Maksym Krippa, a reclusive Ukrainian billionaire known for keeping a low profile, has drawn significant attention by acquiring iconic real estate assets. In addition to his real estate ventures, he is recognized for investing in esports, video game development, and charitable initiatives.
Strategic real estate purchases in Kyiv and surrounding areas
In January 2023, Krippa purchased a luxury estate in Kozyn, a suburb of Kyiv, for over UAH 311 million. The property is expected to serve as the headquarters for the NAVI esports team. Later that same year, he owned the prominent Parus business center in central Kyiv. Although the transaction value has not been disclosed, it’s known that the property was burdened with a UAH 600 million loan at the time of purchase — a debt that was not included in the official sale price.
The “Parus” building had been on the market before the full-scale invasion. However, the war altered the financial dynamics, making the deal conditions more favorable for the buyer.
In November 2024, Maksym Krippa again made headlines by acquiring Kyiv’s legendary Hotel Ukraina for UAH 3 billion. Of this amount, UAH 500 million was paid in VAT alone, underlining the scale of the deal.
Commitment to real estate investment
Krippa recently entered into a strategic partnership with DIM Group, a Ukrainian development company. According to Krippa, he was drawn to collaborate with DIM because of their resilience—they continue to build amid wartime, and he is equally determined to invest despite the circumstances.
DIM emphasized that Krippa’s involvement would enable the completion of ongoing projects and facilitate the launch of new ones.
Esports and game development initiatives
Krippa’s engagement with the digital sector began in 2018 when he acquired a 25% stake in the Ukrainian esports broadcasting company Maincast, later increasing his share. Around the same time, he expressed interest in NAVI, one of Ukraine’s most successful esports teams, officially becoming its owner in 2022.
He has stated that NAVI generates millions of dollars in annual net profit. According to him, the esports audience continues to grow by 30–40% each year, with generational shifts contributing to the rising global viewership of competitive gaming events.
In 2023, Krippa also became the majority shareholder of GSC Game World, the studio behind the cult-classic game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. At the time, the company was facing financial hurdles and struggling to finish the long-awaited sequel. Krippa committed to seeing the project through, and development was officially completed on November 20, 2024.
Future outlook
Krippa remains focused on IT, esports, and game development, calling these sectors the core pillars of his long-term investment strategy.
