MUTEK

What MUTEK does

MUTEK is a Montréal-based not-for-profit organization founded in 2000 by Alain Mongeau, currently operating as Co-Executive Director and Artistic Director, dedicated to the development and dissemination of digital creativity in sound, music, and audio-visual art. Its principal activity is the annual MUTEK Festival in Montréal (27th edition scheduled for August 25–30, 2026, featuring 120+ artists from 28 countries across 18 programs including Nocturne, X/Visions, Métropolis, Play, and Expérience series), complemented by the MUTEK Forum professional conference (12th edition in 2026, themed 'Symbiotic Frequencies' and focused on AI, immersive media, and sound system culture). The organization also operates MUTEK Market (curated B2B platform), MUTEK Incubator, Village Numérique (co-presented with Xn Québec), MUTEK_REC (record label), Digi Lab and AI Music Lab workshop programs, and a global network of satellite editions spanning Tokyo (MUTEK.JP, since 2016), Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Mexico City, and Santiago de Chile.

The underlying platform architecture combines physical festival production with multi-stakeholder convening (artists, curators, technologists, cultural institutions), creative coding and audiovisual tool integration (TouchDesigner workshops, Ableton Creative Labs), and XR/immersive programming anchored at long-term venue partner Société des arts technologiques (SAT), including the Satosphère immersive dome and 100-speaker setups at Maison symphonique. MUTEK's business model is a hybrid of (a) consumer ticket revenue across tiered passes ($230–$470 CAD), (b) institutional and government grants from Canadian federal, Québec provincial, municipal, and international cultural bodies, (c) corporate sponsorship (Tourism Montréal, Hôtel Monville, technology partners), and (d) ancillary revenue from merchandise (Shopify storefront) and the record label. Distribution is event-driven and global: official websites per edition, email newsletter, TikTok (@mutek.festival), MUTEKLIVE residencies on Rinse France, and Weezevent/Ticketmaster box offices. The organization serves three primary segments — electronic music and digital art audiences, creative industry professionals, and talent buyers/presenters — with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no external equity investment.

Name

MUTEK

Legal name

MUTEK

Website

https://mutek.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MUTEK is a Montréal-based not-for-profit organization founded in 2000 that operates the annual MUTEK Festival of electronic music and digital art, the MUTEK Forum professional conference, MUTEK Market B2B platform, and satellite editions across Tokyo, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Mexico City, and Santiago de Chile.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Festival Ticket Sales: MUTEK generates revenue through the sale of festival passports, weekend passes, day passes, and individual event tickets. Ticket categories include Festival Passport ($350 CAD regular), Festival + Forum Passport ($470 CAD), Weekend Pass ($255 CAD), and individual program tickets ranging from $25 to $50 CAD.
2. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: Governmental and corporate partners provide financial and operational support for festival production. Partners include the Government of Québec, Canada Council for the Arts, FACTOR, Department of Canadian Heritage, Ville de Montréal, and private sector sponsors including Tourism Montréal, Hôtel Monville, and various technology partners.
3. Record Label and Merchandise: MUTEK operates a record label (MUTEK_REC) and sells merchandise through its online store (mutek-montreal.myshopify.com), generating ancillary revenue from festival branding and artist recordings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MUTEK is a Montréal-based not-for-profit digital-arts organization that produces an annual electronic music and audio-visual art festival (running since 2000) alongside the MUTEK Forum professional conference and MUTEK Market B2B matchmaking platform, with satellite editions in Tokyo, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Mexico City and Santiago de Chile. Its commercial outputs include ticketed festival and forum admissions, a record label (MUTEK_REC), branded merchandise, and incubator/workshop programs (Digi Lab, TouchDesigner, Ableton Creative Labs, AI Music Lab) targeted at both consumers and creative-industry professionals.

