IFC (World Bank) Invests in VUZ – A Strategic Springboard for the Company's Global Expansion

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank, has officially invested in VUZ, a portfolio company of Webit Investment Network (BSE: WIN). The agreement between the two organizations was signed at the end of last week, making the investment official. This marks a key strategic milestone for VUZ, reinforcing the company’s scale and potential for global expansion.

Why is IFC’s Investment So Significant?

The entry of a global institutional investor like IFC not only provides additional financial resources but also grants VUZ strategic access to leading telecommunications companies across Asia and Africa. IFC has traditionally invested in the largest telecom operators in these regions, and given that VUZ's business model is closely tied to telecom operators, this investment is expected to accelerate integrations and market entry for the company. This partnership is seen as a powerful catalyst for VUZ’s global growth, further boosting its financial performance in the coming years.

Moreover, IFC’s investment sends a strong signal to the global investment community. Institutions like the World Bank invest only after an extremely rigorous and thorough due diligence process, which includes an in-depth analysis of business models, financial performance, sustainability, and growth potential. This investment serves as a clear endorsement that VUZ has successfully passed this meticulous assessment, proving its viability, scalability, and strong long-term prospects.

Such an investment acts as a quality seal, attracting additional investor interest and facilitating future funding rounds. Historically, when IFC invests in a company, it often paves the way for additional major institutional and strategic investors, as they recognize IFC’s thorough vetting process and global expertise.

Impressive Performance of VUZ in 2024

VUZ has demonstrated exceptional growth in 2024, increasing its revenues by over 60% to nearly BGN 20 million (approx. $11M). Furthermore, in August, the company achieved a positive EBITDA, further solidifying the sustainability of its business model.

WIN – An Investment Platform Delivering Unprecedented Results

IFC’s investment in VUZ serves as yet another strong validation of the effectiveness of WIN’s investment model, which grants its shareholders access to the world’s best growth opportunities. However, WIN’s success extends far beyond VUZ.

WIN has achieved exceptional growth, with its portfolio companies' consolidated revenues increasing by 3.31x over the past two years—from $29M in 2022 to $93.3M in 2024.

How does WIN compare to the world's top VC funds?

• Leading VC funds in the U.S. typically aim for a 3–5x revenue growth in their portfolio companies over a period of 5–7 years.
• WIN has already achieved a 3.31x growth in just 2 years, positioning it among the top-performing global investment funds in terms of growth acceleration.
• In Europe, most VC funds rarely exceed 2–2.5x revenue growth over 3–4 years, highlighting WIN’s unique success as a high-growth investment platform.

This success is largely attributed to WIN’s exclusive Right of First Refusal (ROFR), which grants it the ability to invest in the finalists of the Founders Games—a program that identifies the 10 most promising companies from over 5,000 applicants across 150+ countries, leveraging the collective intelligence of hundreds of top-tier global investors.

The entry of IFC into VUZ is not just another investment—it is a powerful testament to WIN’s ability to identify and invest in companies with real global leadership potential. This investment, combined with WIN’s overall performance, places the fund in one of the strongest positions among investment firms worldwide.

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