Partners
The Digital Innovation team supports the pivotal contributions that ecosystem partners provide to the global music-tech community. UMG works closely with leading entertainment and technology advisors, accelerators, incubators and investors in major entrepreneurial hubs around the world to assist in the education, mentorship and development of music-focused startups.
Working closely with UMG’s global offices and local industry players, the Digital Innovation team aims to establish an inclusive, international Partner Network to drive the development and growth of the next- generation of music technologies, products and services.
For music-tech partners interested in joining UMG’s Partner Network, please email umgdigitalbusiness@umusic.com.
PARTNER NETWORKS:
-
Baita Accelerator
Campinas, Brazil – Founded in 2013, Baita Accelerator supports scalable startups from several industries. With a highly effective methodology supported by an experienced team in areas such as mobile, digital and life-sciences and a great network of mentors & investors. Baita programs can take from 3 to 12 months and are tailored to support international startups, looking for Brazilian markets. Baita currently has more than 50 startups in its portfolio.
-
CHINACCELERATOR
Shanghai, China – Founded in 2010, and operated by venture fund SOSV, Chinaccelerator offers start-ups 3 months of training and guidance from top mentors, partners and investors. In its lifespan, Chinacceletor has helped build 120+ companies.
-
LEANSQUARE
Liège, Belgium – LeanSquare is a Belgian-based VC investing in start-ups that present real growth potential. Every year, LeanSquare hosts and organizes, via its partner Wallifornia, 2 thematic acceleration programs focused on Entertainment & Tech (music, sport, gaming, esport). Its portfolio consists of 60+ companies.
-
MELBOURNE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Melbourne, Australia – The Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) was launched in 2012, as the first University-aligned startup accelerator in Australia, and has since supported over 100 startups, who have raised over $70 million in funding, generated over $100 million in revenue, and created over 1000 new jobs. Each year 10 teams are selected to take part in the five-month Startup Accelerator, where they receive mentoring from some of Australia’s most brilliant business minds, as well as access to a global network of advisors, channel partners and investors, and $20,000 in funding (with no equity taken) to help them accelerate their startup growth.
-
MUSIC ALLY NEXT: YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
London, UK – The Music Ally NEXT Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, supported by Universal Music Group, was introduced in 2023 to recognize up-and-coming entrepreneurial talent. It will be held as an annual event.
-
Music Ally SI:X
London, UK – Music Ally SI:X is a global showcase, contest and mentorship support program for early-stage music startups. Held annually, it selects a long list of finalists to be profiled in Music Ally’s annual Startups Report. The SI:X project sponsors then select six winners, who are subsequently invited to present as part of the Music Ally Connect conference, held annually in London in January. They also benefit from a mentoring program from the supporting sponsors and Music Ally, alongside other business and educational resources.
-
THE MUSIC DEN
Toronto, Canada – Founded by Ryerson University in 2016, The Music Den is an incubator program for entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to resolve significant issues within the music industry. The Music Den has helped incubate 40 projects, thus far.
-
Music Tech Europe Academy
Pan-European – Music Tech Europe Academy is a Pan-European acceleration scheme for music-tech innovators, startups, entrepreneurs and SMEs. MTE Academy is co-funded by the Creative Europe Program of The European Union and it is coordinated by Music Innovation Hub (Italy), in partnership with Media Deals (Germany), Technoport (Luxemburg), Meso Events (Greece) and Barcelona Music Tech Hub (Spain).
-
Music Tectonics
Bloomington, USA – Music Tectonics is an annual conference that unites music and tech innovators across industry boundaries to share insights and get business done each October in Santa Monica, CA. An emphasis on community, networking, and the future of music makes it an important conference for music tech startups. The MT community connects throughout the year with online events, in-person meet-ups, and a weekly podcast. Music Tectonics is a project of Rock Paper Scissors, the PR and marketing firm. Learn more at MusicTectonics.com.
-
SPARKLABS GLOBAL VENTURES
Seoul, Korea – SparkLabs is Asia’s premier start-up accelerator for seed to early-stage companies. The SparkLabs accelerator program runs twice a year for three months and generally operates in batches of ten. 50+ start-ups have participated in the program to date.