Music licensing marketplace Lickd has been backed by big names in the entertainment industry.
The London startup has secured £5.1 million funding led by the eponymously named investment firm of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.
The round included strategic investment from Warner Music Group (WMG) and Fortnite creator Epic Games.
Founded in 2017, Lickd – one of our 100 MediaTech Innovators earlier this year – describes itself as the world’s first service for providing video creators such as YouTubers with access to claims-free chart music.
It generates revenue according to the number of clicks on the videos it contributes towards through its VOUCH software.
Having signed partnership agreements with both WMG and Universal Music Group (UMG), as well as other leading brands in the content and entertainment space – including Epic – it has a catalogue of millions of songs.
“As the content creator space continues to expand, there is a huge opportunity for all types of business to invest in new areas and to work hand-in-hand with companies such as ours to positively transform the music industry,” said CEO Paul Sampson.
“The ongoing support of the Nick Mason Group, combined with Epic and Warner coming on board, delivers a win-win for all – for Lickd as we continue to expand, for the creators who want commercial music to better monetize their content, for the artists who want to be paid fairly for their work and for the broader ecosystem as we create new ways to grow.”
Nick Mason added: “We invest in companies that combine transformational technology with strong industry knowledge, which Lickd has proven it has from the outset.
“Having these strategic partnerships in place from leading brands in the entertainment space is testament to both Lickd’s proposition and to its clout in the music and creator space.
“We are excited to be able to continue to support Paul and team and to remain a part of the company’s future.”