Tekever CEO: “If IPO goes ahead, it’s because it’s good for company, employees, clientes and shareholders”

Portuguese drone maker Tekever is preparing internally for a possible initial public offering, but no decision has been taken, CEO Ricardo Mendes told ECO in an interview. The comments matter for international investors because Tekever, one of Portugal’s newest unicorns, is weighing how to support rapid growth, including acquisitions and expansion into new markets.

Mendes said an IPO is “surely a possibility” given the company’s scale and growth trajectory, but “not a certainty” and “not a decision already taken”. He said Tekever is reviewing governance requirements, internal systems and management needs so it would be ready if it chose to list, while still studying possible venues such as Lisbon, London or New York.

The company recently announced a $580 million funding round at a $6.4 billion valuation, according to the interview. Mendes highlighted two new investors: UC Investments, linked to the University of California, and Merlin Advisors, led by former UK defence secretary Ben Wallace. He said Tekever has already raised most of the capital available in the round.

Mendes said the fresh funding will help finance inorganic growth as Tekever builds its M&A activity. He said the company is looking at targets that can speed its entry into new platforms and systems, and pointed to the recent acquisition of Edinburgh-based Flowcopter. According to Mendes, that technology could allow Tekever drones to carry 200 kilograms for five hours over a distance of 500 kilometres.

Originally published at Eco.pt