Sony Music and Digital Catapult have launched a UK-based programme to support Black founders who are working in the digital entertainment space.
The initiative, called The FutureScope Black Founders Programme, is accepting entrepreneurs using technologies in their business such as sing 5G, AI, VR, distributed ledger and quantum. The key criterion is that the business is operating in the digital entertainment space.
“Our hope is that this programme can go some way towards helping to solve the multitude of structural challenges that Black founders face in the tech ecosystem,” said Justin Cross, director of innovation practice at Digital Catapult.
On the 16-week programme, up to 10 founders will receive investment readiness guidance, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
Advice on the FutureScope Black Founders Programme, in partnership with Musiio by SoundCloud, will come from venture capital firm Sure Valley Ventures and FOC Ventures, among others.
Dorothy Hui, SVP of digital and audience development at Sony Music UK’s 4th Floor Creative, said: “We are delighted to partner with Digital Catapult on the FutureScope Black Founders Programme, which we hope will act as a launchpad for Black entrepreneurs driving innovative ideas in entertainment.”
Sony’s semiconductor division recently made a minority investment into the Cambridge computing firm Raspberry Pi.