Alisher Usmanov Acquires DST Shares From Renaissance Partners

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has increased his stake in Digital Sky Technologies (DST), through a purchase of half of Renaissance Partners’ 4% stake. Renaissance Partners, part of the international investment firm Renaissance Group, has been a shareholder in DST since 2007. Details of the purchase have not been released. The purchase increases Usmanov’s stake from 30% to 32%.

Digital Sky Technologies
DST is a global holding company focused exclusively on Internet related companies. It is the largest Internet investor in Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as one of the largest in the world. DST estimates that nearly 70% of all Russian language page views originate from among their portfolio companies, with a projected potential audience of 300 million viewers. Of the more than 30 companies DST has invested in, Mail.ru is one of the most well known in their portfolio.

Alisher Usmanov
Alisher Usmanov is the founder and majority shareholder of Metalloinvest, a Russian mining and metallurgy company specializing in the manufacture of steel. With a personal fortune estimated at $9.3 billion, Usmanov was touted by Forbes Magazine as the 18th richest man in Russia on their 2007 list. At the time he was also listed as the 91st richest in the world. Mr. Usmanov is major shareholder in London’s Arsenal Football Club and has various other investments scattered around the world.