Montreal-based software company Valsoft Corporation has acquired Above the Treeline, Inc., developer of the digital platform Edelweiss, marking its second major investment in publishing industry software following its majority stake purchase in Klopotek in August 2023.
Edelweiss hosts 95% of U.S. frontlist titles and serves as a central workflow hub focusing on frontlist and backlist sales management, as well as analytics, workflow tools, and other related activities for publishers, booksellers, and librarians. It is, along with Netgalley, the major platform for digital review copies. It serves some 1,200 companies and has 250,000 users.
"Since we started the business in 2002, we've been driven by an unwavering commitment to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the book industry," said John Rubin, CEO and founder of Edelweiss. Rubin will remain in his leadership role.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with John and Annie Rubin to drive forward the modernization of the book industry," added Anthony Caruso, investment partner at Valsoft. "Edelweiss has built an unparalleled reputation over the years, and its vibrant ecosystem— connecting industry professionals to discover both new and classic titles—is truly impressive."
Looking ahead, Valsoft said in announcing the news that it "aims to deepen Edelweiss’s impact in the U.S. with its flagship suite while also leveraging Valsoft’s global reach and expertise to expand internationally." Edelweiss, is already very active in the U.K., where it serves as a cataloging and sales tool for interacting with U.K. and international booksellers. Nearly a decade ago, the company had been in active discussions to expand its services to Germany, though nothing came of it as yet.
