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Horizon Capital Wins Major Recognition

On April 24, 2026, Horizon Capital, a leading private equity firm renowned in emerging European markets, proudly accepted the Real Deals Private Equity Award for Central and Eastern European Deal of the Year. This prestigious accolade was awarded to the company for its groundbreaking transaction involving Datagroup, Volia, and Lifecell, a significant event in the telecommunications sector.

This marks the second time Horizon Capital has received this esteemed honor. Dmytro Borodaya, a partner at the firm, accepted the award during a prestigious ceremony held in London, reflecting the firm’s commitment to excellence in the private equity sphere.

A Milestone in Private Equity

The Real Deals Private Equity Awards, established over 25 years ago, have become the most recognized and respected awards in the European private equity landscape. Each year, approximately 1,000 influential figures from the sector gather to celebrate remarkable achievements made by fund managers and advisors in the past year. All nominations undergo thorough evaluation by an expert panel consisting of industry leaders, ensuring that awards are granted based on merit, achievements, and overall submission quality.

Lenna Koszarny, co-founder and CEO of Horizon Capital, expressed her pride in winning this award, stating, "This award reflects the hard work and success achieved by all parties involved in this transaction, including the teams at Datagroup, Volia, and Lifecell. It also highlights the courage and entrepreneurial spirit of Ukraine amid challenging circumstances."

A Prosperous Future

The award is not only a recognition of Horizon Capital's innovative strategy in facilitating the acquisition of Datagroup-Volia-Lifecell but also underscores the transaction’s significance as one of the largest mergers and acquisitions in recent decades. This transaction involved NJJ Holding, led by telecommunications entrepreneur Xavier Niel, with Horizon Capital as a minority investor.

The Real Deals committee praised Horizon Capital for its vision and the successful restructuring of Datagroup, which resulted in an impressive nearly four-fold revenue increase (3.8x) and a nearly five-fold increase in EBITDA (4.8x) over five years since Horizon Capital took operational control. The innovative partnership and capital structure were also highlighted, showcasing a collaborative effort to accelerate NJJ's entry into the Ukrainian market.

The investment of $1.5 billion included not just the acquisition price but also guaranteed capital expenditures, demonstrating international investors' trust in Ukraine’s resilience and promising future amid ongoing war conditions.

Dmytro Borodaya commented further, "This award signifies more than just recognition for our private equity exit; it marks the largest deal concluded in Ukraine within the last decade during a full-scale war — a unique milestone in modern history. We share this recognition with our peers and contemporaries who have inspired us through their outstanding results in the region."

Horizon Capital’s Vision

Horizon Capital manages approximately $1.8 billion in assets from investors with a capital base exceeding $700 billion. The firm focuses on empowering visionary entrepreneurs who lead rapidly growing companies in Ukraine and Moldova. Its managed funds have invested in over 200 companies, employing more than 56,000 people in the region.

Looking ahead, the new Catalyst Fund aims to attract €300 million in capital, targeting a goal of bringing €3 billion in investments into Ukraine, further enhancing the country’s economic landscape.

With their latest recognition and ambitious future plans, Horizon Capital continues to pave the way for innovative investment strategies in challenging environments, reinforcing their leadership role within the private equity domain.