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Last week, a new $200 million-backed indie music financing platform emerged<\/a> from \u201cstealth\u201d after more than a year of development.<\/p>\n Pipeline was launched by Matt Spetzler\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0investment firm\u00a0Jamen Capital<\/strong>, with ambitions to become the \u201clargest funder of independent music globally\u201d.<\/p>\n Just days after going public with the new platform, Spetzler\u2019s Pipeline has already struck a partnership with independent power player Merlin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Pipeline\u2019s deal with the indie licensing agency, which claims to represent 15%<\/strong> of the global recorded music market, will give Merlin members access to advances against digital royalties.<\/p>\n In what\u2019s being billed as a \u201csignificant expansion of Merlin\u2019s suite of member services,\u201d Pipeline says that it can offer the org\u2019s members access to advance funding \u201cwithout the bureaucracy of traditional financing sources or the need to hand over rights as the price of access to funds\u201d.<\/p>\n The companies claimed in a press release that the \u201cnew tool is designed to enable Merlin members to grow their businesses and unlock the value of future revenues without disrupting existing commercial relationships\u201d.<\/p>\n They stressed that the service is \u201centirely optional\u201d and that \u201cparticipation does not prevent Merlin members from entering into financing or commercial arrangements with other parties\u201d.<\/p>\n Pipeline Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Matt<\/strong> Spetzler<\/strong>\u00a0has completed more than 10 investments in music\/audio, totaling over\u00a0$5 billion<\/strong>\u00a0in value, and currently serves on the boards of companies including\u00a0Kobalt<\/a>, Soundtrack, Recognition Music Group,\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Muse Group.<\/strong><\/p>\n Before launching Jamen Capital, Spetzler was\u00a0a Partner and Co-Head of Europe at private equity firm\u00a0Francisco Partners,\u00a0<\/strong>where he played<\/a> a key role in the firm\u2019s\u00a0~$750 million<\/strong>\u00a0majority acquisition\u00a0of\u00a0Kobalt Music Group<\/a>\u00a0in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cMerlin represents the heart of the independent music sector, and we\u2019re proud to partner with them on a solution that addresses a long-standing gap in the market,\u201d said Spetzler.<\/p>\n \u201cMerlin represents the heart of the independent music sector, and we\u2019re proud to partner with them on a solution that addresses a long-standing gap in the market.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Spetzler<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He added: \u201cAdvances against digital royalties for the independent music community are now not only possible, but practical and scalable.<\/p>\n \u201cOur goal with Pipeline is to provide transparent, creator-friendly capital, and this partnership allows us to deliver that value directly to Merlin members worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlie Lexton,<\/strong> CEO of Merlin, added: \u201cMerlin\u2019s partnership with Pipeline is a gamechanger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can now offer Merlin members a streamlined path to advance funding that doesn\u2019t require them to compromise their rights or business plans.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re supporting our members\u2019 ability to compete, while preserving their freedom to work as they choose.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the independent sector continues to grow it is essential that our members have access to sophisticated financial tools on fair, transparent terms.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlie Lexton, Merlin<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He added: \u201cMerlin members work on their own terms. They need support that speeds them up, not processes that slow them down.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Pipeline, we have found a partner that understands that, and together we have developed an offering that meets that challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlie Lexton continued: \u201cAs the independent sector continues to grow it is essential that our members have access to sophisticated financial tools on fair, transparent terms.<\/p>\n \u201cThis partnership with Pipeline is about removing friction, empowering independence, and ensuring our members are best positioned to invest in their businesses and their artists with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n Pipeline has launched into an increasingly active landscape of alternative funding options for indie artists, labels, and distributors.<\/p>\n Elsewhere in the space, prominent music financing platform\u00a0beatBread<\/strong>\u00a0has\u00a0deployed<\/a>\u00a0over\u00a0$100 million<\/strong>\u00a0across 1,700 funding agreements since its founding in 2020.<\/p>\n\n
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