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Supported by YouTube Music, Arts Council England and the Scottish Music Industry Association.

The 6th round of MMF’s Accelerator programme is now open for applications, round one closing 12pm/ NOON 26th February.

AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

GROWTH To strengthen and stimulate UK-based music management enterprises and support this growing sector, driving activity, artistic development, and investment.
DIVERSITY To enable a diverse talent pool of next-generation music managers to expand their economic and cultural footprint within the UK and around the world.
SUPPORT To address investment gaps at key phases of managers’ company and industry development cycles.
SKILLS To develop key skill sets in the management community, through training and mentoring.
RESILIENCE To springboard self-sustainable businesses that can go on to develop multiple artist careers.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

You must be based in the UK.
You must be currently managing at least one artist, songwriter, DJ or producer. Talent can be based anywhere in the world and of any genre.
You must have been working as a manager for at least 18 months as a freelancer or at a company you own. If you have recently left a company you are still eligible to apply if you have 18 months experience.
The creator(s) you work with should have collectively had at least £20,000 in gross income/turnover in total, including known/confirmed pipeline income in the last the past 12 months (Jan 2023-Jan 2024)
We welcome applications from managers who were previously unsuccessful applicants to the programme and meet the basic criteria.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR 2024

HOW TO APPLY

The application process is in two stages;

STAGE 1 – Expression of Interest and Video/Audio application Open –

This stage of the application is intended to give us an overview of you and your work. The application form is available here and you will also need to submit a five-minute video.

THE FORM: BASIC INFORMATION

How long have you been operating as a manager?
What is the gross income of your artists’ businesses over the past 12 months and a breakdown in which areas this income has been earned and any net profit made?
What is the overall income of the artist/songwriter/producer business in the past 12 months INCLUDING pipeline income?
What is the overall income of the artist/songwriter/producer business in the past 12 months EXCLUDING pipeline income?
What is the NET income of the artist/songwriter/producer business in the past 12 months?
What is your income ONLY from artist management in the past 12 months?
What is your income from non-management activities in the past 12 months?
What other work do you do besides artist management?
Which artists/music creators do you represent and link to the music?

THE FIVE-MINUTE PITCH

Your video/sound file must be clear and cover the following areas.
We suggest taking approximately 1 minute per question to make a concise and clear answer.How long have you been operating as a manager and how did you come to the role?
Tell us a bit about the artists you work with and why you work with them?
Tell us about an achievement or success you’ve had in the past 12 months
Tell us about a time you’ve failed or could have done better in the past 12 months
The reason why you should be an Accelerator Manager and give an outline of your plans over the next two years and where you aim to be.

STAGE 2 – 24-month Work Plan/Business Plan –

Applicants accepted to Stage 2 will be expected to submit a short 24-month plan (April 2024 – March 2026). More details will be announced soon. For any further information or queries, please email accelerator@themmf.net

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS THERE A PARTICULAR AGE I HAVE TO BE TO APPLY?

Accelerator aims to help you to the next stage of your management career and we encourage applications from all age groups above 18 years old. You must be able to demonstrate you have been professionally working as a music manager for at least 18 months.

IF THE ACT I WORK WITH IS BASED IN THE UK, CAN I STILL APPLY EVEN IF I AM NOT?

No, you need to be living in the UK to apply and participate in the programme, however, the acts you represent may be living anywhere in the world.

HOW PROFESSIONAL DOES MY FIVE-MINUTE VIDEO NEED TO BE?

We are more interested in what you say in the video than your skills in video production. In previous years the range of Stage 1 successful applicants’ video styles was very broad and using a cameraphone was adequate. If you are unable to film a video please contact accelerator@themmf.net

Our advice is to keep the video clear, answer the questions required and keep within the five-minute time frame. We are unable to watch beyond five minutes of each submission.

£20,000 SEEMS LIKE A LOT TO HAVE EARNED, CAN I STILL APPLY IF MY ACT HAS NOT EARNED THAT MUCH?

We expect all eligible applications to meet these criteria. Don’t forget that this is GROSS income – as in anything the artist has received or is owed. This can include for example PRS, PPL, merch sales, advances, streams, grants, live income, brand income etc. If you sit down and work it all out, you may be surprised that your clients have turned over more than you thought.

WHAT IF I AM WORKING WITH A CO-MANAGER?

You can still apply if you are working in partnership with another manager but we ask you to detail this in the application. If you are both applying as individuals, please email accelerator@themmf.net to confirm the names that are applying either as individuals or as management partnerships. If you are applying as a partnership representing the same artists it is unlikely we will award two places on the Music Manager Accelerator. If in your partnership you are unsure which of you should apply, in general, it is suggested it would be the co-manager more responsible for business relationships such as those with accountants, lawyers etc.

WHAT IF I MANAGE TWO ACTS THAT BETWEEN THEM HAVE EARNED OVER £20,000 BUT NOT INDIVIDUALLY?

You will possibly make a stronger application if you work with at least one act that has individually earned over £20,000. Still, you are eligible if you reach this total across several music makers.

DO I NEED TO HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SAME ACT FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS?

No; as long as you have been managing artists, songwriters, producers or DJs for at least 18 months, you are eligible to apply for the programme.

HOW MUCH OF THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMME WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND OVER THE 12 MONTHS?

You will be required to attend regular Accelerator training opportunities which take place during core “term times” weekly and a two night retreat.

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