Bertelsmann vs Universal Music Group

Bertelsmann Backs Shiprocket to IPO in India

Shiprocket, an Indian e-commerce technology and logistics platform, completed an IPO that raised about $170 million and resulted in an approximate $1.1 billion market valuation on its first trading day. Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) — which first invested in Shiprocket in 2015 — remains the largest institutional investor with roughly a 19% stake. Shiprocket now serves over 214,000 active merchants and expects annual revenue above $200 million. Bertelsmann says it invests more than $100 million annually through its India strategy, and the IPO is presented as validation of its long-term venture investments in Indian technology companies.

• Shiprocket's IPO raised about $170 million.
• Shiprocket was valued at approximately $1.1 billion on its first trading day.
• Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) holds around a 19% stake and is the largest institutional investor.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP AND ELEVENLABS ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC AGREEMENT, BEGINNING WITH A NEW LICENSED AI MUSIC CREATION PLATFORM

Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs announce a multi-year strategic agreement, beginning with a new licensed AI music creation platform.

ElevenLabs and Universal Music Partner for AI Song Remixing

Universal Music Group (UMG) and AI audio company ElevenLabs announced a multi-year licensing partnership to develop a platform enabling fans to create remixes, mashups, and reinterpretations of songs from Universal's catalog. The platform will feature music only from artists who actively opt in. Financial terms and a launch date were not disclosed. ElevenLabs, known for voice cloning, has faced legal challenges over voice cloning without consent, settling one case in August 2025 but still facing a class action. This is ElevenLabs' first major music label deal, while Universal has previously partnered with Udio, Klay, Spotify, and Nvidia. The initiative combines ElevenLabs' AI models with Universal's rights management and artist community, aiming to provide fair compensation to artists and songwriters.

• Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs announced a multi-year licensing partnership to develop a fan remixing platform.
• The platform will feature music from artists who actively opt in and will be separate from ElevenLabs' existing music offerings.
• ElevenLabs has a song generator and a Music API, as well as a dedicated ElevenMusic app.

Stability AI Raises $76M Series B

Stability AI, the company behind the Stable Diffusion image-generator, raised $76 million in a Series B round, bringing its total fundraising to $232 million. The company said the round includes strategic investment from entertainment and gaming companies — Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Electronic Arts — alongside investors AMD Ventures and Pacific Alliance Ventures. Stability plans to use the funds to expand its "creative production" product suite and professional services. The company has been building partnerships with major entertainment firms and has recently seen favourable legal outcomes in a UK copyright case, while related U.S. litigation remains pending.

• Stability AI raised $76 million in Series B funding.
• The new round brings the company's total fundraising to $232 million.
• Investors include Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, Electronic Arts, AMD Ventures and Pacific Alliance Ventures.