According to a recent LinkedIn post from Horizon Capital Catalyst Fund, the firm has been recognized at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2026 for the Datagroup–Volia–lifecell (DVL Telecom) merger as CEE Deal of the Year. The post notes that the awards assess strategic vision, market impact, execution quality, and the investor’s role in business transformation.
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The LinkedIn post highlights that this is the second time Horizon Capital has received this regional deal award, with Partner Dmytro Boroday accepting it in London. The content attributes the transaction’s success to collaboration among DVL Telecom leadership, CEO Mykhaylo Shelemba, telecom investor Xavier Niel and NJJ, and development finance institutions including EBRD, IFC, and the European Commission.
The post further suggests that the strong outcome of the DVL Telecom deal has helped underpin the launch of Horizon Capital’s reconstruction-focused Catalyst Fund targeting Ukraine. According to the post, the strategy aims to replicate similar transactions and attract significant international capital into sectors such as energy, digital infrastructure, and construction as part of the country’s rebuilding.
For investors, this recognition may signal Horizon Capital’s capability in complex telecom and infrastructure transactions in Central and Eastern Europe, potentially enhancing its competitive positioning and fundraising prospects. The emphasis on Ukraine-focused reconstruction deals indicates a higher-risk, higher-impact strategy that could benefit from post-war recovery tailwinds, contingent on geopolitical and macroeconomic developments in the region.