M&A Deal Summary

Forward Internet Group Acquires RVU

On December 10, 2009, Forward Internet Group acquired internet software and services company RVU from The E. W. Scripps for 10M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Forward Internet Group’s 1st transaction in the Internet Software and Services sector.
  • This is Forward Internet Group’s largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Forward Internet Group’s 1st transaction in the United Kingdom.
Investment Fate
  • RVU was divested to a consortium of buyers in 2013.
  • RVU was sold to a publicly-traded strategic buyer in 2015 for 160M GBP.
  • RVU was divested to a consortium of buyers in 2018.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2009-12-10
Target RVU
Sector Internet Software and Services
Buyer(s) Forward Internet Group
Sellers(s) The E. W. Scripps
Deal Type Divestiture
Deal Value 10M USD

Target

RVU

London, United Kingdom
website
RVU empowers people to make confident decisions with its unique set of brands, the excitement of a startup, and the strength of well-established, trusted household names. Uswitch.com is a comparison website for home services switching, helping consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, TV, and phone. Confused.com is an insurance comparison platform that pioneering the way consumers make choices about financial services. Money.co.uk is a comparison website for financial services. Consumers can compare loans, credit cards, bank accounts, and insurance from more than 600 providers. Rastreator and LeLynx.fr are online comparison platforms in Spain and France respectively, helping consumers compare a range of financial services and home services products. Mojo Mortgages brings together smart tech and the best human mortgage experts to empower more consumers to access personalized mortgage recommendations. The company has the power to reach millions of consumers around the world, solving everyday complex problems through outstanding experiences. RVU was formed in 2000 and is based in London.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Forward Internet Group

London, United States

website

Category Company
Founded 2004
Sector Internet Software and Services
DESCRIPTION

Forward Internet Group Ltd. creates, acquires, invests, and operates integrated Web businesses across various industries and territories.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 1 of 2
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 1 of 1
Type (Divestiture) 1 of 1
Country (United Kingdom) 1 of 2
Year (2009) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 1
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-02-03 Factory Media

London, United Kingdom

Factory Media is largest and most innovative Action Sports media owner. The Company publishes traditional print and new media brands reaching over 500,000 readers and 4 Million online users every month.

Buy -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

The E. W. Scripps

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

website

Category Company
Founded 1878
Sector Media
Employees5,400
Revenue 2.5B USD (2022)
DESCRIPTION

The E. W. Scripps is a diverse media concern with interests in national lifestyle television networks, newspaper publishing, broadcast television, television retailing, interactive media and licensing and syndication. All of the company’s media businesses provide content and advertising services via the Internet. The E.W. Scripps was founded in 1878 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 3 of 11
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 2 of 4
Type (Divestiture) 2 of 10
Country (United Kingdom) 1 of 1
Year (2009) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 8 of 8
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2008-07-01 Scripps Networks Interactive

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. is a developer of lifestyle oriented content for many media platforms including television, digital, mobile and publishing. Its portfolio of lifestyle brands include HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country. Scripps was founded in 2008 and is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2011-04-29 Connexity

Santa Monica, California, United States

Connexity offers a range of marketing solutions including search marketing, syndicated product listings, targeted display advertising, and the Bizrate Insights customer feedback program. Connexity was founded in 1996 and is based in Santa Monica, California.

Sell $165M
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