The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music are delighted to announce that the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers will return for its third year in 2021.

Applications are now closed.

As a participant on Accelerator, you will take part in a yearlong training programme with funded travel to attend courses, meetings, mentorship and a conference. There will be additional, optional seminars provided by MMF associates and you will receive all the benefits of MMF membership. You will also be able to benefit from low-cost or free business services from some of our partners.

The ground-breaking Music Managers Accelerator, supported by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and Scottish Music Industry Association, is the world’s first independent funding and professional development programme designed solely for artists, songwriters and producer managers. It aims to increase the number of sustainable full-time management businesses operating in the UK, empowering them to work with a greater range of creative talent. Accelerator is aimed at UK based managers of all genres and provides support, training, and finance.

Managers selected for the programme include representatives for acts such as Jonas Aden, Jordan MacKampa, IDER, Puma Blue, Moses Boyd, Nafe Smallz, Joy Crookes, Vessel, KEYHA/BLU and Dry Cleaning. Listen to our ‘Music Manager Accelerator 2020’ Playlist on YouTubeMusic

The programme includes:

• up to £15,000 in funding support
• 12 months of manager-specific education courses covering everything from advanced digital marketing, negotiation techniques, managing mental health, legal skills, business management and income generation.
• Free or low-cost legal advice, accounting advice and insurance services offered from a range of partners
• mentorship and masterclasses from world-class managers, agents, promoters and industry leaders
• funding to attend a music industry conference festivals
• a Managers leadership retreat

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 in expanding 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.

Accelerator Programme 2020

Reflecting the true depth and diversity of British music, Accelerator’s 20 2020 cohort participants are drawn from across the UK and represent an extraordinary range of 66 artists, songwriters and producers – from drill rappers and heavy rock bands to experimental instrumental groups and award-winning jazz ensembles. They include managers of acts shortlisted for the BRIT Awards Rising Star, the BBC Sound of 2020, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Hot for 2020 and the Mercury Prize.

Over half the group are from outside London. 38% are female, and 52% are from black and ethnic backgrounds. Only three currently operate as full-time music managers, with the majority balancing this role with other freelance, consultative or short term employment.

The full list of participants can be viewed HERE.

Accelerator Programme 2019

In 2019 24 managers were competitively selected from 134 applications. They represent over 54 artists, songwriters, producers and DJ’s. They received £300,000 direct investment from YouTube Music. Collectively they were offered 1,920 hours of training and learning supported by £57,000 of public investment. Individuals have spent up to 80 hours on attending professional development days.

Successes of the Accelerator Managers in 2019 include: Artists represented have performed to approximately 343,500 live audiences in the first 9 months of 2019. Artists represented collectively surpassing 161,692,000 streams across all platforms. Accelerator has networked the managers with new contacts building over 243 new industry relationships for the cohort. Three artists Shakka, Jonas Arden and TENDER gathering over £100K subscribers on YouTube. Guest speakers at events have included Lyor Cohen (YouTube Music), Tom Windish (Paradigm Agency), Claire Mera-Nelson (Arts Council England), Rachel Davis (BBC Music) and manager G Frsh (Yxng Bane).

The full list of participants can be viewed HERE.