Product overview

MUTEK is a Montréal-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to digital creativity in sound, music, and audio-visual art. The organization operates its core annual MUTEK Festival (running since 2000) alongside the MUTEK Forum professional platform, MUTEK Market international networking platform, and Village Numérique immersive digital village. The portfolio also includes international satellite editions (MUTEK.JP in Tokyo, MUTEK Barcelona, MUTEK Buenos Aires, MUTEK Dubai, MUTEK Mexico, MUTEK Santiago), the MUTEK record label, various workshop programs (Digi Lab, TouchDesigner workshops, Ableton Creative Labs, AI Music Lab), and the MUTEK Incubator for emerging artists. The organization provides platforms for original and visionary artists working in electronic music and digital art through festivals, conferences, professional gatherings, and educational initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MUTEK Festival (Montréal) Annual flagship festival dedicated to electronic music, digital art, and audio-visual creativity, programmed across Nocturne, X/Visions, Métropolis, Play, and Expérience series in venues including SAT, MTELUS, Maison symphonique, and Studio-Théâtre des Grands Ballets. Targets festival attendees and cultural audiences seeking avant-garde programming.
• MUTEK Forum Professional conference gathering over 100 artists, researchers, technologists, curators, and cultural practitioners for three days of talks, workshops, masterclasses, screenings, and networking across thematic days (Storytelling, Technology, Sound). Targets creative-industry professionals.
• MUTEK Market International B2B matchmaking platform running daily curated meetings, industry cocktails, and networking activities connecting artists, studios, curators, presenters, cultural institutions, and creative-industry professionals. Targets talent buyers, festival presenters, and international collaborators.
• Village Numérique Digital-arts village and immersive-experience initiative co-presented with Xn Québec, fostering connections between immersive-experience studios and artists across the MUTEK network. Targets digital-arts practitioners and audiences.
• MUTEK.JP (Tokyo edition) Japanese satellite edition of the MUTEK festival held annually in Tokyo since 2016 across multiple Shibuya venues, featuring audiovisual performances, electronic music, professional conferences, and workshops. Operated by MUTEK Japan Association.
• Digi Lab Digital art and technology symposium featuring workshops, talks, presentations, and live demonstrations, including annual TouchDesigner workshops and Ableton Creative Labs. Targets artists and creative coders.
• MUTEK.JP AI Music Lab Workshop program exploring artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their application to sound and music creation, with results showcased at the festival. Targets artists and technologists.
• MUTEK_REC Record Label Record label producing compilations and releases associated with MUTEK festival programming, including MUTEK_REC. Targets electronic-music consumers and collectors.
• MUTEK Incubator Program accompanying emerging artists through professional development and creative-industry mentorship. Targets emerging digital-arts talent.
• MUTEK Online Store (merchandise) Branded merchandise including festival apparel and accessories sold through a Shopify storefront. Targets festival attendees and brand supporters.
• MUTEK Immersive Collection VR works exhibition featuring immersive virtual-reality experiences, presented in collaboration with partners. Targets digital-arts audiences and VR creators.
• MUTEK.JP Pro Conference Professional conference inside MUTEK.JP exploring latest developments in digital creativity including AI, XR, immersive media, and the future of festivals. Targets creative-industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27 consecutive annual editions of MUTEK Montréal (2000–2026)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of QuébeccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment of Québec is a primary governmental partner providing support for MUTEK festival and Forum operations. Listed as a key supporter of both the festival and Forum editions.
• Canada Council for the ArtscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCanada Council for the Arts provides federal arts funding support to MUTEK, enabling international programming and artist presentation.
• FACTOR and Canada's private radio broadcasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFACTOR (Foundations to Assist Canadian Talent) and Canada's private radio broadcasters co-support Canadian artist participation in MUTEK.
• Department of Canadian HeritagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDepartment of Canadian Heritage provides federal funding support to MUTEK's national programming initiatives.
• Conseil des arts et des lettres du QuébeccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvincial arts council of Québec providing funding and artistic legitimacy to MUTEK's programming.
• MusicactioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerQuébec music industry fund supporting Canadian and Québec music artist participation in MUTEK.
• Ville de MontréalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCity of Montréal provides municipal support and partnership for the festival's presence in the Quartier des spectacles.
• Conseil des arts de MontréalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal arts council supporting local artistic programming and community engagement.
• Tourisme MontréalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism body of Montréal providing promotional support and visitor infrastructure for festival attendees.
