# Novator Partners

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For other uses, see [Novator (disambiguation)](/source/Novator_(disambiguation)).

**Novator Partners LLP** is a British private equity investment firm based in London owned by [Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson](/source/Bj%C3%B6rg%C3%B3lfur_Thor_Bj%C3%B6rg%C3%B3lfsson).[1]

## Assets overview

The company specializes in investments in companies based in emerging markets. Industries by which it focuses on include [telecommunications](/source/Telecommunication),[2] [pharmaceuticals](/source/Pharmaceutical),[3] [social gaming](/source/Social-network_game),[4] [financial services](/source/Financial_services) and natural resource sectors.

### Investments

In 2003 Novator acquired a 70% stake in Czech telecoms company [České Radiokomunikace](/source/%C4%8Cesk%C3%A9_Radiokomunikace) for £120m. It owns 39.23% of the shares in [T-Mobile Czech Republic](/source/T-Mobile_Czech_Republic) a.s. (one of the two largest mobile operators in the Czech Republic). Novator sold the stake three years later for £942m.[citation needed]

In 2005 it acquired the largest single stake in Finnish telecom company [Elisa](/source/Elisa_(company)) for around £100m. The stake was later sold in 2007 for £311m.

In 2005 Actavis acquired the [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey)–based generic drug company Amide Pharmaceutical for [US$](/source/US$)500 million.[5]

In 2005 Novator invested in video game developer CCP,[citation needed] and sold their stake to developer [Pearl Abyss](/source/Pearl_Abyss) for $425 million.[6]

In 2006 it acquired a large stake in Polish telecom [Netia](/source/Netia).[7] Netia has the second-largest fixed-line network in Poland. Netia and Novator announced that they are going to build a 4th mobile network in Poland.[8] Novator sold its entire 30.3% stake in Netia in 2009.[9]

In 2007 Novator founded [Play](/source/Play_(telecommunications)), a Polish telecommunications provider. Play IPO’ed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in July 2017.[10] Novator sold its remaining stake in Play to [Iliad SA](/source/Iliad_SA), a French provider of telecommunications services in September 2021.[citation needed]

In 2007 Novator founded data center company Verne Global and sold it to [Digital 9 Infrastructure](/source/Digital_9_Infrastructure) in 2021.[11]

In 2007 Novator made a $12.5 million investment in [TurkNet](/source/TurkNet).[citation needed] In 2013, the Çelebiler family acquired 100% ownership of Turknet, a telecommunications internet service provider, by purchasing the remaining shares from Novator.[citation needed]

In 2010 Novator founded Greenqloud, a cloud computing software company in Iceland. It was sold to [NetApp](/source/NetApp) in 2017.[12]

In 2015 Novator acquired 100% of [WOM](/source/WOM_(Chile)) (Chile) (formerly Nextel Chile) in [Chile](/source/Chile).[13]

In 2016 Novator invested in [Zwift](/source/Zwift), a multiplayer online [indoor cycling](/source/Indoor_cycling) game in Series A funding that reached $27 million.[14] Novator co-led Zwift's $120 million Series B funding round, alongside Highland Europe, Causeway, and True. Novator also participated in its $450 million Series C funding round.[15]

In January 2016 Novator invested in Artificial Intelligence company Disruptional, formerly known as Play Fusion Ltd.[16]

In 2016 Novator made a partial exit from [Nova](/source/Nova_(Iceland)), an Icelandic mobile operator, when it sold 50% of Nova to [Anchorage, Alaska](/source/Anchorage,_Alaska) based private equity firm, Pt. Capital.[17]

In November 2016 Novator invested in British online food delivery company, [Deliveroo](/source/Deliveroo).[18]

In 2018, Novator invested in [AppLovin](/source/AppLovin), an internet software and services company, alongside global investment company [KKR](/source/Kohlberg_Kravis_Roberts).[19]

In 2019, Novator led $25 million Series C funding of Rebag, a New York-based digital platform, enabling it to expand to 30 more stores.[20] Novator also led REBAG's $33 million Series E funding round in 2021.[21]

In 2019 Novator led a $22.33 million funding round to further develop a multiplayer online space colony simulation game called Seed. Novator was joined by Lego Ventures, the investment entity of the [Lego](/source/Lego) brand. Birgir Ragnarson, partner at Novator, was appointed Klang's chairman of the board.[22]

In August 2019 Lockwood Publishing announced a funding round led by existing investors and new shareholders Novator. The round was led by [CCP Games](/source/CCP_Games) CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson. The total amount was not specified.[23]

In 2020, Novator participated in online bank [Monzo](/source/Monzo)’s £60 million funding round.[24]

