Mobile operator Kyivstar wants to buy the online taxi service Uklon. The mobile operator received applications for the acquisition of Ukrainian LLC Tech Uklon, Uklon Corporation, Uklon Ukraine and Cyprus-based UKLON LTD in December 2024, the committee said at the request of Forbes Ukraine.
“The AMCU has received an application for Kyivstar’s permission to acquire control (through Uklon Corporation LLC) over Uklon Ukraine’s assets, which ensure the implementation of activities in ridesharing, delivery and online advertising,” the publication quoted the agency’s response on Friday.
It is noted that the above applications are under consideration by the AMCU.
In December 2024, Uklon co-founder and board member Serhiy Smus noted on Business Breakfast with Volodymyr Fedorin that during its existence, Uklon had received many purchase offers, but none of them were interesting. “If someone makes a good offer, we will consider it,” he said.
The publication informs that, taking into account the military discount, Smus estimated the company at 7-8x EBITDA. Meanwhile, the estimate of the analytical department of Forbes Ukraine suggests that the current price of the company may be $40-80 million.
Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov told Interfax-Ukraine on January 23 that he confirms plans to invest almost $600 million more in Ukraine by 2027 and is taking steps to expand the business inorganically. According to him, Kyivstar has made a purchase of a small fixed-line operator in 2024.
“We are looking at other goals, including those within the digital ecosystem,” said the CEO of the leading Ukrainian mobile operator.
According to Monobank’s dashboard, its customers spend about 5% of their money on taxis, while Uklon’s share is about 46%.
According to YouControl, Uklon finished the first three quarters of 2024 with revenue of UAH 1.2 billion, which is twice as much as in the same period of 2023.
