Believe Digital


Believe is a Paris-based company that helps “artists build audiences and careers” through its focus on music technology and services, including worldwide digital distribution. It has more than 20 brands and labels, including distributor for independent musicians , distributor , , and labels such as , , and .
Believe is the world's leading digital distributor of independent music. The company is present in 44 countries.

History

The beginnings

The company was founded in 2005 by Denis Ladegaillerie, Arnaud Chiaramonti and Nicolas Laclias.
An article at the time say that "Believe is a new digital label, founded by music and internet professionals, to allow independent artists and labels to distribute and promote their works on legal download platforms in France and abroad".

The growth

Believe acquired the US. distribution service for independent artists TuneCore in April 2015. Believe Digital's expansion was fueled by $60m growth capital investment from Technology Crossover Ventures and XAnge. In August 2016, the company acquired the French independent label Naive Records for €10m, seeking to improve value from the company's extensive back catalogue, and restarted the label's issuing of new recordings as physical CDs in 2017.
In September 2018, Believe acquired a 49% stake in French indie label Tôt ou tard from Wagram Music. In October 2018, Believe acquired a majority stake in German label Nuclear Blast.
According to news reports, Believe projected it will reach €700 million in revenue in 2019, while providing services and distribution for 1.5 million artists. By the end of 2019, it estimated it will have 1,200 employees worldwide.
The company has embarked on an expansion drive in developing digital music markets such as Russia and India. In 2019, Believe acquired Mumbai live event production specialist Entco, and rebranded the company “Believe Entertainment.”

Believe worldwide

Europe, Russia, Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, Middle East and Africa: 1,000 employees

Activities

Business pillars

Technology: World-class distribution platform to connect content form artists, labels and providers with audiences; real-time insights to grow engagement with them.
Services: Hands-on, bespoke support to help all creators from indie artists to established stars develop at every stage in their career.
Reach: Growing in all of the emerging markets and genres that matter; maximum reach with the right partners.
Values: A commitment to core values of transparency, innovation and partnership.

Labels, companies and business units

Current artists

In September 2019, the French government identified Believe as one of the 40 most promising French start-ups, with the French Tech Next40 index.
In October 2019, Believe was named Europe’s “Allstar” company at the 17th Annual Investor Allstars awards in London.