📢 [05/08] An announcement from Nick Williams, CEO of Native Instruments
📢 [05/08] Native Instruments joins inMusic FAQs
Uh oh… 😐
According to an article by Create Digital Music (CDM), Native Instruments is currently undergoing preliminary insolvency proceedings:
To access and read insolvency documents:
*Native Instruments*
💡 What this means
❌ What this doesn't mean
(Snippets taken from Production Expert)
Articles / Timeline of events
Date
News
12-04-2025
The European Commission clears acquisition of Native Instruments Group by Bridgepoint and Bain Capital Credit(Unconfirmed: Deal apparently fell through and the insolvency is the result of that.)
01-27-2026
Native Instruments GmbH is in preliminary insolvency | CDM
01-28-2026
Plugin Alliance says it is "business as usual" | CDM
01-29-2026
Statement from Nick Williams, CEO of Native Instruments
(Also available on ni-japan.jp)
03-19-2026
An update from Nick Williams, CEO of Native Instruments
05-08-2026
An announcement from Nick Williams, CEO of Native Instruments(Also available on ni-japan.jp)inMusic and Native Instruments Unite | inMusic
I will continuously update this post as we learn more.
As per Jeremy_NI's post:
Any further updates will be shared through our official channels when appropriate.
Some good news on the path of NI:
This is the best case scenario going forward. Shed the debt & merge with another company with deep roots in audio & technology.
My personal hope for the merger is Fender. There are other good choices too.
Such a move could shift me away from Logic and towards Studio Pro. I suspect others would consider this too. Would be a smart way for Fender to increase their DAW user base.
NI hardware would have a good new home too.
From what I can see then text in the new 'update from Nick Williams' just changed slightly. Originally it said : "We are currently in an active M&A process that is progressing well, with strong interest from multiple parties with deep roots in audio and technology." and that has now been changed to say "We are currently in an active process to find new shareholders, with strong interest from multiple parties with deep roots in audio and technology."
Personally then I am very curious to know who that turns out to be and what that bodes for NI…
Also then I think that the 'new shareholders' sounds better than "an active M&A process" 😁
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Another change in this update is the move to primary insolvency. This is a good and crucial step in the process. Shed the debt. Clean slate for new merger.
I was referring to a direct edit made to the original text in the update….
Techno is Traktor
Well, Traktor is a bit more than just Techno. But i think i get your meaning. 😎
I hope Ableton will be able to absorb NI. That would be the best option.
Do not see Ableton having the scratch to pull that off.
They are solid for sure - but do not have hundreds of millions of euros laying around to start absorbing companies that are bigger than they are:
Even if some sort of unimaginable deal fell into their lap (and cost 80M to pull off) - based on 2024 reporting - that would leave them with nothing.
VP
what would it take to pull it off, then?
It would have to be a company size of Yamaha to buy them as a whole. Buying bits and pieces - potentially more players could compete.
The debt load that started this mess was in the 250+ million range.
That won't be the cost to set this right - but as Maciej notes - think bigger. Much bigger
I'll say it again. My fingers crossed for Fender buying Native Instruments.
I think it would be an excellent fit for both software and hardware.
Fender does not get make that decision - Fender's parent - Servco Pacific would ultimately need to decide.
I totally know that and usually state it in those terms. But the perception for many in this circumstance is that Fender would effectively the "buyer", and also the entity bringing the direction for NI assets going forward.
Fender has a good thing going with Presonus now. Adding NI does not make a lot of sense from a corporate standpoint. Doubtful that Servco would see this as a good fit.
