Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨

The music licensing industry in Europe involves businesses that manage and monetize Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ rights to music. This industry includes record labels, music publishers, and tech startups that provide solutions for artists and companies to legally use music. As digital streaming grows, licensing agreements are becoming more complex and valuable, allowing platforms like Spotify to flourish. Organizations are also leveraging data analytics to optimize licensing deals. FurÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rmore, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨re’s a notable surge in investment activity as stakeholders seek to capitalize on Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ potential of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ expanding digital economy.

The list features a mix of venture capital, private equity, and corporate investors from key European cities like London, Paris, and Berlin. With sizes ranging from small teams to large firms, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y collectively completed over 400 investments in 2024. Founded in various years, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨se investors show a robust strategy to engage with innovative music licensing enterprises. The active participation of firms like BMG and Index Ventures highlights Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ industry's appeal in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ current investment landscape.

Top 18 Music Licensing Investors in Europe

1. Bmg

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2005
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• LinkedIn:

Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) is a corporate investor based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2005. BMG operates as a music publishing and record label company, providing services in music publishing and rights management. The company is dedicated to supporting artists and songwriters in promoting and distributing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir music, ensuring Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y receive fair compensation. BMG has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its position in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing sector, including Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ acquisition of X-Ray Dog Music, an independent production music library, and AXS Music, a French production music company. These acquisitions are part of BMG's broader strategy to expand its BMG Production Music division, highlighting Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir commitment to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing market. Additionally, BMG has acquired various record labels, such as RBC Records and S-Curve Records, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r solidifying Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir influence in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry.

2. Believe

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2005
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn:

Believe SAS is a corporate investor based in Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France, founded in 2005. As a leading digital music company, Believe provides distribution and marketing services for independent artists and labels, focusing on empowering Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m to manage Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir careers effectively. In recent years, Believe has made significant acquisitions that enhance its position in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing space. Notably, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y fully acquired TuneCore, a digital music distribution and publishing administration company, in 2015, which allows Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m to support independent artists in monetizing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir music. In 2023, Believe acquired Sentric Music for â‚�47 million, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r expanding Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir services in music publishing. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir acquisition of a 49% stake in Tôt ou tard, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ second largest independent label in France, and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ acquisition of Naive, a French independent label, highlight Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir strategic shift towards artist services and development, which now constitutes 70% of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir revenue. These transactions underscore Believe's commitment to enhancing visibility and revenue for artists in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ evolving digital music landscape.

3. Index Ventures

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1996
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 67
• LinkedIn:

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare, providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. Notably, Index Ventures has been involved in several significant transactions within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry, including investments in SoundCloud, a leading audio platform that has raised multiple funding rounds, including a Series D round in 2014 and a Series B round in 2011. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y invested in 8tracks Radio, a music streaming service that raised funds in a Seed Round in 2012. These investments highlight Index Ventures' engagement in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing space, as both companies require licensing agreements to operate effectively. Their focus on building long-term partnerships with founders aligns with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir strategy of supporting innovative companies in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music sector.

4. Bauer Media Group

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
• Founded year: 1875
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn:

Bauer Media Group is a corporate investor based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1875. It specializes in publishing and audio broadcasting, offering a diverse range of products including magazines, digital content, and radio stations. The company serves millions of consumers and businesses across Europe, focusing on enriching everyday life through engaging content and marketing services. In recent years, Bauer Media has made several strategic acquisitions in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ audio broadcasting sector, including Planet Rock, a national digital radio station known for classic rock music, and Absolute Radio, which Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y acquired for approximately £22 million. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y have acquired regional stations like Beat 102-103 and JACK fm Oxfordshire, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r expanding Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir digital radio portfolio. These transactions highlight Bauer Media's commitment to enhancing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir music broadcasting capabilities, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m a relevant player in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing industry.

5. Superstruct Iberia

• Website: superstruct.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Madrid, Madrid, Spain
• Founded year: 2017
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn:

Superstruct Iberia, a corporate investor based in Madrid, Spain, is part of Superstruct Entertainment, a live entertainment company founded in 2017. They specialize in premium live music festivals and events, connecting brand partners with passionate audiences. Superstruct has made several notable acquisitions in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music sector, including The Music Republic, a Spanish festival giant, and Boiler Room, a well-known platform for live music events. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y have invested in Elrow, a Spanish electronic music promoter, and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Apenkooi Group, an Amsterdam-based electronic music event promoter. These transactions highlight Superstruct's commitment to enhancing its portfolio in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ live music space, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m a significant player in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry.

