• First closing of USD 420 million Rocket Internet Capital Partners Fund – an early stage and growth fund with a USD 50 million commitment by Rocket Internet SE • Fund optimizes raising of capital for Rocket Internet’s portfolio companies • Fund provides basis for faster funding of growth opportunities for Rocket Internet businesses and boosting shareholder value
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Berlin, Germany, 19th January 2016 – Rocket Internet Capital Partners (the “Fund”) has today successfully held its first closing, with total commitments of USD 420 million of which Rocket Internet SE (“Rocket Internet” or “the Company”) contributed USD 50 million, making it already the largest European Internet focused fund and one of the largest European early stage and growth funds, managed by Rocket Internet Capital Partners Lux S.à r.l. Given strong investor interest, further significant commitments are expected in the near-term.
The Fund offers two strategic advantages to Rocket Internet. It will invest in Rocket Internet business opportunities, thereby streamlining and simplifying the funding process by reducing significantly its reliance on co-investors in individual portfolio company funding rounds. Secondly, Rocket Internet increases its economic exposure to its portfolio companies through performance-based carried interest, therefore increasing Rocket shareholder value without dilution to its shareholders or taking on increased risk.
“The Fund will optimize further the funding process for our portfolio companies,” said Oliver Samwer, Chief Executive Officer of Rocket Internet. “Our companies will have access to more capital and be less reliant on individual co-investors, thereby allowing them to fund in a faster and more efficient manner. This will greatly enhance the entrepreneurial flexibility of our portfolio companies.”
Through co-investing with Rocket Internet, the Fund will have unique access to the attractive and diversified investment opportunities of high growth proven Internet based business models with a focus outside the U.S. and China as well as to the investment experience and the operational platform of Rocket Internet.
The Fund will invest alongside Rocket Internet unless investments are deemed strategic for Rocket Internet. In addition Rocket Internet will retain its focus on founder economics and therefore the Fund will not participate in seed investments in Rocket Internet founded companies. Rocket Internet will have a 28 percent economic exposure of the combined capital invested by Rocket Internet and the Fund through its direct investment in a funding round as well as its commitment in the Fund.
“The Fund will provide considerable economic upside potential for Rocket Internet and its shareholders,” said Peter Kimpel, Chief Financial Officer at the Company. “The Fund provides access to capital without diluting Rocket Internet shareholders. Furthermore, Rocket Internet and its shareholders participate in the returns generated by the investments made by the Fund.”
The Fund, which is set up for a minimum of nine years, has received strong backing from diverse investor groups, including institutional investors such as pension funds, asset managers, fund of funds, insurance companies and foundations as well as high net worth individuals.
”The strong interest by investors in co-investing with Rocket Internet underlines the strength of our business strategy. We deeply appreciate the confidence they have placed in us and our expertise. We look forward to seeking opportunities to invest this capital in world-class Internet companies”, said Oliver Samwer, Chief Executive Officer.
Ends
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About Rocket Internet
Rocket Internet's mission is to become the world's largest Internet platform outside of the United States and China. Rocket Internet identifies and builds proven Internet business models and transfers them to new, underserved or untapped markets where it seeks to scale them into market leading online companies. Rocket Internet is focused on online business models that satisfy basic consumer needs across four main sectors: eCommerce, marketplaces, travel and financial technology. Rocket Internet started in 2007 and has now more than 30,000 employees across its network of companies, which are active in more than 110 countries across six continents. Rocket Internet SE is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE000A12UKK6, RKET). For further information visit www.rocket-internet.com.
Disclaimer:
This document is being presented solely for informational purposes and should not be treated as giving investment advice. It is not intended to be (and should not be used as) the sole basis of any analysis or other evaluation. All and any evaluations or assessments stated herein represent our personal opinions. We advise you that some of the information is based on statements by third persons, and that no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be place on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of this information or opinions contained herein.
This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business, financial performance and results of Rocket Internet SE, its subsidiaries and its participations (collectively, “Rocket”) and/or the industry in which Rocket operates. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts, sometimes identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “predicts,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “aims,” “foresees,” “anticipates,” “targets,” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this presentation, including assumptions, opinions and views of Rocket or cited from third party sources, are solely opinions and forecasts which are uncertain and subject to risks. Actual events may differ significantly from any anticipated development due to a number of factors, including without limitation, changes in general economic conditions, in particular economic conditions in the markets in which Rocket operates, changes affecting interest rate levels, changes in competition levels, changes in laws and regulations, environmental damages, the potential impact of legal proceedings and actions and Rocket’s ability to achieve operational synergies from acquisitions. Rocket does not guarantee that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this presentation are free from errors nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this presentation or any obligation to update the statements in this presentation to reflect subsequent events. The forward-looking statements in this presentation are made only as of the date hereof. Neither the delivery of this presentation nor any further discussions of Rocket with any of the recipients thereof shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Rocket since such date. Consequently, Rocket does not undertake any obligation to review, update or confirm recipients’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of the presentation.
Neither Rocket Internet SE nor any other person shall assume any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this presentation or the statements contained herein as to unverified third person statements, any statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements, or the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of statements contained herein, or otherwise arising in connection with this presentation.
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