By selecting "Sign Up, " you acknowledge and agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You have the option to unsubscribe at any time by visiting our Preferences page or clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Access your preferred topics through a personalized feed while on the go. Download the app. Sign up to receive exclusive insights into today's significant stories in markets, technology, and business—delivered daily. Read preview. It's a thrilling and nerve-wracking time to be involved in the music industry. Any talented musician (with some luck) can establish a digital fan base from scratch. However, breaking through the noise, particularly with millions of AI-generated tracks flooding social media, can seem overwhelming. The opportunity for artists to be discovered without the support of major record labels is greater than ever, thanks to platforms like TikTok that democratize the discovery process. Additionally, there are more tools available to assist artists and their teams in saving time on tasks such as marketing, track mastering, and collaborating with other creators. This story is exclusively available to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider now to start reading. "We have transitioned from monolithic record labels that control everything to a situation where I can record, distribute, collaborate, and essentially do everything myself, " said Jordan Bradley, founder and CEO of the audio-collaboration platform Highnote, in an interview with Business Insider. Tech platforms have facilitated greater collaboration between different segments of the music industry. This includes using artificial intelligence tools like RoEx's Automix for track mixing and mastering, or creating matchmaking platforms like Surf Music to connect songwriters with industry buyers. "There is a significant demand for better tools that aid musicians in the creative process, " said Sam Hamad, CEO of the music file-sharing platform Offtop, in an interview with BI.

"Musicians want more streamlined workflows. " Despite the benefits that technology has brought to the industry, it can also present challenges for artists and disrupt their revenue streams. Subtle changes to algorithms or policies on platforms like Spotify can send shockwaves through the industry. Furthermore, the rise of generative AI has raised existential questions about how artists and creators will be compensated for their work in a world where AI can produce songs within seconds. Industry professionals and their legal representatives are closely examining how AI models are trained and exploring new ways to remunerate creators for derivative work. Entertainment lawyers are actively developing safeguards against AI companies exploiting their clients' intellectual property. "People are fearful of AI, " said Gregg Lehrman, CEO of the music-creation platform Output, in an interview with BI. "Just like in the Wild West of any industry, there will be those who eagerly embrace the technology to express themselves artistically and create innovative things, while others will feel violated. " Nevertheless, the music industry is reaping several benefits from the technological revolution. Billions in revenue are being generated from streaming apps and other platforms. For our third annual list of influential music-tech startups, BI sought out companies that are revolutionizing the creation, distribution, and consumption of music in 2024. We solicited input from industry sources and our readers to identify the candidates, and our reporting determined the final list. Companies previously featured in this series were not included. Here are 14 music-tech companies to keep an eye on, listed in alphabetical order below: