Early Life
Oliver Samwer was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1972. He grew up with his brothers Marc and Alexander. His father was a respected lawyer.
Rise to Success
In 1999, the Samwer brothers founded Alando, a German online auction site, which they sold to eBay for $43 million after only a few months. In 2000, Oliver and his brothers founded Jamba! AG, a mobile content provider, which was later sold to Verisign in 2004 for $273 million. In 2007, the Samwer brothers founded Rocket Internet SE, a company that builds startups, and invests in various internet retail businesses. Rocket Internet went public in October 2014 but was delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in October 2020.
Key Business Strategies
Rocket Internet's business model involves identifying successful internet business models, primarily from the US, and replicating them in new markets. The company provides support in market analysis, strategy formulation, product development, web design, and marketing to accelerate the growth of its ventures. Revenue is generated through equity stakes in the companies it builds and invests in, as well as through divestitures, IPOs, and exits of its portfolio companies.
Philanthropy
Specific philanthropy amounts are not readily available. However, Samwer's focus is more on business and family.
