XENDEX funding
Vienna-based developer bags $3.5 million.
XENDEX, a leading European games developer for handheld devices, today disclosed a second round of funding for $ 3.5 Million led by PONTIS Capital and a group of business angels. This latest investment follows a first capital raising of $ 3.6 Million announced by the company in June 2008.
Michael Haberl, CEO of XENDEX, commented: "XENDEX is one of the pioneers in the mobile games industry with a proven track record of creating award-winning handheld games. With the first round of funding last year, our shareholders gave the company the opportunity to strengthen its leading position in the industry. At the same time, it allowed us to lay the foundation for future growth by investing into new technology, licenses as well as the expansion to new gaming platforms. Now we will enter the next phase of our multi-year growth strategy."
The Vienna based developer looks back to a successful year 2009, in which the company announced licensing deals with Red Bull, saw its first games launched on Apple´s hugely popular App Store, secured the release of two new games on Sony´s PlayStation Portable and enjoyed critical praise by the games press for the mobile game "Space Invaders Evolution", developed by XENDEX and published by EA.
"The year 2009 has been a year of transition for XENDEX", added Michael Haberl. "We have encountered some of the most challenging market conditions our industry has ever seen. At the same time, we have been implementing significant changes in the company, changes that will make us even stronger going forward from here. To grow the business and to double the company´s revenues in such circumstances is a great achievement. I want to thank everyone at XENDEX for their commitment and contribution to this success and also our publishing partners for the trust they have put in the company."
Talking about future projects and areas for growth, Haberl concluded: "Building on this year´s success and thanks to our shareholders´ continued support for expansion, XENDEX is well-positioned to accelerate its growth with 2010 seeing additional services and more games on more platforms than ever before in the company´s 9 year history."
For the shareholders, Dr. Christoph Breidert, Investment Manager at PONTIS Capital, said: "We as shareholders are very pleased about the progress XENDEX has made over the last 18 months. In 2009, XENDEX will exceed its very ambitious financial objectives and this is why we as financial investor PONTIS Capital together with business angels, agreed to this second round of funding. With the additional capital, XENDEX can further grow the business and make use of market opportunities that we expect to open up in the months ahead."
About XENDEX
Founded in 2001 XENDEX is today a leading independent mobile and online games developer studio in Europe. XENDEX employs more than 40 people and operates offices in Austria, France, Poland, Bulgaria and the UK. Using its cutting edge creative and technology know-how, the company´s product range encompasses more than 50 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 Electronic Arts, I-play, Hands-On mobile, 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.
For more information about Xendex please visit http://www.xendex.com
About PONTIS Capital
PONTIS Capital is one of the leading independent growth capital investment firms in Austria. The investment strategy focuses on strong growth and technology-oriented younger companies as well as innovative companies in the lower mid-market. The emphasis is put primarily on the following industries: information-/communication technologies, life sciences and environmental technologies. The investment team of PONTIS possesses venture capital and private equity experience for more than one decade as well as many years of experience in the M&A business and tech-related industries. Portfolio management activities are clearly based on a straight value-creation approach.
http://www.pontiscapital.at
Media Contact:
For XENDEX Holding GmbH
Tjadine Zack
Xendex Holding GmbH
e-mail: tjadine.zack@xendex.com
Web: www.xendex.com
Phone: +43 1 890 8 009 – 0
For PONTIS Capital
Ulrike Schuster
viennabrand Agentur für Markenkommunikation KG, Albertplatz 1/1, 1080 Wien
e-mail: schuster@viennabrand.com
Web: www.viennabrand.com
Phone: +43 (0) 1 405 00 54, Mobile: +43 (0) 664 55 78 348