A new Stockholm based company, PodX Group, has been launched by leading Swedish media figures with the aim of investing in international podcast enterprises.
The company will start finding Europe’s leading podcast creators and, through active ownership, help them grow. PodX Group has also announced backing by Stockholm-based Pophouse Entertainment, the entertainment company whose commitment to developing IP rights was established by its recent acquisition of the back catalogue of electronic music pioneers, Swedish House Mafia.
Founders of the company are Patrick Svensk (creator of Sweden’s TV channel “Kanal 5” and built the international TV production company groups Zodiak Media and Nice Entertainment), Staffan Rosell (previously Nordic head of SBS Radio, Discovery Radio, and CEO of Bauer Media), and Fredrik Said (former head of new market expansion at podcast platform, Acast).
“PodX, with Pophouse’s support, aims to help podcast creators to develop and grow. There is a wealth of talent in the industry that creates great content, but many players lack the resources to realise their ambitions. PodX Group will be active owners and offer financing, business development, internationalisation, and commercialisation to the companies we invest in,” says Staffan Rosell, founder, and CEO of PodX Group.
PodX Group’s business concept is to invest in podcast producers who create the best content and, together with the companies’ founders, develop these companies into leading producers in each market and segment. In addition, the partner companies that become part of the group can benefit from being part of an integrated network.
“We are focusing initially on Europe but also see great potential in Latin America, India, and Africa. By gathering talent and rights from around the world, we will be able to create economies of scale at every levelevery level. For example, we can help a successful podcast format from Germany establish itself in other markets. We can contribute with creativity and knowledge about legal issues or enable the exchange of ideas between companies in the group across various territories,” says Staffan Rosell.
Johan Lagerlöf, Head of Investments at Pophouse, adds: “We continue to invest in IP rights and want to be involved in the podcast industry at an early stage where we see great opportunities in a market that is growing explosively. There are plenty of talented content creators with great potential to commercialise and develop. The team at PodX has a perfect mix of skills to succeed. Together, they have solid experience from both the audio industry, with several podcast ventures behind them, and from TV and film production where they have built successful companies.”
