Vistara Growth is pleased to announce another successful liquidity event on its investment in Nettwerk Music Group, following a management-led buyout.
The buyout transaction was funded by a $300 million investment from Create to support Nettwerk’s leadership team in acquiring the company from its existing institutional investors, marking a transition to increased management ownership while positioning the business for its next phase of global growth. As part of the transaction, Vistara has realized on substantially all of its investment, representing a strong outcome following multiple phases of partnership with the company.
Vistara first invested in Nettwerk in June 2021 through its Fund III, backing the Vancouver-based company’s differentiated approach to acquiring and monetizing music intellectual property while operating a full-service, artist-first record label. At the time, Nettwerk’s combination of proprietary data science, deep platform expertise across global streaming ecosystems, and long-tail royalty optimization aligned closely with Vistara’s focus on durable, cash-generative business models.
In 2023, Vistara again through its Fund IV, participated alongside existing and new investors as part of a $75 million growth round. That financing supported the company’s continued growth, global expansion, and investment in its artist roster, further strengthening the platform ahead of this management-led transition.
The partnership with Create provides Nettwerk with access to global infrastructure, distribution capabilities, and substantial follow-on capital to continue investing in artists, and its technological and data capabilities. Vistara remains supportive of Nettwerk’s future and is proud to have partnered with the company across multiple stages of its evolution.
“We heartily congratulate the team at Nettwerk on this milestone financing in its 40th year as an independent music company” said Randy Garg, Founder and Managing Partner at Vistara Growth and a member of Nettwerk’s Board of Directors. “From our initial investment through subsequent strategic financings, the team has consistently executed on a disciplined, artist-first strategy supported by strong data and infrastructure. This transaction represents a strong outcome and a natural transition, enabling management to increase ownership while positioning Nettwerk for its next phase of global growth.”
Nettwerk Music Group Announces $300 Million+ Management Buyout in Partnership with Create Music Group
Partnership leverages Nettwerk’s leading artist development capabilities and Create’s world-class infrastructure and label services platform
LOS ANGELES, CA & VANCOUVER, BC, February 6, 2026 – Nettwerk Music Group today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to complete a management buyout from its existing investors, supported by Create Music Group. This transaction marks a significant milestone for Nettwerk, accelerating its mission to support artists globally while continuing to operate as an independent and distinctly Canadian music company.
As part of the proposed agreement, Create will invest over $300 million into Nettwerk on closing and will provide access to substantial follow-on capital and support services thereafter. This investment will allow the Nettwerk management team to increase its ownership stake while enabling Nettwerk to retain its identity and independence in the market. Nettwerk will continue to serve its current roster of talented artists, remain committed to signing and nurturing new talent and uphold the artist-first values that have defined its reputation for over four decades.
Nettwerk was co-founded over 40 years ago by Terry McBride and his longtime business partner Mark Jowett. McBride, whose early career in artist management for global acts including Coldplay and Avril Lavigne established the principles for Nettwerk, has led the company as its CEO, shepherding its growth into an artist-first record label and publisher. Today, Nettwerk works with a world-class roster of artists including Paris Paloma, Passenger, Leisure, SYML, Mon Rovîa and many more.
The partnership with Create Music Group — one of the fastest-growing and most innovative companies in the music industry — provides Nettwerk with access to world-class infrastructure, global distribution networks and label services. In addition, Create Capital will offer Nettwerk access to efficient follow-on financing to support the company’s continued growth and investment in its frontline operations.
The Nettwerk leadership team will continue to manage day-to-day operations, signings and artist development efforts, with support from Create’s platform. The partners have highly complementary strengths. The partnership is built on shared values and collaborative spirit that will empower both Nettwerk and Create to expand their global presence while maintaining their core missions.
“We’re excited about this next chapter in Nettwerk’s journey,” said Terry McBride, co-founder and CEO of Nettwerk. “Partnering with Create allows us to continue to build on our foundation, grow our capabilities, and provide even more value to the artists we represent — while staying true to our roots as an artist-focused, independent Canadian label.”
“Terry and his team at Nettwerk have built one of the most enduring and influential independent music companies in the modern era,” said Create Music Group CEO and co-founder Jonathan Strauss. “We are excited to put all of the resources at our disposal behind Terry and his management team to fuel Nettwerk’s continued global growth.”
The transaction is expected to close in February 2026.
About Nettwerk
Founded and headquartered in Vancouver, Nettwerk Music Group is one of Canada’s premier independent music companies, known for discovering, developing and promoting a diverse array of artists across genres and borders. We maintain offices and a strong market presence in Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, London, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Sydney. To learn more about Nettwerk, please visit our website: www.nettwerk.com.
About Vistara Growth
Vistara Growth provides highly flexible growth debt and equity solutions to leading technology companies across North America. Founded, managed, and funded by seasoned technology finance and operating executives, “Vistara” (Sanskrit for “expansion”) is focused on enabling growth for the ambitious entrepreneurs we invest in, our investors, our people, and the communities we operate in. For more information, visit vistaragrowth.com.
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