The music streaming industry in the US has revolutionized how consumers access music, moving from physical sales to streaming platforms. Companies like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music provide users with a subscription-based model, allowing on-demand access to millions of tracks. This transformation benefits artists through better revenue streams and greater audience reach. Recent trends show a growing interest in niche platforms focusing on specific genres or unique audio experiences. As innovations in technology continue, the industry is projected to integrate more with social media and enhance user interactions, redefining what listeners can expect from music consumption.


The investors listed here are a mix of venture capital firms and corporate entities, primarily located in major US cities like New York and San Francisco. Founded between 1965 and 2023, these investors vary in size, but most range between 11 to over 10,000 employees. With the number of deals in 2024 reaching up to 258, they have shown an increasing appetite for innovation in the music streaming sector, targeting early-stage companies with promising growth potential.


Top 17 Music Streaming Investors in the US


1. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Over the years, Y Combinator has successfully launched more than 4,000 startups, establishing itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its notable investments, Y Combinator has funded Songkick, which raised $15,000 in a Pre-Seed Round in 2007, a platform that connects fans with live music events. Additionally, they invested in The Podcast App in 2018, further showcasing their interest in audio content. These transactions highlight Y Combinator's engagement with the music streaming and audio landscape, making it a relevant investor in this category.


2. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. With a count of 98 investments in 2024 alone, 500 Global has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting innovative startups globally. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Spoon Labs, a South Korean internet-radio service, which raised $17 million in a funding round. This investment highlights their engagement in the music streaming industry, alongside other technology sectors. Additionally, they have participated in seed rounds for companies like Switchcam and Thematic, which, while not directly related to music streaming, showcase their focus on technology-driven startups.


3. SV Angel

  • Website: svangel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 44
  • LinkedIn: sv-angel

SV Angel is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth-stage investments, primarily in the technology sector. SV Angel provides financial backing, strategic advice, and access to a vast network of industry experts to help startups navigate business development challenges. Notably, SV Angel has invested in WillCall, a platform that connects fans with live music events, and Patreon, which supports creators, including musicians, by allowing them to receive direct funding from their audience. These transactions highlight SV Angel's engagement with the music ecosystem, despite their broader focus on technology startups.


4. Goodwater Capital

  • Website: goodwatercap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlingame, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 41
  • LinkedIn: goodwater-capital

Goodwater Capital is a venture capital firm based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in consumer technology and supports seed-stage entrepreneurs by providing investment, resources, and a community to help them grow. While Goodwater Capital focuses on various sectors, including healthcare and financial services, they have also made significant investments in the music streaming space. Notably, they participated in the funding of Spoon Radio, a South Korean internet-radio service, and SoundMint, a generative platform for music NFTs. These transactions highlight their interest in innovative music-related technologies, showcasing their versatility as an investor in the consumer technology landscape.


5. Accel

  • Website: accel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 101
  • LinkedIn: accel-vc

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investing in startups and early-stage companies primarily in the technology sector. The firm has a global presence with offices in San Francisco, London, India, and China. Accel has been involved in significant transactions within the music streaming context, including investments in Spotify during its early funding rounds, which helped the platform grow into a leading music service. More recently, Accel led a seed funding round for Myxt, a collaborative music workplace, showcasing their ongoing interest in innovative music-related technologies. These investments highlight Accel's commitment to supporting the growth of companies in the music streaming industry.


6. FJ Labs

  • Website: fjlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 169
  • LinkedIn: fj-labs

FJ Labs is a venture capital firm based in New York, specializing in investing in marketplace and network effect businesses. Founded in 2015, the firm has made over 1,000 investments, many of which have achieved unicorn status. Their investment strategy includes providing capital and strategic guidance to startups across various industries, including e-commerce and logistics. Notably, FJ Labs has invested in companies relevant to the music streaming context, such as The Podcast App, which focuses on audio content, and Afterparty, a platform that connects artists with their fans through live events and music experiences. These transactions highlight FJ Labs' engagement with the audio and music sectors, reinforcing their relevance in the music streaming industry.


7. Tiger Global

  • Website: tigerglobal.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: tiger-global-management

Tiger Global Management, LLC is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in both public and private equity investments. Founded in 2001, the firm manages approximately $50 billion and focuses on innovative companies leveraging technology. Among its diverse portfolio, Tiger Global has made significant investments in the music streaming industry, notably leading a $100 million Series C funding round for Saavn, an Indian streaming company, in July 2015. This investment was aimed at enhancing product development, customer acquisition, and content deals. Additionally, the firm was involved in the funding of JioSaavn, which also raised $100 million around the same time. These transactions underscore Tiger Global's commitment to the music streaming sector, alongside its broader investment strategy that includes various technology-driven companies.


8. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

  • Website: nea.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm founded in 1977, based in Menlo Park, California. NEA specializes in investment management and advisory services for startups, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. The firm partners with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance, helping them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses. NEA operates through a collaborative approach, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders. Notably, NEA has invested in companies relevant to the music streaming industry, including Luminary Media, which raised significant funding in 2018 and 2019, focusing on audio content. They also invested in Thumbplay, a music streaming service, which raised $6 million in 2009. These transactions highlight NEA's engagement in the music streaming sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


9. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has participated in significant transactions in the music streaming space, including an investment in Napster, which raised an undisclosed amount in a venture round in May 2022. Additionally, they invested $4.5 million in Pixelynx, a company that merges music and gaming, in December 2021. These investments highlight the fund's engagement with the music streaming industry, alongside other sectors.


