South African media group Naspers, which first purchased a stake in Russia’s mail.ru in January 2007, has made an additional purchase and is now the majority stock holder. The latest deal was valued at approximately USD 25 million, and combined with the first purchase at USD 165 million, Naspers total investment is estimated in the area of USD 190 million.
Digital Sky Technologies, a Russian investment firm, also owns a significant interest in mail.ru at nearly 43% of total shares, with mail.ru holding on to a 3% stake.
mail.ru (www.mail.ru)
Mail.ru, Russia’s largest and most successful internet portal offers internet-based services such as email, social networking, news feeds, photo sharing, blogging, and more. The company began in 1998 as Port.ru then merged with netBridge in 2001 to form Russia’s leading internet services provider. The new company was subsequently re-branded as mail.ru.
Naspers (www.naspers.com)
Naspers is an international media company based in Cape Town, South Africa, with operations in other countries such as Africa, China, Cyprus, Greece, India, the Netherlands, Thailand, and the United States. The company is one of the world’s leading media firms with interests in print media, internet mail and news services, pay television, and technology services. Naspers is currently focusing on growing markets in which it feels there is opportunity to gain a large and sustainable market share.
Tiger Global Management
Tiger Global Private Investment Partners is a New York-based private equity fund. The company works in the international markets, making investments into middle market companies in Asia and the CEE sectors. The firm specializes in companies ranging from € 2 million to € 80 million. Tiger Global Partners works and an intermediary, bringing sellers of private companies together with potential buyers.
28/09/2008
Central & Eastern Europe, Exit, Internet, E-Commerce & E-Services, Private Equity News, Russia