Create Music Group acquires minority stake in DistroKid

MUSIC INDUSTRY

Create Music Group has acquired a minority stake in DistroKid. According to MBW, the Los Angeles-based company, backed by Flexpoint Ford and Ares, made the investment earlier this year.

The transaction was carried out alongside CVC Capital Partners’ deal to acquire a majority stake in DistroKid, which closed in the third quarter. Insight Partners retains a significant minority stake, and Phil Bauer continues to lead DistroKid as President.

Create has completed several recent deals, including the acquisitions of !K7 Music, Monstercat and Cr2, as well as the deadmau5 and Mau5trap Records catalogs. In February 2026, it also agreed to invest more than $300 million in Nettwerk Music Group.

DistroKid, founded by Philip Kaplan in 2013 and based in New York, says it distributes roughly 40% of all new music worldwide. The company is currently being sued by Universal Music Group and must respond to the complaint by December 4.

Source: Music Business Worldwide