Create Music Group Invests $300 Million to Support Acquisition of Nettwerk Music Group’s Management Team

Create Music Group will invest over $300 million to assist in the acquisition of Nettwerk Music Group’s management team. The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of February, allowing Nettwerk’s management team to increase its ownership stake while preserving the label’s identity as a Canadian music company and maintaining its independence.

On February 6, Nettwerk announced the finalization of an agreement to complete the management team acquisition from its existing investors. Create Capital plans to invest over $300 million in Nettwerk at the time of the transaction and will provide significant access to additional capital and support services. Create will also acquire a controlling stake in Nettwerk’s music IP portfolio and transfer Nettwerk’s catalog to Create’s systems to enhance the value of those intellectual properties.

Founded in 1984 by Terry McBride and Mark Jowett, Nettwerk operates across recording, publishing, and management services. It has previously signed major artists such as Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Dido, and Barenaked Ladies, and currently represents artists like Paris Paloma, Passenger, Leisure, SYML, and Mon Rovîa. Following the transaction, Nettwerk’s leadership team will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, new artist signings, and artist development, while receiving support from Create’s platform.

Terry McBride stated, “Through our partnership with Create, we will be able to continue building on our foundation, strengthening our capabilities, and delivering greater value to the artists we represent.” Create Music Group will support Nettwerk by providing access to its global infrastructure, distribution network, and label services. This deal is part of Create Music Group’s expansion strategy. The company has recently acquired Germany’s !K7 and purchased catalogs from Pack Records and Deadmau5. In 2024, private equity firm Flexpoint Ford invested $165 million in Create, raising the company’s valuation to over $1 billion. In 2023, Nettwerk received investment in a funding round led by the same Flexpoint Ford, alongside Beedie Capital and Vistara Growth.