The European tech media space has been in quite a state of flux this past year or so, to put it mildly. Under assault, it said, from an AI-driven plumet in traffic, Business Insider shed tech journalists, as did CNBC Europe, but perhaps the biggest shock to most observers was the large-scale redundancies made to TechCrunch’s European team (of which I was part) after the US parent company was acquired by a private equity firm. And now in the last month or so, in Europe, we’ve seen (in quick succession) the acquisition of Silicon Canals and EU Startups. And in September, The Next Web seemingly closed its doors for good.
Then something strange happened. Social media accounts for TNW started to ask questions like “What if we added more AI news on TNW? Would you like that?” For a dead title it seemed to be stuttering into life. Observers wondered whether the account had been compromised.
Yesterday, Pathfounders’ sources alerted us to the existence of one Alexandru Stan, the Bucharest-based founder of a software marketplace and reseller called Tekpon, which we can exclusively reveal has purchased the tech title from the previous owner, The Financial Times.
Over a LinkedIn message, Mr Stan confirmed with Pathfounders that he planned “to revive the Amsterdam event, to revive the website with my team and to stay independent (and of course to help tech startups).”
Still speaking on the record, he also shared a press release due to be revealed tomorrow (Pathfounders did not agree to the embargo), which held further details about his plans.
It said Tekpon has acquired “100% of the TNW media and events brands” from the FT.
As a software marketplace, Tekpon already publishes a customer magazine and runs an annual awards program for software executives.
The statement went on to say that Tekpon plans to “maintain” TNW's brand and editorial standards. That said, plans for 2026 include an expanded TNW Conference, new SaaS and Al program tracks “curated by Tekpon” without going into further detail.
According to the statement, the FT will continue to own and operate TNW Spaces, a co-working and office space in Amsterdam, which is not part of the sale.
The FT confirmed the news via email this afternoon, but no further details were forthcoming.
It is to be hoped that TNW will once more flourish as a tech title, and employ human journalists. Business Insider is already facing a muscular pushback by its journalists over the use of AI.
While over at Silicon Canals, at least one dedicated reader has been despairing over its transformation into what he claims are generated articles.