Flightradar24 has sold 35% of its shares in the London Fund Sprints Capitalvaluing the company at 500 million dollars. The founders have pocketed 175 million maintaining control with the remaining 65%.
Why is it important. The operation makes Mikael Robertsson and Olov Lindberg, two aviation enthusiasts who created the platform in 2006 as a personal project. Today is the undisputed world leader in real -time aerial follow -up.
The general panoramic. Flightradar24 billed 420 million Swedish crowns (about 38 million euros) in 2024, with a growth of 18% and a profit margin of 52%. An extraordinary profitability in the technological sector.
The business model. The company combines three main income sources:
- Premium subscriptions (Silver, Gold and Business) that unlock advanced functions such as historical data and weather layers.
- Advertising in the Basic Free version.
- Sale of commercial data to airlines, regulators and companies in the sector.
Between bambalins. Success is based on a global network of more than 30,000 ADS-B receptors operated by volunteers that capture the aircraft signals. This collaborative infrastructure has given a decisive competitive advantage over rivals such as FlightTAware.
Yes, but. Some users have already expressed concern In forums like Reddit About the future under risk of risk. They fear that aggressive monetization of service and free access is prioritized.
In perspective. This sale reflects an opposite model to the usual in Spanish startups. The Swedish founders have maintained control for 18 years, building a de facto monopoly before opening the capital, something that has only partially occurred and maintaining control.
A lesson of strategic patience.
And now what? Sprints Capital, known for its investments in Hemnet and Modular Finance, will contribute resources for international expansion. The founders have ensured considerable fortune without losing the helm of their own creation.
Outstanding image | Flightradar24
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