Create Music Group, a fast-growing music and entertainment company, announced a $165 million investment led by private equity investment firm Flexpoint Ford.
Flexpoint looks to partner with companies that provide differentiated financial solutions and services to growing industries and have significant experience in the music space. The firm’s investment is expected to support Create’s continued momentum and its efforts to further improve and augment the services it offers to its global client base.
Launched in 2015 by CEO Jonathan Strauss, COO Alexandre Williams, and Chief Business Development Officer Wayne Hampton, Create Music Group is a data-driven music company that utilizes technology, an owned audience of over 400 million fans, and a valuable catalog of IP, providing a full range of services to independent artists and labels, including music distribution, music publishing, owned marketing channels, content creation support, advertising and branding, and tailored financial solutions. And Create’s proprietary software platform and full suite of professional services gives a rapidly expanding number of independent artists and labels access to major-label services at every stage of their growth. Create’s rapid growth has largely been self-funded until now and this is the first major investment the company has taken on.
Music industry veteran Charles Goldstuck also joined the funding round. And The Raine Group acted as financial advisors to Create and Willkie Farr & Gallagher acted as legal counsel in connection with the transaction. Reed Smith acted as legal counsel to Flexpoint in connection with the deal.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our partnership with Flexpoint marks a significant milestone for our company and their expertise will be instrumental as we continue to scale our operations and find new ways to serve our client’s evolving needs. Flexpoint’s investment will also support our ambitious acquisition strategy which will allow us to expand our market presence and create the scale to continue to provide unparalleled services to our clients and partners.”
- Jonathan Strauss, CEO of Create Music Group
“We believe Jonathan and his team have set a new standard for the industry, challenging traditional music companies to rethink their strategies. By acting as a media company that offers comprehensive support to artists, including distribution, marketing, financial solutions and audience engagement, Create Music Group has created a blueprint for the future of music.”
- Mike Morris, Managing Director at Flexpoint Ford
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the founders of Create and provide them with the capital that is needed to meet the enormous demand from their clients as the company continues to build a truly differentiated offering for artists and labels in the rapidly evolving music industry.”
- Stephane Essama, Principal at Flexpoint Ford
