Building Global Bridges Through Music: Founder of the InterContinental Music Awards Honored by Zoom

Los Angeles — Shahed Mohseni Zonoozi, Founder and CEO of the InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA), has been named a honoree in Zoom’s Solopreneur 50 program, a national recognition initiative highlighting independent founders and entrepreneurs using technology, creativity, and innovation to build impactful businesses.

Selected from nearly 3,000 applicants across the United States, the recognition places Shahed Mohseni among a new generation of solo founders redefining what one individual can build in the modern digital era. But unlike many startup stories centered on venture capital or rapid scaling, Shahed Mohseni’s work has focused on culture, music, and global artistic connection.

As part of the Solopreneur 50 program, Shahed Mohseni joined an exclusive gathering hosted by Zoom, where he connected with fellow entrepreneurs from across the United States and met with Zoom Founder and CEO Eric Yuan. The event celebrated the achievements of independent founders and highlighted the growing impact of entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology, innovation, and creativity to build organizations that serve and inspire communities on both a national and global scale.

https://www.zoom.com/en/audiences/solopreneurs/ 

Founded in 2011, the InterContinental Music Awards has grown into an international platform connecting musicians, composers, producers, and performers from more than 100 countries. Through online ceremonies, educational initiatives, interviews, and global artist recognition programs, the organization has created a space where artists from vastly different backgrounds and regions can be seen alongside one another.

“Music has always been one of the few languages that can cross borders instantly,” Shahed Mohseni said. “The idea behind ICMA is about creating a platform where artists from different cultures could feel connected, recognized, and inspired by one another.”

Originally from Iran and now based in Los Angeles, Shahed Mohseni began building the organization independently while pursuing studies in music business and entrepreneurship in the United States. Over time, the platform expanded internationally through digital tools, remote collaboration, and online community-building — even before virtual global events became mainstream.

The organization now attracts participation from artists across six continents and has received recognition from the City of Los Angeles, the California State Senate, and international music communities worldwide. Shahed Mohseni is also a member of the Recording Academy and has served as a mentor in the Grammy U mentorship program.

The Zoom Solopreneur 50 recognition arrives during a period of growing national conversation around the future of work, creator-led businesses and entrepreneurship. Shahed Mohseni’s story reflects a different model emerging in creative industries: globally scaled initiatives built through technology, digital communication, and independent leadership.

For Shahed Mohseni, however, the mission remains rooted less in technology than in people.

“At its core, the mission of ICMA has always been about building cultural bridges through music,” he said. “When artists from different parts of the world come together to share stories, emotions, and creativity, it reminds us that art still has the power to communicate unity, love and hope beyond borders.

The InterContinental Music Awards recently closed submissions for its 2026 season after receiving entries from more than 100 countries.

Find InterContinental Music Awards Online:

Website: www.intercontinentalmusicawards.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intercontinental_music_awards/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InterContinentalMusicAwards

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intercontinentalmusicawards