Consolidating a Leading Marketplaces Portfolio
United Classifieds s.r.o. operates the leading ecosystem of digital marketplaces in Slovakia. The portfolio includes established real estate and automotive classifieds portals, such as Nehnutelnosti.sk, TopReality.sk, and Reality.sk in the real estate segment, as well as Autobazar.eu, Autobazar.sk, and Autovia.sk in the automotive segment, alongside the horizontal marketplaces platform Bazar.sk.
Through consolidating its majority ownership, Ringier continues to closely support local growth together with the United Classifieds management team and drive faster product innovation, particularly around new technologies and Artificial Intelligence.
Axel Konjack, Head Global Marketplaces and Member of the Ringier Group Executive Board: “Further expanding our stake and consolidating our majority position in United Classifieds is an important milestone in our long-term strategy to scale and future-proof our digital marketplaces portfolio. We strengthen our strategic position in Central Eastern Europe. This transaction allows us to accelerate product innovation and deliver value to both our customers and users. We sincerely thank Penta for their partnership and collaboration over the past years, which laid the foundation for United Classifieds position today.”
Marián Slivovič, Partner at Penta Investments: “Together with Ringier, we have built United Classifieds into a strong digital player in the Slovak marketplaces space through a joint focus on sustainable growth, operational excellence, and technological leadership. As we concentrate on our core businesses and sell our 40% stake in United Classifieds, we are confident that the business is in very good hands to continue its trajectory and unlock the next phase of growth.”
Strategic Outlook
This acquisition underscores Ringier’s ongoing commitment to investing in digital marketplaces and platforms that offer robust development and scalable business models in the era of AI. Moving forward with a reinforced majority position, Ringier will continue its focus on creating value for its users through innovative AI-driven products and services.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.
About United Classifieds
United Classifieds is Slovakia’s largest operator of online classifieds portals, part of Ringier Slovakia and ultimately the Swiss Ringier AG group. The company runs real estate, cars, and general classifieds platforms, including Nehnuteľnosti.sk, Autobazar.eu, and bazar.sk. United Classifieds s.r.o. is headquartered in Bratislava, with offices also in Žilina, and is majority-owned through United Classifieds Holding AG.
About Penta Investments
Penta is a Central European investment group founded in 1994. It focuses on long-term investments in retail, healthcare, real estate development, financial services, manufacturing and media. Among our most important companies are the multinational pharmacy chain Dr.Max, Fortuna, which mainly offers sport betting, the Central European network of hospitals, Alzheimer’s centres and polyclinics Penta Hospitals, and Penta Real Estate, a leader in quality, urban planning and architecture in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We build strong management teams, support innovation, digitalization, data use and artificial intelligence. We reinvest profits back into our companies to support their ambition to become leaders in their fields. Penta group is one of the largest employers in the region—we employ more than 60,000 people. We have offices in Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw and Limassol. In 2024, Penta opened its doors to qualified investors. They can now participate in its success story and invest in Penta companies together with the people who built them.