216 Capital has invested in Deplike, the music education startup behind the AI-powered guitar app Chordie AI. The deal underscores growing investor interest in digital learning tools that blend artificial intelligence with game design. It also signals momentum for MENA-rooted founders scaling consumer education products globally.
Market Context and Product
Online music education is expanding quickly as AI brings real-time feedback and personalization to practice sessions. Deplike’s Chordie AI, often likened to a Duolingo for guitar, combines intelligent feedback with immersive 3D tutors and game mechanics. The goal is to turn practice into a repeatable habit by making lessons interactive, incremental, and measurable.
Traction and User Growth
The company reports more than 250,000 active users engaging with the platform. It is adding roughly 3,000 new signups per day and tripled revenue in the last quarter. Growth is led by the United States and the United Kingdom, where consumer adoption of music learning apps remains strong.
Team and Vision
Deplike was founded in Turkey by engineers Ufuk Polat, Mehmet Süleyman Sağlam, and Mustafa Demir, who share a background in music and software. Their mission is to make instrumental learning more accessible by using AI to adapt exercises to each learner’s progress. The team positions Chordie AI as a pathway for beginners to start and for returning players to build consistent practice.
Investor Perspective and Round Details
216 Capital joins a cap table that includes well-known operators and founders such as Eren Bali of Udemy, Mehmet Ecevit of Gram Games, Melih Ödemiş of Yemeksepeti, Ali Akgün of Microsoft AI, and MagicLab. Partner Dhekra Khelifi said Deplike reflects the intersection of education, creativity, and technology, noting its user-centric product as a key differentiator. The firm frames the investment as part of a strategy to back ambitious founders from the MENA region who can influence global consumer markets.
Founder Commentary and Product Approach
Chief executive Ufuk Polat described 216 Capital as an engaged partner that contributes to product development and marketing strategy rather than acting only as a financial investor. He emphasized that Chordie AI’s advantage lies in closing the loop between listening, feedback, and motivation. The app aims to keep learners in flow by surfacing micro-goals, instant corrections, and streak-based incentives.
Outlook and Next Steps
With new funding in place, Deplike is preparing a Series A round to accelerate international expansion and product depth. Priorities include broadening content for different skill levels, refining AI feedback accuracy, and strengthening community features that increase practice frequency. The company also plans to invest in analytics that tie lesson design to measurable improvements in retention and proficiency.
Deplike’s latest backing from 216 Capital validates a model that blends pedagogy, software, and behavioral design to scale music learning. The startup now aims to convert rapid user growth into durable subscription economics while entering new markets. If execution matches ambition, Chordie AI could become a leading platform in augmented music education for guitar learners worldwide.