how many, in fact, investors Supid plc worth cooperation with Maxim Polyakov…
The British company Cupid plc is known for its rapid take-off and fall: just a few years on its base one of the most successful international businesses in the area of online dating was developed. success of the project proved to be very short-lived. Many Western journalists were wondering, can the rapidly growing public company suddenly complete its work - and not incur any liability? In the field of IT it happens roaring successes and failures, but Cupid plc deserves close attention, because only, who won on investing in the company turned its Ukrainian co-founder Max Polyakov, – writes News Agency commentator.
Cupid Company was established on the basis of IDE Group, based in 2005 g. Scot Bill Dobbie and his Ukrainian partner Max Polyakov, who by that time it was already a British citizen. Partners decided, the industry of online dating promises unprecedented prospects, despite the ambiguity of the reputation of scope "-dating sites" as such. Originally the company was called EasyDate plc, but it was renamed in 2010 g. due to claims of infringement of intellectual property rights EasyJet, and was named Cupid plc.
Expectations owners soon come true, Cupid and just a few years has managed to become one of the world's business leaders in its category. In the UK located less than 20 employees, and the rest 1500 They were and continue to be in Ukraine, notes FTTC.com.ua.
After placement of the company's shares on the alternative market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2010 city, Deloitte has recognized Cupid plc one of the fastest growing companies in the online dating. With the growth of the share price, Poles sold out his share, justifying a departure from business need to focus on new business projects in the field of social gaming, - and I moved to California (USA).
No love
The rapid success of the company overshadowed the scandal, unfolded as a result of the investigation BBC Radio 5 and in Kyivpost 2013 city: according to the information in the blogosphere, the company hired people, that, taking advantage of the anonymity and fake personality, forced users to buy online access. Media cited a number of facts, supporting such activities and, as we found out the editor Kyivpost, hired "social management" of the company based in Ukraine.
As a result of the scandal's share price decreased 3,5 times even though, the company denied any defamatory practices. The audit systematic use of bogus profiles has not been proven, Although the final report and confirmed that, that the profiles of employees Cupid plc is not marked with "administration" or other obvious way, as it is implemented in such social networks like, eg, Facebook.
In the second half 2013 g. Cupid plc has sold "toxic" assets: it was about, so-called, "Adult" sites for flirting and casual relationships - BeNaughty, CheekyLovers, WildBuddies, Click & Flirt, QuickFlirt, Flirt and a number of other, which not only brings the main income of Cupid plc, but also became the subject of media investigations. Buyer of assets made offshore company Grendall Investment Limited, control of which is Maxim Polyakov. deal in ?45.1 million. It was partially paid, partly covered due 15% Cupid shares, Poles were owned personally, and the remaining amount of the new owner was obliged to pay for the next 3 years, what has not yet been declared as prescribed by the rules of public companies.
After that, Maxim Polyakov ceased to be a shareholder of the company, Cupid plc announces its plans for further work, which includes the development of an online matchmaking projects for long-term relationship. Plans were not fulfilled, but after six months Cupid plc decides to sell the rest of the dating-business customers Tradax IP Licensing, Together Networks Holdings и Together Networks. The ultimate beneficiary of purchase ?3 million became all the same Maxim Polyakov through Grendall Investment Limited.
Star triumph?
In this way, Max Polyakov, not only managed to develop the company and Cupid plc to sell its shares at the peak of their value, but seized all its assets at bargain prices, apparently, deliberately provoked a scandal-2013 media. In this case, Polyakov continues to receive income from operating businesses BeNaughty, CheekyLovers, WildBuddies, Click & Flirt, QuickFlirt, Flirt et al., who served in Ukraine.
At the same time Poles gained a reputation as a successful start-up manager on a global scale, even despite the failure of the project Cupid plc as a public company. Today he has the opportunity to engage in a much more prestigious projects in the field of engineering. A reputation, obtained his team experience, and communication in the rocket industry of Ukraine would carry out all the same model of outsourcing, only this time with the level of project SpaceX.
Former partner of the Polyakov Bill Dobby refuses to comment on their joint projects, just saying, that "no longer cooperates with the Max". Apparently, Dobby has to remain silent, to not lose the already ruffled reputation in the market. After all, If the above-described scheme implemented Polyakov, Dobby the Bill helped build goodwill fraudster, with the result that investors Cupid plc had to pay dearly. The only question is, who will be the next visionary, believed in profitable scheme Polyakova outsourcing.
