On Teaching Next-Gen Startup Founders
On Teaching Next-Gen Startup Founders
When I conceptualized and developed a course on building and launching tech startups in the music industry at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, my goal was simple yet ambitious: I wanted to prepare the next generation of young entrepreneurs to enter the competitive startup landscape with a breadth of music industry knowledge, a fundamental understanding of strategic business research and planning skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and founder insights gained from guest speakers, internships, and networking opportunities.
After spending several years advising, mentoring, and consulting founders of music tech and digital media startups, I felt that universities and colleges had a unique opportunity to prepare individuals early on with a robust class in music industry entrepreneurship and innovation. UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music agreed and hired me to develop and teach such a course course in 2016; a course that Billboard recognized among its list of “The 15 Best Music Business Schools In 2017.”
It is with this backdrop that I am made ever more proud by many of my former students who do exactly what I had hoped my class would inspire them to do: pursue a path towards music industry entrepreneurship.
That said, I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of my former students and his innovative startup.
David Hartley is a former student and the founder of SoundSmith, a marketplace for artists, labels and distributors to automate their influencer marketing on TikTok. They’ve recently been accepted to the Startmate business accelerator program.
David took my class in Winter 2018 and was a shining example of a model student. Not only was he engaged during lectures and guest speakers, he excelled in completing course assignments. He and his collaborators leveraged my officer hours to seek advice on their startup ideas and took full advantage of the ancillary opportunities that I offered students to land an internship at Repost by SoundCloud.
Students like David is what makes teaching music industry entrepreneurship enjoyable and stories like his is what makes it rewarding.
See David’s message to me below via LinkedIn (shared with his permission).
Dae Bogan Returns To UCLA Herb Alpert School Of Music To Teach Winter 2021 Quarter
I am thrilled to announce that I will be returning to UCLA for the 5th year to teach my course “Music Industry Entrepreneurship” at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
In 2017, I was honored to be recognized by Billboard in its 15 Best Music Business Schools of 2017 and later named to the Billboard 2019 Digital Power Players list for my work as a serial entrepreneur at the intersection of music copyrights, royalties, and technology. While updating my curriculum to fit a 100% online format will be a challenge, I look forward to guiding my international students in their exploration of entrepreneurship and innovation in the music industry.
This upcoming Winter ’21 quarter will coincide with my role as Head of Third-Party Partnership at The Mechanical Licensing Collective, which is the non-profit organization designated by the U.S. Copyright Office to issue and administer the newly created blanket digital audio mechanical license in accordance the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The historic passage of the MMA made it the most significant update to the U.S. Copyright Act in decades. To this end, I was honored to advise the U.S. Congressional Budget Office during its economic analysis of the bill and was humbled to be invited by Copyright Royalty Judge Hon. Steve Ruse to participate in the unclaimed royalties study symposium and speak at the Library of Congress on the ways in which The MLC could reach, engage, and support self-administered songwriters and small and emerging music publishers in the United States and abroad.
In a word, I don’t think I could be happier about where my hard work, accomplishments, and setbacks have lead me since deciding this time of year 17 years ago to pick up and relocate to Los Angeles from Cleveland, OH as a homeless, unemployed 18-year-old aspiring musician. While I pivoted from being the talent to supporting the talent early own, my passion for empowering and educating music creators and music entrepreneurs has never been stronger.
I can’t wait to see what this next chapter has to offer!
Statement By Dae Bogan On The Cancellation Of His ‘Music Industry Entrepreneurship’ UCLA Summer Class
Dear UCLA and non-UC Students who enrolled in my Summer 2019 Music Industry Entrepreneurship class:
Regrettably, my class, which was scheduled to begin this Thursday through UCLA Summer Sessions and UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, has been cancelled. If you enrolled in the course, the school has already unenrolled you and you can find another course in the Music Industry program.
I decided to cancel the class due to low enrollment, which has impacted a number of classes this summer. Unlike my winter class, which is generally over enrolled with a wait list, summer has proven to be particularly difficult (Maybe students do not want to take class in the summer?).
