Vermillio, an AI licensing and protection platform, has raised $16 million in Series A funding from Sony Music Entertainment and DNS Capital, among others. With this new investment, Vermillio has promised to protect the creative rights of talent, record labels and studios as generative artificial intelligence continues to evolve, changing the dynamic of artistic consent, credit and compensation.
Vermillio is supported by TracelDTM, a technology that monitors IP and NIL content, alerts and takedowns and lost revenue, in addition to preparing IP and NIL assets for AI licensing, auditing of authorized AI licenses and payment management.
“We are setting a new standard for AI licensing — one that proactively enables consent, credit, and compensation for innovative opportunities,” said Dan Neely, co-founder and CEO of Vermillio. “With the support of an innovation leader like Sony Music, Vermillio will continue building our products that ensure generative AI is utilized ethically and securely. At this critical moment in determining the future of AI and how to hold platforms accountable, we are proud to protect the world’s most beloved content and talent.”
Last year, Vermillio announced a partnership with talent agency WME to shield their clients from IP theft and deliver opportunities to monetize their name, image and likeness (NIL) by securely licensing their data. To demonstrate the unique opportunity that authenticated AI with TraceIDTM presents, Vermillio launched a Spider-Verse AI engine with Sony Pictures where fans created their own unique digital version of themselves in the animation style of the Spider-Verse artists. Each of the 1.5 million fan creations was tracked using TraceID and with the ability to trace back to the filmmakers’ source IP.
Alongside Sony Music and Legacy Recordings, Vermillio then collaborated with The Orb and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd to develop a project where fans “remixed” their album and created original artwork. Each of these partnerships are rooted in the seamless and secure control of TraceID.
+ Sevdaliza has signed a global partnership with Create Music Group. Under this new deal, the Iranian-Dutch singer-songwriter’s upcoming music will be released through Create’s renowned indie label, Broke, co-founded by Andre Benz and Brandon De Oliveira.
“Sevdaliza is one of the most exciting and forward-thinking artists in the world, a true cultural force with a massive global fanbase,” said Jonathan Strauss, co-founder and CEO of Create Music Group. “She could have partnered with any company in the world. The fact that she and her brilliant team elected to make Create Music Group and broke her home is hugely gratifying to everyone at this company. We look forward to being a part of her incredible journey.”
Svedaliza scored a global hit last year with “Alibi,” which she performed on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The single was Shazam’s No. 1 “Song of the Summer,” with the anthem spending 15 weeks on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
“We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Sevdaliza to the Create/broke family,” said Benz. “She is a true visionary that embodies everything that our company stands for—creativity, independence, and a relentless pursuit of breaking boundaries. Sevdaliza’s ability to innovate and connect with audiences across the world is unmatched, and we’re excited to work alongside her as she enters the next phase of her career.”
+ Jody Williams Songs (JWS) has promoted Nina Jenkins Fisher to vice president/general manager, with Tenasie Courtright also been promoted to creative director.
Fisher has signed songwriters, developing artists, major label artists, writer producers and pure songwriters. In addition to handling day-to-day operations, Fisher also supports in overseeing the company’s partnership with Warner Chappell Music.
“Thank you to Jody for giving me the space to grow—both creatively and in my understanding of the inner workings of the music publishing industry I love so much,” shared Fisher. “It has been a true joy to help build a company that has been embraced by the writers, publishers and song people in our community.”
“Starting a publishing company from scratch is a daunting task to say the least. But from day one, Nina took the reins of calendar management, pitching songs and attracting writers, all while interacting with the community in meaningful ways,” shared Williams. “We were always an exceptional team because of our different approaches to the business. Never shying away from offering opposing opinions, we have both learned from each other in a very healthy way.”
+ Sony Music Nashville and Provident Entertainment has appointed Lauren Kilgore as senior vice president, business and legal affairs.
Kilgore will oversee the legal activities associated with both labels to shape and execute SMN and PE’s legal, business and operational strategies. Kilgore will start with the company effective immediately and report to Sony Music Nashville Chair and CEO, Taylor Lindsey and President and COO Ken Robold.
“We are so excited to have Lauren join Sony Music Nashville and Provident Entertainment,” said Kilgore. “Her vast knowledge and sharp acumen will only help to continue to provide the best and most competitive deals for both our company and the artists we’ve partnered with.”
Kilgore brings nearly fifteen years of experience as an entertainment attorney. She has worked with a diverse roster of clients, including Paramore, Jackson Dean, Ben Williams, Black River Entertainment, Shenandoah and Walk Off Entertainment.
Kilgore has spent the entirety of her legal career based in Nashville, and most recently, was a Shareholder in the law firm of Buchalter, P.C., where she handled a broad range of transactional entertainment matters.
+ The Empower U Grant by Colture Cares, a 501(c)(3) organization, are launching submissions for their grants supporting women entrepreneurs from underserved communities through funding, mentorship, and business resources.
Each year during Women’s History Month, five women-led ventures receive $10,000 grants and 12 months of mentorship to help grow or scale their businesses. Applicants can submit for consideration starting March 3 at 12 p.m. PT, with submissions closing on March 5 at 12 p.m. PT.
