Sayan Navaratnam’s Malar Group Acquires Freeda, One of Europe’s Leading Social-First Media Brands Empowering Women

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire Sayan Navaratnam's Malar Group Acquires Freeda, One of Europe's Leading Social-First Media Brands Empowering WomenAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The acquisition gives Malar Group, worldwide ownership of the Freeda brand and its Italian and Spanish social platforms – with plans to relaunch a brand that built a community of more than 11 million at its peak.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTORONTO & MILAN — Malar Group, the investment firm led by founder and CEO Sayan Navaratnam, today announced it has acquired Freeda, one of Europe’s most recognized social-first media brands for Millennial and Gen Z women. The acquisition gives Malar Group worldwide ownership of the Freeda brand – protected by 24 registered trademarks active across the EU, UK, US, and other major markets – along with its Italian and Spanish social platforms and the freedamedia.com domain.Founded in Milan in 2016, Freeda was built natively for social platforms rather than around a website, reaching young women through short-form video, interviews, and graphics made for the feed. Its name blends “freedom” with a nod to the artist Frida Kahlo, and its mission has stayed constant: to spread real women’s stories and inspire positive change.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againAt its peak, Freeda was one of the largest social-first media brands for women in Europe. It built a community of more than 11 million followers, reached 150 million people a month, and generated over 100 million interactions a year. On Instagram, it became the most-engaged female-focused media brand – ahead of titles including Vogue and Cosmopolitan – and partnered with more than 40 global brands, among them Armani, Gucci, and Lavazza.Under Malar Group’s ownership, Freeda will relaunch across its social channels, with renewed investment in the real women’s stories and authentic voice that built its following. The brand enters a new phase focused on strengthening its core markets, deepening its content, and growing both its community and its commercial partnerships. Malar Group intends to act as an active partner in that next chapter, combining investment with hands-on strategic support to rebuild Freeda’s standing as a leading voice for women in Europe.“What drew us to Freeda was the foundation it was built on,” said Sayan Navaratnam, founder and CEO of Malar Group. “This is a brand that set out to represent and empower women, and millions of them believed in it. That community is still there, and that tells you the mission still matters. Women deserve a voice and a community that stands behind them, and our job is to give Freeda the resources, the technology, and the long-term backing to be that again.”The acquisition reflects Malar Group’s broader approach: investing at the intersection of technology, brand, content, and consumer – four areas reshaping how the best companies grow.Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Launched in Milan in 2016, Freeda is a social-first brand built around content for Millennial and Gen Z women, founded on the belief that women deserve media that represents and empowers them. Blending “freedom” with a nod to the artist Frida Kahlo, the brand grew into one of Europe’s most engaged female-focused media communities, reaching more than 11 million followers at its peak across Italy, Spain, and beyond. The Freeda brand and its assets are now owned by Malar Group.Malar Group is a Canadian investment firm founded and led by Sayan Navaratnam. Malar Group invests at the intersection of technology, brand, content, and consumer – four areas reshaping how the best companies grow. The firm works as an active partner to the founders and leadership teams it backs, providing capital, strategic direction, and long-term support. For more information, visit malargroup.com.View source version on businesswire.com: Umar Qureshi, Media RelationsThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.