GoldState Music, the funding agency based by music trade veteran Charles Goldstuck, has entered a strategic partnership with Bridgepoint Group, the London-listed mid-market investor.
Beneath the deal, introduced on Thursday (February 26), Bridgepoint has dedicated what the 2 events describe as “a major funding” as lead investor in GoldState’s Progress Technique – a devoted fund centered on constructing and scaling music-oriented companies globally.
The partnership marks a notable evolution for GoldState.
The corporate’s two earlier fundraises – a partnership with personal fairness agency Flexpoint Ford in late 2023, and a USD $500 million increase co-led by Northleaf Capital Companions and Ares Administration final April – had been centered totally on the acquisition of music rights, together with catalogs, grasp recordings, and publishing property.
MBW understands that these two funds collectively supplied GoldState with roughly $1 billion in spending capability, of which simply over half has been deployed up to now.
This new fund, in contrast, is concentrated on development fairness investments in music and music-adjacent corporations – not catalog acquisitions.
Additional monetary particulars of the transaction weren’t disclosed.
Nevertheless, a supply near the main points instructed MBW: “Charles is trying to deploy as much as a billion {dollars} in development fairness capital over the subsequent few years. This isn’t a billion-dollar increase, nevertheless it provides him a mechanism he can upsize to get in that ballpark.”
Goldstuck declined to remark when contacted by MBW.
Within the official announcement of the Bridgepoint partnership, Goldstuck stated: “The continued growth of the music ecosystem, coupled with the vibrancy we see in all sides of the trade, makes this probably the most thrilling occasions in current music investing.
“Partnering with Bridgepoint is a pure growth of our funding actions, and I couldn’t be happier partnering with Rohit and his staff.”
“Led by Charles, GoldState has an distinctive observe file of capitalising on these dynamics and is completely complemented by Bridgepoint’s rising experience.”
Rohit Dhote, Bridgepoint
Rohit Dhote, Companion and Co-Head of Credit score Alternatives at Bridgepoint, added: “The music area continues to exhibit sturdy structural development, supported by streaming growth and the rising world independence of artists.
“Led by Charles, GoldState has an distinctive observe file of capitalising on these dynamics and is completely complemented by Bridgepoint’s rising experience in offering artistic capital options throughout the music ecosystem.”
GoldState says the Progress Technique will goal “rising, worthwhile corporations with wholesome natural development charges, distinctive management groups and well-established market positions.”
MBW understands that Goldstuck and his staff are presently reviewing potential investments in a number of music and music-adjacent corporations, together with these working in artist companies, distribution, and numerous AI-powered gamers.
Goal areas, in keeping with the official announcement, span “the broader music ecosystem, together with rights administration platforms, digital distribution, music know-how and associated infrastructure.”
As with GoldState’s earlier raises, MBW understands that Goldstuck and his firm have made a considerable minority contribution to the brand new fund – giving the GoldState founder private ‘pores and skin within the sport.’
GoldState has beforehand made investments alongside monetary companions in corporations together with TouchTunes, the in-venue interactive music and leisure platform of which Goldstuck serves as Government Chairman, and Create Music Group, the LA-based distribution, publishing, and information analytics firm (alongside Flexpoint Ford).
Bridgepoint Group, which is listed on the London Inventory Trade, says it has over $86 billion of property underneath administration, with a presence in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The agency’s credit score arm, Bridgepoint Credit score, has been energetic within the music area. In June final yr, Bridgepoint Credit score backed Rezonate Music Rights with $150 million to amass producer catalog royalty rights globally.
GoldState was based in 2022 by Goldstuck, who beforehand held govt positions at main labels together with Arista Information, Capitol Information, and J Information, which he co-founded with Clive Davis. He additionally served as President/COO of the Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) and was co-chairman of Hitco Leisure, which was bought to Harmony in 2022.
On the rights facet, GoldState has been energetic in catalog acquisitions. The corporate acquired portfolios from CatchPoint Rights Companions and AMR Songs for roughly $200 million in late 2024, including stakes in songs by the likes of Kanye West, Sheryl Crow, and Panic! At The Disco.
Music Enterprise Worldwide
