Renowned Ukrainian entrepreneur Maksym Krippa, who also owns the esports club NAVI, is set to significantly increase his presence in Kyiv’s real estate sector by gaining control over the International Exhibition Center (IEC). The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has officially approved the transaction, under which Citadel Ventures Cyprus Limited—a company controlled by Krippa—will acquire more than 50% of the charter capital of LLC “International Exhibition Center” by purchasing shares from A.T.V.T. Business Expo Holdings Ltd.

The press service of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine announced this.

The IEC stands as Ukraine’s largest exhibition venue, holding leading positions in Kyiv and across the country. In 2024, the center demonstrated substantial growth: its revenue rose by 71.4%, reaching 83 million hryvnias, while its net loss decreased threefold, down to 7.1 million hryvnias. The total area of the complex exceeds 73,000 square meters, of which approximately 39,000 square meters are exhibition halls spread over four pavilions. This facility plays a pivotal role in Kyiv’s business and cultural development and strengthens the city’s standing on the international stage. The new owner plans to modernize the infrastructure per current market demands.

About Maksym Krippa

Maksym Volodymyrovych Krippa was born on August 11, 1977, in Kyiv. He holds three higher education degrees in business administration, organizational management, and law. He began his professional career in the early 2000s in the telecommunications sector, leading the company “Ukrainian Mobile Telecommunications,” an official dealer of Kyivstar GSM. Later, his focus shifted toward the IT industry and investments in digital projects. In 2022, he officially acquired ownership of the esports organization Natus Vincere, and in 2023, he became the owner of the game development studio GSC Game World, famous for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise. Additionally, he owns the broadcasting studio Maincast and founded the charitable MK Foundation, which supports military personnel and civilians during wartime.

Real Estate in Kyiv: Acquisitions and Future Plans

In 2023, Maksym Krippa owned the “Parus” business center, previously owned by Vadym Stolar. Although the official transaction amount has not been disclosed, experts estimate it to be around 100 million USD. The total value of Krippa’s real estate portfolio in Kyiv may exceed 200 million USD.

In September 2024, Krippa purchased the “Ukraine” hotel on Independence Square through his company “Ola Fine.” The property’s estimated price is approximately 2.5 billion hryvnias, excluding VAT, and over 3 billion hryvnias, including taxes. Following the acquisition, the new owner committed to maintaining the hotel’s operation, settling existing debts to employees and the budget, and refraining from mass layoffs for at least six months. The hotel features 16 floors, over 300 rooms, and a well-developed infrastructure. Maksym Krippa has not ruled out the possibility of transforming the hotel into a representative venue for one of the leading international luxury brands in the future.