#Ukraine #Kyiv #Horizon Capital #Datagroup #Lifecell

Horizon Capital's Triumph at Real Deals Awards 2026

On April 24, 2026, Horizon Capital, a prominent private equity firm managing assets worth approximately $1.8 billion, was honored with the title of "CEE Deal of the Year" at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards for their groundbreaking transaction involving Datagroup, Volia, and Lifecell. This is the second time Horizon Capital has clinched this prestigious award in its history. The award ceremony took place in London, where Partner Dmytro Boroday represented the firm.

The Real Deals Private Equity Awards have become a benchmark for excellence in the European private equity landscape over the past 25 years. Each year, the awards gather around 1,000 influential figures from the industry to celebrate fund managers and advisors who have made remarkable contributions in the past year. All submissions are rigorously evaluated by a panel of industry experts, and the winners are determined based on merit, achievements, and the overall quality of the entries.

Lenna Koszarny, co-founder and CEO of Horizon Capital, expressed pride in winning this award, stating, "This recognizes every contributor to the success of this transaction, including the leaders and teams from Datagroup, Volia, and Lifecell, our remarkable CEO Mykhaylo Shelemba, telecommunications visionary Xavier Niel, and the NJJ team. This award symbolizes the strength, resilience, and determination of Ukraine and its people, underscoring their ability to achieve exceptional investment outcomes even in challenging circumstances."

The transaction in question represents one of the largest mergers and acquisitions in Ukraine in decades. Under the leadership of NJJ Holding's Xavier Niel, Horizon Capital played a critical role as a minority investor. The collaboration led to significant growth metrics post the acquisition, including a 3.8x revenue increase and a 4.8x EBITDA growth over five years.

Dmytro Boroday highlighted the significance of this award, stating, "This accolade not only marks another successful private equity exit but also reflects the immense scale of a transaction executed amid warfare, with no modern-day precedents. We are honored to share this honor with esteemed private equity houses like Invalda, MCI Capital, and MidEuropa, who have continually inspired us and delivered impressive outcomes within our region."

The award also recognizes Horizon Capital's leadership in structuring and executing the acquisition, demonstrating innovation through partnerships and capital structuring. The firm collaborated with NJJ in reinvesting a portion of the proceeds from a previous divestment back into DVL Telecom, which was critical in securing a $435 million financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), supported by the European Commission's Ukraine Investment Framework. This investment, totaling $1.5 billion, reflects the confidence that international investors have in Ukraine's resilience and secure future, despite the ongoing conflict.

Horizon Capital continues to stand at the forefront of private equity investment in emerging markets, specifically aiming to support visionary entrepreneurs leading rapidly growing companies in Ukraine and Moldova. The firm has invested in over 200 businesses, supporting more than 56,000 employees. Their latest fund, the Catalyst Fund, aims to raise €300 million, with over 50% already secured, looking to bring €3 billion into Ukraine for reconstruction and renewal efforts in strategic sectors like energy and digital infrastructure.

As Horizon Capital celebrates this prestigious achievement, it signals not only a commitment to growth in Ukraine but also a testament to the potential for investment success even in challenging environments, inspiring confidence for future endeavors.