Center for Music Ecosystems

Name

Center for Music Ecosystems

Legal name

Center for Music Ecosystems

Website

https://centerformusicecosystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CME is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations to fund its work. It accepts one-time and recurring (monthly) donations at various tiers (Supporter through Founder's Circle). All donations are distributed under CME's equity, diversity, and inclusion framework, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Music Ecosystems delivers research, policy, and global thought leadership on how music can advance economic, social, and human development. CME produces freely accessible empirical research including case studies, policy briefs, and data portals, and operates three flagship initiatives: the Music Policy Resilience Network (MPRN) for remote and rural cities, the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI) for using music as a development tool, and the Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA) for independent music labels research.

Product overview

The Center for Music Ecosystems is a nonprofit research and policy organization that does not offer a software product but delivers a portfolio of interconnected research initiatives and programs. The core offerings include the Music Policy Resilience Network (MPRN) - a global research network for remote and rural communities, the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI) - focused on using music to fight poverty and promote development, and ORCA - a think tank for independent music labels. These are supported by the MEDI Portal data platform, the Global Leaders Institute educational module, the European Music Policy Exchange research project, and the Music Policy Assembly event series. All work is conducted in the public good and is free to access, aiming to demonstrate how music can advance economic, social, and human development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Music Policy Resilience Network (MPRN): Global network of remote, rural or small cities conducting site-specific research into their music communities
• Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI)
• Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA)

Products and services

• Music Policy Resilience Network (MPRN) A global network of 20 remote, rural, and small cities conducting site-specific research into their music communities, engaging in peer-to-peer learning, masterclasses, and convenings to share best practice and drive music policy development.
• Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI) A partnership with Global Citizen, Universal Music Group, and International Finance Corporation that uses the power of music to fight global poverty and promote responsible economic development through research, economic forecasting, and policy frameworks.
• Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA) A first-of-its-kind think tank of leading independent music labels that develops research, data, and evidence on music's economic, social, and cultural value.
• MEDI Portal A data portal providing economic impact forecasts and research data for African and Caribbean countries, launched with data covering 48 countries.
• Global Leaders Institute Creative Ecosystems Module An MBA module in Arts Innovation delivered annually to creative sector leaders, providing tools, policy frameworks, and analytical perspectives on creative economies.
• European Music Policy Exchange A landmark research project with international best practice examples shared by over 100 policy experts across the EU, covering equity, diversity, inclusion, jobs, skills, education, and infrastructure.
• Music Policy Assembly An annual convening bringing together music policy experts, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss music ecosystem development and policy frameworks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 147 case studies, interviews, and roundtables produced in 2025, supporting 98 cities and countries and 94 partner organizations.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• UN TourismflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Tourism partnered with CME, UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, and Global Citizen to promote music tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation. The partnership was announced at the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh and aims to leverage the influence of global entertainment figures including UN Tourism Ambassador Khabane Lame, and introduce new data and research into the intersection of music and tourism development.
• UMusic Hospitality & LifestyleflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with UN Tourism and CME to promote music tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation, particularly in high-growth economies. UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle contributes hospitality and lifestyle industry expertise to the partnership.
• Global CitizenflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Citizen partnered with CME to launch MEDI (Music Economy Development Initiative), a partnership aimed at using music to fight global poverty and promote responsible economic development. A formal partnership agreement was signed, and CME delivered the inaugural Music Policy Assembly in Lagos in partnership with Global Citizen in February 2025, the day before Move Afrika. Global Citizen co-authored the MEDI vision paper with CME.
• Universal Music Group (UMG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMG is a key partner in the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI), co-supporting research on music's role in economic development and poverty reduction. UMG supported the publication of the MEDI report 'Why We Need Train Tracks Before We Can Run Trains' co-written with economist Will Page.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFC is a partner in MEDI (Music Economy Development Initiative), contributing to the effort to incorporate music into how international banks, funders, and national governments invest in economic and social development.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCME and UNDP collaborated on multiple research initiatives including a study on intellectual property models for sustainable development with UNDP Accelerator Labs, and a paper on 'Untapped opportunities for livelihood recovery in crisis and post-crisis settings: Applying music as a use case.' CME's work contributed to a UN-wide review and rewriting of UNDP's holistic IP policy.
• Nordic Culture FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic Culture Fund supports the Music Policy Resilience Network (MPRN) and funded CME's work defining resilience in remote and rural Nordic music ecosystems. CME used MPRN findings to contribute to the Nordic Culture Fund's future visioning and strategic planning.
• Levitt FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLevitt Foundation is a funder and partner for the Music Policy Resilience Network, supporting research into music policy resilience in remote, rural, and small communities.
• Ministry of Culture and Francophonie of the Ivory CoastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ivory Coast Ministry of Culture and Francophonie partnered with CME for MEDI pilot research work focused on the potential value of recorded music in the Ivory Coast.
• France Development AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance Development Agency is a partner supporting CME's work and initiatives related to music ecosystem development.
• The Annenberg Trust at SunnylandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Annenberg Trust at Sunnylands is listed as a partner supporting CME's music ecosystem development work.
• Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerORCA is a first-of-its-kind think tank of leading independent music labels co-founded and initially Secretariat-managed by CME. CME produced the inaugural ORCA reports ('Setting the Stage' and 'The Economic and Social Impact of Independent Record Labels'). CME completed its role as Secretariat in 2025, handing over to new Executive Director Patrick Clifton.
• Global Leaders InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCME has delivered the Creative Ecosystems Module for GLI's MBA in Arts Innovation for three consecutive years (2023-2025), engaging a global cohort of 60-67 creative professionals annually. 173 MBA Fellows have completed the module, producing 49 policy briefs.
• Lila MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCME was part of Lila Music's inception as a founding partner, contributed to the research methodology for its first report 'The South Asian Soundcheck' published in 2025, and helped incubate Lila as a registered UK charity. Lila Music is a UK nonprofit focused on empowering South Asian artists and music professionals in the UK.
• Sound DiplomacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSound Diplomacy is a partner in the Music Policy Resilience Network, contributing expertise in music cities and economic development.
• Highlands and Islands EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHighlands and Islands Enterprise supports the Music Policy Resilience Network, focusing on music ecosystem development in remote and rural communities within Scotland's Highlands and Islands region.
• Music NewfoundlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic Newfoundland is a partner in the Music Policy Resilience Network, supporting music ecosystem research in Newfoundland, Canada.
• Music YukonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic Yukon is a partner in the Music Policy Resilience Network, supporting music ecosystem research in Whitehorse, Canada.
• Music NT (Northern Territory, Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic NT is a partner in the Music Policy Resilience Network, supporting music ecosystem development in Darwin, Australia.
• Whippoorwill ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCME conducted research on live performance pay and professional protections for working US-based musicians in partnership with Whippoorwill Arts and 4AArts. The resulting guidelines were adopted by the City of Oakland's Cultural Funding Program as a pay standard.
• Michael Sheldrick (Global Citizen)minorOthersMichael Sheldrick from Global Citizen joined CME's board of directors as a new board member in 2025.
• Thando Makhunga (Downtown Music Africa)minorOthersThando Makhunga from Downtown Music Africa stepped up as Chair of CME's board of directors in 2025.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IFPI: IFPI is the global trade body representing the recorded music industry worldwide, producing the annual Global Music Report and economic data on music markets. It is comparable to CME as a producer of authoritative music industry research, though IFPI is established, label-funded, and focuses on commercial recorded music rather than policy/development.
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): The NEA is the US federal arts funding agency producing research on arts participation and economic impact — broadly comparable to CME's policy research mission. Both produce data demonstrating the value of arts/culture, though NEA is a US government agency with a much larger budget than CME.
• Arts Council England: Arts Council England is a government-funded body distributing public funding and producing cultural policy research — broadly comparable to CME's policy research and frameworks work. Both influence cultural policy through evidence-based advocacy, though Arts Council England is a national public body rather than a global nonprofit.

