Making clear choices: investing in the DNA of Mediahuis
Investments on three fronts
Acquisitions that strengthen our news operations have long been our primary investment path. Examples include the European news brand Euractiv and the addition of several Dutch radio stations to our portfolio in 2023. Our acquisition of RouteYou, a platform for walking and cycling routes that we fully integrated in 2024, also fits within this strategy. This allows us to offer our subscribers additional services that align with their interests.
In addition, we are focusing on marketplaces, a domain where we see strong growth potential. In 2024, for example, we invested in the German company WorkerHero, which aims to address the shortage of skilled labour. We also invested in the Swedish platform Impactpool, which helps organisations that contribute to sustainable development to attract top talent.
Finally, our investments in recent years have also targeted innovative scale-ups in education and HR technology. In 2024, we expanded our portfolio with an investment in the Swiss company Taskbase, which develops AI applications for education.
“Reliable journalism and strong marketplaces will be the clear focus points for our investments”
Refining where needed
Responsible leadership of a company needs regular review and adjustments to an investment strategy where necessary. That’s why we asked ourselves a crucial question last year: Is our focus too broad? Because investing doesn’t just require capital – it also demands management capacity and strategic focus.
Our analysis led to a clear conclusion: we must focus on what truly defines Mediahuis. So we continue to invest fully in news brands, including new brands in new markets, as well as in activities that strengthen our existing news operations. We are also committed to marketplaces, as they allow us to independently connect consumers with services such as jobs, housing, cars and insurance.
However, we have decided to discontinue further investments in education and HR technology. These sectors are further removed from our core activities, and we found it challenging to secure a controlling position within a venturing strategy – something essential for creating real impact.
Reliable journalism and strong marketplaces will therefore be the clear focus points for our investments in the coming years. We will continue to look internationally for companies that strengthen these pillars and expand our reach, including among younger audiences. While we will continue to support our existing investments in education and HR technology where possible, we will not expand them. This targeted approach means we ensure that Mediahuis remains strong and ready for the future.
