Miami, FL, October 2026 – Ten Spanish music technology companies explored the U.S. music industry from the inside during Desafía MusicTech Miami 2026, an international immersion program that combined business training, industry connections, recording studio visits and participation in Billboard Latin Music Week.
Promoted by ICEX, Red.es and the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Miami, and powered by BIME and Mana Tech, the program was designed to help Spanish startups and scaleups understand the U.S. music market, adapt their business strategies and build relationships with key industry players.
With Lalo Lensen as host and program partner, the experience began with preparatory training in Spain, followed by two weeks of immersion in Miami, combining specialized workshops, mentorship, investor meetings, networking and visits to the city’s music industry.
Inside Miami’s music industry
Rather than learning about the U.S. music business from a distance, participating founders engaged directly with professionals across music production, publishing, distribution, technology and investment.
The agenda featured sessions with TikTok, Warner Chappell Music, peermusic, The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), Duetti and professionals connected to TuneCore, alongside conversations about artificial intelligence, digital distribution, music rights and emerging business models.
A highlight was the Billboard masterclass with Leila Cobo, offering insights into the Latin music industry and its international business opportunities.
The program also covered the practical challenges of entering the U.S. market, including legal and tax considerations, international expansion, go-to-market strategy and customer development. Investor sessions with Rishi Patel, Alex Loveyko and Saulo Pereira of J.P. Morgan provided perspectives on fundraising and access to capital.
This program was designed to give founders a complete picture of what entering the U.S. music industry involves. By combining practical preparation with direct access to industry professionals, we helped them build relationships and develop clearer strategies for growth.
— Charly Esnal, CEO, Mana Tech
Behind the scenes: Miami’s recording studios and creative spaces
One of the program’s most distinctive elements was the opportunity to visit the spaces where Miami’s music industry operates.
Participants explored Camaleon in Doral, hosted by José Aristizábal, and Casa Blanca Records, hosted by Luis Alfredo González, gaining a behind-the-scenes perspective on music production and the creative professionals working in the city.
The group also visited The Vision Media, hosted by Manny Mora of Magnus Media, and Mana Wynwood Convention Center in connection with III Points, one of Miami’s recognized music and cultural events.
These experiences gave founders a closer understanding of how creative businesses operate and where technology can contribute to the industry’s evolving needs.
From industry connections to international growth
Throughout the immersion, participants refined their pitches, explored commercial opportunities and met individually with industry professionals, investors and potential partners.
The experience culminated in the Desafía MusicTech Miami Demo Day at Mana Tech, where startups presented their solutions to Miami’s music and technology communities.
The program also coincided with Billboard Latin Music Week, connecting founders with the broader international music industry during one of Miami’s most important weeks for Latin music.
Miami's connection to the U.S. and Latin American music markets makes it an ideal environment for this type of program. Desafía MusicTech showed how direct industry access, combined with the right preparation, can help international companies identify real opportunities for expansion.
— Conrado Morais, COO, Mana Tech
Following the immersion, participating startups will continue receiving mentorship and support to develop their U.S. market-entry strategies and build on the connections established in Miami.
By bringing together music executives, technology platforms, investors, publishers and creative studios, Desafía Music Tech demonstrated the value of industry-specific immersion programs and reinforced Miami’s role at the intersection of music, technology and international entrepreneurship.
About Desafía MusicTech Miami
Desafía MusicTech Miami 2026 is an international immersion program promoted by ICEX, Red.es and the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Miami, and powered by BIME and Mana Tech, with Billboard as media partner.
The program supports Spanish music technology startups and scaleups through specialized training, mentorship, industry connections and international market-entry support.
About Mana Tech
Mana Tech is a business and innovation hub headquartered in Downtown Miami, connecting founders, investors, corporations and global ecosystems through spaces, events, programs, capital and media.
Through its international programs and partnerships, Mana Tech helps companies access the relationships, knowledge and opportunities needed to establish and grow their presence in the U.S. market.
Press contact
Rosario Estruga
rosario@manatech.com