Maksym Krippa acquires Ukraine’s International Exhibition Centre

Ukrainian entrepreneur Maksym Krippa has bought the International Exhibition Centre, one of Eastern Europe’s largest exhibition venues, in another major wartime investment in Ukraine. The deal adds a key event and congress complex to Krippa’s portfolio as private capital continues to back the country’s infrastructure.

Why it matters: - The acquisition adds one of Ukraine’s most important exhibition and congress venues to private ownership during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. - The deal signals continued investment in major Ukrainian infrastructure at a time when long-term recovery depends on preserving operating assets and jobs. - The International Exhibition Centre is a major platform for trade shows, conferences, business events and cultural programming.

What happened: - Ukrainian entrepreneur Maksym Krippa acquired the International Exhibition Centre (IEC), Ukraine’s largest specialized exhibition complex. - The transaction was announced in Kyiv on September 7, 2026. - The IEC is one of the largest exhibition venues in Eastern Europe. - The complex joined the portfolio of assets held by Krippa’s ARS Capital holding company.

The details: - The IEC covers more than 73,000 square meters, or 786,000 square feet. - The venue includes nearly 38,700 square meters, or 416,400 square feet, of exhibition space. - The complex includes four exhibition pavilions, conference halls and supporting infrastructure for large-scale events. - The IEC hosts professional trade shows, international conferences, congresses, business forums and cultural events. - The venue was one of the key sites for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017. - Krippa’s business interests include real estate, technology, gaming and media. - Krippa owns esports organization NAVI, game developer GSC Game World, streaming company Maincast and mobile game developer Burny Games.

Between the lines: - Krippa framed the deal as both a business move and a bet on Ukraine’s future. - He said investing in major Ukrainian assets during wartime can help preserve economic activity and support recovery after the war. - The purchase fits a broader pattern of private capital stepping into strategic assets while Ukraine’s economy remains under wartime pressure.

What's next: - The IEC is positioned to remain a major venue for large-scale professional, business, cultural and international events. - Krippa’s investment suggests the asset is being held with a long-term view toward Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery. - Further development of the IEC could strengthen its role in Ukraine’s event infrastructure once conditions stabilize.

The bottom line: - The acquisition gives Maksym Krippa a marquee Ukrainian venue and adds another wartime signal of confidence in the country’s recovery prospects.