Accelerator Programme - Music Managers Forum (MMF)

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Backed by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, PPL and the Scottish Music Industry Association

The world’s only independent funding and professional development programme designed exclusively for artist, songwriter, DJ and producer managers, Accelerator offers a combination of financial and educational support – including 12-month grants of up to £12,000, alongside expert-led professional development training.

Application details

The programme was introduced in a bid to build sustainable full-time management businesses and to further the ambitions of talented entrepreneurs. Full submission details can be found here. Since launching in 2019, Accelerator has created a far-reaching legacy. By 2023, the programme will have supported more than 100 managers from across the UK with 40% of participants from nations and regions outside of London, 43% from Black or ethnic backgrounds and 44% women or gender minorities. Between them, these individuals represent a vast range of talent including Joy Crookes, Wes Nelson, PinkPantheress, Joy Anonymous, Moses Boyd, Eliza Rose, ENNY, Nafe Smallz, Squid, Joesef, Steam Down, Shygirl, Dry Cleaning, Employed To Serve, Yolanda Brown, Shabaka Hutchings, Goat Girl, Sherelle, Bree Runway, Porridge Radio and Caskets.

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MMF’s Accelerator / Youtube is a great example of a platform understanding one of the key drivers in this music industry ….Managers…and taking that understanding and using it in a way that benefits the manager at a time when they most need support. At the BEGINNING of their career! Management can be a lonesome road especially early on. Managers wear many hats…so to have music business education and networking opportunities within the Accelerator package means that Accelerator‘s Managers often go on to do really well (insert Facts here paul) We look forward to many more years with Youtube and many more new managers doing BRILLIANTLY

Kwame Kwaten — MMF Vice Chair

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I don’t think it’s a secret that i’m a MASSIVE FAN!! i’ve absolutely loved it. It’s the first organisation i’m proud to be an alumni of, and I plan on being a member forever. I truly felt invested in, heard, supported and celebrated! Absolutely game changing. I’m now taking on a kickstarter who i will send on the MMF training, and I’d love to keep being involved in MMF activities. Thank you for everything!

Lauren Roth de Wolf — Accelerator 2021 Participant

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DIT along with the British Music Embassy partnership look to work closely with artist managers as they are essential to the development of British talent, management businesses and ultimately the revenue streams that feed the UK music export agenda. Investment in the Accelerator program offers an opportunity for focused support on this essential role, helping industry and the MMF build a diverse and exciting network of new talented people and businesses who will continue to deliver when developing & showcasing artists at SXSW and around the world.

Phil Patterson — Department for International Trade, Sector Specialist – Music

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Because of the intuitive nature of it programme it gets better every year. It learns – the team behind it truly serves the manager

Natalie Wade — Small Green Shoots

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The collective impact of the number of managers so far has been impressive as has been the diversity and geographic spread. MMF seem to have put an easily accessible process in place and a programme that is highly relevant to and valued by participants. Also I’m really impressed with the level of match funding they have managed to secure which has meant ACE is only a minor stakeholder. I like to think funding the programme has helped with ACE’s profile and reputation with certain sections of the music sector and engaged more people in accessing public funding.

Huey Walker — Senior Manager, Music, Arts Council England

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Accelerator is essential and should be expanded – talent management is one of the most important roles and the music industry weakest / inconsistent areas for professional development.

Nick Lawrence — Big Star Business Accountancy

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From my perspective, the MMF Accelerator programme has been great! We’ve loved being a part of it and providing digital marketing and future thinking focussed training to the managers. It’s tough for me to judge the impact of the programme as we don’t have much contact with the managers after the fact, but what I can say is that we’ve found the managers on the programme really engaged, willing to learn and also good at sharing useful ideas.

Kush Patel — MusicAlly

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I think the Accelerator scheme is brilliant, I think the impact is clear to see and that it has helped MMF to become a really diverse and inclusive organisation. It’s brilliant to see how much ambitious young talent there is coming into management, but often without any formal training or music industry background – so having an organised scheme to help fill in the blind spots for these managers and help them to think strategically is fantastic. I’m a big fan!

Lara Baker — SongTrust