VI.BE
VI.BE is a Brussels-based non-profit support center, founded in 1999, that provides a free digital platform, advisory services, talent programs, and major sector events for approximately 25,000 artists and 900+ organizers across the Flanders and Brussels music ecosystem, funded by the Flemish Community and structural partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBrussels, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What VI.BE does
VI.BE vzw is a Brussels-based non-profit association (enterprise number 474.500.442) operating as the official support center for artists and music-sector professionals in the Flanders and Brussels region. Originally founded as Poppunt around 1999 and rebranded to VI.BE around 2021, the organization has built a 25-year continuous track record and serves a long-tail user base of approximately 25,000 bands, DJs, producers, and solo artists, plus more than 900 organizers across Belgium and abroad. Its core product is a web platform (vi.be) that functions as a directory, matchmaking tool (mzkt zkt mzkt), rehearsal space index, and content hub, supplemented by a personalized advisory service (VI.BE Advies) covering music rights, contracts, touring logistics, financial management, and international expansion.
The organization combines this digital infrastructure with a portfolio of recurring programs: talent development (Sound Track, Lokale Helden), sector convening (Stoemp!, Rendez-Vous), major public-facing events co-organized with media partners (MIA's awards with VRT at ING Arena; Week van de Belgische Muziek with RTBF, Conseil de la Musique, Court-Circuit; Belgian Worldwide Music Night with Ancienne Belgique), and outreach to dedicated genre communities (electronic, hip-hop/inclusion, folk/jazz/worldwide). The team is approximately 20 staff led by coordinators across policy, advice/training, sector/international, communication, finance, and platform functions, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with a government commissioner.
VI.BE is funded primarily by a government subsidy from the Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Flemish Community), supplemented by structural financial and operational support from Lotto, Sabam, PlayRight, Amplo, PRG, Cera, Studio Brussel, and De Standaard, plus modest advertising revenue. Services to artists and music-sector professionals are provided free of charge. The organization holds no external equity, has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed venture funding; ownership and direction are exercised through its volunteer governance and the institutional mandate from the Flemish Community.
VI.BE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VI.BE
- Legal name
- VI.BE vzw
- Website
- https://vi.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- VI.BE is a Brussels-based non-profit support center, founded in 1999, that provides a free digital platform, advisory services, talent programs, and major sector events for approximately 25,000 artists and 900+ organizers across the Flanders and Brussels music ecosystem, funded by the Flemish Community and structural partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VI.BE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Industry Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Creator Music/SFX Asset Libraries & Licensing Platforms (MPACABAM)
Keywords
Where VI.BE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brussels
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
VI.BE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Subsidies: Primary funding from the Flemish Community (Vlaamse Gemeenschap) as a publicly supported arts organization
- Partner Support: Financial and structural support from partners including Lotto, Sabam, PlayRight, Amplo, PRG, Cera, Studio Brussel, and De Standaard
- Advertising: Revenue from advertising on VI.BE platform and website, targeting music professionals and artists in Flanders and Brussels
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free services for artists and music sector |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
VI.BE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VI.BE provides a free digital platform and advisory services supporting artists and music sector professionals in Flanders and Brussels. The platform connects musicians with performance opportunities, enables band member matchmaking through its classifieds ("Mzkt zkt Mzkt"), lists rehearsal spaces across Belgium, and hosts advisory content. The organization also coordinates major music sector programs and events, including the MIA's awards and Belgian Music Week, acting as a centralized ecosystem hub for the regional non-classical music sector.
Product overview
VI.BE operates as a comprehensive support hub for the music sector in Flanders and Brussels, offering both digital platforms and in-person programs. The core offering is the VI.BE Platform, a digital hub connecting artists with opportunities, artist profiles, and a musician matchmaking service (mzkt zkt mzkt). Supporting services include VI.BE Advies (advisory guidance) and a directory of rehearsal spaces across Belgium. The organization also coordinates major music initiatives including the annual Week van de Belgische Muziek (Belgian Music Week), the MIA's music awards, Sound Track and Lokale Helden talent programs, and the professional development event Stoemp!. Together, these offerings form a complete ecosystem supporting musicians from beginner to professional levels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VI.BE Platform Digital platform serving as a hub for artists and music professionals in Flanders and Brussels, offering opportunities, artist profiles, and a matchmaking section (Mzkt zkt Mzkt) for musicians to find band members or collaborators.
- VI.BE Advies (Advisory Service) Advisory service providing personalized guidance and practical tips for musicians and music professionals on topics including getting started, music rights, live performances, financial management, releasing music, promotion, team building, and international expansion.
- Repetitieruimtes (Rehearsal Spaces Directory) Searchable directory of rehearsal spaces across Belgium, allowing musicians to filter by size, price, and available equipment such as drum kits, vocal systems, and DJ setups.
- Mzkt zkt Mzkt (Musician Wanted Listings) Classifieds section where musicians post and search for band members, vocalists, or instrumentalists based on genre, instrument, and location preferences.
- Week van de Belgische Muziek (Belgian Music Week) Annual collaborative initiative that celebrates Belgian music across all genres, featuring concerts, showcases, award shows including the MIA's, and various promotional activities throughout the country.
