Alex has been making private equity transactions and overseeing companies in Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and Belarus for over 20 years. He has worked in private equity industry since 1997, leading investments for Horizon Capital, Dragon Capital and now at his own firm – 4i Capital Partners. Alex served on over 30 board of directors – commercial and public – being chairperson on over 20 of them.

He previously worked for Credit Lyonnais in Paris, the National Bank of Moldova and the World Bank in Washington DC, where he was a financial consultant in Private Sector Finance and Infrastructure Department responsible for the Middle East, North Africa and Iran.

Alex holds a master’s degree in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University, New York, and a master’s degree in Theoretical Physics from Moscow State University. He is President-founder of Alliance Française of Moldova since 1992. Alex is a Knight of Légion d’honneur of France.

Sector: Security services
Main Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Investment Date: May 2015
Website: www.venbest.com.ua

In May 2015, Europe Virgin Fund acquired a controlling stake in VENBEST Group, the leading private security services market operator in Ukraine. The company offers wide range of security solutions and services to a portfolio of more than 30,000 customers.

The company provides services throughout the territory of Ukraine and offers its customers comprehensive security solutions while taking into account their individual needs. The company’s most popular services include physical security of property and individuals, provision of technical security systems and facilities, as well as patrolling. VENBEST also has its own research and production center, which provides the company with advanced technology in the field of technical security.

VENBEST is focused on further expanding its presence in the corporate segment, servicing clients from small, office-size to the largest banking and retail networks and complex objects. The company is also actively developing the retail security segment, which is a rapidly developing market niche of residential properties and small businesses requiring professional security service.

Sector: E-payments
Main Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Investment Date: December 2013
Website: www.portmone.com.ua

In December 2013, Europe Virgin Fund acquired a controlling stake in Portmone.com, the largest independent service of online payments and money transfers in Ukraine.

Pioneering the market since 2002, the company currently serves around 2 million users and over 1,400 organizations, covering a wide range of regular payments (mobile top ups, housing and utilities, TV and Internet, insurance, taxes, bank loans, etc.) and card-to-card money transfers. Portmone.com offers a portfolio of proven IT payment solutions for banking, mobile, e-commerce and service industries.

The founders of Portmone.com and the Fund joined efforts to capitalize on the booming growth of Ukraine’s e-payment and e-commerce markets and to take on regional expansion opportunities.

Sector: Pharmaceuticals
Main Location: Vinnitsa, Ukraine
Investment Date: November 2012
Website: sperco.com.ua

In November 2012, Europe Virgin Fund acquired a 50% stake in Lux Pharma Participations S.A., a holding company for niche pharmaceutical business principally operating in Ukraine under brand Sperco Ukraine. Established in 1997, the company is one of the top 10 pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ukraine, with a portfolio of 20 generic products.

Sperco Ukraine manufactures and markets lifestyle OTC and Rx pharmaceuticals in therapeutic areas such as cough and cold, women’s health, sedatives, pediatrics, dermatology and antibiotics. The company offers generic alternatives to well-known original pharmaceuticals maintaining European quality standards through own production and quality control facility in Ukraine.

The company has nationwide presence working directly with more than 100 largest market players. Sperco Ukraine is also developing exports to neighboring countries with own representative offices in Moldova and Belarus.

The Fund’s investment, including add-on in January 2016, was primarily used for completing reconstruction of the company’s manufacturing facilities in Vinnitsa in line with GMP standards, developing its product portfolio and expanding distribution network. Latest R&D and technology, high quality control standards and active promotion strategies make Sperco Ukraine one of the fastest developing market players.

Sector: Media (Out-of-home)
Main Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Investment Date: October 2011
Website: www.prime-group.com.ua

In October 2011, Europe Virgin Fund acquired a majority stake in Prime Group, the upper-end out-of-home advertising operator in Ukraine. Starting from a number one position in the capital city of Kyiv, Prime Group has grown into a nationwide market leader with over 6,000 advertising faces.

The Fund’s investment was used for a complex balance sheet restructuring and market consolidation through M&A. Following several significant acquisitions Prime Group expanded to all regions of Ukraine and tripled the volume of advertising faces.

The company is focused on offering premium locations and high-end customer service. Prime Group is one of the pioneers of the out-of-home advertising market, enjoying long-lasting relations with main agencies and media buyers. The company maintains high business efficiency with above industry average occupancy rates and earnings per advertising face.

Sector: Tissue products manufacturing
Main Location: Lutsk, Ukraine
Investment Date: June 2011
Website: www.ruta.ua

In June 2011, Europe Virgin Fund acquired a majority stake in a joint stock company VGP, a leading player in tissue products manufacturing in Ukraine operating under a principal brand Ruta. The company produces a wide range of tissue products, such as napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and hankies, and holds an estimated 15% market share in Ukraine.

VGP has strong positions in export markets, which account for over 50% of total revenues. Ruta is a well-known brand in Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan and the Baltic states. VGP also has private label contracts in EU countries.

VGP has one of the widest and most developed distribution networks in Ukraine covering all regions and all major retail chains.

The Fund’s investment, including an add-on in January 2013, was primarily used for reconstruction and significant increase of the company’s production capacities in both major business lines – rolled products and napkins. With a highly versatile production line from Gambini, VGP stands out as the most advanced tissue products manufacturer in Ukraine.

Sergey has strong and diversified background in finance, restructuring and turnaround, accounting and operational forensics.

Following obtaining BA in economics in 2005 and while continuing on master’s degree he joined KPMG as auditor. After two years of audit and assurance practice Sergey joined KPMG’s corporate finance team to develop valuation and M&A business.

In 2008, he joined Alex and Kamil, who just started to raise the Europe Virgin Fund. Sergey quickly gained his private equity acumen and was instrumental in financial controlling and operational management of several portfolio companies, including interim CFO and CEO positions at Sperco Ukraine for over one and half years.

In 2010 Sergey was granted membership with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (UK).

Kamil has been doing business in Ukraine for 15 years, half of this time managing the launch and investments of Europe Virgin Fund, jointly with Alex.

He started his career in 1995 at Wood & Co. in Prague, where he worked for five years in various positions in equity research, investment banking and asset management.

In 2000, Kamil moved to Kyiv to help found Dragon Capital, establishing the company’s research and later investment banking departments. In 2007 he became responsible for new projects, strategy and corporate affairs. He led and closed a transaction with Goldman Sachs, which acquired a minority stake in Dragon Capital in December 2007.

Kamil holds Master’s degree in International Relations from the Prague University of Economics.