Muhammad Ibadurrohman
Duetti, the innovative catalog acquisition platform founded in 2022, has officially announced the establishment of its French division, naming the highly respected industry veteran Naïma Menxhiqi as its lead. Menxhiqi will assume her pivotal role on June 1, spearheading Duetti’s strategic initiatives within one of Europe’s most vibrant and influential music markets. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the company, underscoring its commitment to empowering independent artists globally and is anticipated to be further solidified with the opening of a dedicated Paris office in the coming months.
Duetti has rapidly carved out a distinctive niche in the competitive music rights acquisition landscape by focusing exclusively on purchasing and developing the catalogs of independent artists. This targeted approach differentiates it from many industry counterparts that primarily pursue multi-million-dollar deals for "evergreen" catalogs of established superstars. Since its inception, Duetti has demonstrated remarkable growth, having collaborated with over 1,100 artists to date, providing them with liquidity and strategic support to further their careers. The company’s robust financial backing reflects investor confidence in its unique model, having successfully raised a cumulative total of $635 million in funding. Prominent investors include The Raine Group, Roc Nation, Viola Ventures, Viola Credit, and Flexpoint Ford. Its most recent funding round, concluded in January 2026, secured an impressive $200 million, signaling strong market validation and providing substantial capital for continued expansion and acquisitions. In a testament to its prior engagement with the French market, Duetti has already made notable acquisitions, including the catalogs of popular French artists Imen Es and Yanns, demonstrating an early understanding and appreciation for the local music scene.
The appointment of Naïma Menxhiqi is a strategic move, bringing a wealth of specialized experience in catalog management within France and a profound understanding of music rights monetization across diverse European territories. Menxhiqi’s professional journey began in the mid-2010s, primarily across Eastern Europe and the Balkans, where she quickly identified a critical disconnect in the music industry. She observed numerous artists and songwriters generating tens of millions of views on platforms like YouTube, yet remaining largely unaware that their creative works were eligible for significant royalties. This glaring gap in knowledge and infrastructure inspired her to take action, leading to the foundation of Alba Music Publishing. This pioneering firm specialized in Balkan repertoires, dedicating itself to educating and assisting songwriters in joining performing rights organizations such as SACEM (Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique) – the French collecting society for musical works – and subsequently helping them effectively collect their rightful earnings. Her work with Alba Music Publishing not only empowered a generation of artists but also built a reputation for transparency, integrity, and a deep commitment to creator welfare.
Following her success in the Balkans, Menxhiqi broadened her scope, launching a second publishing company, We Matter Music Publishing, with a specific focus on the dynamic French market. Under her leadership, We Matter Music Publishing quickly made its mark by signing talented beatmakers such as Koston and Toto Beats. These producers, known for their innovative soundscapes, saw their productions placed with some of France’s biggest names in music, including Jul, Soprano, Soolking, and Niska. This period solidified Menxhiqi’s reputation as a keen talent scout and an expert in navigating the intricacies of the French music ecosystem, connecting creators with commercial opportunities. Her impressive track record and deep industry relationships did not go unnoticed. American funds, increasingly looking to invest in the lucrative European music rights market, began to approach her. This led to Menxhiqi’s natural transition into catalog brokerage, where her expertise proved invaluable. It was through her efforts and extensive network that Duetti successfully executed its initial French acquisitions, laying the groundwork for the formal division announced today.
Menxhiqi articulated Duetti’s unique value proposition, stating, “Unlike many players in the market, Duetti does not simply acquire catalogs. The company works as a genuine partner to artists, with a transparent, straightforward approach tailored to the realities of independent creators.” This statement encapsulates Duetti’s ethos, emphasizing a collaborative model over a purely transactional one. She further elaborated on the company’s transformative impact: “Catalog acquisitions have historically been limited to established artists with so-called premium or evergreen catalogs. Duetti has helped shift that dynamic by recognizing the value of independent artists’ catalogs that were often undervalued by the market.” This perspective highlights a crucial market inefficiency that Duetti aims to correct, providing independent artists with access to capital and strategic development opportunities that were previously out of reach.
Lior Tibon, CEO of Duetti, warmly welcomed Menxhiqi to her new role, emphasizing the strategic importance of the French market. “We are excited to welcome Naïma to Duetti as our France lead to help us better serve independent artists and songwriters in the French market,” Tibon commented. “Her appointment underscores our enthusiasm for this market and our commitment to investing in its local music industry.” Tibon’s remarks reinforce Duetti’s long-term vision for France, seeing it not just as an acquisition target but as a key region for fostering artistic talent and contributing to the local music economy. The establishment of a physical presence, with a Paris office expected to open in the coming months, will further solidify this commitment, providing a direct point of contact for artists and partners within the region.
The strategic rationale behind Duetti’s expansion into France is multifaceted. France represents one of the largest and most culturally significant music markets in Europe, characterized by a robust local repertoire and a thriving independent scene. According to recent industry reports, the French music market consistently ranks among the top global territories for recorded music revenue, driven by strong streaming adoption and a diverse array of genres, from urban pop and rap to chanson and electronic music. However, despite its vitality, independent artists in France, like in many other markets, often face challenges in accessing capital, navigating complex rights management, and maximizing the long-term value of their creative assets. Duetti’s model directly addresses these needs by offering a tailored solution for catalog monetization that respects the unique journey of independent creators. By providing upfront capital, Duetti allows artists to invest in their next projects, fund tours, or secure financial stability without sacrificing creative control or future earning potential entirely. This approach is particularly appealing in a market where many artists prioritize artistic independence.
The new French division will be well-supported, with Menxhiqi leading a dedicated team. She will be joined by two experienced A&Rs (Artists and Repertoire), Simon Huver and Lyva Corvo, who will play crucial roles in identifying talent, evaluating catalogs, and fostering relationships with artists. Their combined expertise will be instrumental in ensuring Duetti’s deep integration into the French music community and effective execution of its mission. The upcoming Paris office will serve as a central hub for these operations, facilitating closer collaboration with artists, labels, and other industry stakeholders. This local presence is vital for understanding market nuances, building trust, and providing personalized support to artists, aligning with Menxhiqi’s emphasis on partnership and transparency.
The broader implications of Duetti’s move are significant for the global music industry, particularly for independent artists. In an era where major labels and institutional investors are increasingly consolidating music catalogs, Duetti offers an alternative pathway for creators. Its focus on the "middle market" of independent catalogs, which have historically been overlooked or undervalued, democratizes access to capital and empowers artists who might not fit the profile of a major catalog acquisition. This strategy contributes to a more equitable ecosystem, recognizing that value is not solely concentrated in superstar catalogs but also in the vast and diverse body of work produced by independent artists worldwide. As streaming revenues continue to grow and stabilize, music catalogs have become attractive assets for investors seeking long-term, predictable returns. Duetti’s model capitalizes on this trend while ensuring that the benefits flow directly back to the creators.
Looking ahead, Duetti’s successful expansion into France could serve as a blueprint for further growth across Europe and other international markets. The company’s substantial funding and proven ability to scale its operations suggest a trajectory of continued innovation in the catalog acquisition space. By leveraging data analytics and a deep understanding of artist needs, Duetti is well-positioned to continue identifying and nurturing undervalued music assets, thereby creating sustainable value for both artists and investors. The emphasis on partnership, transparency, and a creator-centric approach championed by Naïma Menxhiqi positions Duetti not just as a financial entity, but as a strategic ally for the next generation of independent musical talent. This strategic move in France solidifies Duetti’s global footprint and its commitment to reshaping how independent artists monetize and manage their valuable intellectual property in the digital age.
