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

Launched in 2019, the Accelerator Programme was developed to help independent artist, songwriter, DJ and producer managers build greater commercial sustainability. As demonstrated by findings from the MMF’s long-running series of Managing Expectations reports, a majority of independent music managers continue to face significant financial and structural challenges.

Many operate with acute employment insecurity and often spend years developing the careers of their clients, shouldering an increasing array of responsibilities, without the benefit of a safety net. According to MMF research, 61% of managers make less than minimum wage and supplement their earnings with other external work.

With the backing of YouTube Music, as well as long-term partners PPL, Arts Council England and the Scottish Music Industry Association, Accelerator has helped to address these dilemmas. The programme offers a unique combination of financial and educational support – welcoming a new cohort of managers each year, and providing them with grant funding (up to £12,000 will be available in 2025 for each successful applicant) as well as expert-led training on all aspects of the modern music business. Accelerator has also developed an incredibly strong peer-to-peer network, where managers from different backgrounds can share experiences, information and advice.

Since 2019, 133 individuals have completed the programme – with 90% still operating as music managers and continuing to build careers for talent from the UK and overseas. Some of the artists, songwriters and producers represented by Accelerator alumni include Joy Crookes, Shygirl, Wes Nelson, PinkPantheress, Joy Anonymous, ENNY, Nippa, Joesef, Dry Cleaning, YolanDa Brown OBE, ABSOLUTE. X Dot Major present NIGHT manoeuvres, Ren, Porridge Radio, Skinny Living, Baltra, Bimini and Caskets. Accelerator has also enabled the MMF to greatly expand the support of managers to all corners of the UK, boosting those who play a lynchpin role in developing local music scenes or who operate in specific genres.

Of the 18 managers who took part in 2024’s programme, eight are based in London, with the others situated across a multitude of towns and cities, including Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Motherwell. Importantly, 2024’s participants have also reported an average 18% increase in their year-on-year earnings.

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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 Custodian

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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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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 has been invaluable, equipping me with the tools, insights, and community to grow as a manager over the past year. With the support of MMF and YouTube Music, I’ve expanded my roster and launched my own label - an ambition I’ve held for a long time. I’d encourage any manager looking to take their career to the next level to apply, as the programme provides the guidance and opportunities needed to build an impactful future in the music industry. Its future sustainability is vital to ensuring upcoming talent in our industry has the support needed to thrive.

Aimmi Dunsmuir — Machina Management

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Having started Glow Artists as an independent manager in 2023, I'm not sure where I'd be without the Accelerator Programme. The training, business insights and the industry connections have been invaluable. Most of all, the support and encouragement offered by the MMF’s Paul Bonham, Laura Erinle and Annabella Coldrick is so appreciated. I have new friends amongst my fellow Accelerators, and I am much more focused in my strategy moving forward

Martha Cleary — Glow Artists

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For the seventh year, we're thrilled to support the Accelerator Programme. Our partnership with the MMF on this initiative has been one of our most fruitful and rewarding collaborations and every year we are excited to work closely with a new group of managers to help them navigate the ever evolving challenges of music management. We love the sense of community, innovation and diversity that is central to the Accelerator Programme and we as the music team at YouTube are proud to be supporting the next generation of talent

Maddy Smith — YouTube Music

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We are delighted to be supporting the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers once again. Managers regularly put their artists careers and development first but they also need the infrastructure in place for their own development so they can support their clients to the best of their ability. The programme enables managers to collaborate and learn from their peers, as well as hear from a range of industry experts on key areas so they can build sustainable and healthy careers for themselves and the talent they represent.

Peter Leathem OBE — CEO of PPL