Ivan Chen is the new BandLab Technologies CEO, effective Oct. 1, taking over from co-founder Meng Ru Kuok, who becomes executive chairman, Music Business Worldwide reported. Chen has been with the Singapore-based company since 2016.
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What changes at the BandLab Technologies CEO level
Chen joined as chief operating officer in 2016 and was promoted to president in 2024. As CEO, he will run day-to-day operations. Kuok will focus on long-term strategy, major partnerships and investments, according to MusicTech.
Kuok is not leaving the wider group. He keeps his role as group CEO of parent company Caldecott Music Group, and Chen stays on as group president there. Kuok co-founded BandLab Technologies in 2015 with Steve Skillings, per Wikipedia.
Leaders explain the handoff
Kuok said Chen has “turned many of our biggest ideas into reality,” citing his work on operations, fundraising, strategy and acquisitions. Chen said he is grateful for the board’s trust and wants to ensure the company continues to “define the future of music creation.”
What BandLab Technologies runs
The company’s portfolio includes the BandLab music-making platform, the Cakewalk production software, the artist-services platform ReverbNation and the beat marketplace Airbit. It also recently bought the AI studio Aiode. Music Business Worldwide reported that the BandLab platform has passed 100 million registered users.
Caldecott Music Group was set up in December 2021 as a parent company with three divisions: BandLab Technologies, Vista Musical Instruments and NME Networks, Music Business Worldwide reported at the time.
Why the BandLab Technologies CEO move matters
Chen’s promotion keeps leadership in the hands of a longtime insider at a time when music technology is changing quickly. Kuok called it one of the most dynamic periods the industry has seen. The company has not announced new product plans tied to the leadership change.
For more on money moving through music and tech, read about Willard Ahdritz’s $20 million music tech fund and the Sia catalog sale. You can also see who won at the 2026 Ivors Academy honours.