10. General Catalyst


General Catalyst is a venture capital firm founded in 2000, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth investments, providing capital and strategic guidance to startups across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Catalyst has made significant investments in the music streaming sector, participating in multiple funding rounds for TuneIn, an online radio company, which raised substantial amounts of capital in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017 to enhance its operations and content offerings. Additionally, they invested in Audius, a decentralized music-sharing protocol, during its Series A round in 2018, further showcasing their engagement in the music streaming industry. These transactions highlight General Catalyst's active role in supporting innovative music streaming platforms and their commitment to the sector.


11. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2024, they have made 253 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in several companies related to music streaming, including Musixen, which raised $2 million in a recent funding round, and Fairphonic, which also received funding. Their investments in these music-related startups highlight their commitment to supporting innovation in the music streaming industry, alongside their broader focus on technology.


12. Intel Capital

  • Website: intelcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: intelcapital

Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. In addition to its core technology investments, Intel Capital has made notable contributions to the music streaming industry. For instance, they invested $100 million in Hungama in 2015, followed by additional investments of $40 million in 2014 and $25 million in 2016, showcasing a strong commitment to supporting this music streaming platform. Furthermore, Intel Capital participated in a $21 million Series B funding round for Jelli in 2015, a company that enhances radio broadcasting through technology. These transactions highlight Intel Capital's strategic interest in the music streaming sector, despite its broader focus on technology.


13. Bessemer Venture Partners

  • Website: bvp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1911
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 78
  • LinkedIn: bessemer-venture-partners

Bessemer Venture Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 1911, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in providing funding and investment management services to startups and growth-stage companies across various sectors, including technology and healthcare. Notably, Bessemer has made significant investments in the music streaming space, particularly with Hungama, where they participated in multiple funding rounds, raising a total of $165 million from 2014 to 2016. This includes a $100 million investment in 2015, showcasing their strong interest and commitment to the music streaming industry. Their diverse portfolio and experience in scaling businesses position them as a key player in the venture capital landscape, with a notable focus on music streaming through their investments in Hungama.


14. Warner Music Group

  • Website: wmg.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1958
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: warner-music-group

Warner Music Group Corp. is a corporate investor based in New York, New York, founded in 1958. As a major player in the music industry, Warner Music Group focuses on recorded music and music publishing, providing a range of services to artists and songwriters, including music distribution and rights management. In recent years, they have made strategic investments that align with the music streaming industry. Notably, they led a Series A investment in Landr, an audio post-production platform, which raised $6.2 million in 2015. They also acquired Spinnin' Records in 2017 for over $100 million, a move that enhances their portfolio in the electronic music space. Furthermore, Warner Music Group invested in Boomy, a platform that enables users to create music easily, raising funds in both seed and pre-seed rounds. These transactions demonstrate their active role in the music streaming and digital music creation sectors.


15. Live Nation Entertainment

  • Website: livenationentertainment.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Beverly Hills, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: live-nation

Live Nation Entertainment is a corporate investor based in Beverly Hills, California, founded in 1996. As a leading live entertainment company, it produces concerts, sells tickets, and connects brands to music, serving music fans, artists, and brands globally. In recent years, Live Nation has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its digital and streaming capabilities. Notably, in January 2021, they acquired a majority stake in Veeps, a livestream platform that has generated significant revenue for artists through ticketed livestreams. This acquisition reflects their commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of live entertainment, especially in the context of hybrid events. Additionally, their acquisition of Setlist.fm in 2012, a platform that provides concert set lists, further demonstrates their focus on integrating digital services that complement live performances. These transactions highlight Live Nation's role in bridging live events with streaming, making them a key player in the music streaming industry.


16. Kleiner Perkins

  • Website: kleinerperkins.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1972
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 38
  • LinkedIn: kleiner-perkins

Kleiner Perkins is a venture capital firm founded in 1972, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth companies, providing both capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. With a focus on technology and life sciences, Kleiner Perkins has backed over 900 ventures, establishing itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape. Notably, Kleiner Perkins has made significant investments in the music streaming industry, including a Series C funding round for SoundCloud in 2012, where they invested $50 million, and a Series A investment in Audius in 2018, contributing to a $5.5 million round. Additionally, they participated in the Series D funding round for Spotify in 2011, further solidifying their presence in the music streaming sector. These transactions highlight Kleiner Perkins' active role in supporting and scaling music streaming platforms, showcasing their relevance in this industry.


17. GV (Google Ventures)

  • Website: gv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: gv

GV (Google Ventures) is a venture capital firm founded in 2009, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. With over $10 billion in assets under management, GV focuses on providing funding and support to innovative technology startups across various sectors, including life sciences and artificial intelligence. Notably, GV has invested in the music streaming industry, participating in multiple funding rounds for companies like TuneIn, which raised $50 million in Series F funding in December 2015, and $16 million in Series D funding in August 2012. Additionally, GV was involved in a $60 million Series C funding round for Kobalt in February 2015, a company that provides music rights management and publishing services. These transactions highlight GV's commitment to supporting growth in the music streaming sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.



Music Streaming Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
SV AngelSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10200944
Goodwater CapitalBurlingame, California, United States (USA)51-200201441
AccelPalo Alto, California, United States (USA)51-2001983101
FJ LabsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-502015169
Tiger GlobalNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-200200125
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200197757
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
General CatalystSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002000144
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123
Bessemer Venture PartnersSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50191178
Warner Music GroupNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-500019584
Live Nation EntertainmentBeverly Hills, California, United States (USA)10001+19965
Kleiner PerkinsMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)11-50197238
GV (Google Ventures)San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States (USA)51-200200974


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