Business Insider is an American financial and business news website, founded in 2007 and headquartered in New York City. It publishes reporting, analysis, and commentary across business, markets, technology, and media. The publication operates as part of the German media conglomerate Axel Springer SE, which acquired the majority of the company in 2015 in a deal that valued Business Insider at $442 million.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: New York City
- Type: website; online newspaper; organization; news website
- Website: https://www.businessinsider.com/
Founding and Growth
Business Insider was founded in 2007 in New York City. It built its audience as an online newspaper covering financial markets, corporate news, and technology, and grew into one of the more widely read business news sites in the United States.
Acquisition by Axel Springer
In September 2015, Axel Springer SE, the German media conglomerate, acquired 88% of Business Insider’s shares for $343 million, based on a total company valuation of $442 million. After the transaction was complete, Axel Springer held 97% ownership of the company. The remaining 3% stayed with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, held through his personal investment vehicle, Bezos Expeditions.
Research and Subscription Services
Also in 2015, Business Insider launched BI Intelligence, a subscription-based B2B research service. The offering provided reports and briefings across a range of sectors, including mobile, payments, digital media, and e-commerce, targeting corporate and institutional clients rather than general readers.
Leadership
Barbara Peng joined Business Insider as vice president of research in 2015 and became president in 2021. In November 2023 she was appointed CEO, succeeding co-founder Henry Blodget.
Reporting and Editorial Controversies
In early 2024, Business Insider published articles alleging that Neri Oxman, wife of billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, had plagiarized portions of her MIT doctoral dissertation. Following an internal review, parent company Axel Springer stood by the reporting.
Subscription Technology
Business Insider deployed an AI-powered paywall that, according to CEO Barbara Peng, increased subscription conversions by 75%.
Data sources
Data updated: 2026-10-28