Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Brooklyn, NY, USA
UnitedMasters is a company.
UnitedMasters operates as a technology platform providing premium music distribution and artist services, empowering musicians to control their careers. The company offers independent artists tools to release their music, access analytics, and secure brand partnerships, effectively serving as an alternative to traditional record labels. This approach allows creators to retain ownership of their masters and maximize their economic and creative potential in the digital music landscape.
Founded in November 2017 by industry veteran Steve Stoute, UnitedMasters emerged from the insight that independent artists required a more equitable and direct pathway to market. Stoute, known for his extensive background in music and marketing, envisioned a model that leveraged technology to empower artists, circumventing the perceived restrictive structures of the established music industry. This vision aimed to democratize access to distribution and brand opportunities.
The platform serves a global community of independent musicians seeking to operationalize their independence and achieve commercial success on their own terms. UnitedMasters' long-term vision is to foster a new generation of artists who can thrive autonomously, building sustainable careers by directly connecting with fans and brands. It continues to evolve its offerings to meet the dynamic needs of the modern independent music creator.
UnitedMasters has raised $170.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at UnitedMasters.
UnitedMasters was founded in 2017 by Steve Stoute (Founder & CEO).
UnitedMasters has raised $170.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
UnitedMasters is a music technology platform founded in 2017 that empowers independent artists to distribute, monetize, and market their music globally while retaining full ownership of their masters and careers.[1][4][5] It serves millions of artists across 50 countries by providing distribution to major streaming platforms, AI-powered career coaching via Blueprint AI, real-time royalties through partnerships like PayPal, and brand partnership opportunities with companies such as Bose, Coca-Cola, ESPN, Walmart, and Ally Financial.[1][2][3][5] The platform solves key pain points for independents—slow payouts (often delayed up to two years by legacy systems), lack of strategic guidance, and limited access to major-label resources—enabling faster earnings access, personalized marketing insights, and economic opportunities in the creator economy.[1][3] Growth momentum includes a $50 million Series C investment from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) at a $550 million valuation, fueling tech expansions like frictionless brand deals and global real-time royalties rollout.[2]
UnitedMasters was launched in 2017 by Steve Stoute, a music industry veteran and founder of Translation, to provide independent artists with premium distribution, fan-engagement tools, and brand partnerships previously reserved for major labels.[4][5] Stoute's vision emerged from recognizing how legacy industry systems hindered artists' independence, particularly slow royalty payments and limited ownership, prompting a platform that lets creators "own their futures" without signing away masters.[1][3][5] Early traction built through artist successes like FloyyMenor, Brent Faiyaz, BigXthaPlug, Tobe Nwigwe, and Anycia, alongside partnerships that expanded reach; pivotal moments include the 2021 Ally Financial collaboration via events like Earn Your Masters during Art Basel, and the 2025 launches of Blueprint AI and Real-Time Royalties, reshaping artist support.[1][2][5]
UnitedMasters rides the explosive growth of the independent creator economy and AI-driven music disruption, where tech platforms democratize access once gated by majors.[1][2] Timing aligns with streaming's dominance and post-pandemic acceleration of indie artists (e.g., via TikTok virality), as market forces like delayed legacy payouts create demand for agile solutions—UnitedMasters addresses this by enabling "right now" payments and global reach.[3] It influences the ecosystem by proving independents can rival labels through ownership-focused tech, inspiring investor interest (e.g., a16z's bet on creator tools) and brand models like The Independent(s)' Exchange, which fosters equitable media investments in underrepresented creators.[2][5]
UnitedMasters is poised to dominate indie music tech by scaling AI innovations like Blueprint and global Real-Time Royalties, potentially capturing more of the $50B+ creator economy as AI personalizes careers and Web3/blockchain enhances ownership.[1][2][3] Trends like rising brand-artist syncs and transparent payouts will propel growth, evolving its influence from distributor to full-stack empire for creators. With a16z fuel and Stoute's vision, expect deeper tech integrations and ecosystem leadership, empowering artists to thrive without compromise—reinforcing its core mission since 2017.[2]
Key people at UnitedMasters.
UnitedMasters has raised $170.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $50.0M Series C in October 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2021 | $50M Series C | — | Andreessen Horowitz, Craft Ventures, Green BAY Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Moderne Ventures, Peter Sonsini | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2021 | $50M Series B | Eddy CUE | Andreessen Horowitz, Green BAY Ventures, Moderne Ventures, Peter Sonsini, Alphabet, BEN Horowitz | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2017 | $70M Series A | — | Andreessen Horowitz, Green BAY Ventures, Moderne Ventures, Peter Sonsini, Larry Page, BEN Horowitz, Floodgate, Twentieth Century FOX Film | Announced |
UnitedMasters was founded in 2017 by Steve Stoute (Founder & CEO).
UnitedMasters has raised $170.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
UnitedMasters's investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Craft Ventures, Green Bay Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Moderne Ventures, Peter Sonsini, Eddy Cue, Alphabet, Ben Horowitz, Larry Page, Floodgate, Twentieth Century Fox Film.