The book publishing industry in Benelux is vibrant and varied, encompassing traditional publishers, educational content creators, and digital platforms. Companies here are not just publishing books; they are increasingly focusing on innovative formats and multimedia offerings to engage readers of all ages. Recent trends highlight a surge in digital reading solutions, driven by tech advancements and changing consumer preferences. Educational publishing is a strong sector, especially with investments in growth companies focused on interactive learning. Collaborations and acquisitions are key as organizations adapt to the evolving marketplace, demonstrating resilience and forward-thinking strategies.


The roster of investors in the Benelux book publishing sector showcases a mix of private equity and venture capital firms, with headquarters across major cities like Amsterdam and Brussels. These investors vary in size, but many operate with teams of 11-50 people, established primarily from the late 20th century onward. In 2024, investment activity was noteworthy, with some firms, such as Exor N.V., being highly active with 26 deals. This reflects a robust interest in fostering growth and innovation within the book publishing realm, emphasizing the potential for future investments and mergers.


Top 18 Book Publishing Investors in Benelux


1. Ergon Capital


Ergon Capital is a private equity firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in investment management and sustainability consulting, partnering with families, entrepreneurs, and management teams to enhance business value while promoting ESG initiatives. Notably, Ergon Capital has made significant investments in the book publishing sector, acquiring De Boeck Supérieur, Larcier Group, and De Boeck Education on April 1, 2011, all of which are key players in the educational and academic publishing market. Additionally, in 2017, they acquired Keesing Media Group, a publisher of puzzle magazines, for €150 million, further solidifying their presence in the publishing industry. Through these transactions, Ergon Capital has demonstrated its commitment to supporting and growing businesses within the book publishing sector.


2. Wolters Kluwer

  • Website: wolterskluwer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Alphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1836
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: wolters-kluwer

Wolters Kluwer N.V. is an information services company founded in 1836, headquartered in Alphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands. The company provides software solutions and services across various professional sectors, including healthcare, legal, tax, accounting, finance, and compliance. Wolters Kluwer supports professionals by offering tools that enhance productivity and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. In the context of book publishing, Wolters Kluwer has made several notable acquisitions, including the IJS Publishing Group, a UK-based provider of peer-reviewed medical journals, which enhances their Lippincott journal portfolio and strengthens their Open Access position. Additionally, they acquired Medknow Publications, a leading STM journal publisher in Mumbai, which further solidifies their presence in the open access publishing sector. These strategic moves highlight Wolters Kluwer's commitment to expanding their influence in the book publishing industry, particularly in specialized medical and legal publications.


3. NPM Capital

  • Website: npm-capital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1948
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: npm-capital

NPM Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1948. The firm specializes in supporting medium-sized and large family-owned enterprises in the Benelux region, providing both capital and strategic advisory services to foster growth and sustainability. NPM Capital operates across various sectors, including technology and education. Notably, they have made significant investments in companies relevant to the book publishing context, such as the acquisition of Infinitas Learning on June 9, 2021, which focuses on educational content, and the acquisition of Iddink Group on October 23, 2014, which also operates in the educational sector. Additionally, their investment in Bol.com, a major online retailer that includes a wide range of books, further highlights their engagement with the publishing industry.


4. Rockstart

  • Website: rockstart.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: rockstart

Rockstart is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in empowering early-stage founders across various sectors, including AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology. Rockstart provides investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help startups scale and succeed. Notably, they have been involved in transactions relevant to the book publishing industry, such as their investment in Publishizer, which raised $75,000 in a Pre-Seed round in April 2018. Publishizer is a crowdfunding platform that allows authors to raise funds for their book projects, showcasing Rockstart's interest in innovative solutions within the publishing sector. Additionally, Rockstart has invested in PastBook, a startup that helps users create photo books, further indicating their engagement with publishing-related ventures. Overall, Rockstart's commitment to supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs extends to the book publishing industry through these relevant investments.


5. Lrm

  • Website: lrm.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: lrmnv

LRM (lrm.be) is a venture capital investment company based in Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1994. It is dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in the Limburg region by providing financing and expertise to startups, scale-ups, and mature companies. LRM plays a significant role in the local economic ecosystem, also engaging in real estate development and the reconversion of old mining sites. Notably, LRM acquired Clavis Publishing on May 1, 2005, which highlights its involvement in the book publishing industry. This acquisition reflects LRM's commitment to diversifying its investment portfolio and supporting the development of the publishing sector alongside its other investment activities.


