Deal Highlights Europe
Name: Avast Sector: Security Software CEO: Vincent Steckler Investors: Summit Partners Deal Value: $100 million
Avast produce security software for the consumer and business markets. The product is free to download, and has been done so by 100million users, but subsequent upgrades are then charged for. This model has led to an estimated market share of 19.14%, the leader by some 7.75%, and to the company asserting that Avast software currently protects 1 out of 5 computers worldwide from malware.
Name: Blyk Sector: Mobile Social Networks CEO: Pekka Ala-Pietila Investors: Nexit Ventures Deal Value: $23.4 million
Founded in Helsinki in 2006, Blyk is an advertising funded mobile network targeted at 16-24 year olds. Users are given free texts and minutes in exchange for agreeing to receive targeted advertisements from the likes of Coca Cola and L’Oreal. The latest round takes investments to around €87million and is, according to Blyk, one of the largest single rounds led by a Nordic investor in the tech space since 2005. The investment will be utilised to grow strategic partnerships with worldwide mobile operators.
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Mywardrobe.com Sector: Internet Retail CEO: Sarah Curran
Investors: Balderton Capital, Angel Investors Deal Value: $8.2 million
Mywardrobe.com is positioned as an online retailer of affordable designer fashion from leading designer brands, the difference being that all items are from the brands’ current season. The investment by Balderton Capital, supported by angel investors, is a Series A round and will be used on three fronts; to improve the site, expand internationally and add further designer brands to its collection.
Name: Nexway Sector: eCommerce CEO: Gilles Ridel
Investors: CM-CIC Capital Prive, Turenne Capital Partenaires, XAnge Private Equity
Deal Value: $19.3 million
Nexway are a leading provider of turn-key eCommerce solutions based in France. They partner with software vendors, PC games publishers and eMerchants on a global basis. The new capital injection will provide Nexway with the resources to fully support its client base throughout the world as well as funding R&D into new eCommerce developments and new digital distribution channels.
Name: Kooaba Sector: Image Recognition Applications CEO: Herbert Bay Investors: Undisclosed Deal Value: $3 million
Kooaba’s mobile phone application allows users to take pictures of physical content such as dvd covers or film posters in order to derive information including pricing and special offers. As the company is about to deliver its Shooting Star app, the firms’ CEO announced their intention to use the investment to expand the development team, enter new global markets and build its portfolio of partnerships with other players in their space.
The Quarterly Transatlantic Tech Investment Review
Calibre One : International Executive Search
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