Completed · Netherlands · Software and IT services
Hello Group takes a majority stake in Inner Circle.
Hello Group, the Nasdaq-listed owner of social and dating apps including Momo, tantan and happn, announced on 2 November 2026 that it has acquired a majority stake in Inner Circle, an Amsterdam dating app founded in 2012 with nearly 9 million members. Inner Circle keeps its brand and continues to operate from Amsterdam. The deal completed on 2 November 2026.
Announced 2 November 2026 · Day 100 on 10 February 2027
- Buyer
- Hello Group Inc. ·Beijing, China
- Target
- Inner Circle ·Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Type
- Majority stake
- Announced
- 2 November 2026
- Completed
- 2 November 2026
- Value
- Not disclosed
- People
- Not stated in the release
- Last checked
- 2 November 2026
The people side in the Netherlands
- A Dutch company with 50 or more employees has a works council with a formal advice right on a transfer of control. Works Councils Act (Wet op de ondernemingsraden), articles 2 and 25
- Where 50 or more people work in the Netherlands, the SER Merger Code has unions informed before announcement and agreement. SER Merger Code 2015 (SER-Fusiegedragsregels 2015), articles 2, 3 and 4
- Vital providers and sensitive technologies add a Vifo Act review of eight weeks, which can be extended by up to six months. Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions Security Screening Act (Wet veiligheidstoets investeringen, fusies en overnames), article 12
- A foreign employer without a Dutch entity must normally still register to pay Dutch social insurance premiums. Business.gov.nl: National and employee insurance schemes (Dutch social security)
- In an asset or business transfer, staff move to the buyer on their existing terms and collective agreement; the seller stays jointly liable for one year. Business.gov.nl (Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment): Company takeover and employee rights
- Where the deal needs EU merger clearance, the buyer may not implement it before clearance. EU Merger Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004), article 7
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