In 2020, Novator invested in [Cazoo](/source/Cazoo), a UK-based online used car buying platform, as part of a £240 million funding round.[25]

In 2020 Novator led men’s wellness/health service, Numan’s £10m Series A funding round along with other venture capitals. Novator also participated in the company’s $40 million Series B funding round in September 2021.[26][27]

In 2020 Novator Partners buys majority stake in Colombia's Avantel telecommunications company. Nevertheless, Novator Partners entered into the country with a new brand, WOM, and will be competing in the market together with Avantel.[28] Chris Banister "el tío WOM" will lead the new "WOM Colombia".[29]

In 2021 Novator participated in e-scooter rental company, Tier Mobility's $40 million Series B Round, Series C funding round of $250 million and $200 million Series D funding round.[30]

In 2021 video game company, Ubisoft joined lead investor Novator Capital in a €14.1 million funding round.[31]

In 2021 Novator participated in digital flower buying platform, Bloom & Wild's $102 million funding round and a £50 million funding round [32]

In August 2021, Novator invested $250 million in Prime Focus Limited, the parent company of visual effects studio [DNEG](/source/DNEG).[33]

An 18.27% stake in the Economic & Investment Bank (EIBank) in Bulgaria, which was previously 100% owned Bulgarian Prime Minister [Boyko Borisov](/source/Boyko_Borisov)'s domestic partner Tsvetelina Borislavova.[citation needed]

Actavis acquired Indian research company Lotus Laboratories.[citation needed]

It acquired a controlling stake in Finnish telecom [Saunalahti](/source/Saunalahti).[citation needed]

Acquired a 65% stake in [Bulgarian Telecommunications Company](/source/Bulgarian_Telecommunications_Company) for an undisclosed sum. In 2007 the stake was sold for £855m.[citation needed] It acquired a large stake in Polish telecom [P4](/source/Play_(telecommunications)).[citation needed]

## References

1. Lott-Lavigna, Ruby (3 November 2016). ["From billionaire to bust and back again: Thor Björgólfsson on rising from rock bottom (twice)"](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/thor-bjorgolfsson-billionaire-bust). *Wired UK*. [ISSN 1357-0978](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1357-0978). Retrieved 26 December 2022.

1. Cave, Andrew. ["How Iceland's Thor Bjorgolfsson Lost $4B in Eight Months"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewcave/2014/12/18/how-to-lose-4-billion-in-eight-months-and-build-it-back-again-a-biographers-story/). *Forbes*. Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Watson Nears $5.9 Billion Actavis Deal"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304724404577295550816517824). *Wall Street Journal*. 21 March 2012.

1. Loritz, Mary (21 August 2019). ["Berlin-based game studio Klang raises €20 million to develop its virtual space colony, Seed | EU-Startups"](https://www.eu-startups.com/2019/08/berlin-based-game-studio-klang-raises-e20-million-to-develop-a-virtual-space-colony/). Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Novator takeover of Actavis closes"](https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1890001220070718). *Reuters*. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Eve Online maker CCP Games sells to Black Desert Online's Pearl Abyss for $425 million"](https://venturebeat.com/games/black-desert-online-creator-pearl-abyss-acquires-eve-online-maker-ccp-games-for-425-million/). *Venture Beat*. September 16, 2018.

1. ["25.01.2006 Information on acquisition of Netia's shares"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141222154607/http://investor.netia.pl/press,list,1429.html). *netia.pl*. Archived from [the original](http://investor.netia.pl/press,list,1429.html) on 22 December 2014.

1. ["ABC Money – Finance News"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120122175102/http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/16200740896.htm). *ABC Money*. Archived from [the original](http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/16200740896.htm) on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2010.

1. ["Novator sells Netia stake"](https://www.telecompaper.com/news/novator-sells-netia-stake--662376). *Telecomper*. March 12, 2009.

1. ["Poland's Play finalises €1bn IPO at low end of range"](https://www.ft.com/content/1df7f5bc-685f-11e7-8526-7b38dcaef614). *Financial Times*. July 13, 2017.

1. ["Verne Global acquired by Digital 9"](https://www.scientific-computing.com/news/verne-global-acquired-digital-9). *Scientific Computing World*. September 6, 2021.

1. ["Greenqloud acquired by NetApp: Digging through the story"](https://northstack.is/2017/08/28/netapp-greenqloud-memo/). *Northstack*. August 28, 2017.

1. ["New telecoms player grows fast, turns heads in conservative Chile"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-telecoms-idUSKCN0WI2UC). *Reuters*. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Zwift, a multiplayer game that's making indoor athletics more social, just raised $27 million"](https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/16/zwift-a-multiplayer-game-thats-making-indoor-athletics-more-social-just-raised-27-million/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Zwift, maker of a popular indoor training app, just landed a whopping $450 million in funding led by KKR"](https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/16/zwift-maker-of-a-popular-indoor-training-app-just-landed-a-whopping-450-million-in-funding-led-by-kkr/). *TechCrunch*. September 16, 2020.