My curriculum requires a significant amount of group work (60% of the grade) to be distributed across student group members as groups progress through the class as mock co-founders of a fictitious music industry startup business. Consequently, the class requires a minimum threshold of enrolled students to make the course dynamic enough to highlight the entrepreneurial principles, fundamental business strategies and music industry best practices that I teach.
While I hate that the class had to be cancelled with such short notice, I felt that to maintain the integrity of my curriculum and to ensure that student who get to take my class benefit from the way in which it was designed cancelling was the only option.
Student reviews of Dae Bogan’s Music Industry Entrepreneurship class:
Hi Dae, Just wanted to thank you for an awesome class. This was one of the few classes at UCLA where I felt I was taught skills, not just about the subject matter but in how to go about achieving my career goals, that were applicable to my endeavors and will be used for the rest of my life. I got more out of it than I had with any other course here and I would highly recommend your class to to anyone interested in a music industry career.
– Student testimonial, Winter Quarter 2019
Without a doubt one of the most useful classes I have taken in my undergraduate career at UCLA. Professor Bogan has so much real world knowledge and knows how to convey that knowledge in a classroom setting immensely well. All the course material was invaluable to my progression and aspirations of being in the music industry. Every lecture was extremely well-prepared, with amazing guest speakers and information that I will be using for the rest of my life. Professor Bogan did a phenomenal job and I will be recommending this class to all my friends interested in music or starting their own company. Can’t say enough good things about this class.
– Student testimonial, Winter Quarter 2018
If you are still interested in exploring entrepreneurship in the music industry, you may consider taking my online program Music Industry Entrepreneurship Masterclass which is a 4 hour sample of my full course. You can sign up for the masterclass at www.marcatoacademy.com.
Music Industry Entrepreneurship Masterclass
Price: $190
Duration: 4 hours (with breaks)
Order: Click here to purchase.
Course Overview
From digital-first record labels and social music apps to AR/VR music experiences and blockchain-based music streaming startups, entrepreneurs have been disrupting and innovating across the music industry since the launch of Napster in the early 2000’s.
In this masterclass, you will learn to apply principles of entrepreneurship and fundamental business strategies to the music industry in ways that will make you a stronger asset within a team or a more strategic music creator or entrepreneur.
Learning Objectives
- How to form quality ideas using design thinking techniques in the ideation process.
- Understanding the intellectual property implications of your creations, products and services in the music industry.
- How to utilize market research and quantification methodology to vet ideas and quantify opportunity in the music industry before you invest your time and resources.
- How to throw away your 30 page business plan and instead develop an actionable business model that centers around product-market fit.
- How to launch with a lean go-to-market strategy.
- How to develop basic digital marketing funnels.
- How to get out of your own way by applying data-driven strategies to prioritize your monetizable skills. (Key insight for music creators seeking to monetize their skills while building a career as a performer.)
- How to keep yourself motivated by identifying and repeating your most powerful motivators.
- How to attract co-founders and build teams on a budget.
- How to build company culture in small or remote teams.
Live Online Workshop: Introduction to Music Royalties Forensics (May 18th and May 19th)
About Me: I am a music rights and royalties tech entrepreneur (original founder of music rights administration platform, TuneRegistry, and the world’s first search engine of unclaimed royalties and music licenses, RoyaltyClaim), music creators’ rights advocate, and lecturer of music industry entrepreneurship at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. I have helped hundreds of music creators and rightsholders find and unlock hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid music royalties from around the world. And my research on the state of unclaimed music royalties was used by US Congressional Budget Office in its analysis of the Music Modernization Act of 2018.
9 Questions – 90 Minutes – $90
The 9 questions this workshop will answer:
- What are your rights, entitlements, and income participations as a music creator and/or rights-holder?
- What are the most common royalty streams generated from a variety of music usage types and where do those royalties flow?
- How are music royalties allocated and distributed by music rights organizations?
