Create Capital invests 300 million in Nettwerk music

A $300 million-plus cash injection is landing at a Vancouver indie that's letting its bosses buy themselves out while handing catalog control to a LA heavyweight.

Nettwerk scores backing from Create Capital

• Create Music Group is dropping over $300 million into the deal.
• The buyout lets Nettwerk's management team grab a bigger ownership slice.
• Create Capital is taking control of the catalog and IP assets.
• Extra funding and support services will roll out after the close.

Terry McBride keeps the indie running day to day

• McBride co-founded the company back in 1984 with Mark Jowett.
• He's staying on as CEO to handle signings and artist development.
• The label works across recordings, publishing, and artist management operations.
• Past roster highlights include Coldplay for the US market and Dido.

Create Music Group has been buying up catalogs nonstop

• Jonathan Strauss runs CMG and co-founded the LA-based operation.
• Flexpoint Ford pumped $165 million into Create during 2024.
• Recent purchases include Germany's !K7 and deals with Pack Records.
• CMG also backed a $500 million fund through Circuit Group.

Flexpoint Ford connects both companies through separate investments

• The private equity firm led Nettwerk's 2023 funding round.
• Beedie Capital and Vistara Growth were existing investors at that time.
• Flexpoint Ford valued Create at over $1 billion in its 2024 round.
• Some previous investors might be exiting through this management buyout structure.