Our story
Born from frustration. Built with purpose.
Campfire started in 2022, at Georgetown University. A group of student musicians, advocates, and technologists looked at the streaming economy and saw a system that disproportionately benefits major labels while leaving independent artists struggling to survive.
They came together around a shared idea: a streaming platform aligned with public media principles, structured for community engagement, and built to compensate artists fairly. Joined by students from Amherst, Grinnell, Northeastern, and Boston University, they incorporated as a Minnesota 501(c)(3) and got to work.
Three years later, Campfire has spent over 10,000 volunteer hours on the model, the partnerships, and the platform itself. The streaming app is built and in closed testing. The team is preparing to launch renewed fundraising to move Campfire from a volunteer-led organization to paid, professional staff and take the platform public.