- What are niche funds and sub-funds that often generate unmatched so-called “black box” royalties and how do you check for your records?
- How to track music usage to leverage usage and detection reports to reconcile or audit royalty statements?
- What are some tools and resources to help you search for, identify, and claim unclaimed royalties and music licenses?
- What are the requirements to properly setup to be accounted to and paid royalties from previously unaffiliated sources going forward?
- What are some tips for managing your music rights affiliations?
- What are some tips for preparing your music rights and royalties for beneficiaries?
REGISTER
Register for Sat. May 18th @ 9am PST
Register for Sun. May 19th @ 9am PST
Register for Mon. May 20th @ 9am PST
If you can’t make either dates, register anyway to receive the full replay video.
Enrollment Open – Music Industry Entrepreneurship Masterclass
Marcato Academy’s “Music Industry Entrepreneurship Masterclass” is now accepting enrollment for April 27th, 28th, and 30th. A recorded replay will be sent to individuals who cannot attend the live masterclass.
Learn More
A (Long) Announcement For Music Industry Entrepreneurs
This month, 7 years ago, I was abruptly laid off from my role as VP of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships and General Manager of Music of a half-billion dollar US retail chain. Although the lay-off occured as a result of a company reorganization following an M&A transaction, it still came as a surprise.
That was a pivotal moment in my life as it set off a series of events that began with me founding my first music tech start-up (Maven Promo, formely ChazBo Music) and has continued with me earning a master’s degree in music industry administration; helping dozens of music industry entrepreneurs from around the world develop, launch, or scale their business in the music and digital media industries; entering the world of academia as an educator at some of the top universities on the US West Coast; and selling three companies in the music industry.
Today, 7 years after having my sense of security stripped from under me and 11 years after founding my first music industry business (I owned and operated an artist management company, a music publishing company, and an independent record label while simultaneously leading marketing and music at the US retail chain referenced above), I am humbled and amazed by what I’ve been able to accomplish for myself and for others in such a short period of time.
I’ve been entrepreneurial since I was a youth, but it has been in the last several years that the grunt work and endless sleepless nights have paid off.
I believe in paying it forward. I believe that some of the best lessons are the failures and successes of those who’ve walked the path before you. And I believe that curating these lessons and supplementing them with actionable insights and fundametal principles can help the most dedicated individuals change their outcomes. To this end, I am proud of the work I’ve been able to do in academia and busines coaching.
I have taught courses and masterclasses at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, CSUN Music Industry Administration, USC Marshall School of Business, Emerson Los Angeles, SAE Institute, California Luthern University, The Los Angeles Recording School, and College of the Canyons and have given presentations and participated as a speaker at some of the top music industry conferences in the United States such as SXSW Music Conference, Music Biz Expo, Indie Week, ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo and Digital Entertainment World Expo.
In 2017, Billboard recognized my course, “Music Industry Entrepreneurship,” in its list of “The 15 Best Music Business Schools in 2017” and the class continues to rank among the highest rated courses in the Music Industry Program at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
Over the last 5 years, my courses have been exclusively available to students enrolled in the colleges and universities that have commissioned me to develop and teach at their institutions. These students spend tens of thousands of dollars to attend these institutions for access to quality higher education. While I believe that students outside of these institutions and young professionals who aren’t in college shound have access to my courses, even my UCLA Summer Sessions class, which is open to anyone, can still add up to thousands of dollars.
Therefore, in an attempt to share my knowledge and experience with as many interested music industry entrepreneurs as possible, I am excited to announce my limited run “Music Industry Entrepreneurship Masterclass”.
The Music Industry Entrepreneurship Masterclass will be a LIVE 4-hour masterclass taking place at various times on April 27th, 28th and 30th starting at only $199.
I will be posting more details and links to learn more tomorrow, so comment on this announcement to follow and receive notification of the discount link.
SHARE WITH AN ENTREPRENEUR
Dae Bogan’s ‘Music Industry Entrepreneurship’ Class To Return To UCLA Summer 2019
UCLA Summer Sessions has confirmed that my Billboard-recognized course, “Music Industry Entrepreneurship,” will be offered this Summer during Session A.
