#Ukraine #Kiev #Horizon Capital #Datagroup #Lifecell

Horizon Capital Wins Prestigious 2025 Deal Innovation Award

On November 13, 2025, Horizon Capital, a prominent private equity firm based in Ukraine, was awarded the 2025 Deal Innovation Award by the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) for its exemplary role in the acquisition of Datagroup-Vilia-Lifecell (DVL Telecom). This merger marks one of the largest M&A transactions in Ukraine in recent decades, showcasing Horizon Capital's leadership in innovative deal structuring and execution.

The GPCA, which represents over 300 private equity funds and institutional investors from more than 60 countries, praised Horizon Capital for its vision and professionalism. The firm successfully transformed Datagroup, achieving a remarkable revenue growth of 3.8 times and an EBITDA growth of 4.8 times over five years, all while generating inclusive and sustainable value.

To facilitate NJJ's entry into the Ukrainian market, Horizon Capital partnered with the NJJ Holding consortium, investing 10% alongside NJJ in the DVL Telecom acquisition. The deal also secured $435 million in debt financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This transaction represents a significant investment of $1.5 billion for Ukraine, covering acquisition costs and guaranteed capital expenditures, despite ongoing armed conflicts, thus highlighting international investors' confidence in Ukraine's resilience and future safety.

Lenna Koszarny, founding partner and CEO of Horizon Capital, expressed her gratitude: "We are profoundly honored to receive this recognition from GPCA, which reflects our commitment to mobilizing significant capital for Ukrainian enterprises, expanding investment opportunities, and accelerating the entry of top global investors into Ukraine during these challenging times."

Koszarny also shared the award with their partner Xavier Niel and the NJJ team, along with Mykhailo Shelemba and the Datagroup team. She recognized the incredible spirit of the Ukrainian business community, emphasizing their resilience in overcoming difficult circumstances.

The distinguished jury of GPCA noted that the Datagroup-Vilia-Lifecell transaction demonstrated trust not only in Ukraine's resilience but also in Horizon Capital's ability to execute historic deals amidst significant geopolitical risks. Dmytro Boroday, a partner at Horizon Capital, commented on the investment's alignment with the core strategy for their Catalyst Fund, which focuses on partnering with global strategic and financial investors to accelerate their entry into the Ukrainian market and provide essential capital for reconstruction, particularly in critical sectors like energy, digital infrastructure, and construction services.

Horizon Capital is dedicated to partnering with visionary founders and businesses that are transforming Ukraine, promoting growth, innovation, and long-term value for these companies and the nation as a whole.

About the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA)

The GPCA is an international organization representing private equity investors managing over $2 trillion in assets across Asia, Latin America, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The GPCA connects investors and stakeholders, promotes best practices in the industry, and highlights the crucial role of private capital in driving economic growth and global innovation.