Kyiv’s commercial real estate market has recorded another landmark transaction as the International Exhibition Center (IEC), the country’s largest exhibition venue, has officially come under the ownership of a single investor. Following the completion of a two-stage acquisition, Ukrainian entrepreneur Maksym Krippa now controls 100% of the corporate rights of the company operating the complex, further expanding a portfolio that already includes several high-profile assets in the capital.
According to Forbes Ukraine, the ownership consolidation was finalized after corporate registry updates appeared in YouControl earlier this year. While the businessman had already secured a controlling interest in the exhibition center during the first stage of the deal, the remaining stake has now been acquired, making Krippa the sole owner of one of Ukraine’s most strategically important event venues.
The acquisition adds another major property to an investment portfolio that includes Kyiv’s landmark Parus Business Center, the historic Hotel Ukraina, and the globally recognized esports organization NAVI.
Acquisition Completed in Two Phases
The ownership transition began in 2025, when Maksym Krippa obtained a 75% stake in the International Exhibition Center. The purchase gave him operational control of the company after receiving approval from Ukraine’s Antimonopoly Committee, which authorized the concentration of ownership in May 2025.
The second phase concluded in the spring of 2026 with the acquisition of the remaining 25% corporate stake. That share had previously belonged to the Asborn investment fund, associated with Marina Dorokhina, daughter of Ukrainian developer Vagif Aliyev.
Industry analysts estimate the value of the final transaction at $12–18 million, while the overall market value of the International Exhibition Center is believed to range between $70 million and $80 million.
The completion of the acquisition means all strategic decisions regarding the future of the complex can now be made under a unified ownership structure, creating opportunities for long-term planning and investment.
Ukraine’s Premier Venue for International Events
Located in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi district near the Livoberezhna metro station, the International Exhibition Center has long served as Ukraine’s largest indoor venue for business and public events.
The complex consists of four exhibition halls with a combined indoor area of approximately 73,200 square meters, while the entire property occupies an eight-hectare leased site. Its scale allows organizers to host international exhibitions, trade fairs, technology expos, investment forums, corporate conferences, and cultural events that attract thousands of participants.
One of the venue’s most notable moments came in 2017, when it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, welcoming delegations, media representatives, and visitors from across Europe. Since then, the center has remained one of the country’s primary destinations for large-scale exhibitions spanning manufacturing, construction, healthcare, technology, and consumer industries.
Beyond its commercial role, the exhibition center has become an important part of Kyiv’s business infrastructure, providing a platform for both domestic companies and international organizations.
Growth Potential Despite Recent Revenue Decline
Financial performance has reflected the broader challenges facing Ukraine’s event industry during wartime. According to publicly available analytical data, revenue generated by the operating company declined by nearly 20% in 2025, reaching approximately UAH 66.5 million.
Despite weaker financial results, the acquisition is viewed as a long-term investment rather than a short-term financial play. There have been no public indications that the new owner intends to resell the property. Instead, market observers expect future efforts to focus on improving the venue’s competitiveness, modernizing infrastructure, and increasing its capacity to host international exhibitions and conferences.
The International Exhibition Center is widely expected to play an increasingly important role once Ukraine enters the large-scale reconstruction phase. As investment activity accelerates after the war, demand for venues capable of accommodating global business forums, reconstruction summits, infrastructure exhibitions, and international trade events is likely to increase.
With ownership now fully consolidated, the focus shifts from the transaction itself to the future development of one of Ukraine’s most recognizable exhibition venues. Any modernization initiatives and strategic investments could strengthen the center’s position as a regional hub for business events and international cooperation in the years ahead.