Pipeline Acquires Music Valuation Company Clarty

Indie music financing platform Pipeline has acquired the core assets and intellectual property of valuation firm Clarty Partners LLC.

The deal:

• The transaction brings Clarty’s proprietary valuation technology, royalty ingestion systems and analytical infrastructure into Pipeline’s platform.

• The deal excludes any proprietary client data or confidential information relating to Clarty’s past projects.

• Stéphane Hubert and Pierre Suignard, the former senior BMG executives who founded Clarty in 2023, will join Pipeline to lead its investment underwriting division.

• Hubert will also join Pipeline’s Investment Committee.

Why it matters:

• The deal strengthens Pipeline’s ability to structure music advances and asset-backed transactions using institutional-grade valuation methodologies employed by IP funds and catalog acquirers.

• The company says the acquisition transforms Pipeline from a financing vehicle into “a data-driven, end-to-end music asset financing platform.”

Backstory:

• Upon its launch in 2023, Clarty developed proprietary systems to ingest and normalize royalty data, forecast earnings across publishing and recorded revenue streams, and support catalog transactions and due diligence for rights holders and investors.

• Pipeline was founded by Jamen Capital and launched in mid-January with $200 million in capital and the goal of becoming the “largest funder of independent music globally.”

What they said:

• Matt Spetzler, Founding Partner of Jamen Capital and Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Pipeline: “With Clarty, we found a comprehensive underwriting solution combining data technology, robust analytical tools, and proven music valuation expertise. We are pleased to welcome Stéphane and Pierre as core members of our founding team.”