Author: Richard Turrell | Marketing Director - Handle
Last night I attended the launch event of Music Technology UK's new report, 'Sound Investments - The Case for UK Music Tech', and left with an increased sense that this sector really is on the cusp of something big.
UK music tech companies raised £360m between 2020 and 2024, steady, but not yet explosive. With investment warming up, there are signs that music tech could become a dedicated area of focus for international investors and existing UK funds looking to diversify their portfolio.
One stat that stood out: 57% of UK music tech companies are based in London, and they account for a huge 94% of total investment raised. While that concentration has fuelled growth, it also highlights potential for regional expansion, especially with increased government support.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Ambiguity and uncertainty around AI and copyright law is creating friction, especially with licensing deals and partnerships. Longer-term success will depend on regulatory clarity, and the sooner the better!
What’s even more striking is the founder profile in music tech, lots of impressive first-time founders, often with a tech-first mindset and minimal operational infrastructure. They’re building at speed but with one eye on how to scale with people.
Seeing what Matt Cartmell and the MTUK team has grown over the last two years is monumental and I cannot wait to continue supporting this incredible sector.
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About Music Technology UK
Music Technology UK is the UK’s trade association, support community, and forum for music tech startups – bridging the gap between specialist music industry knowledge and the support needed for early-stage companies. MTUK was founded to drive recognition of the UK as a global leader in music tech innovation. MTUK’s aim is to drive growth, foster innovation and build a healthier ecosystem.
About Handle Recruitment
We opened the doors in 1978 and built our reputation in the music industry. We quickly realised that a great brand is not always a household name. A great brand is something people connect with, not just a place they work. Somewhere that helps them become better at what they do. It could be a record label, it could be in media, it could be a tech start-up.
Supporting Great People in Marketing | Finance | HR | Office Support | Sales | Legal | Event Operations | Post-Production.
The Talent Solutions we provide, Permanent, Temporary and Interim Recruitment | People Consultancy | Outsourced Freelancer Payroll & Compliance.
The Industries we support: Music | Film | TV | Entertainment | Fashion | Live Events | Sport | Publishing | Post-production.