London, 12 December 2007
FirstCapital, the technology investment bank, announces that Multimap has been acquired by Microsoft Corporation for an undisclosed sum. FirstCapital acted as exclusive financial advisor to Multimap in this transaction.
Sean Phelan, Multimap’s founder, said: "FirstCapital had the commitment and tenacity to manage a broadly based, international sale process for Multimap, dealing with the world's top players in IT. They were thoroughly professional, adding value throughout a complex process, and on hand for support whenever we needed them. We are delighted with the result."
Below follows an extract from the Microsoft press release:
Microsoft Acquires One of Europe’s Top Online Map Services
Acquisition of Multimap will help Microsoft deliver new, expanded services on the Web.
LONDON — Dec. 12, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. has acquired Multimap, one of the United Kingdom’s top 100 technology companies and one of the leading online mapping services in the world. The acquisition gives Microsoft a powerful new location and mapping technology to complement existing offerings such as Virtual Earth, Live Search, Windows Live services, MSN and the aQuantive advertising platform, with future integration potential for a range of other Microsoft products and platforms. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“The addition of Multimap enhances Microsoft’s position as a leading provider of mapping and location platform services,” said Sharon Baylay, general manager of the Online Services Group at Microsoft. “This acquisition will play a significant role in the future growth of our search business and presents a huge opportunity to expand our platform business beyond the U.K. and globally. We are thrilled to welcome Multimap onboard.”
One of the best-known online mapping companies worldwide, Multimap provides a publicly available personal mapping service at http://www.multimap.com, as well as a range of integrated business services.
“Partnering with Microsoft gives us a world of new opportunities to build our mapping services into new technologies and applications,” said Jeff Kelisky, CEO of Multimap. “As one of the world’s foremost technology brands, Microsoft is in a position to bring even more value to the Multimap service and give people everywhere new, exciting and fun ways to get from point A to point B.”
Multimap will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, as part of the Virtual Earth and Search teams in the Online Services Group. The acquisition is the latest in a series of moves as Microsoft seeks to expand its online services to deliver software, services, and premium content and applications to consumers and businesses.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
MICROSOFT IS A TRADEMARK OF MICROSOFT CORPORATION AND MULTIMAP IS A TRADEMARK OF MULTI MEDIA MAPPING LTD.
About Multimap (http://www.multimap.com/)
Multimap is one of the world's leading providers of mapping and location-based services. The company delivers more online maps, point-to-point driving directions and geo-spatial ("where's my nearest?") searches to more companies than any other supplier in Europe. All services are offered on multiple platforms including mobile, PDA, and now via our highly-functional API (Application Programming Interface).
About Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/)
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
About FirstCapital
FirstCapital is an investment bank that specialises in fund raising and mergers and acquisitions advice for high growth technology companies. Established in 1999, it has offices in London and Cambridge, UK. Clients include entrepreneurs, technology companies and investors in private companies.
Our team is experienced in a wide variety of deals, from growth companies to multinationals in both UK and international cross border transactions. We provide pro-active, informed, full service deal management, including assistance with strategy and planning, finding and approaching investors or M&A targets, valuations and hands-on transaction execution. We work in partnership with our clients to achieve their goals, offering impartial advice and support based on our knowledge of the market and of each client's individual requirements, and sharing alongside them in the risks and the rewards of success.
FirstCapital is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority.
For more information, contact:
Jason Purcell, CEO Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: +44 (0)20 8563 1563
|