- Ben Mendoza is the founder and CEO of Beatchain, an AI-powered platform that supports up-and-coming independent musicians.
- Boasting more than four decades in tech, Mendoza found the perfect balance between experience and passion.
- The idea behind Beatchain is to help empower independent creators with the infrastructure they need to build long-term careers and to ensure that artists from all backgrounds have equal opportunity to be successful.
Tell Me About Yourself and Beatchain
I’m Ben Mendoza, founder and CEO of Beatchain. With over four decades in tech, I previously founded MDSL, a global market data and telecoms management firm. After selling MDSL in 2017, I combined my tech expertise and lifelong love of music to launch Beatchain.
Beatchain is an AI-powered platform designed to support the next generation of independent artists. Today, over 120,000 new tracks are uploaded to digital music services like Spotify and Apple Music every day, making it harder than ever for emerging musicians to stand out. Beatchain was created to solve this problem.
We build custom-branded online platforms – or ‘digital arenas’ – where music companies can discover new talent, and artists can access the tools, data and guidance they need to release music and grow a fanbase. Our mission is to empower independent creators with the infrastructure to build long-term careers – while helping music professionals working at the likes of record labels or management companies to find rising stars more efficiently – especially in today’s emerging music markets.
What Inspired You To Start Beatchain? What Problem Were You Trying To Solve?
After exiting MDSL, I had become friendly with a number of great independent musicians and was struck by the fragmented tools and high barriers they faced just to get noticed by audiences, record labels and other companies in the music ecosystem. Music discovery had become a noisy, pay-to-play environment, and smaller artists lacked access to the infrastructure major labels enjoy.
I launched Beatchain to level the playing field. We set out to simplify how artists distribute, promote and monetise music, and help labels find emerging talent through real data.
We do this with “easy to use” artist services platforms that consolidate all essential music and social media data from different sources like TikTok or Spotify in one place, equipping artists with the tools they need, so that they can concentrate on creating music. Our white label ‘arenas’ let labels connect directly with unsigned artists, while artists gain free access to powerful analytics and exposure without giving up their rights.
What Has Been Your Biggest Challenge So Far? How Did You Overcome It?
Our biggest challenge was pivoting from a direct to artist model to a B2B strategy. We realised the path to real impact and scalability lay in partnering with labels and music companies. It was a strategic shift informed by listening to the market. By embedding our tools into the platforms and ecosystems that independent artists already use, we are helping them access smarter promotion, better data and wider discovery opportunities, without needing a major record label deal.
Can You Describe A Pivotal Moment That Significantly Shaped the Direction of Your Startup?
A pivotal moment for us was launching Muzartdisco, in partnership with Radio City India, our largest collaboration to date. It marked a major shift in how we deliver impact: instead of focusing solely on direct-to-artist tools, we began powering white-label platforms that connect artists with industry infrastructure in their own local markets. This pivot also opened for us the opportunity to start working in emerging markets, which are the focus of our growth strategy.
Muzartdisco gives independent Indian artists a place to release music, build their profile and access mentoring, studio sessions, and data-driven career tools – all while retaining full ownership of their work. For labels and teams looking for new talent to sign, it’s a platform to surface real talent using Beatchain’s backend filtering and discovery tech.
This partnership showed us what’s possible when our technology meets strong local networks. It set the direction for our strategy going forward – building scalable, regionally tailored platforms that support independent artists where they are, especially in fast-growing markets like India.
How Do You Define Success?
As a Business: Success at Beatchain means helping more artists get discovered, signed, and thrive, without losing control of their rights. When our platform enables labels to surface genuine talent in saturated markets, or when an unknown artist lands a deal or grows their fanbase using our tools, that’s success. It’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits everyone – from creators and record labels to fans – by removing friction and adding transparency through data.
As a Founder: Success starts with a genuine belief in the value of what you are offering. If you are not fully convinced, neither your team nor your customers will be.
I’ve always approached running a business like building a close-knit family where everyone should feel respected and appreciated, no matter their role. There’s something incredibly rewarding about celebrating team members who have been with you for 10, 20 years or more. That kind of loyalty is one of the things I value most, and it’s what success looks like to me.
What Advice Would You Give To Someone Thinking About Launching Their Own Startup?
Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, especially if they bring a set of skills and strengths that complement your own. Stay deeply passionate about your mission, but have the flexibility to pivot when facing setbacks. And finally, understand your market as it’s the only way to create a product that will meet the needs of your potential customers.
What’s Next for Your Company? Any Exciting Developments We Should Watch Out For?
After launching OddChild Distro in the UK and Muzartdisco in India, we’re deepening our focus on emerging markets, where there’s creative potential but limited access to traditional music infrastructure. Building on the success of Muzartdisco, we’re now expanding into Africa, where similar challenges and opportunities exist for independent talent.
By partnering with regional and niche labels, we’re powering localised discovery platforms that reflect cultural context and listener behaviour, giving artists more relevant exposure and helping record labels and managers spot real grassroots momentum. Our aim is to level the playing field: giving independent artists in these regions the same data, insights and career-building tools as major-label acts, so they can grow sustainable careers and connect with global audiences on their own terms.
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Founder’s Five with Ben Mendoza
With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, there’s no doubt about the fact that Ben Mendoza knows a thing or two about the world of tech. But, what is it that keeps the man ticking? Here’s our exclusive “Founder’s Five” with Ben Mendoza.
1. Favourite Business Tool?
Slack – it keeps our distributed team connected and efficient.
2. Lesson You Learned the Hard Way?
Just because a business advisor sounds convincing, doesn’t mean that their advice is right for you. Trust your gut.
3. A Future Trend You’re Watching?
The rise of AI-driven music discovery – it’s changing how fans find music and how labels find talent.
4. A Quote You Live By?
“Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.”
5. A Book/Podcast You Recommend?
“How I Built This” by Guy Raz
Want to be featured as TechRound’s Founder of the Week? Know someone who deserves to be recognised as a founder making waves in the startup landscape? Find out more about this weekly feature and how to get involved here.
