Riding into the future of digital content.

Pinkbike is a digital and video-centric media business created in 1998 and operated by British Columbia-based mountain biking enthusiasts Radek and Karl Burkat. With more than 700 million annual pageviews, it is recognised as the global leader in mountain bike content and entertainment. Its stories, product reviews, and thriving marketplace drive more than 50% of the category’s total pageviews. In recent years, Pinkbike acquired Cycling Tips, a rapidly growing news site for road and racing fans and launched Trailforks, a consumer subscription software offering with a GPS-enabled trail database with more than 300,000 mountain biking and hiking routes benefitting millions of users around the world.

The transaction represents a significant expansion of Outside’s leadership position in cycling media and mobile mapping technology, and adds an array of premium benefits and best-in-class content to Outside+; the company’s popular consumer membership.

Radek Burkat, Founder of Pinkbike, commented: “We founded Pinkbike to share the thrills and spills of singletrack, and we’ve inspired millions of cyclists to get out and ride by staying true to the soul of the sport. Joining Outside gives our team an opportunity to tell stories to an even bigger audience and to collaborate with world-class journalists at the other brands in our new family. We’re also thrilled to bring our Trailforks technology and community into the membership ecosystem that Outside is building. In partnership with Gaia, we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that Outside+ members can ride, hike, run, and ski with greater confidence and safety.”

“It’s very exciting to see Pinkbike and Trailforks move on to the next chapter of their growth curve. This acquisition by Outside demonstrates Pinkbike’s strong connection to the mountain biking market and their resolve to provide best in class editorial content and products for customers,” said Dan Jacques, Managing Director at Headwater Equity Partners and Pinkbike Board Member.

Alec Dafferner, Partner, and Eric Crowley, Executive Director at GP Bullhound, stated: “We are proud to have advised Pinkbike and its shareholders as they head to their next chapter by joining the Outside team. Pinkbike has built a phenomenal three-pronged business for the mountain biking community. With the combination of content and advertising, consumer subscription software and a marketplace offering, Pinkbike is a one-stop shop for the mountain biking community.”

This transaction is further testament to GP Bullhound’s expertise in the Consumer Subscription and Digital Media sectors, following previous transactions completed for Lingoda (investment by Summit Partners), 7NXT (acquired by Oakley Capital), and AllTrails (acquired by Spectrum Equity), among many others.

Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact:
Alec Dafferner, Partner, alec.dafferner@gpbullhound.com
Eric Crowley, Executive Director, eric.crowley@gpbullhound.com

About GP Bullhound
GP Bullhound is a leading technology advisory and investment firm, providing transaction advice and capital to the world’s best entrepreneurs and founders. Founded in 1999 in London and Menlo Park, the firm today has 10 offices spanning Europe, the US and Asia. For more information, please visit www.gpbullhound.com