Digital Sky Technologies (DST)

Country: Russian Federation

Region: Europe

Price: 195 EUR

Description:

Founded in 2005, Digital Sky Technologies (DST) is a leading global Internet holding company that originated in the Russian speaking world. DST estimates that its companies comprise well over 70% of all pageviews in the Russian speaking Internet, targeting a potential audience of over 300 million people. The companies hold the no.1 and often also the no.2 and no.3 positions in all CIS states, incl. Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Armenia. In recent years DST also expanded into the Baltic region and, through its portfolio companies, also into Eastern and Western Europe, and China.

Between 2005 and 2009 DST raised and invested more than $1 billion in over 30 companies and gained support from Russian and Western funds.

In May 2009, Yri Milner, the founding partner and CEO of Digital Sky Technologies, announced that DST will do IPO. The IPO could happen withing next three years.

DST is focused on proven Internet business models that are actively shaping the industry, incl. social networking and communications, e-payment solutions, online marketplaces, MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) and social games and vertical specific websites. Most of DST portfolio companies are profitable and grow at 30 to 100% per year. The major investments include: Mail.ru, Forticom, Vkontakte.ru, Astrum Online Entertainment, OE Investments, HeadHunter and Center For Economic Development (CED). In May 2009, DST made a $200 million investment in Facebook in exchange for preferred stock, representing a 1.96% equity stake at a $10 billion valuation.