Scooter Braun’s name is synonymous with the music industry.
From managing superstars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande to building a diversified entertainment empire, he has become a force to be reckoned with.
But Braun’s ventures extend far beyond music management.
This article delves into the business landscape Braun has cultivated, exploring his ventures in film, television, esports and beyond.
We’ll uncover the companies he founded, the acquisitions he spearheaded, and the surprising investments that make up his business portfolio.
SB Projects
SB Projects, founded by Braun in 2007, is a diversified entertainment and media company.
It’s not just about music; it encompasses a wide range of ventures across the entertainment industry, including music management, a record label, film and television production and branding.
Think of it as a one-stop shop for creative talent.
SB Projects manages the careers of musicians (formerly including Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande), has its own record label (Schoolboy Records) to launch new artists, and can even help create shows and movies through its film and television production arm.
They also focus on branding and marketing, helping their clients develop their image and secure lucrative deals.
In essence, SB Projects aims to be a creative haven for artists, providing them with the resources and guidance they need to thrive in the entertainment industry.
By offering a variety of services under one roof, SB Projects can help artists not just with their music but also build their careers as well-rounded entertainers.
Ithaca Holdings
Ithaca Holdings functioned as an umbrella company for his various entertainment businesses.
It essentially served as a holding company, consolidating ownership and management of Braun’s ventures in the music, film, television, technology and branding sectors.
One of Ithaca Holdings’ most significant acquisitions was Big Machine Label Group in 2019.
This acquisition brought a roster of popular artists under Braun’s umbrella.
Ithaca Holdings also housed SB Projects, Braun’s diversified entertainment and media company encompassing music management, a record label, a television and film production company, and branding ventures.
However, Ithaca Holdings’ ownership changed hands in 2021.
South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, best known for the K-pop group BTS, acquired Ithaca Holdings in a billion-dollar deal.
As part of the acquisition, Braun became the CEO of HYBE America, a subsidiary of HYBE.
It’s important to note that while Ithaca Holdings was once a central hub for Braun’s businesses, it is no longer a separate entity following its acquisition by HYBE.
HYBE America (formerly Big Hit)
HYBE America, formerly known as Big Hit, has a complex history that intertwines with Braun’s career.
Big Hit started as a South Korean entertainment company responsible for launching the global K-pop phenomenon, BTS.
Their success propelled Big Hit to become a major player in the music industry.
In 2019, Big Hit merged with several other Korean entertainment companies to form HYBE Corporation, a giant in the K-pop scene.
In 2019, Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, which housed his SB Projects and other ventures, acquired Big Machine Label Group (known for artists like Taylor Swift).
This purchase caused controversy as it involved the ownership of Swift’s masters (original recordings) which she strongly opposed.
Then, in 2021, HYBE Corporation (formerly Big Hit) took things a step further.
They acquired Ithaca Holdings, effectively bringing Braun’s SB Projects and other holdings under their umbrella.
As part of this deal, HYBE America (the US division of the company) was formed, with Braun becoming its CEO.
So, HYBE America, though formerly Big Hit, now represents the US arm of the larger HYBE Corporation.
Braun’s leadership of HYBE America reflects HYBE’s ambition to expand its reach into the American market and leverage Braun’s industry experience, though it has also generated controversy due to Braun’s past business dealings.
Schoolboy Records
Schoolboy Records is a record label founded by Braun in 2007.
It operates in a strategic partnership with Universal Music Group, one of the Big Three record companies in the world.
This partnership allows Schoolboy Records to benefit from Universal Music Group’s resources and distribution network while still maintaining some level of independence.
Despite being a relatively young label, Schoolboy Records has achieved some notable successes.
Their first big hit came with Asher Roth’s single “I Love College” and his debut album.
The label also played a key role in launching the careers of Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen, with Bieber’s Baby and One Time and Carly Rae Jepsen’s international smash, Call Me Maybe.
Schoolboy Records has shown a willingness to work with artists across various genres, including pop, hip-hop and even K-pop with their signing of CL.
While Schoolboy Records is no longer under Braun’s sole ownership due to the sale of SB Projects to HYBE America, it remains a part of the entertainment empire Braun helped build.
TQ Ventures
Braun isn’t just a music manager and talent guru, he’s also ventured into the world of venture capitalism with TQ Ventures.
This investment firm, co-founded by Braun alongside Andrew Marks and Schuster Tanger, focuses on identifying and backing promising companies in their early and growth stages.
Founded in 2018, TQ Ventures steers clear of the typical focus on just the consumer space that many venture capital firms have.
Instead, they actively seek out investments in a wider range of industries, including technology, software as a service (SaaS) companies, and the gaming industry.
Braun himself has shown a knack for spotting potential in these areas, having been an early investor in successful companies like Uber, Spotify and Pinterest.
Beyond just providing financial backing, TQ Ventures is known for its hands-on approach.
Braun highlights the expertise of his partners, Marks and Tanger, who are actively involved with the founders of the companies they invest in.
This involvement goes beyond just writing checks; it’s about offering guidance and support to help these businesses navigate challenges and achieve their full potential.
This approach seems to resonate with the founders themselves, with reports of them appreciating the active role Braun and his partners take in their ventures.
Mythos Studios
Braun entered the world of film and television production in 2018 when he co-founded Mythos Studios alongside David Maisel, the founding chairman of Marvel Studios.
Their goal was to develop and produce their own comic book movie franchises, encompassing both live-action and animated formats.
Mythos Studios started strong by acquiring a 50% stake in Aspen Comics.
This gave them the rights to the comic book company’s intellectual property, including characters, storylines, and the distinctive artwork created by Aspen Comics’ founder, Michael Turner.
Two of Aspen Comics’ most popular titles, Fathom and Soulfire, were among the first projects Mythos Studios planned to develop.
Fathom tells the story of Aspen Matthews, a marine biologist who discovers a hidden past and newfound abilities.
Soulfire takes place in a future where technology reigns supreme but magic is lost.
The plot follows a chosen one named Malikai and his team on a quest to restore magic and defeat evil forces.
While there haven’t been any major updates on Mythos Studios’ projects in recent years, it serves as an indicator of Braun’s ambition to expand his influence beyond music management and into the world of film and television franchise creation.
100 Thieves
Braun isn’t the sole owner of 100 Thieves, but rather a co-owner alongside Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag, Valkyrae, CouRageJD and others.
100 Thieves itself is an American lifestyle brand and gaming organization founded in 2017.
The organization competes in several major esports titles, including Call of Duty, League of Legends and Valorant.
They field professional teams in these games and actively participate in tournaments.
However, 100 Thieves goes beyond just esports. They also have a very successful apparel line, winning awards for Esports Apparel of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Their clothing bridges the gap between gaming and fashion, creating streetwear that appeals to a broad audience.
They even have a subsidiary brand, Higround, that focuses on lifestyle and computer peripherals, further entrenching themselves in gaming culture.