|
Winvia Entertainment PLC on Monday said it plans to raise £40 million via a placing as part of plans for an initial public offer in November. The London-based technology-led entertainment business is focused on the large and ‘highly fragmented’ UK prize draw market, and the regulated Romanian online gaming market. It owns two prize draw brands, Best of the Best and Click Competitions. Winvia Entertainment said preparations for the IPO are at an ‘advanced stage’, and the firm expects admission to AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, to occur during the first week of November. The firm said proceeds of the placing will be used to fund acquisitions in the UK prize draw sector, in which it sees ‘significant opportunities for rapid growth,’ with the group in discussions with several potential acquisition targets. Along with raising funds, Winvia Entertainment said the IPO will enhance brand awareness. Shore Capital and Corporate Ltd is acting as nominated adviser and Shore Capital Stockbrokers Ltd is acting as sole bookrunner and broker to the company in connection with the proposed placing and admission. Winvia Entertainment said it is a ‘highly profitable, fast-growing and cash generative business’ with a track record of ‘successful’ M&A. In 2024, pro forma gross revenue was £153.2 million and £93.0 million for the first half of 2025. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, before exceptional costs or income and gains or losses related to foreign exchange movements, totalled £15.3 million in 2024, up 11% year-on-year, and £16.0 million in the first half 0f 2025. Chief Executive Mihai Manoila said the IPO ‘marks an exciting milestone for Winvia Entertainment.’ ‘An IPO would allow us to accelerate our growth strategy, specifically on the UK prize draw business where we see significant opportunities, both organic and inorganic, in a fragmented and fast-growing market where we can implement our technology platform.’ The plans build on recent IPO activity in the UK, with consumer staples company Princes Group earlier this month stating its intention to float on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. In addition, digital banking platform, Shawbrook Group PLC, has announced plans for a November IPO, which could value the business at around £2 billion while Cheshire, England-based seller of at-home beauty treatment technology Beauty Tech Group made its stock market debut in London in October. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
|
