Draft:BeatBread

beatBread was founded in 2020 by Peter Sinclair and John Haller{{Cite web |last=Abrego |first=Bianca Chan, Michelle |title=15 AI-powered fintechs to watch in 2025 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/15-most-promising-ai-powered-fintech-startups-according-top-vcs-2024-11 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}, with the goal of offering financial advances to artists while allowing them to retain control over their music rights. The platform provides funding ranging from $1,000 to $10 million, which is repaid through a portion of an artist’s streaming and royalty income over a set period.{{Cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Kristin |date=2021-10-25 |title=A New Crop Of Funders Are Helping Indie Artists Take Off On Their Own Terms |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/new-indie-funders-indify-beatbread-cash-app-studios-9649732/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} This initiative was developed to address the demand from independent artists for alternative funding solutions.{{Cite web |last=Steele |first=Anne |title=Who Needs a Record Label? VC-Like Investments Power New Music Artists |url=https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/who-needs-a-record-label-vc-like-investments-power-new-music-artists-c8e07daf |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}

In 2024, beatBread launched a deal comparison tool, allowing artists to compare funding offers from multiple sources, including labels and investors, before making financial decisions.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=After paying out nearly 1,500 advances of between $1,000 and $10m+ to date, and with access to 'hundreds of millions of dollars' in funding, beatBread launches Deal Comparison Tool for indie artists and labels |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-paying-out-nearly-1500-advances-of-between-1000-and-10m-to-date-and-with-access-to-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-in-funding-beatbread-launches-deal-comparison-tool-for-indie-artists/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}

As part of a broader trend, beatBread is one of several companies offering new ways for artists to secure funding, alongside venture-backed investors and music technology firms.{{Cite magazine |last=Eggertsen |first=Chris |date=2022-06-09 |title=The Deals: Aespa Partners With Warner Records; Elley Duhe Nabs 'Seven-Figure' Advance |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/aespa-warner-records-elley-duhe-beatbread-deals/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The company has provided funding to nearly 1,500 artists and labels worldwide, with access to hundreds of millions of dollars in financing.

Several emerging and established artists have utilized beatBread’s services as an alternative to traditional label deals. One notable example is singer-songwriter Elley Duhé, who gained recognition for her song Middle of the Night, which went viral on TikTok and saw a resurgence in popularity through streaming platforms. Duhé leveraged beatBread’s financing model to maintain creative independence while securing funding to support her career growth.{{Cite web |last=Wass |first=Mike |date=2022-07-14 |title=Viral Revivals: From Kate Bush to Tom Odell, Inside the Business of Oldies as New Hit Songs |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kate-bush-tom-odell-catalog-songs-tiktok-business-1235317069/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

{{reflist}}