Cafeyn, the French digital newsstand acquires its Dutch competitor Blendle

For decades classic print media has been a popular access to premium journalism and content. The rise of social media has had a strong impact on this leadership and the demand for print media has been declining for years.

However, the digitalization of news and the media industry and the rise of alternative payment models, re-enhanced the willingness to pay for high-quality journalism and digital content. Companies, like Cafeyn and Blendle, have targeted this trend and are committed to creating a digital platform that provides access to quality journalism for everyone. The simplicity and flexibility of having a large selection of different magazines and daily newspapers bundled on one platform has proven to be especially popular with the younger digital-affine generation. The rise of digital content subscription models and new features such as AI-based reading recommendations, daily newsletters and audio podcasts complete this unique customer experience.

With the acquisition, Cafeyn is continuing its mission on becoming the leading European digital newspaper and magazine platform. It is particularly important to both companies that the best features of both companies are retained, which should lead to an even more unique product offering. Blendle’s CEO Alexander Klöpping: “We can’t wait to exchange features and to make our catalogues featuring over 2500 newspapers and magazines available to all. It allows us to become the home of the best pan-European journalism out there”.

Journalism is the core DNA of both companies. “Quality journalism is worth money. We’re in the midst of an important transition from advertising income to reader income. I’ll be focusing on executing that journalistic vision by joining the Cafeyn board, making way for Ari Assuied to lead the Cafeyn Group, including Blendle, as CEO,” adds Alexander Klöpping.

IEG – Investment Banking Group acted as exclusive financial advisor to Blendle and its shareholders.

About IEG – Investment Banking Group

IEG – Investment Banking Group is one of the leading, global independent investment banking boutiques focused on Mergers & Acquisitions, Financings & Principal Investments for the Internet and Technology sector. Locally present in the key international growth regions and/or emerging markets, IEG – Investment Banking Group is a unique, influential and trusted partner for growth companies and larger, international corporates. Founded in 1999, IEG has completed over 180 successful transactions to date with approximately 80 technology investment bankers. For further information about IEG – Investment Banking Group, please refer to: www.ieg-banking.com.

About Blendle

Founded in 2014, Utrecht-based mobile app developer Blendle is the prime port of call for curated and aggregated journalistic content of premium quality. Facing slumping revenues in advertising globally, oftentimes even offsetting reader revenues, publishers are in severe difficulties of finding ways to monetize. Bringing the golden principles to news by which Spotify fixed music: aggregation, curation, UX focus, and unlimited content, Blendle addresses mobile customer needs and helps publishers grow again. Trusted by over 160 leading publishers in Benelux, Germany and the US, Blendle offers unmatched access to premium content as articles and audio in one app.

Blendle has developed a striking tech stack empowered by an editorial engine that makes use of data analytics, machine learning and automation to deliver the most relevant content to every user.

For further information about Blendle, please refer to: www.blendle.com.

About Cafeyn

Since its creation in 2006, LeKiosk’s, now Cafeyn’s, ambition, driven by a deep passion for the media, has been to reconnect readers to the content that is relevant to them, by offering an ultra-high-performance platform, based on advanced technology and backed up by a team of more than 90 people. With its expertise and a network of strategic partners, the platform offers hundreds of titles, news and magazines, accessible via mobile app or PC. Cafeyn is available in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Caribbean and Madagascar and aims to accelerate its international expansion over the next two years. Since its inception 14 years ago, Cafeyn has continued to rapidly innovate the way it promotes information streaming at a time when the industry is reinventing itself and the way the general public consumes information is changing.

For further information about Cafeyn, please refer to: www.cafyen.co.