourself,” Michel said.
“You have to stay confident even when the path is unclear.
“For me, the way through has been staying anchored to my ‘why,’ making decisions quickly, and surrounding myself with people who bring clarity, not noise.”
Another significant lesson came from the fundraising process.
“The biggest lesson came from raising small amounts across multiple tranches,” he said.
“It kept us alive, but it also kept us in a constant fundraising cycle instead of fully focusing on growth.
“I learned that securing a meaningful runway early on is critical for making bold, strategic moves.”
Despite the pressures, Michel remains focused on the long-term vision.
“My north star is building a future where DJs can turn passion into a sustainable career through better digital tools, stronger fan connections, and real monetisation,” he said.
The speed of execution has been a defining feature of DJFAN’s journey.
“I’m most proud of the speed at which we executed the early stages of DJFAN,” Michel said.
“We went from idea to securing funding, building the team, and launching our MVP – all within four months.
“That pace of execution proved the strength of the vision, the commitment of the team, and our ability to deliver under intense timelines.”
Since launch, DJFAN has secured seed funding, built an 11-person team, and launched an in-house agency to support and accelerate the careers of key creators.
“We are still in the process getting momentum,” Michel said.
“What is clear that the growth in popularity of electronic music globally is creating traction and more and more interest to partner with us.”
Michel describes his leadership style in one word: resilient.
“Building something new requires absorbing setbacks, adapting quickly, and still moving forward with clarity,” he said.
“I lead by staying steady through uncertainty and helping the team do the same.”
Looking ahead, Michel says the greatest reward has been the freedom to design his own path.
“Entrepreneurship demands a lot, but it also gives you the autonomy to choose what you work on, who you work with, and the kind of impact you want to make,” he said.
“Success means becoming part of the cultural conversation around nightlife, discovery, and DJ culture, turning DJFAN into a name people recognise even before they use it.”
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