#Ukraine #Kyiv #Horizon Capital #Datagroup #Lifecell

Horizon Capital Wins CEE Deal of the Year Award

Horizon Capital, a leading private equity firm in emerging Europe, celebrated a significant achievement at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2026. The firm received the coveted title of "Transaction of the Year in Central and Eastern Europe" for its landmark telecommunications deal involving Datagroup, Volia, and Lifecell. This marks the second time Horizon Capital has been honored in this category, further solidifying its reputation in the investment landscape.

The award was presented to Dmytro Boroday, a partner at Horizon Capital, during a grand ceremony held in London, UK. The Real Deals Private Equity Awards have gained prominence over the past 25 years, recognized as the most prestigious accolades in the private equity sector across Europe. Each year, around 1,000 influential figures from the industry gather to acknowledge outstanding contributions made by fund managers and advisors in the past year. The winners are determined based on a rigorous evaluation conducted by a panel of industry leaders.

Lenna Koszarny, the founding partner and CEO of Horizon Capital, expressed her gratitude, stating, "This award reflects the hard work of everyone involved in this transaction, including the leadership and teams from Datagroup, Volia, and Lifecell, our remarkable CEO Mykhaylo Shelemba, telecommunications visionary Xavier Niel and the NJJ team, alongside our own team led by Dmytro Boroday. It is a privilege to celebrate this achievement with Ukraine, acknowledging the strength, determination, and resilience of its people, which have driven remarkable investment results even in challenging conditions."

The deal, known as DVL Telecom, is recognized as one of the largest mergers and acquisitions in Ukraine in decades. Managed by NJJ Holding, the consortium led by global telecommunications entrepreneur Xavier Niel, Horizon Capital played a vital role as a minority investor. The Real Deals recognition highlights Horizon's visionary execution and strategic partnership that transformed Datagroup, achieving an impressive 3.8 times increase in revenue and a 4.8 times growth in EBITDA since Horizon took operational control.

To accelerate NJJ’s entry into the Ukrainian market, Horizon Capital Growth Fund II, L.P. collaborated closely with NJJ, reinvesting a portion of the exit proceeds alongside them in DVL Telecom. The deal also secured $435 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), supported by the European Commission’s investment framework for Ukraine. This strategic investment amounts to $1.5 billion in Ukraine, encompassing both acquisition costs and guaranteed investments, showcasing international investors' trust in Ukraine's resilience amidst ongoing conflict.

Adding to the firm’s pride, Dmytro Boroday remarked, "This award signifies more than just a successful private equity exit; it represents something far more significant. It is the most notable agreement made in Ukraine over the last decade, orchestrated during a large-scale war, an unprecedented feat in modern history. We are honored to receive this recognition alongside esteemed private equity firms like Invalda, MCI Capital, and MidEuropa, which have inspired us throughout the years, and to bring this prestigious award home to Kyiv."

Horizon Capital, which manages over $1.8 billion in assets, focuses on fostering visionary entrepreneurs leading high-growth companies in Ukraine and Moldova. To date, the funds managed by Horizon have invested in more than 200 companies, providing employment to over 56,000 people. Their latest initiative, Catalyst Fund, aims to reach a target of €300 million, with over 50% already raised, seeking to attract €3 billion in capital to Ukraine.

This significant recognition not only emphasizes Horizon Capital’s impact on the Ukrainian economy but also underscores the firm’s overarching commitment to partnering with international strategic players to contribute to the rebuilding, revitalization, and modernization of Ukraine’s crucial sectors, including energy and digital infrastructure, amidst these challenging times.