RBC invests $ 120 million in a “non-business” strategy
RBC Information Systems will invest $ 120 million over two years in its new strategy - the development of entertainment Internet projects. Investments will receive both RBC's own startups and third-party ones. At the same time, the company plans to buy the latest in the markets of Russia, the CIS countries and Eastern Europe. German Kaplun, Chairman of the RBC Board of Directors, spoke about such plans in his interview .
Among the first steps in the chosen direction is the spin-off of a separate company Media World for a new business. The structure will be headed by Mikhail Gurevich, who has been at senior positions in RBC for many years. This company, Kaplun pointed out, has a number of initiatives in the entertainment segment, and will continue to try to enter other markets: “negotiate partnerships, try to buy someone, if you can buy someone else.” “Ordinary business,” he said. “We understand that at the first stage we will spend significantly more than earn.” The staff of the "entertainment" direction is planning to bring up to 500 people (now - 150).
Three years later, RBC expects $ 70-100 million of total turnover under the project, but it is not taken to confidently forecast indicators, because it “buys expectations”. It is known for certain what exactly will bring revenue: 75% - advertising, 25% - services. The geography of activity, as noted, is not limited to Russia - interest, in particular, is manifested in the markets of Ukraine, the prosperous countries of Eastern Europe, and Spain.
In addition, the holding plans include venture financing. In essence, a mini-fund is being created, from which the holding is going to allocate funds for promising startups in the expectation that some of them will “shoot”. As German Kaplun noted in an interview, there are a huge number of young talents with original ideas, and if interesting projects appear, the company will acquire them. However, RBC does not want to risk more than $ 10 million in the venture direction. “Maybe we’ll limit ourselves to five how it works out,” the source said. “We don’t know how many projects will come to us.” As a buying party, RBC expects a 50% stake in companies.
Among the first steps in the chosen direction is the spin-off of a separate company Media World for a new business. The structure will be headed by Mikhail Gurevich, who has been at senior positions in RBC for many years. This company, Kaplun pointed out, has a number of initiatives in the entertainment segment, and will continue to try to enter other markets: “negotiate partnerships, try to buy someone, if you can buy someone else.” “Ordinary business,” he said. “We understand that at the first stage we will spend significantly more than earn.” The staff of the "entertainment" direction is planning to bring up to 500 people (now - 150).
Three years later, RBC expects $ 70-100 million of total turnover under the project, but it is not taken to confidently forecast indicators, because it “buys expectations”. It is known for certain what exactly will bring revenue: 75% - advertising, 25% - services. The geography of activity, as noted, is not limited to Russia - interest, in particular, is manifested in the markets of Ukraine, the prosperous countries of Eastern Europe, and Spain.
In addition, the holding plans include venture financing. In essence, a mini-fund is being created, from which the holding is going to allocate funds for promising startups in the expectation that some of them will “shoot”. As German Kaplun noted in an interview, there are a huge number of young talents with original ideas, and if interesting projects appear, the company will acquire them. However, RBC does not want to risk more than $ 10 million in the venture direction. “Maybe we’ll limit ourselves to five how it works out,” the source said. “We don’t know how many projects will come to us.” As a buying party, RBC expects a 50% stake in companies.