Kyivstar is considering similar Uklon acquisition deals with other companies. The company seeks to reach a strategically new level of interaction with customers.

«One of the key elements of Kyivstar’s strategic development as a digital operator is investment in the development of innovative technologies and new services. To this end, Kyivstar is considering the possibility of acquiring the product IT company Uklon, which is the developer of an online platform for ordering transportation and delivery in Ukraine and Uzbekistan,» the company noted.

This process, the press service notes, is an important signal for Ukrainian and international investors who are ready to join the reconstruction of Ukraine, even despite the ongoing war.

«For Kyivstar, the investment in Uklon will be a logical step in building an integrated digital ecosystem, as well as an important stage of inorganic growth and business scaling on the way to fulfilling VEON’s investment commitments of $1 billion during 2023-2027. At the same time, for Uklon, this agreement opens up new horizons of development: from increasing strategic investments in digital services and creating additional jobs, to entering new markets with the support of Kyivstar’s parent company — the global digital operator VEON. Kyivstar’s experience, expertise, resources and technological leadership will help strengthen Uklon’s services, providing users with an even higher quality, innovative and convenient product,» the operator company is convinced.

The company also reported that by developing a comprehensive ecosystem of digital services, Kyivstar seeks to reach a strategically new level of interaction with customers, supporting them and satisfying their needs in various areas of life, going beyond the usual provision of communication services. «With this goal in mind, we are considering similar agreements with other companies,» the company noted.

Uklon received many purchase offers, said company co-founder Serhiy Smus, but none were of interest. «If someone has a good offer, we will consider it,» he added.

According to the assessment of the analytical department of Forbes Ukraine, the current price of the company may be $40-80 million.

According to Kyivstar President Oleksandr Komarov, the agreement with Uklon will be a logical step in building an integrated digital ecosystem, as well as an important stage in inorganic growth and business scaling.

In December, Serhiy Smus said in an interview with Forbes Ukraine that the company wants to launch bus transportation in its application. Also in the same month, Uklon announced the start of work in the resort of Bukovel. In addition, last year the company left the Azerbaijani market.

Recall that in 2022, Kyivstar acquired the medical startup Helsi. Over the year, the operator invested $3 million in the development of Helsi, and the team increased 2.5 times.

Kyivstar is currently in the process of entering the American stock exchange Nasdaq. To do this, the Ukrainian operator will merge with the US SPAC company Cohen Circle.

Anatoly Frolenkov, a consultant on telecom, IT and media markets, says that «Nasdaq is the Champions League for tech companies.»