iluvlive

Name

iluvlive

Legal name

iluvlive Ltd

Website

https://iluvlive.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

iluvlive is a London-based not-for-profit that discovers and develops emerging UK Black music artists through 70+ annual live events, a 12-month £5,000 Artist Development Programme, and a curated 'New Talent First' Spotify playlist, operating as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Artist Development & Live Events

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114), Fine Arts Schools (61161), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

akta.pro primary industry

A&R / Artist Development Services (MPAIAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Discovery & Curation Platforms (Recommendations, Playlists) (MPAIACAH), Digital Strategy & Social Media Management (Artists) (MPAIAGAH)

Keywords

• Artist development
• Live music events
• Music talent discovery
• Emerging artist support
• Music mentorship programme

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Arts Council England Funding: Not-for-profit National Portfolio Organisation receiving ongoing funding from Arts Council England, which supports operations and artist development activities.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from live events including The Debut, Bloom showcases, and various live music events across UK cities. Events are ticketed with pricing ranging from free to standard admission.
3. Partnership Sponsorship: Partnership funding from organisations like PPL Giving supporting genre-based event series. The Bloom series launch was supported by PPL Giving for a 12-month programme of R&B events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

iluvlive is a not-for-profit live music and artist development platform that supports emerging UK Black music talent through a 12-month Artist Development Programme (offering £5,000 in funding plus mentorship, A&R guidance, and marketing support) and a year-round programme of 70+ live showcase events across six UK cities. The platform combines performance opportunities, industry mentorship, and discovery tools including the curated 'New Talent First' Spotify playlist to develop artists in genres such as R&B, soul, neo-soul, hip-hop, rap, grime, and Afrobeats.

