Wirtualna Polska Secures Invia Acquisition Green Light
Deal News | Apr 08, 2025 | Aim Group
Polish media conglomerate Wirtualna Polska Holding has obtained necessary regulatory approvals from the Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange and the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection for its acquisition of the Czech-based Invia Group. The acquisition, valued at $250.9 million, includes $55.6 million in existing debt from Invia. Invia Group operates a portfolio of accommodation booking services across Europe, supported by strong regional brands such as Ab-in-den-Urlaub.de, Fluege.de, TravelPlanet.pl, Invia.cz, Invia.sk, and Invia.hu. Over the twelve months ending in September 2024, Invia Group generated $192 million in revenue and maintained an adjusted EBITDA of $38.7 million. This transaction follows Wirtualna Polska’s earlier acquisition of Szallas Group in 2022, enhancing its positioning in the Central and Eastern European accommodation booking market.
Sectors
- Media and Entertainment
- Travel and Hospitality
Geography
- Poland – Poland is the home country of Wirtualna Polska Holding, which is acquiring the Invia Group.
- Czech Republic – The Czech Republic is the headquarters for Invia Group, making it central to the acquisition.
- Europe – The transaction affects multiple European markets due to Invia Group's operational presence in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Industry
- Media and Entertainment – Wirtualna Polska Holding is a media company involved in digital media services, online advertising, and e-commerce, reflecting the article's focus on a media group's strategic acquisition.
- Travel and Hospitality – Invia Group operates various accommodation booking services which align with sectors like travel agencies and hospitality services.
Financials
- $250.9 million – The total value of the acquisition of the Invia Group by Wirtualna Polska.
- $55.6 million – The existing debt of Invia Group that is included in the transaction.
- $192 million – Revenue generated by Invia Group in the twelve months ending September 2024.
- $38.7 million – Invia Group's adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ending September 2024.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirtualna Polska Holding | Acquirer | Company | A Poland-based media group expanding into the European accommodation booking market. |
| Invia Group | Target Company | Company | Czech Republic-headquartered company operating accommodation booking services across Europe. |
| Szallas Group | Other | Company | Central and Eastern European accommodation booking provider acquired by WP in 2022. |
| Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange | Regulatory Approval Body | Government | Provided regulatory approval for the WP-Invia acquisition. |
| Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) | Regulatory Approval Body | Government | Granted approval for the transaction under Polish competition laws. |