ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and Axel Springer SE participate in Klaus Hommels’ Internet Fund LAKESTAR II
Munich / Berlin, August 31, 2015.
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and Axel Springer SE participate in the
Investment Fund LAKESTAR II by Klaus Hommels. During the term of
the fund, both companies will, in the context of their common
Digital Initiative, invest as one of the anchor investors a
combined medium double-digit million EUR amount. In total, the
considerably oversubscribed fund now has a capital of 350 million
EUR. LAKESTAR II focuses on digital companies with significant
growth potential in Europe and the US. The fund is led by Klaus
Hommels, who has a unique network across the digital ecosystem. His
investments in Facebook, Skype, Spotify, and Xing have made him one
of the most successful Internet investors in Europe.
Following the recent co-investment in
MyTicket, a subsidiary of DEAG, the investment in LAKESTAR II is a
further step in the common initiative of ProSiebenSat.1 and Axel
Springer intending to promote digital high-growth companies.
Dr Ralf Schremper, Chief Strategy & Investment Officer of
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE: "Our participation in LAKESTAR II opens up
attractive growth perspectives for us. As one of the anchor
investors, we co-operate closely with one of the leading European
Internet investors. At the same time we benefit from the advantages
of a diversified fund and we take part in future markets, while
maintaining a well-balanced risk structure. Our aim is to finance
promising start-ups, to enhance their brand value and to scale up
their success internationally."
Dr Jens Müffelmann, CEO Axel Springer Digital Ventures: "Axel
Springer already joined the US funds SV Angel and Lerer Hippeau
Ventures. We made positive experiences throughout. Starting from
this network we became stakeholders in many other ventures within
the U.S. We now took a substantial share in LAKESTAR II which is
one of the most promising funds of European origin."
About ProSiebenSat.1 SE
ProSiebenSat.1 Group is one of the largest independent media
corporations in Europe. The Company is the market leader in its
core business of advertising-financed free TV, and is successfully
adding digital entertainment offerings to its value chain. In
recent years, the ProSiebenSat.1 has also built up an attractive
e-commerce and ventures portfolio that is now one of its most
important growth drivers. In addition, the Group has a presence in
seven countries with an international program production and sales
network. Thus, ProSiebenSat.1 has a broad and solid revenue and
profit base.
About Axel Springer SE
Axel Springer is the leading digital publisher in Europe. With
headquarters in Berlin, the company is active in more than 40
countries with subsidiaries, joint ventures and licenses. Axel
Springer SE is divided into three operating segments: Paid Models,
Marketing Models and Classified Ad Models. In 2014, it achieved an
EBITDA of EUR 507.1 million. More than half of Group revenues were
generated by digital activities, which amounted to more than 70
percent of Group EBITDA.
Contact:
Marcus Prosch
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE
Medienallee 7
D-85774 Unterföhring
Phone +49 [89] 95 07-8920
Fax +49 [89] 95 07-8923
Email: Marcus.Prosch@ProSiebenSat1.com
Press Release online: www.ProSiebenSat1.com
Michael Schneider
Axel Springer SE
Axel-Springer-Straße 65
D-10888 Berlin
Phone +49 [0]30 25 91-7 76 44
Fax +49 [0]30 25 91-7 76 03
Email: Michael.Schneider@axelspringer.de
Press Release online: www.axelspringer.de