First Hungarian deal for bmp

Berlin-based venture capital firm, bmp has just completed a first round of funding in Hungarian content provider, Hirek Media and Internet Technologies Kft. The amount invested was not disclosed. bmp and Central Eastern Europe Venture GmbH, bmp’s joint venture with DEG German Investments and Developments, have both acquired a 20% share in the company. NCM Compartners has a 15% share and Hirek’s three founders hold the remaining 45%.

Hirek provides special interest services for information technology and mobile communication. The financing will be used to extend the services and to increase attractiveness for business clients.

With over five million page impressions per month, Hirek boasts the second largest Internet community in Hungary. An agreement with bmp portfolio company, Tom’s Guide Publishing AG already presents opportunities for using the content of Tom’s Hardware guide to set up a Hungarian language version of the products and services on offer.

With bmp’s support, Hirek will be able to provide modern eMarketing tools and related CRM-interfaced ASP services, which are not yet available on the Hungarian market. Jens Spyrka, bmp AG’s manager international business operations, said: “The individual products and services are each leaders in their market sector and thus provide an excellent foundation for marketing activities based on modern eMarketing and eSolutions tools.”

Hirek is the bmp Group’s sixth investment in Middle/Eastern Europe.