Product overview

iluvlive is a not-for-profit live music and artist development platform and National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England. Founded in 2004, it operates as a single integrated offering combining live events, artist development programmes, and talent discovery services. The core products include the Artist Development Programme (12-month mentorship with £5,000 funding), live events across UK cities (The Debut, Bloom, The Break formats), the New Talent First Spotify playlist, and talent selection advisory services. The company also manages artists and has a small record label component. All offerings center on championing Black British musicians and emerging talent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist Development Programme A 12-month artist development initiative providing £5,000 in funding for hard costs (mixing, mastering, PR, plugging, tour support, videos), plus mentorship, A&R guidance, marketing plans, DSP pitching, creative collaborator connections, and access to the Stellar Songs partnership writing camp. Open to emerging UK Black music artists via biannual application cycles.
• Live Events and Showcases Over 70 live music events delivered annually across six UK cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, Leeds, Bristol, Leicester), offering emerging artists performance opportunities with a live band. Events include The Debut format, Bloom R&B showcases, The Break panels, and partnership takeovers. Tickets sold via Dice.fm and Eventbrite. Venues include The Lower Third, BOXPARK locations, Pop Brixton, KOKO, and festival stages.
• The Debut iluvlive's flagship event format featuring curated main acts performing full sets alongside emerging artists doing one-song performances to introduce themselves or test new material. Held regularly at venues including The Lower Third in London.
• Bloom (R&B Event Series) Genre-based R&B event series launched in partnership with Everything RnB (ERNB) and supported by PPL Giving, showcasing emerging UK R&B talent at The Lower Third venue in London.
• The Break (Educational Panel Series) Educational panel series facilitating honest and practical conversations for emerging artists and aspiring music industry professionals, exploring topics like royalties, diaspora culture, and industry pathways. Hosted as part of City Splash Week and other contexts.
• New Talent First Playlist Curated Spotify playlist dedicated to discovering new artists from Black Music genres in the UK, reaching 2M+ listeners. Features a mix of industry contacts, alumni, selects, and upcoming artists. Artists can apply online for inclusion.
• Talent Selection Advisor (Volunteer Programme) Volunteer programme where advisors assist the iluvlive team in reviewing and evaluating artist applications for the Artist Development Programme, which receives approximately 800 applicants every six months. Supports the small core team of three in managing high application volumes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ artists supported through live events and development programmes, with notable alumni including Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, Ella Mai, Mahalia, and Wretch 32
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Music Ally / Artist Ally SummitminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026iluvlive is supporting the Artist Ally Summit, a new initiative from Music Ally helping artists and music creatives build sustainable careers. The five-day online conference covers Creativity, Marketing, Career Growth, Changemaking, and Live & Touring. iluvlive joins other ally organisations including Featured Artists Coalition, Roland, Dolby, Berklee, AFEM, Women in CTRL, and Music Support.
• Everything RnB (ERNB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership with Everything RnB for the 'Bloom' series of R&B showcase events. Bloom launched in May with events at The Lower Third, featuring emerging R&B talent. ERNB collaboration brings R&B-focused programming expertise and audience reach.
• Pen Game / MargsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership with Pen Game (UK rap battle platform founded by Margs) for 'iluvlive Takeover' event at 21 Soho. The takeover shifts focus from rap battles to artist performances, giving battle scene artists opportunity to perform their own music. Partnership bridges battle world to live performance setting.
• Hardest Bars / Joey ClipstarminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership with Hardest Bars (founded by Joey Clipstar of Link Up TV fame) for 'HB x iluvlive Present: HB Talent Live' at BOXPARK Liverpool. HB Talent was created to give upcoming artists platform to showcase talent through live events. Joey Clipstar has spent 15+ years championing emerging talent in UK rap and urban music.
• Association of Independent Promoters (AIP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026iluvlive joined AIP as a full member, strengthening its position within the UK's independent live music ecosystem. AIP is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company representing, empowering, and providing support network to independent promoters. Membership reinforces iluvlive's commitment to grassroots artists and positive change in the live music landscape.
• National Lottery Open WeekminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026iluvlive participated in National Lottery Open Week (7-15 March 2026), offering 2-for-1 ticket deals to National Lottery players. Initiative thanks players for contributions to Arts Council England, which funds organisations like iluvlive.
• City Splash FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Collaboration with City Splash for 'The Break' educational panel series as part of City Splash Week. 'The Break: From the Diaspora to the World' brought together artists, creatives, and industry voices exploring how diaspora culture influences music from local scenes to international stages. Entry was free for Brixton locals, emerging artists, and aspiring industry professionals.
• The Great Escape FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025iluvlive partnered with The Great Escape 2026 as official stage host, presenting a dedicated Artist Development showcase at Queens Hotel Brighton on 14th May. Showcased artists including Arno Sacco, Izzy Withers, JNR Williams, and Persia Holder. The Great Escape is one of the world's leading platforms for new music discovery with 450+ artists across 35+ venues.
• MOBO OrganisationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2014Longstanding relationship including co-presenting the MOBO UnSung Special in November 2014 at Queen of Hoxton, platforming MOBO UnSung finalists alongside emerging iluvlive artists. In 2016 and 2017, iluvlive produced and managed the MOBO UnSung Tour across Manchester, Bristol, and London featuring artists including Tiana Major9, Mic Lowry, Alika, Tiggs Da Author, Tanya Lacey, and Tobi Sunmola. Relationship continued through MOBO Awards attendance and MOBO Fringe participation.
• Stellar SongscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Stellar Songs (music publishing/management company) provides powerhouse support for the Artist Development Programme. The partnership ensures writing camp inclusion and sessions for selected artists. Each programme participant receives £5,000 in funding for hard costs alongside mentorship from both iluvlive and Stellar Songs teams. Partnership has been active since 2023.
• PPL GivingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPPL Giving supports iluvlive's new genre-based series of events over 12 months. Following successful launch of 'Bloom' in partnership with Everything RnB (ERNB), PPL funding enables continued R&B showcases. PPL licenses recorded music use and redistributes revenue to performers and recording rights holders, withGiving focused on building sustainable music industry for future generations.
• Global SoulmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Global Soul (founded by iluvlive board chair Jon Mansfield and Franklin Sinclair) for soul and R&B events including 'Global: Soul Takeover with iluvlive & The Circle' at Soul Mama venue, and 'Global Soul at KOKO' honour roll events. Global Soul is recognised as a tastemaker and unifier for grassroots music.
• The Circle (Brooklyn, NY)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransatlantic partnership with The Circle NY for 'Global: Soul Takeover' event at Soul Mama. The Circle NY is co-founded by Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and producer Avangelia. Partnership expands reach beyond UK market and creates international artist exchange.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PRS Foundation: UK charity funding songwriters, composers, and music creators through grants and development programmes. Comparable as a not-for-profit funding and artist development intermediary serving UK emerging talent.
• Serious: UK music charity producing live events and audience-development programmes across jazz, contemporary, and world music. Comparable as a not-for-profit live music promoter and artist development organisation in the UK.
• Roundhouse: London-based performing arts venue and creative development charity running programmes for 11–25 year-olds across music, theatre, and creative industries. Comparable in running structured artist-development programmes alongside live performance.
• Tomorrow's Warriors: UK jazz-focused talent development programme and live platform supporting emerging Black British musicians. Comparable in focus on Black British music talent and structured mentorship/showcase programming.
• Help Musicians UK: UK charity providing holistic support (financial, mental health, professional development) to musicians across all genres. Comparable as a not-for-profit umbrella support organisation for working musicians.
• Youth Music: UK charity funding music-making projects for children and young people, particularly those facing barriers. Comparable as a not-for-profit funder and developer of grassroots music talent in the UK.
• Generator: UK-based talent development and live music platform supporting emerging artists through showcases, programmes, and industry connections. Closest comparable in mission, geographic focus, and artist-development operating model.
• MOBO Organisation: Long-running UK organisation recognising and supporting Black music talent through awards, partnerships, and the MOBO UnSung platform. Direct comparable in mission and historical relationship (iluvlive produced MOBO UnSung tours in 2016–17).

Regional players

• Brighter Sound: Manchester-based music charity delivering artist development programmes and live events for emerging musicians in the North of England. Comparable artist-development model but with regional (North West) rather than national geographic focus.

Emerging players

• Pirate Studios: UK provider of 24/7 self-service music and creative rehearsal studios with an emerging-artist focus and partnership programmes. Comparable in serving grassroots musician needs and running partnership content for emerging talent.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iluvlive
• Facebookfacebook.com/iluvlive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iluvlive
• Instagraminstagram.com/iluvlive

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 iluvlive