Fortaleza Capital acted as exclusive corporate finance adviser to a co-founder of Blink in the sale of his substantial minority stake to private investors
About Blink: Blink is a young, innovative educational publisher in primary education, secondary education and children’s media with its own, distinctive approach towards learning. Blink’s educational vision, overarching publishing concept and teaching concepts are developed in close co-operation with hundreds of teachers, pupils, school leaders, experts and scientists. The company’s proposition is centred around playful learning through Blink’s sparkling multi-media concepts.
The company was founded in 2009 after the management buy-out of four children’s magazines, then owned by Malmberg/ Sanoma, targeted at the Dutch and Belgian market: “National Geographic Junior”, “Bobo”, “Okki” and “Taptoe”. In 2016, Blink successfully launched the magazine “Wild van Freek” jointly with Freek Vonk. Since its establishment, Blink expanded into educational publishing with four teaching methods in primary education: English (launch 2012), History (2013), Geography (2013), Nature & Technology(2013) and three methods in secondary education: Dutch (launch 2015), English (2017) and History (2017) and one in final preparation for launch this year.
Blink has c. €10 million in turnover and c. 200 employees (including freelancers).
Joachim Driessen, co-founder of Blink, sold his substantial minority stake in Blink to several private investors in this transaction. Mr. Driessen about the deal: “Exactly nine years ago we launched our independent, successful publishing house (Blink) with splendid children’s brands, the first teaching method for primary education based on pop music (Groove.me), Wild van Freek, many prizes, but also difficult periods. I have now sold my shares to private investors and am proud of how we managed to turn loss-making magazine brands into a thriving company with innovative teaching methods. Blink has a bright future and I wish readers of the magazines, users of the teaching methods, employees of Blink and its shareholders a great deal of fun and success and will forever feel a bit a ‘Blinker’”.