Jukebox is expanding its global creative footprint with the launch of Jukebox Ventures.
Jukebox Ventures is announcing the launch of their Fund I, which is raising up to $15 million dedicated to backing the next generation of start-ups at the convergence of music, technology and culture.
Focused on pre-seed through Series A, Jukebox Ventures is designed to fill a growing early-stage funding gap in music tech, while offering hands-on operational, brand and growth support.
Jukebox Ventures is led by a multi-disciplinary team of investors and operators with experience across music, media, finance, and Web3. The team’s global reach spans New York, London, Berlin, Ibiza, and Dubai.
“As the music and creative industries undergo rapid transformation, Jukebox Ventures sees a unique opportunity to support founders in a fast-evolving, tech-native landscape,” said a statement. “The fund will invest globally in start-ups across rights and licensing, creator tools, streaming and distribution, music EdTech, fan engagement, content monetisation, immersive media, and live experiences.”
Co-founder and general partner Alex Jukes is the founder of Jukebox PR and The Tribes, which specialises in electronic music. He has worked on more than 350 festivals across 40-plus countries and built a media network reaching over 40 million followers. He also hosts the Loud & Unfiltered podcast.
Christian Lawrence, general partner and head of investor relations, is a capital markets veteran and current senior markets strategist at Rabobank.
Kevin Caballes, operating partner, has a decade of operational leadership from companies like Foursquare, Activision Blizzard and Genesis. He currently heads up operations at Sorella Labs and advises a range of emerging start-ups.
Anthony Trotta, partner and head of trading, is the founder of Vernon Capital, a family office focused on pre-IPO and IPO-stage investing in companies like Zoom, Figma, Circle, Sweetgreen and DoorDash. Formerly head of trading at Metaversal and builder of the ECM desk at Yorkville Ventures, he has access to secondary markets and over-the-counter deal flow, enabling early liquidity options for the fund and its liquidity providers.
This fund is about more than capital. It’s about giving start-ups a cultural edge and liquidity partners a front-row seat to innovation across music and entertainment
Alex Jukes
Initial members of the Jukebox Ventures advisory board have expertise across music, entertainment, operations and brand building:
– Hosh, DJ, producer, and founder of Fryhide, with global hits and long-standing Ibiza residencies.
– Inder Phull, CEO of Pixelynx and creator of Kor Protocol (acquired by Animoca Brands), a Web3 innovator covering music, gaming and blockchain convergence.
– Ed Hill, SVP at Beatport Media Group and board member at IMS, with over a decade leading global brand partnerships and media strategy.
– Monica Hertz, senior director of operations at SESAC Music Group, supporting strategic and operational initiatives for its portfolio companies and 15,000-plus songwriters and publishers, including Adele and Bob Dylan.
– Joshua Brandon, partner at Seven 7 Management and co-founder of Your Culture, with experience across Sony, Live Nation and WME, leading projects for brands and artists like Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga.
– Indi Matthews, marketing director at Jukebox with eight years of experience in the music industry. She develops culture-led campaigns that connect brands, artists and audiences across global markets as well as overseeing an influencer network of 600+ creators and leading The Tribes community.
– Ramesh Satguru, founder of Assemble Talent and former UK director of Elrow, with 15-plus years in festivals, artist management, and startup investing.
Alex Jukes, co-founder and general partner, said: "For over a decade, Jukebox has helped shape music and culture from behind the scenes. With Jukebox Ventures, we’re stepping in earlier – investing in the next wave of founders building the tools, platforms and experiences that will define the future. This fund is about more than capital. It’s about giving start-ups a cultural edge and LPs a front-row seat to innovation across music and entertainment."
Despite the music industry surpassing $32 billion in global revenue in 2023, early-stage funding remains scarce – with less than 10% of music tech VC deals occurring before Series A.
“Jukebox Ventures was created to close this gap with capital, strategic guidance, and access to a global marketing engine,” added the statement.
Liquidity providers will also receive access to a curated set of perks and opportunities, including access to global music festivals, sporting events, venue openings, private gatherings and early access to products and platforms from the Jukebox Ventures portfolio.
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