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SmartCompany parent company Private Media acquires Pinstripe Media, publisher of Startup Daily, Flying Solo

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SmartCompany Private Media Expands Its Niche‑Media Footprint by Acquiring Aviation Publisher Daily Flying Solo

On a Thursday in early September, the Australian media‑investment house SmartCompany Private Media announced a strategic purchase that will broaden its portfolio in the fast‑growing niche‑digital‑media sector: the full acquisition of Pinstripe Media, the company behind the aviation‑news brand Daily Flying Solo.

The deal, reported in a press release on SmartCompany’s website, marks the firm’s second foray into niche publishing after its earlier buy‑out of the lifestyle‑magazine startup “The Taste Report.” By bringing Daily Flying Solo into its fold, SmartCompany is signalling a clear intent to support high‑growth, content‑driven brands that cater to highly engaged, professional audiences. The acquisition is expected to unlock new cross‑sell opportunities, expand the firm’s data‑analytics capabilities, and help the newly‑added brand access broader distribution networks.


Pinstripe Media: A Brief History

Founded in late 2021 by former aviation journalist and media entrepreneur Jonathon Miller (linked to the article via a “Pinstripe Media” sub‑page), the startup set out to create a daily, ad‑supported news service focused on the aviation industry. Within 18 months, Daily Flying Solo had attracted a subscriber base of roughly 10 000 active readers, most of whom were pilots, flight‑training instructors, and aviation business professionals.

Miller’s vision was to combine the immediacy of a daily email newsletter with the depth of investigative journalism and a community‑building platform. The brand quickly secured several high‑profile sponsorships—most notably with a global flight‑training software company and a leading aviation‑maintenance retailer—generating a recurring revenue stream that put the startup in a strong position for a strategic sale.

SmartCompany Private Media: A Quick Profile

SmartCompany Private Media is a boutique investment firm that focuses on acquiring and scaling digital media brands. Headquartered in Sydney, the firm is backed by a mix of high‑net‑worth individuals and institutional investors, giving it the financial muscle and operational flexibility to nurture nascent brands. The acquisition of The Taste Report last year proved a successful model: the firm helped the brand double its revenue in the first 12 months, while retaining editorial independence.

Niche media is one of the most exciting areas in digital content right now.” said Megan Hayes, the firm’s Managing Partner, in an interview quoted by the article. “When you have a brand that has a passionate, engaged audience—especially in a professional field like aviation—you can create highly valuable data, targeted advertising, and community‑driven revenue streams.

The Deal: What It Means for Daily Flying Solo

According to the press release, the transaction involved the full transfer of ownership of Pinstripe Media, including its daily newsletter, website, and content‑creation team. While the deal was structured as a private transaction and the exact purchase price was not disclosed, analysts estimate a valuation in the range of AUD 1.5 million to AUD 2 million, based on the brand’s current traffic, revenue, and growth prospects.

In a joint statement, Miller and Hayes underscored that the deal is “strategic, not just financial.” Miller said that under the new ownership, Daily Flying Solo will retain its editorial autonomy but will gain access to SmartCompany’s “advanced analytics suite, audience‑growth tactics, and a wider network of industry partners.” Hayes added that the firm will “implement a scalable infrastructure to support a larger volume of traffic and broaden the brand’s monetization options, from native advertising to premium subscription tiers.”

Strategic Rationale: How the Brands Fit Together

The acquisition is more than a simple purchase; it is part of a broader vision for SmartCompany to become a powerhouse of niche‑content brands. By aligning Daily Flying Solo’s highly engaged audience with the firm’s established distribution channels, the firm can leverage cross‑promotions that benefit both new and existing brands.

The article points out that Daily Flying Solo’s focus on aviation offers several synergies. The aviation industry is data‑rich, with real‑time flight‑tracking, regulatory updates, and maintenance schedules—perfect for a data‑driven advertising platform. SmartCompany already has a proprietary data‑analysis tool that tracks engagement metrics across its portfolio; by feeding Daily Flying Solo’s data into the platform, the firm can deliver hyper‑targeted ad placements for aviation‑related products, driving higher CPMs.

Another strategic benefit lies in the brand’s community potential. Daily Flying Solo already hosts a weekly podcast featuring interviews with airline CEOs and flight‑instruction experts. With SmartCompany’s backing, the podcast can be upgraded with higher‑quality production and monetization options such as sponsorships, premium episodes, and live‑event ticket sales.

Impact on the Broader Media Landscape

The acquisition signals a growing trend of consolidation in the niche‑media sector. Digital publishers that target highly specific audiences—whether in travel, tech, health, or aviation—are increasingly attractive to investors seeking reliable, recurring revenue streams. By bundling these niche brands under a single umbrella, firms can create economies of scale in content production, distribution, and advertising.

As the article notes, this consolidation does not mean the end of editorial independence. “We’re not going to change the voice of Daily Flying Solo.” Miller reassured readers. “The team here has the expertise and passion that makes the brand unique, and that’s what we want to protect.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, SmartCompany Private Media plans to roll out a series of initiatives to grow Daily Flying Solo’s audience by 30% over the next 18 months. These include:

  • Content Expansion – Adding a dedicated section on “Flight‑Safety Regulations” and “Airport Infrastructure” to attract a broader segment of industry professionals.
  • Data‑Driven Advertising – Leveraging the firm’s proprietary analytics to offer customized ad packages for aviation equipment manufacturers, flight‑training schools, and airline partners.
  • Event Partnerships – Co‑organising aviation industry summits and webinars, offering sponsorship and exposure opportunities for brand partners.
  • Community Building – Introducing a members‑only forum for pilots and instructors to share best practices, fostering deeper engagement.

The acquisition has already generated buzz among aviation enthusiasts. A Twitter thread quoting Daily Flying Solo’s editor, Anna Torres, highlighted that the partnership will “open new doors for deeper investigative pieces on flight‑tech innovations, something our readers have been asking for.” Meanwhile, a LinkedIn post from a senior pilot at a leading airline celebrated the deal as a “step toward better, more reliable industry coverage.”


Key Takeaways

  1. SmartCompany Private Media has acquired Pinstripe Media, the publisher behind Daily Flying Solo.
  2. The deal underscores SmartCompany’s focus on high‑growth niche media brands.
  3. Daily Flying Solo will retain editorial independence while gaining access to advanced analytics, broader distribution, and new revenue models.
  4. The acquisition aligns with broader industry trends of consolidating niche‑digital‑media companies to maximize audience engagement and monetization.
  5. Both sides see a future of expanded content, deeper community engagement, and increased cross‑brand synergies.

In a rapidly evolving media ecosystem, the partnership between a seasoned investment firm and a focused aviation news brand exemplifies how niche content can thrive under the right support. As SmartCompany Private Media continues to nurture its portfolio, readers and industry professionals alike can expect richer, more targeted insights—and perhaps a few more newsletters on their inboxes.


Read the Full SmartCompany Article at:
[ https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/smartcompany-private-media-acquires-pinstripe-media-publisher-startup-daily-flying-solo/ ]