Mark Evans

New Skype Investor?

Have to say I was intrigued by Andy Abramson's post on Skype raising money from Hutchison Whampoa, which is controlled by Li Ka-shing, the world's 19th richest man. The potential investment for a 5% stake was raised by Les Echos. According to the French newspaper, this would give Skype a valuation of EUR1 billion, or US$1.25-billion. Dow Jones subsequently reported sale of the 5% stake could lead to Skype attracting a strategic investor or doing an IPO. It quoted Mark Tluszcz, president with Mangrove Capital Partners, as saying this could give Skype a potential valuation of several billion Euros. Before everyone gets too excited, it should be pointed out that Mangrove is an investor in Skype along with Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Index Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners. I would bet, however, Tluszcz's quote will be picked up by other media outlets and before you know it, Skype will have a “potential valuation of several billion Euros”.