Our people. Our principles

Founded in 2000 by Swedish entrepreneur Willard Ahdritz, Kobalt took a bet on digital music and won. The startup built a platform to maximize efficiency, accuracy, and transparency across the billions of micro-payments collected in today’s highly complex digital world. While traditional music companies resisted technology and contracted, Kobalt embraced it — building a global digital music infrastructure and world-class creative team designed to lead the streaming era and create a more fair and rewarding music business for creators.

Now in operation for over 20 years, Kobalt has become the premier destination for songwriters, artists, publishers, and rights holders. With its unique one-global-roster, one-territory approach, the company represents some of the most iconic and influential songwriters in the world, including Roddy Ricch, Max Martin, FINNEAS, Karol G, Andrew Watt, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lumineers, Gunna, Justin Quiles, The Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, and many more. On average, Kobalt represents over 40% of the top 100 songs and albums in the US and UK.

Kobalt’s mission as a positive, transformative force for the benefit of all creators remains. As the music industry hurdles forward, Kobalt continues as a steadfast change agent to ensure creators and rights holders are paid fairly.

amra, Kobat’s digital CMO and the world’s only global digital collection society, removes inefficiencies and maximizes accuracy in digital royalty collections, eliminating spillage and friction in the last mile of paying songwriters and rights holders. KOSIGN, Kobalt’s latest innovation, brings Kobalt’s renowned publishing platform and transparency to artists and songwriters seeking a streamlined solution to collect their global royalties with unmatched flexibility and control.

With a legacy of transformation and continuous innovation, Kobalt will continue to build as a premier destination in music —  breaking down barriers to ensure every artist, producer, and songwriter gets paid faster, more efficiently, and with complete transparency.