Ozon, Russia's largest online retailer, raises $150 million at a $700 million valuation

Ozon, Russia's largest e-commerce company, has raised $150 million in funding from diversified holding company Sistema and its mobile carrier subsidiary MTS (as expected).

Under the agreement, both Sistema and MTS have invested $75 million for a 10.8% stake each, valuing the business at roughly $700 million. Both companies get a seat on Ozon's board of directors according to an accompanying presentation (PDF). Sistema and MTS join prior backers Index Ventures, ru-Net, Rakuten, Intel Capital, Holtzbrinck and Cisco, all of whom remain wholly invested. Baring Vostok Private Equity Fund remains the largest single shareholder. Morgan Stanley acted as an exclusive financial advisor to Ozon for the deal.

The last time Ozon raised any funding was a $100 million round back in September 2011.

Its turnover in 2013 was a solid $750 million (but no word on profit).

From the release:

"Ozon owns five e-commerce companies in Russia: OZON.ru, the largest multi-category online shop in Russia with more than 750,000 unique visitors per day; Sapato.ru, one of the leading e-commerce store of shoes, accessories and apparel; OZON.travel, the leading Russian online travel agency; О-Courier, OZON's dedicated delivery service operating a network of companies and agents across Russia and Kazakhstan with over 2,200 pick-up points; and OZON Solutions, a B2B consultancy, which helps businesses to succeed in the e-commerce universe."

(Source: Jennifer Schenker on Twitter)

Sistema's investment in OZON provides the Group with an excellent entry into Russia's rapidly growing e\-commerce sector. Having captured over 16 million unique monthly visitors, OZON is a household brand with a loyal customer base, growing goods assortment and an excellent logistical platform. This investment, while financial in nature, also provides Sistema's other businesses with numerous partnership and synergies opportunities which will prove mutually beneficial for all.