Musicow

Market position

Describes itself as the first platform for fractional investment in music copyright and the world's first music revenue-securities investment platform, and is characterized in Korean press as the pioneer of the country's music copyright trading market and one of the leading fractional-investment operators under the Korean regulatory sandbox. It is the first Korean company to bring music rights-based securities to the US market, where Jukebox (JKBX) is cited as a leading domestic competitor that entered later.

Positions itself as the originator of fractional music copyright investment and of the music revenue-securities format, operating both primary issuance and a secondary trading market with royalty distributions that continue for the copyright protection period (stated as 70 years after the creator's death) and potential upside from remakes and rediscoveries. Management frames the model as an "equity service provider" supplying structured capital directly to music IP, in contrast to distribution service providers that dominate music funding. Regulatory standing in Korea (FSC innovative financial service designation, securities recognition under the Capital Markets Act) and SEC Regulation A+ qualification in the US, plus the Roc Nation relationship, are cited as barriers to replication.

Technology

A web and mobile trading platform (Android and iOS apps) that lists songs with per-share prices, royalty yield figures and price movement, supports order placement, portfolio tracking and secondary-market matching, and handles royalty distribution to unit holders. Securities issued in Korea are held in custody by Kiwoom Securities. The company reports ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 information-security and privacy certifications.

Go-to-market

Direct-to-consumer acquisition through its website and mobile apps, including sign-up incentives for new members, combined with artist and rights-holder sourcing of catalog. International expansion runs through a US subsidiary and a strategic partnership with Roc Nation, which supplies catalog access and industry relationships ahead of a full US service launch; the US product was rolled out first as a limited beta.

Retail investors and music fans seeking royalty-linked alternative assets, alongside artists, songwriters and other music rights holders looking for upfront funding against future royalty income. Korean investor tiers span ordinary, income-qualified and professional investors; in the US the app targets fans and first-time investors.

Geography

Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea; the site lists an office at 45 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu (Mecenatpolis, 13th floor) for Musicow Invest, and the Google Play developer listing gives an address at 92 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul. A US subsidiary, Musicow US, was established in March 2022 and operates a US-facing app and SEC-registered offerings.

History

Founded in 2016, Musicow launched what it describes as the first fractional investment platform for music copyright trading. Membership reached 10,000 in 2018 and 915,000 in 2021. In 2021 and 2022 it raised large rounds from STIC Investments and agreed with Hanwha Group to form a US joint venture; the US subsidiary Musicow US was established in March 2022 with Hanwha backing. In 2022 the Financial Services Commission designated the service an innovative financial service, placing it in the regulatory sandbox; fractional copyright claims were subsequently recognized as investment securities under the Capital Markets Act. In January 2025 the company announced a strategic partnership with Roc Nation. Its US arm filed securities with the SEC in March 2025, received Regulation A+ approval in May, began its first share sale in June and sold out in August 2025.

Risks & controversies

Company disclosures state the fractional investment products are not protected by depositor protection law and that investors may lose 0-100% of principal due to price volatility, currency moves, credit downgrades, or business termination and the ensuing asset sale and liquidation, which is estimated to take about 6-12 months (at least 6 months in one formulation). Musicow Invest's innovative financial service designation expires on 24 September 2025 and continued operation depends on obtaining an investment-brokerage license; if the license is not granted, distributions would run through a trust company, and if distributions become impossible, principal recovery could be delayed or impaired. Regulatory terms may change with amendments to Korean financial innovation and electronic securities law. The first US offering was very small in absolute size, and the US market has competing entrants such as Jukebox (JKBX).