Capelle a/d IJssel - 17 september 2004 - Netsize S.A., marktleider in het aanbieden van mobiele producten en diensten voor business en entertainment, rondt een nieuwe financieringsronde succesvol af. GRP Partners investeert samen met de reeds bestaande investeerders ongeveer $7 miljoen.
Netsize biedt bedrijven met haar netwerk toegang tot meer dan 500 miljoen consumenten wereldwijd met een mobiele telefoon. Netsize zal zich met deze succesvolle financieringsronde richten op:
- internationale expansie naar nieuwe markten waar premium-SMS net geïntroduceerd is, waaronder Noord- en vooral ook Zuid- en Latijns-Amerika;
- het verder uitbreiden van het productportfolio van Netsize met multimediadiensten.
Het volledige Engelstalige persbericht vindt u hieronder.
Voor meer informatie
NETSIZE Nederland
Ali Fenwick
Tel: 010 266 3300
E-mail: afenwick@netsize.com
Lammers van Toorenburg Benelux PR
Evelien van Dongen
Tel: 030 656 5070
E-mail: evelien@lvtpr.nl
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NETSIZE TO EXPAND FURTHER INTO NORTH AND LATIN AMERICA WITH THE COMPLETION OF A NEW FINANCING ROUND
Paris (France) - September 17, 2004 - Netsize S.A., the global leader for mobile messaging and premium billing solutions, announced today that it has just completed a new round of financing of approximately $7 million led by GRP Partners and with the participation of existing investors.
GRP Partners, based in Los Angeles and London, is a venture capital firm dedicated to to financing solutions in business and consumer services, retail and retail technology, financial services and related technology. With $650 million under management, they have funded innovative concepts that have changed the consumer landscape by supporting companies that are household names today including Costco, Starbucks Coffee, PETsMART, Office Depot, Overture Services (acquired by Yahoo!) and Lastminute.com.
Netsize, the largest global mobile billing network covering over 500 million mobile phone users worldwide, intends to use the proceeds of this new round of financing to achieve two main objectives:
- International expansion into new markets where Premium SMS has recently been launched including North America but more so in South and Latin America.
- The enhancement of Netsize's technology portfolio, incorporating multimedia services and next generation solutions.
"We are excited about GRP Partners joining our strong existing investors' base as their track record of financing very successful companies shows their ability to help entrepreneurs to make the most out of their projects", stated Stanislas Chesnais, Netsize's Chairman and CEO. "Netsize has grown exponentially within Europe with a well established business in 18 countries. We have decided to significantly accelerate our expansion outside of our home market. The new funds will be used to finance our investments in new technologies as well as opening and developing new countries in North and Latin America".
"Netsize is in a unique market leadership position in the mobile value chain supported by a robust business model which is a highly attractive proposition to GRP", commented Pierre Morin, Partner at GRP. "Netsize distinguishes itself from its competitors worldwide through their remarkable achievements, product vision, industry understanding and enormous market potential".
Netsize's existing investors include Gemventures, Gemplus' corporate investment fund, Partech International and Rothschild Gestion.
Netsize has direct technical and commercial relationships with over 70 mobile operators worldwide enabling customers to launch services and deliver mobile content aimed at generating revenue, improving business efficiency and increasing brand awareness. Netsize has a well balanced customer portfolio of customers not only from the entertainment industry but also from global blue chip corporates.
Entertainment customers have contributed to recent growth in mobile content and services. In addition, Netsize can also boast about some of the largest corporate brands using its messaging services for field service applications, telematics and Personal Information Management solutions.
About NETSIZE
NETSIZE Group (www.netsize.com) is the global leader for mobile business and entertainment solutions. NETSIZE helps companies implement wireless services aimed at maximizing revenues, improving brand awareness, optimising business efficiency and developing public services.
NETSIZE provides direct network connectivity over a range of channels including SMS, MMS and WAP, and the revenue sharing agreements it has put in place with mobile operators around the world cover 500 million billable customers. This international framework is complemented by localized commercial, marketing, technical and legal support in each of the 18 countries where NETSIZE is present. NETSIZE also provides a complete catalogue of value-added mobile applications and content such as logos, pictures, ringtones and java games.
About GRP PARTNERS
GRP Partners (www.grpvc.com) is a venture capital firm dedicated to financing solutions in business and consumer services, retail and retail technology, financial services and related technology. With approximately $650 million under management, GRP Partners finances outstanding early-stage and late-stage companies that develop solutions meeting pressing customer needs. GRP's partners have over 90 years of combined private equity investment experience. This experience, combined with a proactive investment philosophy and industry knowledge, enables the firm to work closely with its portfolio companies to build successful businesses. To back new ventures effectively in a global economy, GRP's partners and investment professionals are based in Los Angeles and London.
Beginning in 1983, the Partners of GRP successfully invested in innovative distribution concepts that are now household names, such as Costco Wholesale Companies (NASDAQ: COST), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), PETsMART (NASDAQ: PETM), Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) and P.F. Chang's China Bistro (NASDAQ: PFCB). As of today, GRP Partners has invested in over 60 companies targeting both businesses and end-consumers. Selected current and former portfolio companies include DealerTrack Holdings, Overture Services (acquired by Yahoo!), TicketmasterOnline-CitySearch (acquired by IAC/InterActiveCorp.), Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance in the United States; IFCO Systems N.V. and lastminute.com (LONDON: LMC) in Europe.
GRP Partners' investors include Carrefour S.A., Credit Suisse First Boston and Vulcan Ventures, the investment company of Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen.