Officials from Hoopr and Universal Music India join hands for an accelerator program for indie artists
Music licensing platform Hoopr and Universal Music India have announced a new Artist Accelerator Programme aimed at supporting emerging independent artists across India. The initiative, unveiled on January 13th, offers structured funding and comprehensive support for musicians to create, release, and monetize their work.
The programme addresses common challenges facing independent artists by providing end-to-end publishing, distribution, sync licensing, and brand partnership opportunities. Selected participants will receive A&R guidance, studio access, mixing and mastering services, music video production, and placement opportunities through Hoopr’s platform.
A key component involves creating original compositions to be released on Hoopr’s YouTube channel Songfest and distributed via Hoopr Smash, the company’s music licensing marketplace. Artists will also have the opportunity to reimagine tracks from Universal Music India’s catalogue, with these reimagined versions to be released on UMG India’s Revibe YouTube channel.
The programme is open to artists across all genres and languages. Participants will be selected through curated auditions conducted by UMG from Hoopr’s community of thousands of independent artists.
“We pride ourselves in being an artist-first label,” said Viral Jani, Chief Revenue Officer at Universal Music Group in India and South Asia. “With Hoopr, we have found a perfect sync: their significant network of emerging independent artists will have the chance to create new music the way they want.”
Gaurav Dagaonkar, Co-Founder and CEO of Hoopr, described the programme as an essential development for India’s independent music community, emphasizing transparent monetization through sync and microsync opportunities. He says, “Our ambition has always been to create an ethical, opportunity-rich music ecosystem. In establishing this program, we have begun to achieve that vision.”
The partnership combines UMG’s global distribution network with Hoopr’s technology platform and artist community, offering selected musicians access to both domestic and international audiences.
