Strategy

Holtzbrinck Networks combines the strategic Internet shareholdings of the Holtzbrinck publishing group. Thereby, our emphasis is not on selling the company at a later date, rather on building up new fields of business, advising existing investments and acquring new internet companies.

Investment strategy

We seek access to profitable B2C companies that have a good market position and a certain turnover size already. Thereby, we are particularly interested in the business areas e-commerce, online classifieds, online services, portals and social communities.

Our regional key markets are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Eastern Europe. However, we are always interested interested in promising investments in other European markets, suiting the business models of our existing holdings.

We are extremely flexible regarding the amount of the shareholding. Majority shareholding is definitely our preference. However, we will also consider a minority shareholding if the investment can be considered strategic. For us, it is important that the management participates with shares in the company for several years after we gain access. Later Put/Call arrangements can be agreed.

Supervision strategy

We consider ourselves to be a partner for our investments and not an owner. Our structure is decentralised and we allow management the freedom of developing the business. Apart from manageable monthly reporting and periodic supervisory board meetings, we will normally not  be formally active. The emphasis on on-site management is reflected by the fact that we are seeking an equity shareholding in the management. However, if desired, we are available for the management as a partner at any time and provide support, for example, with the realisation of cross-media synergies between our companies and the further activities of the Holtzbrinck publishing group. Through our activities as venture partners over many years, and by building up a number of B2C Internet companies, we have a unique knowledge at our disposal regarding topics such as brand strengthening, winning customers and regional expansion.