Republic, the U.S. based private investment firm announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Seedrs, Europe’s leading online private investment platform. As a part of the agreement, Seedrs would create the European division of the recently developed global retail division of Republic, increasing investment opportunities for the combined 2.5 million customers and 1,370 active portfolio companies.
The global retail division will be managed by the Seedrs Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Kelisky, as he expands his role into a global remit, with an estimated 600 deals and USD 300 million in net investment expected to flow through the combined platform in 2022.
The acquisition swiftly advances Republic’s presence in Europe
The acquisition swiftly advances Republic’s presence in Europe and reinforces the platform’s commitment to make private investments accessible to everyone. In the past decade Seedrs has sought to break down the barriers to investing in Europe’s most exciting businesses with over GBP 2 billion in investment facilitated on the platform. It has managed over 1,700 successful campaigns including fast-expanding brands like brands like Revolut, Chapel Down, Lick Paint, and Wealthify, while the innovative Seedrs Secondary Market has realized more than 700 companies have their shares traded in more than 44,000 transactions.
Kendrick Nguyen, Republic’s founder & CEO, said, that this is an exhilarating time for Republic as it expands their global reach and broadens their capabilities. Seedrs has long remained a power in Europe within private investing and equity crowdfunding. Furthermore, by bringing Seedrs into Republic the company achieves geographical expansion, also the team’s talent, technology, and knowledge. This will help strengthen their position as a global leader and better serve the founders and businesses and the investors that support them.
Jeff Kelisky, CEO of Seedrs and newly appointed global leader of Republic Retail added that the company has built a great business, powered by a mission to disrupt the realm of private investing, and become a global leader. This agreement is a natural extension of their relationship with Republic, a move toward collectively of two innovators with a shared vision and purpose. The company is now the first truly global platform for private equity investing with the capital, capabilities and the need to outline the future of the business.
Seedrs also newly unveiled its European HQ in Dublin, with Managing Director Randal MacDonald and Finance Director John Gavin now aboard to help accelerate European growth. This is in addition to recent inclusion of senior engages in Lisbon, Amsterdam, Madrid, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.
Seedrs has witnessed several continental campaigns over the last six months such as Sweden’s Fishbrain, BUX based in the Netherlands and Estate Guru in Estonia, increasing millions for European businesses since the beginning of the year. To further accelerate growth across the region, Republic has dedicated additional capital into Seedrs to provide new innovations and products for European investors and private companies.
This acquisition and recent European growth cover a landmark 18 months for Seedrs. Seedrs exceeded GBP 2 billion in total investment in August this year after honouring ten years since its first campaign in July. In 2021, Seedrs witnessed a 137% growth in investment activity following increasing investor appetite to invest capital into private businesses. It completed 310 deals in 2021, assisting businesses from 14 different countries to increase funds and obtained investment from investors in more than 74 countries. It also accelerated over GBP 12 million of secondary share sales between 19,000 buyers and sellers on the platform.