What defines culture?
The answer is nuanced and often hard to pinpoint.
It’s about the right idea, the right chord progression, the right mood, the right story capturing our imagination and reaching us on a deeper level.
Creativity drives this process in often inexplicable ways. It can be unpredictable, nonlinear, messy…
…human.
We are a venture studio and an advisory firm working with highly creative companies that are reshaping society at the intersection of culture and innovation.
Focus Areas
Music & Entertainment
Music and entertainment are rooted in the emotional connection between the artist and the audience. In the age of AI, this connection is more prized than ever. While technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, people are yearning for authenticity and drawing on nostalgia. We help companies find their sweet spot within this complex landscape.
Fashion & Design
Fashion and design are where creativity becomes tangible, bringing beauty into our increasingly uncertain world. They are meant to evoke a certain mood and attitude. It’s all about artistic expression, craftsmanship, and taste. We work with innovative companies that are looking to introduce novel concepts into this generally traditional space.
Storytelling & Buzz
Storytelling and buzz are where individuals apply their charisma and creativity to inspire others and to spark viral moments. It’s about cultivating desire as well as connection. We work with companies and innovators to help them discover this intersection of aspirational and relatable and to build businesses that can transcend a single viral moment.
Wigmore Foundry client, ARK, and our Founder & CEO, Jem Hudson, were recently featured in a Harvard Business School teaching case “ARK: Protecting Human Ideas in Music & Beyond.” The case provides background on the intellectual property challenges and opportunities in the music industry and discusses how they have been further amplified in the age of AI.
How We Work
Our process is about helping companies intelligently chart their unique course and execute in a way that has the greatest potential to propel the business forward with an eye toward long-term success.
We Are Flexible
We like a well-run process, but are not confined by a checklist or framework; we will be involved in ways that are most meaningful and impactful for each company and its team.
We Advise to Unlock Value
Although we bring significant connections across the VC space and the creative industries, we don’t simply facilitate; we apply our expertise to help each company achieve its goals.
We Prioritize Passion & Effort
We do have a strong pedigree both in business and creative fields, but choose to wear it with humility because we know that passion and hard work are indispensable for success.
We Are Founder-Friendly
While we firmly believe in the importance of driving commercial results, we will consistently emphasize strategies, approaches, and decisions that put the company and its team first.
Our name is inspired by Wigmore Street in London, which encapsulates the evolution of music and creativity across centuries. It is home to premier piano showrooms, an elite music performance venue, and was once also the location of the Beatles’ Apple Corps. We bring this context of creativity and innovation to Nashville.
About Us
Our Founder & CEO, Jem Hudson, is passionate about empowering talented entrepreneurs and business leaders to build and grow companies that are poised to transform our world.
Jem’s experience across institutional asset management, investment banking, strategy consulting, and academia exposed her to a variety of viewpoints, enabling her to develop deep analytical and strategic acumen coupled with a tactful and nuanced negotiation style. When working with teams, she aims to create an atmosphere of trust, emotional safety, and an unwavering commitment to idea meritocracy.
Jem is also a singer-songwriter, currently working on multiple projects under a stage name, including a collaboration with an award-winning producer. When working on a new song, she aims to capture a certain mood and express some of her most carefully tucked-away feelings. Understanding the creative process of songwriting helps Jem connect with others for whom creativity is not only a vehicle to produce something worth sharing, but also their emotional sustenance. Her work with Wigmore Foundry is informed by her dual empathy – relating deeply to the creative process while also appreciating the importance of commercial results.
Jem is a graduate of Harvard College and The Wharton School.
“As we face the new paradigm in which creativity and technology are both supporting and colliding with each other, we need leaders who can embrace the nuances and approach the innovation process with an open mind and a big heart. Jem Hudson brings a unique sensibility that truly connects the world of creative expression and the world of business. She is not only a sharp strategic thinker, but also a friend, ally, and an unwavering believer in human potential.” (Wigmore Foundry Client)
“In my work with Jem Hudson, she has demonstrated finesse and uncompromising integrity in managing a range of complex business and investment considerations. She is a talented leader who will apply her excellent skillset and nuanced judgment to create long-term value for any organization or team.” (Nashville Business Leader)