Republic, the US-based private investment firm which operates the Republic investment platform, has completed the acquisition of European crowdfunder Seedrs.
Seedrs will form the European arm of the newly expanded global retail division of Republic, increasing investment opportunities for the combined 2.5 million users and 1,370 active portfolio companies.
The global retail division will be led by current Seedrs CEO, Jeff Kelisky, as he expands his role into a global remit, with an expected 600 deals and $300 million in net investment expected to flow through the combined platform in 2022.
The acquisition of Seedrs, which has facilitated £2 billion in investment through its platform, rapidly advances Republic’s presence in Europe. A four-year partnership between the companies has already allowed businesses to co-raise on both platforms, reaching a greater number of investors.
Seedrs has managed more than 1,700 successful campaigns to date, including fast-growth brands like THIS, Revolut and Chapel Down, while the pioneering Seedrs Secondary Market has seen over 700 companies have their shares traded in over 44,000 transactions.
A merger between Seedrs and Crowdcube was terminated in March 2021 over competition concerns.
“Seedrs has long been a force in Europe within equity crowdfunding and private investing,” said Kendrick Nguyen, Republic’s founder & CEO.
“By bringing Seedrs into Republic we gain, not just further geographical expansion, but also the team’s talent, technology and knowledge.
“This will help strengthen our position as a global leader and better serve the founders and businesses and the investors that support them.”
Seedrs also recently launched its European HQ in Dublin, with MD Randal MacDonald and FD John Gavin now onboard to help accelerate European growth.
This is in addition to recent addition of senior hires in Lisbon, Madrid, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Kelisky (pictured), the new global leader of Republic Retail, said: “We have built a really great business, driven by a mission to disrupt the world of private investing and become a global leader.
“This deal is a natural extension of our relationship with Republic – a coming together of two pioneers with a shared vision and purpose. Together we are now the first truly global platform for private equity investing with the drive, capital, and capabilities to shape the future of the industry.”