LabelWorx launches Elevate, a $10 million funding platform for independent electronic music labels

LabelWorx has launched Elevate, a new funding program combining royalty advances with strategic guidance and promotional support for independent electronic music labels. The company has committed $25 million to the initiative overall, with $10 million earmarked for advances in the first round.

Announced on May 28, Elevate is LabelWorx’s response to what it calls “one of the industry’s biggest operating challenges” — the gap between a release generating revenue and a label actually receiving royalty payments. Through the program, selected labels receive upfront advances against future royalties, giving them the capital to reinvest and scale without waiting on payment cycles.

Alongside the advance, participating labels receive a 12-month growth plan developed with a senior LabelWorx strategist. They also get priority access to the company’s Pick N’ Mix promotional campaigns, mid-term strategic reviews focused on ROI, and longer-term partnership support.

The program is designed specifically for the pace of independent electronic music, where labels need to move fast on momentum and reinvestment. LabelWorx distributes some of the most active labels in the scene, including Catch & Release (FISHER), Solid Grooves (Michael Bibi, PAWSA), ARTCORE (Indira Paganotto), Bedrock (John Digweed), Black Book Records (Chris Lake), and Hellbent (Cloonee).

“Elevate is our commitment to the electronic music community and the labels shaping its future,” said Dominic Kerley, VP of LabelWorx. “Independent labels move culture forward but too often are constrained by slow royalty cycles and limited access to capital. We want to change that with Elevate.”

Brooklyn-based Andhera Records, run by founder Ky William, is already drawing on LabelWorx capital. “Thanks to the advance from LabelWorx, I have been able to focus fully on my label and my music without worrying about where the next pay cheque was coming from,” William said. “That support has helped me grow the label twofold over the last 12 months.”

LabelWorx has been expanding steadily, having earlier this year launched a publishing division offering administration and sample clearance services for independent electronic music artists.

Labels interested in applying to Elevate can find more information at labelworx.com/elevate. LabelWorx was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Kingston upon Hull, UK. Independent labels now account for around 30% of global music revenue, a share that has been growing consistently year on year.