Please take no offense in what I am going to write next.
I feel bad for writing it, but I thought I should honestly tell you what crossed my mind when I read the following statements:
"Ok, say I have enough money, 8 figures usd, and I want to create a new company" --> that's US$10.000.000
"the company will begin with around 25 full time employees plus around 25 interns" --> that's around US$1.250.000/year in salaries (considering really low wages)
"I only expect to begin to generate revenue 5-6years in." --> in 6 years you have spent 7.500.000 in salaries (not considering other operative costs like: accounts, rent, cars, travel, energy, computers, etc.)
"This is a long haul project and I've budgeted for 10 years before generating a profit." --> optimistically, from your own data, you will run out of cash on year 6 - how will you carry on until year 10?
" 'Is it your own money, or investors?That makes a big difference.' - Both, but, there are requirements which I must adhere to." --> I am not sure about your investors, the requirements and if your are fully aware of what you are gtting into
So what I am I thinking?
1) No way you plan an IT project 6 years before you can show "the product". Not having profit is one thing (think Amazon or Facebook), a different story is spending up to US$10.000.000 in 6 years, without having a product.
2) You said you are giving the software away for free - "the product", I would guess is paid premium service (or whatever). All of this needs MARKETING. Do you have an idea how expensive marketing is? I would dare to say that your 8 digit budget is not enough to start a propper online advertising campain to get enough followers.
3) You said your service depends on existing music streaming services (like Apple). If you have a clever idea, even if it is patented, at the end of the day, you depend on others? Hopefully I got that wrong.
A break here: are you really sure about your business?
And now the final bomb:
If you came to me with a brilliant idea and convinced me as an investor to loan you money to make this idea go real, I would STOP AND GET OUT at the moment I knew you would ask in a blog like EEVBlog where you should base the headquarters!
If you don't know, get someone who does know. Do your homework, study all pro's and con's, but don't trust any forum opinions (including mine). If people on forums would know the right answer on how to setup and run a busines, these people wouldn't be on forums - they would be business consultants!
Anyway, forgive me if this contribution felt harsh or negative. The intention is good and I want you to make sure you know what you are getting into. Anyway, I wish you all the success!
Regards,
Vitor