6. Almi

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn:

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises. Almi aims to enhance Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ growth and competitiveness of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨se businesses by offering tailored financial solutions and guidance. In Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing context, Almi has made notable investments in companies such as Auddly, a Stockholm-based song project management platform that raised SEK 20m in venture capital funding, and Starmony, a music tech company that allows users to create and release music globally. Additionally, Almi has been involved in funding rounds for Session Studio and Reactional Music, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r demonstrating its commitment to supporting innovation in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry.

7. Spotify

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 2006
• Headcount: 5001-10000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn:

Spotify is a music and podcast streaming service founded in 2006, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. With a user base that enjoys access to a vast library of audio content, Spotify has made several strategic investments and acquisitions to enhance its offerings. Notably, Spotify made a passive minority investment in DistroKid, an independent music distributor, in 2018, which allows artists to distribute Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir music seamlessly across various platforms, including Apple Music and YouTube. Additionally, Spotify acquired Sonalytic, a music recognition technology company, in 2017, which could enhance Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir capabilities in music licensing and rights management. OÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r acquisitions include niland, a music data analytics company, and Soundtrap, a collaborative music creation platform, both of which furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r demonstrate Spotify's commitment to improving services for artists and content creators. These transactions highlight Spotify's active involvement in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing ecosystem, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m a relevant investor in this space.

8. Crowdcube

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn:

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry, including Encore Musicians, which raised $787,782 in July 2023, and Electronic Sound Magazine, which raised $113,229 in February 2017. These investments highlight Crowdcube's commitment to supporting businesses in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music sector, making it a significant player in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing landscape.

9. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 198
• LinkedIn:

Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor based in Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding and private equity investments. Notably, Bpifrance has participated in significant transactions within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry, such as a â‚�50 million investment in MWM, a music application publishing company, and funding rounds for Groover, a music promotion platform. These investments highlight Bpifrance's role in fostering innovation and growth in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music sector, aligning with its mission to support creativity and entrepreneurship.

10. Sushi Venture Partners

• Website:
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn:

Sushi Venture Partners is a private equity investment and advisory firm based in London, England, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ media tech sector, providing tailored investment and advisory services to both startups and established companies in this field. They focus on entrepreneurial founders and CEOs who aim to innovate within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ digital media landscape. Notably, Sushi Venture Partners has been involved in several transactions relevant to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing context, including investments in Musiio, a company that utilizes AI to enhance music data management, and Cyanite, which also operates in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music tech space. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting innovative solutions in media technology, which includes aspects of music licensing.

11. Kima Ventures

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 50
• LinkedIn:

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship. Kima Ventures has made notable investments in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music technology space, including Aiva Technologies, which utilizes artificial intelligence to compose emotional soundtracks, and Groover, a music tech startup that raised â‚�1.3 million to enhance its matching system for artists and music professionals. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y participated in a $3.1 million Series A funding round for Soundcharts, a French music analytics firm, which aims to expand its operations internationally. These transactions highlight Kima Ventures' active role in supporting innovative companies within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing and technology sectors.

12. Ascension

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 14
• LinkedIn:

Ascension is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2015. They specialize in funding early-stage tech businesses and impact-driven companies, providing tax-efficient investment funds and mentorship to help startups scale Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir operations. Notably, Ascension has been involved in several transactions relevant to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing industry. They participated in funding rounds for Blokur, a UK-based startup focused on music rights management, which raised a total of $1.2 million in seed funding. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y invested in Trackd, a platform that connects artists and fans, which also aligns with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry. Their investment in Rotor, a content platform for creating promotional videos, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r demonstrates Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir engagement with media and content creation, which often intersects with music licensing.

13. CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Bremen, Bremen, Germany
• Founded year: 1999
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn:

CTS EVENTIM AG & Co. KGaA is a corporate investor based in Bremen, Germany, founded in 1999. The company specializes in ticketing solutions and event promotion, serving both consumers seeking live entertainment and businesses in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ event industry. CTS EVENTIM operates a digital platform for ticket sales and collaborates with various promoters across multiple countries. Notably, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ company has made significant acquisitions in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ live music sector, including a controlling stake in Vivo Concerti, an Italian concert promoter, and a 51% stake in Vertigo, anoÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r Italian concert promoter. These acquisitions enhance CTS EVENTIM's presence in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ live entertainment market, allowing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m to promote concerts and festivals, which are integral to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing industry. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir acquisition of DreamHaus GmbH, which organizes major festivals like 'Rock am Ring' and 'Rock im Park', furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r solidifies Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir role in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music ecosystem.

14. Balderton Capital

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 25
• LinkedIn:

Balderton Capital is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in European-founded technology companies, providing not only financial backing but also support programs aimed at enhancing founder wellbeing and performance. Balderton has been actively involved in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing sector, notably through its investments in Kobalt Music, where Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y participated in multiple funding rounds including a $75 million Series D in 2017 and a $40 million Series B in 2013. Kobalt Music is known for its innovative royalty collections platform that caters to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ growing demands of music streaming. Additionally, Balderton invested in 7digital, a digital music services company, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r solidifying Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir presence in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting technology-driven solutions in music licensing and distribution.

15. EQT Group

• Website:
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 30
• LinkedIn:

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm founded in 1994, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across various sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing industry, including a SEK 4.6 billion financing round for Epidemic Sound, a leading music licensing platform, which has raised substantial funds in previous rounds as well. Additionally, EQT's involvement in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ takeover bid for Believe, a company that operates in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music distribution and licensing space, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r underscores Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir commitment to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry. Their strategic investment in United Talent Agency (UTA) also highlights Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir focus on talent and innovation within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ entertainment sector, reinforcing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir relevance in music licensing.

16. Bgf

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 53
• LinkedIn:

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm founded in 2011, based in London, England. The firm focuses on providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ UK and Ireland. BGF addresses Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ funding gap in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has invested in Sentric Music, a fast-growing music publishing company, providing £3m to accelerate its international expansion. Additionally, BGF invested £6M in One Media IP Group, which aims to acquire music catalogs as part of its growth strategy. These transactions highlight BGF's active role in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing industry, making it a relevant investor in this space.

17. Northzone

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1996
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 23
• LinkedIn:

Northzone is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm specializes in investing in startups from Seed to Growth stages, providing financial backing and strategic support to entrepreneurs. With a history of over 175 investments, Northzone aims to empower founders to navigate Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ challenges of building successful businesses. Notably, Northzone has invested in music-related companies such as Soundrop, a social music discovery platform, where Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y led a $3.4 million Series B funding round in 2013 and participated in a $3 million Series A round in 2012. They also invested in doubleTwist, which raised $5 million in Series B and $2.5 million in Series A, focusing on media management and music streaming services. These transactions highlight Northzone's engagement in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing and discovery space, showcasing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir interest in supporting innovative solutions within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry.

18. LocalGlobe

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2019
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 15
• LinkedIn:

LocalGlobe is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2019. The firm partners with exceptional founders and companies at various stages of growth, from pre-seed to scale-up and public markets. LocalGlobe provides venture capital funding and investment management services, focusing on supporting startups in navigating Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir growth challenges. Notably, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y have invested in music-related companies such as Songkick, which raised $15,000 in a pre-seed round in 2007, and Sofar Sounds, which raised an undisclosed amount in a seed round in 2014. These investments highlight LocalGlobe's engagement with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music industry, particularly in areas that may intersect with music licensing.

Music Licensing Insights: Key Investors in Europe

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	1001-5000	2005	0
	Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France	1001-5000	2005	3
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	1996	67
	Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany	10001+	1875	2
Superstruct Iberia	Madrid, Madrid, Spain	51-200	2017	1
	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	201-500	1994	7
	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	5001-10000	2006	1
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	2010	3
	Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France	1-10	2015	198
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	1-10	2012	0
	Paris, ÃŽle-De-France, France	1-10	2010	50
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	11-50	2015	14
	Bremen, Bremen, Germany	1001-5000	1999	1
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	2000	25
	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	1001-5000	1994	30
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	2011	53
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	11-50	1996	23
	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	11-50	2019	15

Want to find more investors focusing on Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ music licensing industry?

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• Deal History: Number of deals and Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir sizes.
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• ...and much more!