25.06.2008
Leading Mobile Games Developer XENDEX Raises EUR 2.3 Million
First round financing to support further international expansion and strengthening of global market position - new gaming platform as strategic option
Vienna, June 25th 2008. In a first round of financing, PONTIS Venture Partners, a venture capital company headquartered in Vienna, Austria, as well as a group of business angels are participating with a EUR 2.3 million investment in Xendex, one of Europe's leading developers for mobile games. The former founders of 3United mobile solutions PLC, an Austrian company that was bought for EUR 55 million in early 2006 by global market leader Verisign, are among the business angels.
Portfolio of market leader Xendex
Founded in January 2001, Xendex was among the first companies in Europe to lead the booming mobile games industry. Xendex has become one of the most successful developers of high-quality mobile games, and has achieved international acclaim within the area of high-quality 3D games. With its comprehensive portfolio of more than 45 exceptional and award-winning games, Xendex has an outstanding position in the market, and counts many globally leading publishers to its client base. The motocross series "FMX" have had the greatest marketing success to date, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
Awards for high-quality mobile games
Xendex has repeatedly received awards for its high-quality game development. Over the course of recent years, the company's titles were awarded prizes by the gaming press as well as mobile operators, such as the "Game of the Year" award from mobile service provider "O2" in the UK. Leading German-speaking online magazine "airgamer.de" lists two Xendex titles as the top sports games of all times.
Content Service Area for the growth market in Central- and Eastern Europe
Further, Xendex is providing content services such as quality assurance, games distribution as well as portfolio- and portal management for mobile service providers and independent games portals. The primary geographical focus of this business area lies in Central- and Eastern European markets, and Xendex has generated a sales growth of 80% in the last year with over 70 channel partners, including T-Mobile, Orange and "O2".
A Future Global Player thanks to Venture Capital
Dr. Christoph Breidert, investment manager at PONTIS, comments on the participation: "It was not only the market successes as seen in recent times and the technically perfected and innovative production processes for mobile games; we were especially convinced by the positive feedback we received from the existing client base. We believe that Xendex is on its way to becoming a global player and wish to support it with our investment and know-how."
Due to the flexible software technology the company owns, it is only a small step for Xendex to not only develop games for mobile phones, but also for other mobile devices such as the games console Nintendo DS. The worldwide revenue in this market segment adds up to billions of Euro and thus has a strategic relevance in the further growth of the company.
Michael Haberl, CEO of Xendex: "After more than seven years of success in the globally dynamic market for mobile games we wanted to join with financially powerful partners to accelerate our further international growth. Our partnership with PONTIS encourages this path in a consistent and capable manner. We are especially pleased that with PONTIS we will also gain a technologically knowledgeable partner. With the support of the business angels, we will be able to extend both operative and distributional activities, so that Xendex will have even stronger international footing."
Mirko Kinigadner, business angel (former business manager of 3United / Verisign Communications GmbH): "Due to the in-depth knowledge of the market we gained over the years with 3United as well as the long-term business relationship with Michael Haberl, CEO of Xendex, we have decided to support the expansion of Xendex financially as well as through our existing network and operational activities."
About Xendex Holding GmbH
Founded in 2001 Xendex is today a leading independent mobile and online games developer studio in Europe. Xendex employs more than 45 people and operates offices in Vienna (Austria), London (UK) and Krakow (Poland).
Using its cutting edge creative and technology know-how, the company´s product range encompasses more than 45 highly successful and critically acclaimed mobile titles, including various "Mobile Game of the Year" awards, as well as 25 online casino titles.
Xendex develops games based on its own IP´s as well as with leading national and international brands, including Vodafone, Coca-Cola, Disney and THQ to name but a few. In cooperation with its partners, Xendex games are distributed to more than 200 of the world's leading mobile carriers in over 60 countries worldwide.
About PONTIS Venture Partners
PONTIS Venture Partners is one of Austria's leading independent Venture Capital companies. The company prefers to invest in technology-oriented businesses in their early- and expansion phases, especially in the areas ICT and life sciences, as well as industrial technologies.
The PONTIS-managed VC fund PVP I was remunerated by well-known Austrian and international investors. The management team at PONTIS has many years experience in risk capital financing, mergers and acquisitions and the industry of technological domains. The company is among the most active venture capital businesses in Austria. To date PONTIS has already built up a portfolio of eleven investments and plans to enter one or two additional investments with its PVP I fund. With the sale of the holdings in UC4 software to the Carlyle Group, PONTIS has been above average in its success.
Graphical Materials and Press Inquiries:
viennabrand Agentur für Markenkommunikation KG, Albertplatz 1/1, 1080 Vienna
Ulrike Schuster, Tel.: +43 (0) 1 405 00 54, Mob. +43 (0) 664 55 78 348
e-mail: schuster@viennabrand.com, www.viennabrand.com
For more information:
PONTIS:
PONTIS Venture Partners Management GmbH
A-1010 Wien, Löwelstraße 12
Tel : +43 (1) 533 32 33 - 0
Email: christoph.breidert@pontisventure.at
Web: www.pontisventure.at
Xendex:
Xendex Holding GmbH (Austria)
A-1070 Vienna, Mariahilfer Strasse 116/3
Tel: +43 (1) 890 8 009 - 0
Email: office@xendex.com
Web: www.xendex.com
Business Angels:
i5invest Beteiligungs GmbH
A-1140 Vienna, Hütteldorferstraße 253
Email: vienna@i5invest.com
Web: www.i5invest.com
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