The Jury
Bassam Jalgha, a visionary in the field of musical technology, made his mark by winning the first season of Stars of Science with his innovative auto-tuning device for string instruments, the Roadie Tuner. This victory was just the beginning of a journey that transformed a smart concept into a globally recognized product.
A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Bassam graduated from the American University of Beirut (AUB), where he later served as a lecturer before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey. At AUB, he earned his B.E. in mechanical engineering and M.E. in mechanical engineering with a concentration in mechatronics, a field that laid the groundwork for his innovative work in musical technology.
Bassam utilized his success on Stars of Science as a springboard to greater achievements. After the show, he swiftly transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship. He co-founded Band Industries with his long-time friend Hassane Slaibi They launched the original Roadie Tuner as a crowdfunding campaign in 2013 raising $180K. Subsequent models, including Roadie 2, Roadie Bass, and Roadie 3, have garnered significant acclaim and over 100K units have been shipped to more than 55 countries worldwide.
In recent years, they have focused on music education by building Roadie Coach, the next generation education tool that uses state-of-the-art signal processing and AI to identify students' musical performance, progress, and practice habits. They launched Roadie Coach in 2023 as a hardware product and mobile app to help beginning musicians learn, record and practice their music.
Beyond business, Bassam promotes DIY culture and product development in Lebanon. He co-founded Lamba Labs Beirut Hackerspace, nurturing a community where creative minds collaborate and innovate together. His numerous accolades, including the TechCrunch Disrupt NY Audience Choice and the London Design Award for Roadie Tuner, underscore his significant impact and recognition in the tech community.
Returning to Stars of Science as a guest juror for Season 16, Bassam brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the panel. His journey from contestant to industry pioneer exemplifies the transformative power of the show, encouraging new generations of innovators to dream big and work tirelessly towards their goals.
“It's essential to remember that every challenge holds the seed of opportunity. My journey with Roadie Tuner began on Stars of Science, and it taught me that perseverance and a supportive community leads to transformative breakthroughs. As I return as a juror, I’m eager to guide and witness the next wave of inventors turn their dreams into reality. Let's inspire and be inspired.”
