H.O.M.E. Liverpool hub opens at Royal Court for independents 2026

Key Points

• H.O.M.E. is opening a new international hub in Liverpool’s Royal Court later this month.
• The hub will support independent record labels, music publishers, artist managers, music technology companies, founders, creators and investors.
• The Liverpool hub joins H.O.M.E.’s network that already includes London, Berlin and Tokyo.
• Activities will include industry networking events, investor showcases, international trade delegations, business development programmes and collaborative innovation projects.
• The hub was established in partnership with Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, MusicFutures and Music Technology UK (MTUK).
• Research commissioned by Liverpool City Council values the region’s music economy at approximately £780 million annually and forecasts it could reach £1 billion by 2035.
• Andy Allen, CEO of H.O.M.E., and Matt Cartmell, CEO of MTUK, provided statements endorsing the hub’s benefits for the independent music and music technology sectors.
• Cllr Harry Doyle emphasised the hub’s role in boosting Liverpool’s creative reputation and driving innovation.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) July 03, 2026 – H.O.M.E., the international network dedicated to supporting independent music companies, is opening a new hub at Liverpool’s Royal Court later this month to provide an international base for independent record labels, music publishers, artist managers, music technology firms, founders, creators and investors, offering a platform to build commercial relationships, access global markets and develop collaborative business opportunities.

Why is Liverpool the chosen location for H.O.M.E.’s latest hub?

As reported by Andy Allen of MusicWeek, Andy Allen, chief executive officer of H.O.M.E., said Liverpool has developed one of the UK’s most exciting music ecosystems, making it an ideal location for the organisation’s next hub and an important addition to H.O.M.E.’s growing international network that already includes London, Berlin and Tokyo. Mr Allen’s comments were included in MusicWeek’s coverage of the launch.

What activities will the H.O.M.E. Liverpool hub run and who will they benefit?

The Liverpool hub will host industry networking events, investor showcases, international trade delegations, business development programmes and collaborative innovation projects. These initiatives are intended to give independent music companies and entrepreneurs direct access to global business opportunities and investment networks, benefitting independent record labels, music publishers, artist managers, music technology companies, founders and creators.

Which organisations partnered to establish the Liverpool hub?

The hub has been established in partnership with Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, MusicFutures and Music Technology UK (MTUK). Partnership announcements and supporting statements were issued by the council and partner organisations in conjunction with H.O.M.E.’s launch materials.

What evidence supports the economic case for the Liverpool hub?

Research commissioned by Liverpool City Council and produced with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and MusicFutures valued the region’s music economy at approximately £780 million annually and estimated it supports more than 14,000 jobs. Projections cited in the research indicate the sector could reach £1 billion by 2035, providing a data-driven rationale for investment in infrastructure to support independent music growth.

How are leaders in the sector describing the hub’s impact?

As reported by Andy Allen of MusicWeek, Andy Allen said:

“Independent music has never been more entrepreneurial. Across every market we’re seeing ambitious founders, labels, managers, publishers and technology companies building innovative businesses with global potential. H.O.M.E. was created to help those businesses connect with one another, access investment and build international partnerships that accelerate growth. Liverpool has developed one of the UK’s most exciting music ecosystems, making it the ideal location for our next hub and an important addition to our global network.”

As reported by Matt Cartmell of Music Technology UK, Matt Cartmell, chief executive of MTUK, said:

“The opening of H.O.M.E.’s Liverpool hub creates an important new resource for independent music businesses and entrepreneurs. By bringing together founders, investors and innovators, it strengthens the infrastructure that supports growth across the UK’s music technology and independent music sectors.”

As reported by Liverpool City Council, Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:

“Liverpool’s creative reputation is known around the world, but what’s really exciting is how we’re building on that heritage to drive innovation and opportunity today. The arrival of H.O.M.E in the city is another strong signal that Liverpool is becoming a leading destination for music technology and creative enterprise. By bringing together artists, entrepreneurs and investors in one place, this hub will help unlock new ideas, support local talent and strengthen our position on the global stage.”

Who are the intended users and partners of the hub?

The hub is aimed at a broad cross-section of the independent music ecosystem: independent record labels, music publishers, artist managers, music technology companies, founders and creators seeking to scale, and investors looking for opportunities in music and music tech. Partner organisations and public bodies will collaborate to deliver programmes and events designed to match entrepreneurs with international partners and funding sources.

How does the Liverpool hub fit into H.O.M.E.’s global strategy?

H.O.M.E.’s network already includes hubs and partner locations in London, Berlin and Tokyo. The addition of Liverpool expands H.O.M.E.’s footprint across Europe and Asia, creating channels for independent music businesses to connect with partners and investors internationally. The strategic expansion supports H.O.M.E.’s mission to accelerate growth by facilitating cross-border collaboration and investment.

What are the immediate and practical offerings planned for the hub’s opening?

Planned offerings include networking events to connect sector stakeholders, investor showcases to present business propositions to potential funders, international trade delegations to open export and collaboration avenues, business development programmes to build skills and capacity, and innovation projects to foster new products and services in music technology and creative industries.

Why does local authority support matter for the H.O.M.E. Liverpool hub?

Local authority support from Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority provides both credibility and practical backing for the hub. Such partnerships can unlock funding, promote integration with local cultural strategies and help ensure the hub’s programmes align with regional economic objectives such as job creation and sector growth.

Which journalists and outlets reported on this development and how were statements attributed?

Coverage of the launch has appeared in industry and local outlets. As reported by Andy Allen of MusicWeek, Mr Allen provided the quoted remarks about entrepreneurialism in independent music. As reported by Matt Cartmell of Music Technology UK, Mr Cartmell’s comments were provided to underline strategic benefits for music technology. Councillor statements were published by Liverpool City Council and reported alongside sector coverage. Where direct quotations are used above, attribution is given to the named speaker and the outlet or organisation that published their remarks.

What does the research on Liverpool’s music economy say about scale and opportunity?

Research commissioned by Liverpool City Council with partners estimated the region’s music economy at about £780 million annually, supporting over 14,000 jobs. Projections in the study suggest the sector could reach £1 billion by 2035, indicating further potential for growth if infrastructure and investment continue to align with sector needs.

Background of the development

H.O.M.E. (Hub for Opportunity, Music and Enterprise) was established to support the independent music ecosystem globally by providing co-working and collaboration spaces, access to investors and international partnerships. Its network previously established presences in London, Berlin and Tokyo to connect local independent music communities with global markets. Liverpool’s selection follows years of targeted cultural and economic development in the city, where local authorities and industry partners such as MusicFutures and MTUK have worked to grow music tech capacity and strengthen the creative economy. Recent commissioned research by Liverpool City Council and its regional partners quantified the region’s music economic output and employment, providing a data-driven basis for expanding sector infrastructure. The Royal Court location places the hub within Liverpool’s central cultural landscape, enabling synergy with existing venues, festivals and creative organisations.

Prediction

The new H.O.M.E. Liverpool hub can increase access to investors for independent labels, publishers, managers and music tech start-ups in Liverpool and the wider region, offering more occasions to pitch to national and international investors through showcases and trade delegations which could reduce funding gaps for early-stage companies.

The hub’s international network, now including London, Berlin, Tokyo and Liverpool, should create clearer pathways for export and cross-border collaboration, enabling local companies to test and enter new markets with partner introductions and structured delegations that reduce market-entry friction.

By co-locating music technology firms with industry stakeholders in a collaborative environment, the hub could accelerate innovation in music tech, promoting development of products and services that address sector needs such as rights management, monetisation tools and fan engagement platforms.