More investment details
Goldman Sachs has apparently stumped up $450m, while Russian investment firm, Digital Sky Technologies has ploughed $50m into Facebook. While none of the parties have officially commented, Goldman's involvement would no doubt strengthen a lucrative IPO.
The NYT reported that Goldman will raise up to $1.5bn from investors for Facebook at the valuation of $50bn. Goldman Sachs is reportedly planning to make a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to let super-rich clients invest in Facebook. Such a move could let thousands of clients invest without the vehicle declaring how much money it is making.
It is well known that investors have been ploughing money into private internet companies like Facebook. In November, $40m of Facebook shares were said to have been sold on SecondMarket exchange. It is thought that the 'value' of the site has tripled in the last year, while shares have reportedly changed hands based on valuations of up to $56bn.
While a valuation from Goldman Sachs may shore up the website's ‘worth', it could also potentially double Facebook founder Zuckerberg's already vast fortune. The Forbes Rich List estimated his personal wealth at $6.9bn when Facebook was valued at $23bn, which could now make him around as rich as Google's founders.
