Bigpoint, the German online gaming giant, today announced that Summit Partners and TA Associates have signed definitive documentation to invest $350 million to recapitalize the company and position it for stronger global growth.
The two private equity firms jointly will own a controlling share of Bigpoint. Previous shareholder Comcast Interactive Capital’s Peacock Equity Fund will sell their holdings in this transaction. GMT Communications Partners and GE will also sell a majority of their stakes.
Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint, will retain his existing ownership stake of about 30%. “I see the potential in Bigpoint to exceed a value of one billion dollars and become the top online gaming company in the world”.
“Summit Partners and TA Associates are supporting Bigpoint’s international expansion – a course we set out upon in recent months with the opening of new offices in the United States and Brazil. I’m looking forward to a future partnership of mutual trust and cooperation,” added Heiko Hubertz.
“We received an excellent return on our initial investment,” said Megumi Ikeda, Executive Director, Comcast Interactive Capital. “While we are selling our share, we are very optimistic about Bigpoint’s future and are continuing our operational relationship with them at NBC Universal.”
Summit Partners and TA Associates will join the Bigpoint Board of Directors, which consists of Founder Hubertz and Board Chairman Simon Guild. Completion is subject to regulatory approval and other standard conditions.
With more than 185 million registered users, Bigpoint has a varied portfolio of internationally successful games and brands. The company’s over 700 employees are currently working on the next generation of gaming with upcoming blockbusters such as The Mummy Online, RamaCity and Drakensang Online. Bigpoint has offices in Hamburg, Berlin, San Francisco, São Paolo and Malta.
Interested in Bigpoint? To find out more about the Founder Heiko Hubertz and this gaming stuido, check out the interview we did with him on December of 2010.
