The MDLBEAST Foundation reveals the return of Sound Futures for its 2025 edition — a bold initiative designed to bridge the gap between visionary startups and leading investors across the region. The program aims to foster entrepreneurship, create local job opportunities, and accelerate the growth of the regional music economy. It will culminate in a live pitch event during the XP Music Futures Conference, taking place December 4–6, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just days ahead of Soundstorm Festival (December 11–13).
Taking inspiration from the popular Shark Tank format, Sound Futures offers a stage to high-potential startups and entrepreneurs in the music and music-tech space, giving them the opportunity to pitch their boldest ideas to an audience of top investors and industry experts. The program welcomes a broad range of participants — from early-stage concepts to fast-scaling startups. Whether you’re a student with an innovative idea, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a founder already gaining traction, Sound Futures is designed to help turn vision into real-world impact.
Participants benefit from comprehensive training through workshops, boot camps, and personalized mentoring, along with tailored programs covering business planning, emerging music trends, and investor readiness. In addition, the initiative provides direct access to investors during XP Music Futures and offers both regional and global exposure through curated networking opportunities.
Sound Futures aligns with MDLBEAST Foundation’s mission to build a sustainable and inclusive music ecosystem. The initiative seeks to inspire an entrepreneurial mindset through training and mentorship, while creating meaningful job opportunities across music production, live events, and technology.
By connecting startups to global networks and strategic partners, Sound Futures accelerates growth across the region’s music industry. Most importantly, it actively seeks the next big innovations — ideas that will redefine how music is created, shared, and experienced.
Applications are now open as of June 2025. Finalists will take part in a structured mentorship and pre-accelerator program starting in October, leading up to the final pitch event at XP Music Futures this December.
More infos about Sound Futures here.