6. Arches Capital

  • Website: arches.capital
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: arches-capital

Arches Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, providing both capital and strategic support to help companies scale. Arches Capital engages with a network of business angels who contribute expertise across various sectors, including technology and finance. One of their notable transactions includes a seed round investment in Publishizer, which raised $425,000 in December 2018. Publishizer is a crowdfunding platform that assists authors in publishing their books by connecting them with potential readers and supporters. This investment highlights Arches Capital's interest in the book publishing industry, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions within this space.


7. Exor N.V.

  • Website: exor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 26
  • LinkedIn: exor_2

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. Notably, Exor acquired a 43.78% stake in GEDI Gruppo Editoriale S.p.A. for €102.4 million in 2020, highlighting its commitment to the media and publishing sector. Additionally, Exor has been involved in other investments, such as Futura, which raised $1.8 million in a seed round, further showcasing its active role in supporting innovative ventures, including those related to publishing.


8. Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio


Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. It is part of the Mediahuis group, which operates across Europe, focusing on independent journalism and diverse media services. The firm has made significant investments in various sectors, including a notable transaction with Perlego, a startup that offers a subscription service for academic textbooks, raising $50 million in a Series B funding round. This investment highlights Mediahuis's commitment to innovative solutions in the educational publishing space. Additionally, Mediahuis has expanded its portfolio by acquiring EurActiv, a pan-European news brand, further demonstrating its strategic growth in media and information services.


9. United Media


United Media is a corporate media company based in Luxembourg, founded in 2013. It operates primarily in Southeast Europe, providing a diverse range of services including television broadcasting, digital content distribution, and original content production. In November 2022, United Media acquired a 71% stake in Adria Media, a Slovenian publishing house, which highlights their involvement in the book publishing sector. This acquisition demonstrates their interest in expanding their portfolio to include publishing, alongside their existing media operations. Additionally, they have made other acquisitions, such as TV Vijesti, which further illustrates their strategy of growth through media investments. However, the focus on Adria Media is particularly relevant as it directly ties to the book publishing industry.


10. Brighteye Ventures


Brighteye Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, specializing in Edtech investments. The firm supports early-stage Edtech startups by providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts. One of their notable investments includes Epic!, an on-demand digital library for kids that has raised $8 million in a Series C funding round. Epic! is utilized by 87% of K-5 schools in the U.S. and reaches 5 million children, highlighting Brighteye's commitment to enhancing educational resources and access to reading materials. This investment reflects their interest in companies that contribute to educational content, which is a significant aspect of the book publishing industry.


11. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is a Brussels-based investment company founded in 1898, specializing in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina has made significant investments in the education technology space, particularly with Knewton, where it participated in multiple funding rounds, including a Series E-K round that raised over $52 million in 2016. Knewton's focus on adaptive learning courseware for higher education aligns with the evolving landscape of educational publishing, making Sofina's involvement relevant to the book publishing context. Additionally, Sofina's investment in Skillmatics, a company that creates educational games and learning materials for children, further emphasizes its interest in educational content, which is closely related to the book publishing industry.


12. Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture Capital


Inventures Investment Partners is an impact venture capital firm based in Belgium, founded in 2012. The firm manages funds that focus on generating both financial and social returns, investing primarily in early-stage and scale-up companies that address societal challenges. One of their notable investments is in YouScribe, a digital reading platform that has raised multiple rounds of funding, including a Series B round in December 2015 and a Series A round in November 2012. YouScribe aims to expand its reach across European markets and offers a subscription service for accessing a wide range of written content, making it a significant player in the digital publishing sector. This involvement highlights Inventures' interest in the book publishing industry, particularly in innovative platforms that enhance access to literature and educational materials.


