In a powerful testament to India’s thriving independent music movement, Madverse Music successfully concluded the second edition of its annual Empower Fund, a flagship artist grant program aimed at recognising and supporting emerging talent across the country. The 2025 edition of the fund drew an overwhelming response, receiving 350+ applications from across India, spanning multiple genres, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
Launched in celebration of World Music Day, Empower Fund 2.0 offered two grants of INR 75,000 each to deserving independent artists, alongside mentorship, visibility, and access to a growing ecosystem of resources. The initiative reinforces Madverse Music’s mission to not only distribute music but to actively invest in the future of creative voices shaping the country’s soundscape. This year’s winners are ‘Nawazishein’ and ‘Shaantanu’. Entries were reviewed and shortlisted by a credible panel of music professionals, carefully chosen for their diverse experience and deep understanding of the independent music ecosystem. Both artists stood out for their originality, storytelling, sonic ambition, and potential for long-term growth. Their journeys reflect the very ethos of the Empower Fund – to champion independent music rooted in authenticity and vision.
“What we witnessed through Empower Fund 2.0 is a beautiful reminder of the scale and richness of independent music in India today,” said Rohan Nesho Jain, Founder & CEO of Madverse Music. “From folk to hip-hop, experimental electronica to regional pop, the submissions this year showed incredible depth. The Fund is not just about providing capital, it’s about helping artists build the groundwork for sustainable music careers.”
The winners will also receive additional support from Madverse Music’s artist services vertical, including editorial promotion, access to distribution infrastructure, creative support, and possible sync and brand opportunities. As India’s independent music scene continues to expand in reach and recognition, initiatives like the Empower Fund are playing a critical role in providing the fuel needed for artists to stay self-sufficient and creatively autonomous. Madverse Music aims to grow the Fund’s footprint in the coming years, strengthening its commitment to long-term artist development in India.