UCLA, UC, and non-UC students (including individuals who are not enrolled in college anywhere) are welcome. Enrollment is now open at summer.ucla.edu.
The class will meet on Thursdays (June 27 – August 1) from 6pm to 9:50pm at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music with the exception of Thursday, July 4th (there will be a total of 5 class meetings).
Course Description:
From digital-first record labels and music messaging apps to AR/VR (augmented reality / virtual reality) music experiences and blockchain-based music startups, entrepreneurs have been disrupting and innovating across the music industry since the launch of Napster in the early 2000’s. In this course, you will learn and apply principles of entrepreneurship and fundamental business strategies to the music industry. We will analyze case studies and current events and participate in critical discussions around music industry entrepreneurship. Course work will consist of developing business plans, workgroup labs, and building out infrastructure for start-ups that focus on technology and innovation in the music industry; all culminating in the pitch of a fictitious music industry company at the end of the quarter. You will also take away cautionary tales and lessons for success from founder stories presented by guest speakers of music industry start-ups and executives from established music industry companies.
Student Testimonial:
Without a doubt one of the most useful classes I have taken in my undergraduate career at UCLA. Professor Bogan has so much real world knowledge and knows how to convey that knowledge in a classroom setting immensely well. All the course material was invaluable to my progression and aspirations of being in the music industry. Every lecture was extremely well-prepared, with amazing guest speakers and information that I will be using for the rest of my life. Professor Bogan did a phenomenal job and I will be recommending this class to all my friends interested in music or starting their own company. Can’t say enough good things about this class. – Anonymous, Student Course Evaluation
Apple To Recruit College Students For Apple Music From UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
I am pleased to announce that Apple has selected my Billboard-recognized class, Music Industry Entrepreneurship and Innovation, at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music as a preferred source to recruit aspiring music industry professionals into its college internship programs at Apple Music.
Upon successful completion of an internship and graduation from UCLA, recent grads may become eligible for full-time employment at Apple music divisions.
An Apple Worldwide Recruiting representative will visit my class in January 2019 to promote their internship program to my students and answer any questions that students might have.
I am pleased with Apple’s decision to partner with universities and educators that deliver best-in-class education and experiences to students who may become tomorrow’s music industry leaders.
In reviewing my class students have shown great appreciation for the course and the speaker series that I curate throughout the quarter:
Hi Dae, Just wanted to thank you for an awesome class. This was one of the few classes at UCLA where I felt I was taught skills, not just about the subject matter but in how to go about achieving my career goals, that were applicable to my endeavors and will be used for the rest of my life. I got more out of it than I had with any other course here and I would highly recommend your class to to anyone interested in a music industry career.
– Student testimonial, Winter Quarter 2018
Without a doubt one of the most useful classes I have taken in my undergraduate career at UCLA. Professor Bogan has so much real world knowledge and knows how to convey that knowledge in a classroom setting immensely well. All the course material was invaluable to my progression and aspirations of being in the music industry. Every lecture was extremely well-prepared, with amazing guest speakers and information that I will be using for the rest of my life. Professor Bogan did a phenomenal job and I will be recommending this class to all my friends interested in music or starting their own company. Can’t say enough good things about this class.
– Student testimonal, Winter Quarter 2018
In addition to the relationship with Apple, I am excited to announce that I’ve established a relationship with music tech start-up accelerator Techstars Music that allows me to recommend student and alumni owned start-ups for consideration to receive seed investment and to participate in its accelerator program.
I look forward to continuing to add value to my course to offer students one of the best experiences in their academic careers at UCLA.
Dae Bogan Returns To UCLA Herb Alpert School Of Music To Teach Billboard-recognized Course
I am happy to announce that my UCLA top rated and Billboard recognized course on music entrepreneurship will return to UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music next quarter, Winter 2019.
