Episode Overview

“You have to connect with people on an emotional level – that is the business of music”

Vel Omazic co-founded Canada’s Music Incubator in 2011 and has been CMI’s executive director ever since. Canada’s Music Incubator provides customized professional development, live performance opportunities and ongoing mentorship to emerging artists, managers and industry professionals across all genres of music.

Vel has worked in the Canadian music industry for three decades, which has included roles such as Vice-President of National Promotion and Media Relations for Sony Music Canada. Vel is also on the
Advisory Board for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Music Den, a hub for music tech and next generation music companies, and an advisor for Platform’s Music Tech Accelerator program (Reverb) in Calgary. Vel is also on the Advisory Board for Gatecrash Music’s AMPLIFY Incubator in Mumbai, India, which is modelled after CMI. 

In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Vel dives into his multi-decade career within the corporate side of music, his transition into non-profit and entrepreneurship, and his advice for artists.

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