A LinkedIn post from Horizon Capital Catalyst Fund highlights that the firm has been recognized at the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2026 for the Datagroup–Volia–lifecell (DVL Telecom) merger, described as the CEE Deal of the Year. The awards reportedly assess transactions on strategic vision, market impact, execution quality, and the investor’s role in business transformation.
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The post notes that this is the second time Horizon Capital has received this regional deal-of-the-year distinction, with Partner Dmytro Boroday accepting the award in London. The recognition is portrayed as a shared achievement among DVL Telecom leadership, telecom investor Xavier Niel and NJJ, Horizon Capital’s deal team, and international institutions including EBRD, IFC, and the European Commission.
According to the post, Horizon Capital links the success of the DVL Telecom transaction to broader themes of resilience and entrepreneurial drive in Ukraine, emphasizing the ability to deliver significant investment outcomes in challenging conditions. The narrative positions the deal as a proof point for the firm’s strategy and execution capabilities in complex environments.
The post further suggests that the award is helping underpin Horizon Capital’s launch of a new reconstruction-focused Catalyst Fund aimed at replicating similar transactions in Ukraine. The fund is described as targeting partnerships with international strategics and global funds to channel capital into sectors such as energy, digital infrastructure, and construction.
For investors, the recognition may indicate Horizon Capital’s growing reputation in Central and Eastern Europe’s private equity market, particularly in telecom and digital infrastructure. The planned Catalyst Fund, if successfully capitalized and deployed, could increase the firm’s assets under management and fee base while positioning it to benefit from Ukraine’s longer-term reconstruction and sectoral modernization.
The emphasis on collaboration with multilateral institutions and international partners also suggests potential de-risking through co-investment structures and policy support. However, exposure to Ukraine’s macroeconomic and geopolitical environment remains a central factor, and the post’s optimistic framing underscores the importance of execution discipline and risk management as Horizon Capital seeks to attract “billions” into the country’s strategic sectors.