Rocket Internet Plans IPO to Raise €750M

rocket internetEmerging markets e-commerce platform Rocket Internet has planned an initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2014.

Berlin, Germany-based Rocket Internet aims to raise approximately €750m to fund future growth opportunities through the launch of new businesses and providing further equity capital to its network of companies.

Led by Oliver Samwer, Founder and CEO,  Rocket aims to meet the demand for a wide range of consumer Internet services in countries all around the world. It studies Internet consumption trends and uses its operating platform to identify and build proven Internet business models in new, underserved markets, where it seeks to scale them into market leading companies.

Rocket focuses on building online businesses across e-commerce, marketplaces and financial technology and is active in emerging economies such as Latin America, South East Asia, India and Africa.

The firm has established a number of online fashion retailers in Latin America (Dafiti), Russia & CIS (Lamoda), Asia Pacific (Zalora), India (Jabong) and the Middle East (Namshi), which will be combined into the Global Fashion Group later in 2014; general merchandise e-commerce companies in Africa (Jumia), South East Asia (Lazada) and Latin America (Linio); an online international home food delivery company (HelloFresh); home and living companies (Home24 and Westwing); online marketplace companies including real estate and car classified listings (Lamudi and Carmudi), travel and transport (Easytaxi), food delivery companies (foodpanda), consumer-to-consumer marketplaces (Kaymu), and home services (Helpling).

The IPO consists of new shares from a capital increase with all existing shareholders Global Founders (the investment vehicle of Oliver Samwer and his brothers), Investment AB Kinnevik, Access Industries, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, United Internet and HV Holtzbrinck Ventures and some of their affiliates.

FinSMEs

16/09/2014

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