How IMS Transformed Inder Phull’s Path in Music and Tech | IMS In Conversation

IMS In Conversation sits at the intersection of personal journey and industry insight, highlighting the people who have shaped the Summit and those it has shaped in return. In this edition, we speak with Inder Phull, whose relationship with IMS began nearly a decade ago when he won the IMS Visionaries Award and has since evolved into a leading role in developing the IMS Accelerator.

His story reflects what IMS was built for: curiosity, connection and creating space for the next wave of founders, creatives and thinkers to step forward.

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Q: For those who may not know you, can you introduce yourself and share how you first became involved with IMS?

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My name is Inder Phull, I’m the CEO and Founder of PIXELYNX and KOR Protocol. We are building an ecosystem of products focused on bringing entertainment IPs onto the blockchain. We work with artists and IP holders such as Richie Hawtin, mau5trap, Imogen Heap, Dixon and Black Mirror, helping them monetise their intellectual property through new products.

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I first got involved with IMS in 2016 when I won the IMS Visionaries Award, a programme spotlighting next-generation leaders under 25. Since then I have attended every IMS and built a great relationship with the team, from supporting marketing and partnerships early on to developing IMS Accelerator more recently.

Q: What brought you to your first IMS, and what impact did it have on you?

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"I discovered IMS when I was just starting out and became obsessed with the panels. I watched every one on YouTube. It was the first time I saw the business of dance music laid out clearly, from royalties to Ibiza politics to early blockchain conversations. It shaped the way I thought about the industry.

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Winning IMS Visionaries was transformative. It gave me confidence in my ideas and connected me to leaders in the industry at a young age. Meeting Ben Turner around this time was game changing. I learned a lot from how passionate he was about connecting the scene, supporting young people and pushing important topics forward."

Q: You’ve grown from attending IMS to now playing a key role. How did that journey unfold?

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Early on I helped shape the marketing and partnership strategy while running my agency. IMS became an important client and I loved building the brand and growing the audience.

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Later I launched a new company and moved toward the tech and startup sector. I was passionate about how new technologies could solve industry problems. That is where the concept for IMS Accelerator started.

Q: What inspired the IMS Accelerator, what is its purpose, and what support exists after someone wins?

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I proposed IMS Accelerator to spotlight and support next-generation companies and founders. Music does not raise as much funding as other sectors, and IMS could play a role in showcasing products and providing valuable connections.

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It is still early in its growth, but most of the work is identifying companies, connecting them to partners and investors, and helping build a stronger tech and startup culture within the conference.

Q: Who gets the most value from attending IMS, and is there a moment that illustrates that impact?

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Anyone in music or entertainment gets value from IMS. I have met artists, agents, tech founders and more. The industry is still tight knit, and meeting people from different fields is invaluable. If you are starting out, you can meet people who help propel your journey. If you are building a company, you will likely find clients and users for your vision.

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One journey I love is Roberta Hickey’s. She started around the same time as me and had a clear vision to support women in the music industry. She attended IMS for years and now works closely with Beatport and IMS to push the summit forward in MENA and beyond. It shows the importance of being present, staying connected and playing a role in pushing the culture forward.

Q: How has IMS evolved since you first attended?

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The heart of IMS remains the same: a high-value network of delegates and speakers who shape the future of the industry. But it has embraced more diverse voices, broader topics and new regions like Dubai.

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The Ibiza venues have also evolved, now at Mondrian and Hyde, which allow for more varied stages and themes. I love the new IMS Dubai edition. It has opened the door to new voices and new energy. IMS will keep evolving because it sits at the start of the Ibiza season and needs to stay at the forefront of the industry.

Q: Are there any IMS moments that have stayed with you?

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Winning IMS Visionaries will always be one of the most important moments in my career. It gave me confidence and opened a new world.

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I also love the Dalt Vila show. It is a beautiful day of music at a UNESCO world heritage site. I remember Dubfire’s performance in 2016. It combined visuals and sound in a way that blew my mind and made me think, “this is what I want to be part of for the rest of my life.”

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Q: Any advice for someone attending the 2026 Summit?

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Be part of the conversation, take an interest in all pockets of the industry and don’t stop dancing.

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