FT acquires controlling stake in Dutch-based tech news and events company

The Financial Times has acquired a controlling stake in TNW (The Next Web), an events and media company with a focus on new technology and startups in Europe, for an undisclosed amount.

The move complements the FT’s recent investment in Sifted, a new media and data platform targeting Europe’s innovators and entrepreneurs, and the expansion of various other tech-themed editorial products.

“TNW is an established and profitable business that produces one of the largest and most critically acclaimed tech startup events in Europe,” said FT Live Global Publisher Angela Mackay in a statement. “There are clear synergies between TNW and FT Live, in sharing audiences and delivering the FT’s world-class journalism on live stages in Europe. We look forward to delivering first-class programs with our new partners.”

The FT and TNW have already announced a content partnership for TNW’s flagship tech conference, TNW2019. The FT will program one of the event tracks and will co-host The Assembly, an exclusive gathering of technology leaders, industry figures and key policy-makers.

FT, which is now owned by Nikkei, has been diversifying its business in strategic areas.

It follows the acquisitions by FT in recent years of AlphaGrid, a content production company; GIS Planning, a San Francisco-based investment intelligence company; and Longitude, a specialist provider of thought leadership and research services.