Groupon has closed what remained of that huge $950 million financing round which we first reported on in late December. They closed on roughly half of it then, from DST, Fidelity and Morgan Stanley. We then learned that Kleiner Perkins was also in the round.
Now we have the rest of the details, and the company will issue a press release today on the round. True to their never be totally serious attitude, the press release will be titled Groupon Raises, Like, A Billion Dollars.
A whole slew of new and existing investors are participating in the round, which values Groupon at a whopping $4.75 billion. Investors in this round include Andreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures, Greylock Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Digital Sky Technologies, Maverick Capital, Silver Lake Partners, and Technology Crossover Ventures. As we previously reported, Allen & Company LLC acted as financial advisor.
There are no additions to the board of directors in this round. And multiple sources have confirmed to us that Fidelity is in fact a new investor in this round, they just aren’t listed in the press release.
Here’s the full full press release. My favorite line, other than the title, is “Groupon has been called…“America’s best website” by one of Groupon’s television commercials.”
Groupon Raises, Like, A Billion Dollars
Investment to Continue Rapid Growth of Global Social Commerce Platform
CHICAGO – Today Groupon announced that it has completed a $950
million round of financing. Groupon will use the funds to fuel global
expansion, invest in technology, and provide liquidity for employees and
early investors.
The financing consists of several venture capital firms and late-stage
investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures, Greylock
Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Mail.ru Group, Maverick
Capital, Silver Lake, and Technology Crossover Ventures. Allen &
Company LLC acted as financial advisor. Previous funding rounds were
led by New Enterprise Associates, Accel Partners, and Mail.ru Group
(formerly DST.)
In the last year, Groupon has been called “the fastest growing company
ever” by Forbes Magazine and “America’s best website” by one of
Groupon’s television commercials. In 2010, Groupon:
• Expanded from 1 to 35 countries
• Launched in almost 500 new markets (from 30 markets in 2009)
• Grew subscribers by 2,500% from 2 million to over 50 million
• Saved consumers over $1.5 billion
• Worked with 58,000 local businesses, serving over 100,000 deals
worldwide
“We’re thrilled that Groupon has earned the confidence of some of the
world’s most respected investment firms,” said Andrew Mason, founder
and CEO of Groupon. “With their support, we will continue on our mission
to change the way people shop locally and serve the world’s local
businesses.”
About Groupon
Groupon, launched in November 2008 in Chicago, features a daily deal on
the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy in more than 500 markets around the
world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer unbeatable prices
and provide a win-win for businesses and consumers, delivering more than
650 daily deals globally. For more information, visit
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