Daniel Ek

As a prominent figure in the global music scene, Daniel Ek is best known as the CEO and co-founder of Spotify. Ek’s influence extends beyond this marquee role, also co-founding and chairing Neko Health, Helsing, and Prima Materia. His acumen and influence were recognized in 2017 when Billboard named him the most powerful person in the music industry. Furthermore, his journey was portrayed in the 2022 Netflix miniseries The Playlist.

Despite his success, Ek has been a figure of controversy within the music industry. Notably, his comments about the need for artists to engage continuously with their fans in 2020 and his views on the low cost of content creation in 2024 were met with backlash. However, Ek has sought to address these concerns, clarifying his intent to explore how enduring and impactful ideas could be preserved in a high-volume creative environment.

To increase transparency about artist payments, Ek has ensured that Spotify releases annual artist remuneration reports under the “Loud & Clear” initiative.

Ek’s business interests extend beyond the music industry. He has made significant investments, including a €600 million investment in German drone maker Helsing. In addition, he set up investment funds targeting early technology ventures. While his bid to purchase Arsenal from Kroenke Sports & Entertainment was unsuccessful, it demonstrates his diverse business interests and willingness to venture into new fields.