Courtesy of Nettwerk
Create Music Group is doubling down on its ambitions, this time by backing one of Canada’s biggest independent music companies. The Los Angeles-based firm has agreed to invest more than $300 million into Vancouver’s Nettwerk Music Group, a move that coincides with a management-led buyout designed to put more ownership back into the hands of Nettwerk’s leadership.
The deal, confirmed on February 6 and expected to close later this month, will see Create’s investment arm provide not only a significant upfront cash investment but also ongoing capital and operational support. While Create will assume control of Nettwerk’s music IP assets, the company will continue to operate independently, with its leadership team retaining responsibility for daily operations, artist signings, and long-term creative strategy.
For Nettwerk, the transaction is framed as a way to scale without sacrificing its core ethos. Founded in 1984 by Terry McBride and Mark Jowett, the company has built a reputation as an artist-first operation, working across recorded music, publishing, and management. Over the decades, its roster has included global names such as Coldplay (in the U.S.), Sarah McLachlan, Dido, and Barenaked Ladies. Today, the label features artists such as Passenger, SYML, Paris Paloma, and Leisure, underscoring its continued relevance in a rapidly evolving industry.
The buyout follows a 2023 funding round led by Flexpoint Ford, alongside Beedie Capital and Vistara Growth. While it remains unclear which of those investors have exited, the overlap is notable: Flexpoint Ford also spearheaded a major investment into Create last year, helping push the company’s valuation past the billion-dollar mark.
Since then, Create has been vastly expanding its footprint. Recent moves include acquiring German indie institution !K7, striking catalog deals with prominent electronic and indie labels, and launching joint ventures with labels such as EZMNY and Star Trak. The Nettwerk deal fits neatly into that trajectory, pairing Create’s data-driven infrastructure with a resilient independent brand.
For McBride, the partnership represents continuity rather than reinvention, a chance to enhance Nettwerk’s capabilities while preserving its independence. For Create CEO Jonathan Strauss, it’s another bet on established IP and experienced leadership, reinforcing the company’s position as one of the most active power players reshaping the modern indie landscape.
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