Axios Media Acquisition, Valuation, Funding & Investors

Axios Media was acquired by Cox Enterprises for $750M in August 2022, a 8.5x multiple on $88M of revenue.

Axios Media acquisition price

$750M

Acquired by Cox Enterprises · Aug 2022

Axios Media revenue at acquisition

$88M

Last twelve months · Aug 2022

Axios Media revenue multiple at acquisition

8.5x

EV/Revenue · Aug 2022

Cumulative funding Axios Media raised

$57M

across 3 funding rounds

Axios Media Overview

About Axios Media

Axios is a media company publishing concise news and analysis on technology, business, politics, science, and media trends through its mobile-first platform. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., Axios employs Smart Brevity format for efficient, trustworthy reporting. The outlet covers original stories and narrated trends, serving as a talent incubator for journalists now at The New York Times and The Washington Post. Acquired by Cox Enterprises in 2022, it reaches millions via newsletters and apps.


Founded

2016

HQ

United StatesWashington, DC

Website

axios.com

Status

Acquired

Customer focus

B2C

Revenue model

Advertising, Subscription

Revenue

$54M (Dec 2019)

Valuation

$430M (Dec 2019)

Axios Media Acquisition

Axios Media was acquired by Cox Enterprises for $750M on 8 August 2022.

The acquisition price implies a 8.5x revenue multiple on $88M of revenue.

Before the acquisition Axios Media had raised $57M across 3 funding rounds.

Axios Media, a digital news company founded in 2017 by former Politico executives Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz, specializes in concise 'smart brevity' news coverage on politics, government, technology, media, and local markets, with about 500 employees and operations including Axios HQ communications software. Cox Enterprises, a privately-owned Atlanta-based media and automotive group with $20bn revenue, acquired majority control of Axios for a $525m valuation on August 8, 2022, purchasing 70% ownership while founders and employees retained 30% and continued leading editorial and business operations. The deal provides significant returns to Axios investors who had funded $57m total, following Cox's prior minority investment. Cox committed to scaling Axios nationally and locally, adding cities and topics, with Cox CEO Alex Taylor joining the board. Axios generated $88m revenue in 2021 (up 40% YoY), $4m EBITDA, targeting $110m+ in 2022, and was priced at roughly 5x projected 2022 revenue amid a trend of legacy media buying digital news brands like Politico and The Athletic. Strategic fit emphasized shared journalism passion, with proceeds earmarked for hiring in local coverage and Axios Pro verticals. Axios had TV deals with HBO and MSNBC for promotion and was profitable prior years but invested heavily in HQ, impacting 2022 profitability.

Axios Media acquisition details
AcquirerDateTypePriceEV/Revenue
  • Cox Enterprises
8 Aug 2022Strategic M&A$750M8.5x

Axios Media Valuation

Axios Media is currently valued at $430M, based on its Series C in December 2019.

The $27M round was led by Glade Brook Capital Partners, with participation from WndrCo and Sujay Jaswa.

Axios Media's valuation has grown 1.7x from $250M at its Series A in September 2016 to $430M in December 2019, across 2 priced rounds.

Axios Media valuation by funding round

Revenue multiple
Axios Media valuation by funding round
DateStageValuationRevenue Multiple
Dec 2019Series C$430M8.0x
Sep 2016Series A$250M-

Axios Media Revenue

Axios Media's latest recorded revenue is $54M, as of its Series C in December 2019. At a $430M valuation, that implies a 8.0x revenue multiple.

Axios Media revenue by funding round

Axios Media revenue and valuation multiple by funding round
DateRevenue *ValuationRevenue MultipleStage
Dec 2019$54M$430M8.0xSeries C

* Revenue (or ARR) figures are the values recorded alongside each funding round. Typically run-rate revenue at the time of the deal, or a reported LTM (last 12 months) revenue.

Axios Media Funding History

Axios Media has raised a total of $57M across 3 funding rounds.

Axios Media's first fundraising round was a $10M Series A in September 2016. The most recent completed round was a $27M Series C in December 2019.