Direct peers

• IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association): IMPALA is the European association for independent music companies, producing research and advocacy on indie label economics — paralleling CME's ORCA work. Both focus on evidence-based advocacy for independent labels, though IMPALA is regional (Europe) while CME's ORCA scope is global.
• Sound Diplomacy: Sound Diplomacy is a music cities consulting firm that advises governments and developers on music economy strategy — closely paralleling CME's MPRN work advising cities on music policy. It is a for-profit competitor operating in the same 'music as economic development' consulting niche as CME's research initiatives.
• WIN (Worldwide Independent Network): WIN is a global trade body for the independent music industry with national trade association members across multiple continents. It is highly comparable to CME's ORCA initiative in mission scope and global independent label focus, though WIN operates as a federation rather than a research producer.
• A2IM (American Association of Independent Music): A2IM is a US trade organization advocating for independent music labels — directly paralleling CME's ORCA think tank for independent labels. Both organizations produce advocacy research and represent the indie label community, though A2IM is membership-based and US-focused rather than global.

Regional players

• UK Music: UK Music is the UK music industry's umbrella body producing research and policy advocacy for the British music sector — paralleling CME's role as a music policy advocate. Both produce data and lobby policymakers, though UK Music is regional (UK-focused) and trade-association-funded.
• Nordisk Kulturfond (Nordic Culture Fund): Nordisk Kulturfond is a Nordic cultural funding body that supports cross-Nordic cultural initiatives including music — comparable to CME's MPRN work in Nordic/Arctic music ecosystems (and an existing CME partner). Both fund and conduct research on cultural sector resilience in Nordic contexts.
• Music Canada: Music Canada is the Canadian music industry trade body producing economic impact research and policy advocacy — paralleling CME's MEDI economic impact work. Both translate music industry data into policy advocacy, though Music Canada is national/regional while CME operates globally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centerformusicecosystems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Music Ecosystems