- MIA's (Music Industry Awards) Annual music awards ceremony organized with VRT celebrating the best in Flemish music, featuring both public and sector awards including Lifetime Achievement and Sector awards.
- Sound Track Talent development program supporting emerging artists through opportunities for performances, airplay, reviews, and competition participation.
- Lokale Helden (Local Heroes) Program promoting and supporting local music talent and community music initiatives in Flanders and Brussels.
- Stoemp! Professional development program and networking event for music sector professionals, featuring panels, workshops, and industry meetups.
- Rendez-Vous Networking day for music professionals from the Flemish and Brussels music sector, featuring keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Companies that use VI.BE
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
VI.BE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
VI.BE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- SabamcoreBelgian collective society for authors, composers, and publishers. Partnership includes copyright agreements and sector collaboration.
- PlayRightcoreCollective management society for neighbouring rights of performing artists and producers. Partner in sector events and initiatives.
- AmplocoreStructural partner supporting VI.BE operations and music sector development initiatives.
- PRG (Production Group)coreProduction and event services company, structural partner providing industry expertise and support.
- CeracoreCooperative financial institution and structural partner supporting VI.BE.
- Studio Brussel (StuBru)flagshipMajor Flemish public radio station. Key media partner for events including De Nieuwe Lichting talent competition and MIA's awards ceremony.
- De StandaardcoreLeading Flemish newspaper and media outlet, structural partner providing press coverage and visibility.
- VRTflagshipFlemish public broadcaster. Co-organizer of MIA's (Music Industry Awards) and Week van de Belgische Muziek, providing major platform reach.
- RTBFcoreFrench-speaking Belgian public broadcaster. Partner in Week van de Belgische Muziek.
- Conseil de la MusiquecoreMusic sector council in French-speaking Belgium. Partner in Week van de Belgische Muziek.
- Court-CircuitcoreFranco-Belgian music network. Partner in Tournée Générale and Week van de Belgische Muziek.
- Ancienne Belgique (AB)flagshipMajor Brussels concert venue and cultural center. Co-organizer of Rendez-Vous and venue for Belgian Worldwide Music Night.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
VI.BE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SACEM: French collective management society for authors, composers, and music publishers. Comparable to VI.BE in providing rights management, sector coordination, and creator support services in a neighboring market.
- Sounds Australia: Australian music industry export and development initiative supporting Australian artists internationally. Comparable to VI.BE in providing export-ready support, international promotion, and career development resources for working musicians.
- Bandcamp: Global online music marketplace and community platform for independent artists. Comparable to VI.BE as a digital platform connecting independent musicians with audiences and distribution opportunities.
- UK Music: UK umbrella trade body representing the commercial music industry, from creators and labels to live music and management. Closely comparable to VI.BE as a sector-wide support, advocacy, and research organization backed by industry members.
- ReverbNation: Artist development and promotion platform offering tools for music distribution, marketing, and fan engagement. Comparable to VI.BE's platform in providing digital tools and discovery infrastructure for emerging and independent musicians.
- Music Canada: Canadian music industry trade association promoting Canadian artists and the broader music sector. Comparable to VI.BE in providing advocacy, sector research, awards, and ecosystem coordination for a national music industry.
- Live DMA: European network of live music venues, clubs, and festivals. Comparable to VI.BE in supporting and coordinating the live music ecosystem across multiple European territories.
- AIM (Association of Independent Music): UK trade body representing independent music companies, providing advocacy, networking, and sector support. Comparable to VI.BE's role in coordinating and supporting independent music ecosystem participants in a defined geography.
- BumaStemra: Dutch collective management organization for music authors' rights, also supporting Dutch music sector development. Comparable to VI.BE in providing sector infrastructure, rights support, and industry coordination in a neighboring Benelux market.
- PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited): UK music industry collective management organization collecting and distributing neighbouring rights for performers and recording rightsholders. Comparable to VI.BE in providing performer-focused industry services, sector advocacy, and royalty/sector coordination.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VI.BE social profiles
Digital presenceVI.BE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
VI.BE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VI.BE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
VI.BE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VI.BE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VI.BE
What does VI.BE do?
VI.BE provides a free digital platform and advisory services supporting artists and music sector professionals in Flanders and Brussels. The platform connects musicians with performance opportunities, enables band member matchmaking through its classifieds ("Mzkt zkt Mzkt"), lists rehearsal spaces across Belgium, and hosts advisory content. The organization also coordinates major music sector programs and events, including the MIA's awards and Belgian Music Week, acting as a centralized ecosystem hub for the regional non-classical music sector.
Is VI.BE a public or private company?
VI.BE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was VI.BE founded?
VI.BE was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VI.BE based?
VI.BE is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does VI.BE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Subsidies are the primary driver. The others are partner Support and advertising.
Who are VI.BE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SACEM, Sounds Australia, Bandcamp, UK Music, ReverbNation, Music Canada, Live DMA, AIM (Association of Independent Music), BumaStemra and PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited).
Does VI.BE have an API?
No public API is recorded for VI.BE.
What industry is VI.BE in?
VI.BE's product category is Music Industry Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACABAM, Creator Music/SFX Asset Libraries & Licensing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 711190 and its SIC code is 8600.