Axios Media funding rounds

Axios Media funding rounds
DateStageInvestorsRaisedValuationDeal Summary
Dec 2019Series CGlade Brook Capital Partners (lead); WndrCo; Sujay Jaswa$27M$430MAxios is a VC-backed digital news outlet founded in 2017 and known for its concise, to-the-point coverage style. The company has adapted well to the digital age, differentiating itself in the journalism industry through a unique presentation format and developing a strong readership, particularly in Washington, D.C. The outlet has benefited from substantial advertising spending by major technology companies including Meta, which has spent significant sums to reach Axios' politically-engaged audience. In December 2019, Axios completed a Series C funding round with a post-money valuation of $430 million, representing an 8x revenue multiple based on FY 2018 revenues of approximately $25 million. Glade Brook Capital Partners, a Connecticut-based growth equity firm, was among the lead investors in this round. The company also operates Axios HQ, a separate software communications business that remained majority-owned by Axios founders. In August 2022, Cox Enterprises, an Atlanta-based media business that had been an early investor in Axios, acquired the company for $525 million, substantially exceeding the December 2019 valuation and delivering significant returns to early investors including Glade Brook Capital.
Nov 2017Series BGreycroft (lead); Lerer Hippeau (lead); Headline$20M--
Sep 2016Series ALerer Hippeau (lead); Emerson Collective; Greycroft; Katherine Bradley; David G. Bradley; NBC News; Atlantic Media$10M$250MAxios Media, a digital media startup founded by former Politico executives Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz, launched in January 2017 with a focus on concise, bullet-point-driven news coverage in politics, business, and technology, delivered via short articles under 300 words and daily newsletters. The company raised $10 million in a Series A round on November 30, 2016, backed by investors including Atlantic Media, Emerson Collective, Greycroft Partners, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, and NBCUniversal. Lerer Hippeau participated as a lead investor in this early-stage funding. The round supported Axios's initial growth in native advertising and newsletter distribution.

Who has invested in Axios Media?

11 investors have backed Axios Media across its funding rounds, including Greycroft, Lerer Hippeau, Headline, WndrCo, Emerson Collective and Glade Brook Capital Partners.

Lead investors include Glade Brook Capital Partners, Greycroft and Lerer Hippeau.


Axios Media Investors

Investors in Axios Media by funding rounds participated
InvestorHQRoundsRoleFirst check
Lerer HippeauUnited StatesNew York City, NY2LeadSep 2016
GreycroftUnited StatesNew York City, NY2LeadSep 2016
Emerson CollectiveUnited StatesSan Francisco, CA1ParticipantSep 2016
Glade Brook Capital PartnersUnited StatesGreenwich, CT1LeadDec 2019
WndrCoUnited StatesLos Angeles, CA1ParticipantDec 2019
Katherine BradleyUnited StatesWashington, DC1ParticipantSep 2016
Sujay JaswaUnited StatesUnited States1ParticipantDec 2019
David G. BradleyUnited KingdomLondon1ParticipantSep 2016
NBC NewsUnited StatesNew York City, NY1ParticipantSep 2016

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Acquisitions by Axios Media

Axios Media has acquired 2 companies to date.

Last acquisition by Axios Media was on December 17th 2020. Axios Media acquired Axios Charlotte for $5M.


Latest Acquisitions by Axios Media

Axios Charlotte
Sports Internet
Description
Axios Charlotte publishes daily local news covering real estate, startups, food, philanthropy, development, careers, and family activities in Charlotte, North Carolina. It distributes content via online articles, a weekday newsletter, and an annual city guide. Launched in 2015 as part of the Axios media network, the outlet engages the Queen City community with focused reporting on economic growth and urban lifestyle trends.
Sports Internet is a digital newsletter delivering sports commentary and analysis. Produced by Kendall Baker, a former ESPN contributor and Bleacher Report author, it covers professional leagues including NBA, NFL, and MLB with insider perspectives on player performances, team strategies, and league developments. Distributed via email and its website, the publication reaches subscribers seeking concise, opinionated takes on current sports events and off-field news. Hosted at sportsinternet.co, it maintains a focused editorial voice amid broader sports media landscapes.
HQ CountryUnited StatesUnited States
HQ City
Charlotte, NC
San Francisco, CA
Deal Date17 Dec 20204 Jan 2019
Valuation$5Mundisclosed
EV/Revenue
EV/EBITDA

