HardScope Accelerates Rebel Audio’s Next Phase of AI Technology, Creator Ecosystem & Global Expansion

Newly Established Board Of Directors includes DraftKings Founder & HardScope CEO Matt Kalish, Ben Lurie, Jacob Dezarn, and Jonathan Schulman alongside Advisory Board Members Mark Burnett and Chief Creator in Residence Mike Majlak

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rebel Audio, the AI-powered podcasting platform designed to radically simplify how podcasts are created, produced, and scaled, today announced the closing of its Series A funding round, led by creator media company and studio HardScope. The Series A, which immediately follows an initial oversubscribed seed round of $4.15M, targets a $10M close, valuing Rebel Audio at approximately $50M post-money (*with more funding to follow in a 90 day window). The funding will accelerate Rebel Audio’s product roadmap, expanding its AI infrastructure, fuel creator acquisition and marketing, and support the company’s continued growth as it sets out to build the future of the podcast industry.

Rebel Audio is building an end-to-end operating system for the next generation of podcasters and creators. The platform brings together the tools creators need to record, edit, publish, translate, distribute and monetize their content, while using AI to streamline workflows that traditionally require multiple platforms.

“I started my career in dark editing rooms, fighting the tools just to get the work done, and have been building creator tools ever since,” said Jared Gutstadt, Founder and CEO of Rebel Audio. “Rebel is the simplest version of that mission: remove the friction, give creators their time back. Matt co-founded DraftKings and scaled it into one of the biggest names in sports entertainment. He knows technology, and he knows performance marketing. That’s the fuel for our network effect.”

“Rebel Audio empowers millions of aspiring creators to make great content independently and with almost no friction,” said Matt Kalish, CEO of HardScope. “The next generation of creators will use one-stop-shop AI powered platforms to show you don’t need a big team to create and launch great content. You can get started today, all by yourself on Rebel’s technology. Empowering creators to build ambitious projects and build an audience is core to HardScope’s mission.”

The Series A follows an oversubscribed seed round that helped take Rebel Audio from stealth to public beta, leading to Rebel’s recently announced inaugural creator think tank, POD U, taking place Friday, Oct. 16 at the Rebel Chateau in Franklin, Tennessee. POD U will bring together creators, platform leaders, athletes, media executives and investors shaping the future of media with headline guests including MDMotivator, Mike “Big Mike” Majlak, Rebel Audio’s Chief Creator in Residence; Caleb Simpson; Andrew Essex, Fort Nash’s Chris Ruediger, the Ecomm Cowboys and more. The event will be moderated and produced by Jimmy Jellinek, the former Playboy and Maxim editor turned public radio producer.

Additional participants and programming details for the first-ever Pod U will be announced in the coming weeks.

Rebel Audio Board of Directors:

• Matt Kalish
• Jacob Dezarn
• Benjamin Lurie
• Jonathan Schulman

Rebel Audio Advisory Board:

• Bill Hobbs
• Mark Burnett
• Brian Edwards
• Scott Robison
• Jeff Levin
• Mike Majlak ( Rebel Audio Chief Creator in Residence)

The company’s strategic investor network includes:

• The State of Tennessee, Launch TN
• Rich Marder
• Joe McCann
• Julie Gauthier
• Capital Midwest
• Charlie Epstein
• Ben Lurie
• Jonathan Schulman

PRESS KIT AVAILABLE HERE.

ABOUT REBEL AUDIO:
Welcome to the new era of podcasting with Rebel Audio: podcasting reinvented by AI. Rebel Audio is the only tool you will ever need to start your podcast revolution. One prompt unlocks infinite connections bringing your voice and story to the world. For more information – visit www.rebelaudio.ai.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alana Battaglia / The Untold PR
rebelaudio@wearetheuntold.com

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SOURCE Rebel Audio