Native Instruments insolvency and acquisition
inMusic acquired Native Instruments in July 2026, following insolvency proceedings, while Plugin Alliance and Brainworx were reacquired by their original founder, Dirk Ulrich. As of July 24, 2026, Boris FX has acquired iZotope, which is no longer part of Native Instruments. Approximately 100 employees were reportedly laid off from Native Instruments, which had filed for insolvency on January 27, 2026, due to approximately £250 million in debt against $25 million in EBITDA by the end of 2023.
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July 2026 — 3 developments
inMusic Acquires Native Instruments; Plugin Alliance & Brainworx Regain Independence Amid Layoffs
inMusic acquired Native Instruments in July 2026, following insolvency proceedings. Concurrently, Plugin Alliance and Brainworx were reacquired by their original founder, Dirk Ulrich, becoming independent entities. Approximately 100 employees were reportedly laid off from Native Instruments.
Boris FX Acquires iZotope from Native Instruments Amidst Insolvency Proceedings
Boris FX has acquired iZotope, which is no longer part of Native Instruments following its insolvency proceedings. Native Instruments continues to engage in merger and acquisition processes for continuity and has released new products such as Komplete 26.
Native Instruments Enters Formal Insolvency, Agrees to Acquisition by inMusic
Native Instruments has officially entered formal insolvency proceedings and has secured a definitive agreement for acquisition by inMusic. The deal is expected to finalize in the coming weeks, with all operations and services remaining fully available to users.
May 2026 — 1 developments
inMusic Brands Acquires Native Instruments, Concluding Insolvency Proceedings
inMusic Brands has acquired Native Instruments, concluding its insolvency proceedings that began in January 2026. The acquisition includes Native Instruments' subsidiaries iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx. Throughout the insolvency process, the company assured customers that operations and product availability remained unaffected.
March 2026 — 2 developments
Native Instruments enters formal insolvency proceedings, continues operations amid M&A interest
Native Instruments has transitioned from preliminary to formal insolvency proceedings. CEO Nick Williams stated that business operations for Native Instruments, iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx continue as usual, with products, platforms, services, and customer support remaining available. The company is actively engaged in merger and acquisition (M&A) processes with significant interest from multiple parties.
Native Instruments files for insolvency after leveraged buyout by Francisco Partners
Native Instruments filed for insolvency on January 27, 2026, following significant financial difficulties. The company's struggles are largely attributed to financial engineering from a leveraged buyout in 2021 by Francisco Partners, which burdened Native Instruments with substantial acquisition debt. By the end of 2023, the company reported approximately £250 million in debt against $25 million in EBITDA.
January 2026 — 6 developments
Native Instruments creditors temporarily unable to enforce claims during insolvency proceedings
During Native Instruments' preliminary insolvency proceedings, creditors are temporarily unable to enforce their claims against the company. This provides a specific legal detail about the ongoing restructuring process.
Native Instruments CEO Reassures Customers Amidst Preliminary Insolvency Filing
Native Instruments CEO Nick Williams issued a statement reassuring customers that day-to-day operations remain unaffected and framed the preliminary insolvency as a proactive step towards long-term sustainability.
Native Instruments Initiates Preliminary Insolvency Proceedings to Protect Staff Salaries
The preliminary insolvency proceedings for Native Instruments are designed to protect staff by ensuring salaries are paid and preventing immediate layoffs. This provides clarity on the immediate impact of the insolvency process on employees.
Plugin Alliance not part of Native Instruments' preliminary insolvency proceedings
Plugin Alliance is reportedly not part of Native Instruments' preliminary insolvency proceedings, clarifying its status among associated brands.
Native Instruments' Management Authority Restricted by Insolvency Administrator
Native Instruments' management now has restricted authority, requiring the preliminary insolvency administrator's approval for significant financial decisions.
Native Instruments insolvency proceedings reportedly impact hundreds of employees
The preliminary insolvency proceedings for Native Instruments are reportedly impacting hundreds of employees.
December 2025 — 2 developments
Native Instruments revives Absynth softsynth with Absynth 6 release
Native Instruments revives its much-loved soundscape-friendly softsynth with the release of Absynth 6.
European Commission Clears Bridgepoint and Bain Capital Acquisition of Native Instruments
The European Commission clears the acquisition of the Native Instruments Group by UK-based Bridgepoint Group Holdings Limited and Bain Capital Credit.
December 2023 — 1 developments
Sounds.com subscription service quietly closes
The Sounds.com subscription service, which had struggled to gain traction, quietly closes.
July 2023 — 1 developments
Native Instruments consolidates iZotope and Plugin Alliance under its brand, retires Soundwide
The Soundwide brand is retired, and all companies, including iZotope and Plugin Alliance, are consolidated back under the Native Instruments brand name.
January 2023 — 1 developments
Soundwide lays off 8% of employees due to challenging market conditions
Soundwide lays off 8% of its employees, citing challenging market conditions.
January 2022 — 1 developments
Native Instruments acquires iZotope and Plugin Alliance, forms Soundwide with Brainworx
Native Instruments acquires iZotope and Plugin Alliance, and these brands, along with Brainworx, are merged under a new umbrella brand named Soundwide.
January 2021 — 1 developments
Francisco Partners acquires majority stake in Native Instruments
Investment firm Francisco Partners acquires a majority stake in Native Instruments.
January 2020 — 1 developments
Daniel Haver and Mate Galic step down from leadership roles
Co-Founder and CEO Daniel Haver, along with Chief Innovation Officer and President Mate Galic, step down from their leadership roles, initiating a period of shifting management within the company.
January 2019 — 1 developments
Native Instruments faces rocky period with layoffs, restructuring, and former employee criticism
Native Instruments begins to experience a rocky period, marked by staff layoffs, company restructuring, and criticism from former employees.