13. Mediahuis nv

  • Website: mediahuis.be
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: mediahuis-belgie

Mediahuis nv is a corporate investor based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2013. The company operates in the media sector, focusing on publishing and broadcasting services. Mediahuis offers a diverse range of services, including newspaper and magazine publishing, as well as online media and broadcasting, catering to a wide audience across several European countries. In recent transactions, Mediahuis acquired Aachener Verlagsgesellschaft (AVG), a German media group, which allows them to own 100% of AVG and become the main shareholder of its subsidiary, Medienhaus Aachen GmbH, known for publishing local newspapers. This acquisition aligns with their growth strategy in the European media landscape. Additionally, Mediahuis has expanded its portfolio by acquiring RadioCorp, which operates several radio stations, further solidifying its position in the media market. While their primary focus is on media, their involvement in newspaper publishing makes them a relevant player in the book publishing industry.


14. Expon Capital

  • Website: exponcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: exponcapital

Expon Capital is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in seed and scale-up funding for technology-driven startups and growth companies, with a strong emphasis on social impact and the development of the Luxembourg startup ecosystem. Expon Capital aims to provide financial support and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs tackling significant global challenges. One notable transaction in their portfolio is the investment in Glose SAS, a Paris-based social and collaborative reading platform that raised €3 million to expand its R&D and launch Glose Education, a new reading solution for students and teachers. This investment highlights Expon Capital's engagement in the book publishing context, particularly in innovative reading technologies.


15. KPN Ventures

  • Website: kpnventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: kpn-ventures

KPN Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in innovative technology companies across diverse sectors, including Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, and Digital Healthcare. KPN Ventures aims to provide capital, expertise, and networking opportunities to help early-stage companies grow and succeed in their respective markets. Notably, KPN Ventures has made significant investments in Perlego, a digital platform that offers a subscription service for academic and educational books. In 2024, Perlego raised approximately $19.87 million in a venture round, and in 2023, they secured additional funding in a Series C round. These transactions highlight KPN Ventures' engagement in the book publishing sector, particularly in the digital space, making them a relevant player in this industry.


16. Total Specific Solutions


Total Specific Solutions (TSS) is a corporate investor based in Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in vertical market software solutions across various industries, including healthcare, education, and finance. Founded in 2008, TSS operates a decentralized model that allows its business units to innovate and respond quickly to market needs. In July 2021, TSS made a significant move into the book publishing sector by acquiring Schilling Publishing, a leading provider of specialized software solutions for publishers in the Nordic region. This acquisition marked TSS's entry into the publishing vertical and reflects their strategy of acquiring and growing software companies to enhance operational efficiency for their clients. The deal size and valuation details were not disclosed, but it highlights TSS's commitment to expanding its influence in the publishing industry.


17. Vortex Capital Partners

  • Website: vortexcp.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: vortex-capital-partners

Vortex Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in investing in technology-enabled small and medium-sized enterprises, providing both investment management and strategic support to help these businesses achieve sustainable growth. Vortex partners with management teams to enhance operational efficiency and align technology with business strategies. Notably, Vortex Capital Partners has invested in PastBook, a photo books platform, which raised $2M in funding in 2017, following an earlier seed round of $384,028 in 2015. These transactions highlight Vortex's engagement in the book publishing sector, particularly in innovative and technology-driven publishing solutions.


18. Main Capital Partners

  • Website: main.nl
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: main-capital-partners-bv

Main Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm based in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in enterprise software and provides strategic guidance and investment to software businesses across various sectors, including healthcare and finance. Notably, Main Capital Partners has made significant investments in companies that serve the publishing industry, such as their acquisition of a strategic majority stake in WoodWing on March 11, 2020. WoodWing is recognized for its leadership in content orchestration solutions, particularly for publishers and brands, serving over 800 customers globally. This investment aims to enhance WoodWing's platform and accelerate growth in key markets, demonstrating Main Capital Partners' commitment to supporting innovation and growth in the publishing sector.



Book Publishing Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Ergon CapitalBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5020050
Wolters KluwerAlphen Aan Den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18364
NPM CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019481
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
LrmHasselt, Flanders, Belgium51-20019941
Arches CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020183
Exor N.V.Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200926
Mediahuis Technology & Product StudioAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands201-50020205
United MediaLuxembourg1001-500020130
Brighteye VenturesLuxembourg1-1020177
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture CapitalBelgium1-1020120
Mediahuis nvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium1001-500020130
Expon CapitalLuxembourg1-1020152
KPN VenturesRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands1-1020153
Total Specific SolutionsUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1001-500020081
Vortex Capital PartnersAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020121
Main Capital PartnersThe Hague, South Holland, Netherlands51-200200316


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