Morgan Joseph Technology Investment Banking Group Advised Auctiva on Its Acquisition by Alibaba.com

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Technology Investment Banking Group of Morgan Joseph LLC, a full service investment banking firm serving middle market companies, served as financial advisor to Auctiva in its acquisition by Alibaba.com. The agreement to acquire Auctiva, the leading third-party developer of tools for eBay, by Alibaba.com, the world’s leading e-commerce company for small business, was announced yesterday.

“That we completed the transaction from start to finish in just four months speaks to the attractiveness of Auctiva, and our ability to execute and consummate transactions with strong valuations in a challenging economic environment including strength in working on cross-border transactions,” said Gene Ramirez, co-head of the Morgan Joseph Technology Group.

"Just as our mission has always been to help users sell more successfully online, particularly through the eBay channel, Gene and his team at Morgan Joseph were highly instrumental in their financial and strategic advice in helping us move to this new platform and getting this transaction accomplished so seamlessly,” said Jeff Schlicht, founder and CEO of Auctiva.

With more than 170,000 active users, Auctiva provides a variety of listing, marketing and management tools as well as image hosting and online storefronts that make it easy for small businesses to sell successfully via e-commerce on sites like eBay. Auctiva is Alibaba.com’s second U.S. acquisition in two months, following on the purchase of Vendio in June. The combination of both the Auctiva and Vendio acquisitions importantly expands the size of Alibaba.com's U.S. operations and creates a significant source of tools and resources for U.S. small businesses looking to leverage e-commerce.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Auctiva

Auctiva is the most popular third-party developer of tools for eBay sellers. Founded in 1998, Auctiva gives independent sellers the power of large corporations by helping them build their brands, market their products, save money, manage sales and buyer relationships, and increase their selling efficiency. The company's software offers a wide array of listing, marketing and management tools, as well as image hosting. For more information, visit www.auctiva.com. Auctiva also owns and operates Auctiva Commerce, the company's full-featured online storefront product, and KickItBack.com, an online cashback rebate loyalty program.

About Alibaba.com Limited

Alibaba.com is the global leader in e-commerce for small businesses and the flagship company of Alibaba Group. Founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba.com makes it easy for millions of buyers and suppliers around the world to do business online through three marketplaces: a global trade platform (www.alibaba.com) for importers and exporters; a Chinese platform (www.1688.com) for domestic trade in China; and, through an associated company, a Japanese platform (www.alibaba.co.jp) facilitating trade to and from Japan. In addition, Alibaba.com offers a wholesale platform on the global site (www.aliexpress.com) geared for smaller buyers seeking fast shipment of small quantities of goods. Together, these marketplaces form a community of more than 53 million registered users in more than 240 countries and regions. Alibaba.com also offers business management software and Internet infrastructure services targeting businesses across China, and provides educational services to incubate enterprise management and e-commerce professionals. Alibaba.com has offices in more than 60 cities across Greater China, Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States.

About Morgan Joseph

Morgan Joseph LLC, a New York City headquartered full service investment bank, provides financial advisory and capital raising services including M&A and restructuring advice, and equity and debt private placements and public offerings. In addition, Morgan Joseph provides research and trading for institutional clients. Morgan Joseph’s staff of over 125 includes more than 65 investment bankers, who are highly experienced professionals mostly from major Wall Street firms and intimately familiar with the issues facing middle market companies. The firm is a member of both the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investors Protection Corp. (SIPC).

CONTACT:

Media Contacts for Morgan Joseph:
Steven S. Anreder
Cristina Bacon
of Anreder & Company
212-532-3232
steven.anreder@anreder.com
cristina.bacon@anreder.com
or
For Auctiva inquiries:
Robert Green, 530-518-4757
rgreen@auctiva.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Internet  Software  Professional Services  Banking  Finance

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