• Société des arts technologiques (SAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAT is MUTEK's long-term venue partner and co-presenter of festival programming, notably hosting the Nocturne series and the Satosphère immersive dome. MUTEK co-presents events with SAT, including the SAT's 30th anniversary celebrations.
• Hôtel MonvilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hotel partner of MUTEK, providing accommodation offers for festival attendees.
• Société de développement des entreprises culturelles du Québec (SODEC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSODEC organizes the Atelier Grand Nord XR (AGN XR) in collaboration with MUTEK, supporting immersive media project development with $100,000 grants for selected Québec projects.
• Canada Media Fund (CMF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanada Media Fund presents Day 1 of MUTEK Forum 2026 (Storytelling: Expanding Realities), supporting immersive storytelling and Indigenous media programming.
• DistroKidminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDistroKid presents Day 3 of MUTEK Forum 2026 (Sound: Ecologies of Listening), supporting contemporary sound culture programming.
• Moment FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoment Factory participates as a featured organization in MUTEK Forum 2026, presenting on immersive technology and digital experience design.
• Xn QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXn Québec co-presents the Village Numérique and partners with MUTEK Forum, fostering connections between immersive experience studios and artists across the MUTEK network.
• Indigenous Screen OfficeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndigenous Screen Office supports MUTEK Forum programming focused on Indigenous media practices and expanded narratives.
• Société des arts technologiques (SAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAT and MUTEK collaborate on the Nocturne series and Satosphère programming, with MUTEK presenting events celebrating SAT milestones including its 30th anniversary.
• Istituto Italiano di Cultura di MontréalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian Cultural Institute in Montréal supports MUTEK programming featuring Italian artists and cultural content.
• Consulat général de France à QuébecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Consulate General in Québec provides support for French artist participation and cultural exchange programming.
• Swiss Arts Council Pro HelvetiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia supports Swiss artist participation in MUTEK programming.
• National Film Board of CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFB partners with MUTEK Forum to present Canadian and international film and immersive media content.
• Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Expo 2.0 (FY2025) supported MUTEK.JP Edition 10 as a strategic arts and culture creation promotion project.
• L'Effet QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuébec government delegation program at MUTEK.JP introducing Québec creative companies to the Japanese market and fostering bilateral artistic exchange across the MUTEK network.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sónar (Advanced Music): Sónar is a Barcelona-based festival pairing cutting-edge electronic music with new audiovisual and digital art forms since 1994 — closely aligned with MUTEK in curatorial mandate, audience profile, and global scope.
• Ars Electronica: Ars Electronica operates the long-running Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria, alongside an export program and research-driven programs on AI, robotics, and media arts — comparable to MUTEK as a pioneering digital arts festival with international ramifications.
• CTM Festival: Berlin's CTM (Club Transmediale) is an annual festival for adventurous music and art — directly comparable to MUTEK in its focus on experimental electronic music and cross-disciplinary digital art curation.
• Transmediale: Berlin-based festival and year-round program examining art and digital culture — directly comparable to MUTEK in audience overlap, curatorial focus on digital art, and international satellite activities.
• Rewire Festival: The Hague's Rewire is an annual festival for adventurous and experimental electronic music — directly comparable to MUTEK in programming philosophy, audience profile, and international artist curation.
• Unsound: Poland-based annual festival presenting experimental electronic music and sound art with a strong international scope — directly comparable to MUTEK in curatorial positioning and global artist pipeline.
• Dekmantel: Amsterdam-based festival and label operator focused on electronic music and audiovisual performance — directly comparable to MUTEK in overlapping artist rosters and audience profile.

Broad incumbents

• ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event): Amsterdam's ADE is a larger industry conference and club-based electronic music event with broader commercial focus than MUTEK — overlapping audience but operating at materially larger scale and scope.
• SXSW: Austin-based large-scale multi-disciplinary creative industries festival — broader incumbent with significant electronic music and immersive programming, comparable in cross-pollination of arts and tech.

Others

• Ableton: Ableton is a music technology company whose software and educational programs are central to electronic music production. MUTEK presents Ableton Creative Labs workshops, indicating an enabling/marketing partnership rather than direct competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@mutek.festival
• Xx.com/mutek_montreal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MUTEK