Digital Catapult, in partnership with Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK, and in collaboration with Channel 4, has announced the 12 start-ups joining the 2025 cohort of its Black Founders Programme.
Designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential creative-technology companies and enable them to scale, it connects entrepreneurs with mentorship, technical support and targeted funding to prepare them for investment and successful commercialisation.
Participants receive access to deep tech expertise and technological consultancy in areas including artificial intelligence and immersive technologies to strengthen their business models and help raise investment in the long-term.
Now in its third year, the latest cohort features companies tackling challenges across the creative industries.
Jessica Rushworth, chief partnerships officer at Digital Catapult, said: “This wave of start-ups represents the UK’s diverse creative economy and the innovative ideas driving new deep tech breakthroughs into music, entertainment and culture. The Black Founders Programme helps unlock growth through access to tools and connections, and we’re delighted to continue working with Sony Music Group and Channel 4 to support these creative deep tech companies to scale successfully.”
Hari Ashurst-Venn, senior director of digital & new tech, Sony Music UK, said: "We are proud to announce the third cohort of the Black Founders Programme, alongside Digital Catapult, Channel 4 and Sony Music Publishing. The calibre of this cohort is exceptional and aligns with the rapid advancements we're seeing in the industry, spanning the full spectrum of music and entertainment. We look forward to continuing to offer world-class mentorship, hands-on support, and routes to partnership to help guide these ideas to market alongside the cohort of entrepreneurs.”
James Bullock, operations manager, Sony Music Publishing UK, said: “We are delighted to announce the 12 companies and their entrepreneurial founders who make up the 2025 cohort. Along with our sister company Sony Music, Channel 4 and Digital Catapult, we are excited to provide each founder with access to our network, resources, and executive expertise to help them develop their unique business solutions.”
The 12 companies are:
Halo + Echo: An AI-native creative studio helping brands stay relevant online (founded by Katie Debrah)
Limitless XYZ: A music-tech company designed to give artists financial clarity, growth insights and career education (founded by Steven Paul Goldman & Alexander Kenlock)
Lurexo: Fan-first ticketing platform (founded by Tayo Odesanya)
Melunos: Beauty-tech business (founded by Tai Broadhurst)
MIXD Reality: Award-winning augmented reality (AR) tech company (founded by Pamela Aculey)
Storyhouse: Family history utilising voice, video, photos and transcripts. (founded by Nnanna Ogugua Adim)
Loujo: Helps dyslexic children learn through educational songs (founded by Alex Molokwu)
PRYNTD: Converging physical ticketing with an accessibility focused streaming service to support disabled audiences (founded by Berne Omolafe)
SportQube: Supporting grassroots sports with affordable video technology and AI-driven analytics (founded by Jason Calder-McLaren)
Symolem: Digital trade passports that move with creative goods, across the music, film and fashion industries (founded by Lavinia Fernandes)
That’s My Jamm: Trend intelligence with AI innovation for creators (founded by Chloe Ameh)
Undarated: Football investment simulation platform for talent identification (founded by Daniel Sofoluke)