1. ["Disruptional, Acquired by Novator Partners LLP on January 1st, 2016 | Mergr"](https://mergr.com/disruptional-acquired-by-novator-partners). *mergr.com*. Retrieved 2022-12-22.

1. ["Arctic investment firm makes play for Iceland telecom"](https://www.alaskajournal.com/2016-10-11/arctic-investment-firm-makes-play-iceland-telecom). *Alaska Journal of Commerce*. October 11, 2016.

1. ["Novator Partners Invests In Deliveroo | Mergr M&A Deal Summary"](https://mergr.com/novator-partners-invests-in-deliveroo). *mergr.com*. Retrieved 2022-12-22.

1. ["KKR and Novator Partners Invest In AppLovin"](https://mergr.com/kkr-invests-in-applovin). *mergr*. July 17, 2018.

1. ["Luxury handbag marketplace Rebag raises $25M to expand to 30 more stores"](https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/08/luxury-handbag-marketplace-rebag-raises-25m-to-expand-to-30-more-stores/). *TechCrunch*. February 8, 2019.

1. ["Rebag Raises $33 Million, With Funds Earmarked To Expand Tech-Enabled Resale Business"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/sharonedelson/2021/12/15/rebag-raises-33-million-with-funds-earmarked-to-expand-tech-enabled-resale-business/?sh=61501dd44699). *Forbes*. December 15, 2021.

1. ["Klang raises $22.3 million for MMO space colony simulation Seed"](https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/15/klang-raises-22-3-million-for-mmo-space-colony-simulation-seed/). *VentureBeat*. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Lockwood Publishing closes funding round led by Novator, CCP Games CEO"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-08-15-lockwood-publishing-closes-funding-round-led-by-novator-ccp-games-ceo). *GamesIndustry.biz*. Retrieved 10 October 2019.

1. ["Monzo, the UK challenger bank, picks up additional £60M in funding"](https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/02/monzo-the-u-k-challenger-bank-picks-up-additional-60m-in-funding/). *TechCrunch*. December 2, 2020.

1. ["Cazoo, the UK used car sales platform, raises another $311M, now valued at over $2.5B"](https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/01/cazoo-the-uk-used-car-sales-portal-raises-another-311m-now-valued-at-over-2b/). *TechCrunch*. October 1, 2020.

1. Butcher, Mike (2020-10-13). ["Men's health subscription startup Numan closes £10M Series A funding round"](https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/13/mens-health-subscription-startup-numan-closes-10m-series-a-funding-round/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 2022-12-22.

1. Butcher, Mike (2021-09-13). ["Pandemic's shift to remote wellness helps Numan raise $40M Series B led by White Star"](https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/13/pandemics-shift-to-remote-wellness-helps-numan-raise-40m-series-b-led-by-white-star/). *TechCrunch*. Retrieved 2022-12-22.

1. ["Wom Colombia se lanzaría oficilamente luego de Semana Santa"](https://www.comunidad-ola.com/portal/index.php/operadores/13897-wom-colombia-se-lanzaria-oficilamente-luego-de-semana-santa) (in es-es). *Comunidad OLA... ¡Estamos Conectados Contigo!*. Retrieved 2021-04-14.

1. ["Novator Partners enter the Colombian market."](https://www.reuters.com/article/colombia-telecommunications/novator-partners-buys-majority-stake-in-colombias-avantel-idUSL8N2EE5SX)

1. ["Tier scoots off with $200M, all-equity 'first close' of Series D"](https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/25/tier-scoots-off-with-first-close-of-its-200m-series-d/). *TechCruch*. October 25, 2021.

1. ["Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft arms Dublin-based Vela Games"](https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/assassins-creed-publisher-ubisoft-arms-dublin-based-vela-games-fhmmf500j). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. July 4, 2021.

1. ["UK's Bloom & Wild raises further £50M funding and acquires French rival Bergamotte"](https://www.uktech.news/news/uks-bloom-wild-raises-further-50m-funding-and-acquires-french-rival-bergamotte-20210728). *UK Tech News*. July 28, 2021.

1. Hayes, Dade (2021-08-18). ["Visual Effects Oscar Heavyweight DNEG Gets $250M Injection From UK Investment Firm Novator"](https://deadline.com/2021/08/oscar-visual-effects-dneg-250-million-investment-novator-1234817509/). *Deadline*. Retrieved 2022-03-18.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.novator.co.uk)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Novator Partners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novator_Partners) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novator_Partners?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.