Course Title: MSC IND 188: Music Industry Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Course Description: From digital-first record labels and music messaging apps to AR/VR (augmented reality / virtual reality) music experiences and blockchain-based music startups, entrepreneurs have been disrupting and innovating across the music industry since the launch of Napster in the early 2000’s.
In this course, you will learn and apply principles of entrepreneurship and fundamental business strategies to the music industry. We will analyze case studies and current events and participate in critical discussions around music industry entrepreneurship.
Course work will consist of developing business plans, workgroup labs, and building out infrastructure for start-ups that focus on technology and innovation in the music industry; all culminating in the pitch of a fictitious music industry company at the end of the quarter. You will also take away cautionary tales and lessons for success from founder stories presented by guest speakers of music industry start-ups and executives from established music industry companies.
Personal Note: I developed “Music Industry Entrepreneurship and Innovation” as a forward-thinking course which reflects the kind of entrepreneurial exploration we will do around new business models and emerging technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence in music composition, blockchain in music rights administration, cryptocurrency as royalty payments, augmented reality and mixed reality in music education, virtual reality in music experiences such as concerts, etc.). I’m looking forward to taking this journey with you starting January 2019.
Student testimonials:
Without a doubt one of the most useful classes I have taken in my undergraduate career at UCLA. Professor Bogan has so much real world knowledge and knows how to convey that knowledge in a classroom setting immensely well. All the course material was invaluable to my progression and aspirations of being in the music industry. Every lecture was extremely well-prepared, with amazing guest speakers and information that I will be using for the rest of my life. Professor Bogan did a phenomenal job and I will be recommending this class to all my friends interested in music or starting their own company. Can’t say enough good things about this class. – Anonymous, Student Course Evaluation
Very strong thought person allows him to be a very quality, natural teacher and mentor. Very cool to learn from a self made millionaire. Very humble and engaging. Understands the value on unorthodox education. – Anonymous, Student Course Evaluation
Hello Dae,
Hope your week has been going well! I just wanted to thank you for an amazing quarter. I really learned a lot from you and would love to keep in touch in the future. The information I gained from your class will help me in developing my professional career in the music industry and I just wanted to let you know how much of an impact you’ve had on me. Thank you!
Best,
R.
Hello Professor,
Thank you so much for all the knowledge you have provided this year, I have profoundly enjoyed your class.-M.
Hi Dae,
Thank you for everything this quarter.
Not only have I learned so much about the music industry and entrepreneurship skills from your class, but you also taught me how to value my time and sense of self highly. With these valuable tools and mindsets, I have started to believe in myself so much more and I have also set higher standards for my life with purpose, thanks to you.
I appreciate the active investment you put in our actual learning through outside resources and guests. This class was a special experience, which has honestly been very hard to find in many of my professors these four years.
[Omitted]
I wish you enormous success in your future! I hope to be there one day as well 🙂
Best Regards,
E.
Dear Professor Bogan,
Hope this email finds you well! [Omitted]
I was truly inspired by your entrepreneurship and knowledge. It is great to see someone that looks like me be passionate, knowledgeable, and successful in the music industry. I also am grateful for all of the tools you gave us to create our own businesses. The things we learned are truly priceless and will help us structure our ideas and concepts for a lifetime. Moreover, thank you for the diverse array of music industry professionals you brought into the class, because of the depth of your network, you connected us with someone from just about every aspect of the industry, which gave me personal accounts of what is needed to get into this industry. I can tell that you carefully craft every aspect of your class, and I truly appreciate the effort and dedication to student learning.
[Omitted]
Not a goodbye, but definitely see you later! Thanks for a great quarter!
Best,
S.
Hi Dae,
Just wanted to thank you for an awesome class. This was one of the few classes at UCLA where I felt I was taught skills, not just about the subject matter but in how to go about achieving my career goals, that were applicable to my endeavors and will be used for the rest of my life.
I got more out of it than I had with any other course here and I would highly recommend your class to to anyone interested in a music industry career.See you around hopefully,
A.
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