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Axios Media Competitors

Axios Media competitors include listed companies like Better Collective and USA TODAY, and private ones like Pocket FM, Flipboard, LiveScore Group and The Daily Wire.

Public and private companies comparable to Axios Media
CompanyHQStatusRevenueEBITDAValuationRevenue Multiple
Pocket FMIndiaIndiaPrivate$150M-$750M5.0x
FlipboardUnited StatesSan Francisco, CAPrivate$34M-$800M23.5x
Better CollectiveDenmarkDenmarkPublicly listed$388M$100M$693M2.4x
LiveScore GroupUnited KingdomLondonPrivate$133M-$665M5.0x
The Daily WireUnited StatesNashville, TNPrivate$200M-$850M4.3x
USA TODAYUnited StatesUnited StatesPublicly listed$2.3B$262M$928M0.9x

Axios Media Public Comps

Axios Media is no longer listed, but its public comps include Better Collective, Weathernews, USA TODAY, Shanghai Ganglian, Taboola, Wirtualna Polska, Sichuan Newsnet Media, Value Line, Trustpilot Group and m-up holdings.

Last FYEV/RevenueEV/EBITDA
RevenueEBITDALast FYLTM2027ELast FYLTM2027E
Better Collective$388M$100M2.5x2.4x9.8x7.7x
Weathernews$157M$38M2.9x2.9x11.9x11.9x
USA TODAY$2.3B$262M0.8x0.9x7.5x7.2x
Shanghai Ganglian$11B$75M0.0x-4.9x-
Taboola$1.9B$121M0.5x0.5x8.4x4.5x
Wirtualna Polska$585M$102M1.4x1.3x8.1x5.6x
Sichuan Newsnet Media$46M$14M7.0x-22.5x-
Value Line$33M$29M8.5x-10.0x-

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Common questions about Axios Media

When was Axios Media founded?Axios Media was founded in 2016.
Where is Axios Media headquartered?Axios Media is headquartered in Washington, DC, United States.
Is Axios Media publicly listed?No, Axios Media was acquired by Cox Enterprises in August 2022.
Who acquired Axios Media?Axios Media was acquired by Cox Enterprises in August 2022.
How much was Axios Media acquired for?Axios Media was acquired for $750M in August 2022, a 8.5x revenue multiple.
What is Axios Media's valuation?Axios Media was last valued at $430M in its Series C in December 2019.
How much funding has Axios Media raised?Axios Media has raised $57M across 3 funding rounds.
What was Axios Media's last funding round?Axios Media's last funding round was a $27M Series C in December 2019, led by Glade Brook Capital Partners.
Who are Axios Media's investors?Axios Media's investors include Lerer Hippeau, Greycroft, Emerson Collective, Glade Brook Capital Partners, WndrCo, Katherine Bradley, Sujay Jaswa, David G. Bradley, NBC News, Headline and 1 other.
What is Axios Media's revenue?Axios Media's latest recorded revenue is $54M (December 2019).
What is Axios Media's revenue multiple?Axios Media's latest valuation implies a 8.0x revenue multiple ($430M valuation on $54M of revenue).
Which companies are comparable to Axios Media?Companies comparable to Axios Media include Pocket FM, Flipboard, Better Collective, LiveScore Group, The Daily Wire and USA TODAY.
How many companies has Axios Media acquired?Axios Media has acquired 2 companies, including Axios Charlotte and Sports Internet.
What was the largest acquisition by Axios Media?The $5M acquisition of Axios Charlotte in December 2020 is the largest acquisition Axios Media has made to date.

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