Tech Entrepreneur reflects on Graceful Exits as TNW Nears Closure
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, founder of The Next web (TNW), announced today that the media adn events arm of the company is being wound down, marking the end of an era for the prominent European tech publication and conference organizer.Only TNW Spaces will continue operations, alongside the previously sold TNW Programs. This announcement comes after TNW was acquired by the Financial Times in 2019.
Veldhuijzen van Zanten shared a personal reflection on navigating business failures and the importance of accepting endings, drawing on experiences from previous ventures. He recounted a prior startup that ultimately didn’t succeed, but where honesty and preparedness with investors led to a positive outcome.”I had a scenario ready for both success and failure told him that I was honest and realistic,” he wrote. When the startup faltered, the team proactively offered to return 40% of the initial investment to investors, alongside a final dinner. This approach fostered trust, leading to meaningful investor participation in a subsequent venture years later.
This experience,he explained,shaped his viewpoint on the current closure of TNW. While acknowledging ambition and optimism following the 2019 sale to the FT, Veldhuijzen van Zanten expressed a sense of acceptance. “When the business struggled, I also felt very cozy with the company ending graciously,” he stated. He likened the situation to finishing a good book, recognizing that “good stories need good endings.”
Veldhuijzen van Zanten plans to continue writing and has launched a Substack newsletter, FWIW Media, where he will share insights on a broader range of topics. He encourages readers to subscribe to his new platform.
Founded in 2006, TNW grew into a leading voice in European technology, known for its annual conference and in-depth reporting. The closure impacts numerous employees, marking a significant shift in the European tech media landscape.
