Renaissance Capital Behind FriendFinder Networks IPO

MOSCOW — A Russian investment bank is underwriting the initial public offering for FriendFinder Networks Inc., an effort to raise nearly half-billion dollars to pay off debt and return the company to solid footing.

Renaissance Capital is based in Moscow but has satellite offices across Eastern Europe, the U.K., in Nigeria and in New York.

The bank — considered just this summer one of largest of its kind in Russia — has struggled in the face of the global financial crunch, the Financial Times reported in September.

Earlier this year, Renaissance Capital’s New Zealand-born co-founder and CEO Stephen Jennings spurned a $3 billion acquisition offer from a state-controlled Russian bank, then turned around and sold a 50 percent stake to a former business partner for $500 million.

With financial backing from Renaissance Capital, FriendFinder Networks is looking to raise $460 million to help offset massive debt, which is estimated at $423 million, according to the Florida-based company’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made last week.

In the filing, FriendFinder revealed its net income between Jan. 1 and Dec. 6, 2007 — $48.6 million, down 20.5 percent from the full year in 2006.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for December, January

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters, by country, for December and January.

Jim Austin Joins CrakRevenue Team

Strategist Jim Austin has been hired by CrakRevenue.

Judge Dismisses NCOSE-Backed Suits Against Adult Sites Over Kansas AV Law

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed lawsuits brought against two adult websites in Kansas for alleged violations of the state’s age verification law.

Aylo/SWOP Panel Spotlights Creators' Struggle for Digital, Financial Rights

Aylo and Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Behind Bars presented, on Tuesday, an online panel on creators’ rights, debanking and deplatforming.

AV Bulletin: Canada, Italy, Australia Updates

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, more state age verification laws have been enacted around the United States, as well as proposed at the federal level and in other countries. This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Holly Randall Soft Launches 'Wet Ink' Magazine

Holly Randall has officially soft-launched the creator-focused publication Wet Ink Magazine.

Virginia 'Porn Tax' Bill Delayed Until 2027

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee on Monday voted to postpone until next year consideration of a bill that would impose a 10% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state.

Virginia Becomes Latest State to Weigh 'Porn Tax'

The Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would impose a 10% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state.

Elizabeth Skylar Launches Production Banner on VRPorn.com

Elizabeth Skylar has launched her own virtual reality production banner on VRPorn.com.

CrakRevenue Introduces 'Trend Explorer' Feature for Affiliates

CrakRevenue has debuted the new Trend Explorer feature for its affiliates.

Show More