Iulian Stanciu has announced the sale of his stake in the eMAG Group to Prosus, marking the end of a 17-year journey since taking over the company and 14 years after entering into a partnership with Naspers, now Prosus. The transaction signals a new phase in Stanciu’s career, as he transitions from entrepreneur to investor.
Under Stanciu’s leadership, eMAG experienced exponential growth and became one of the leading e-commerce platforms in Central and Eastern Europe. The company now serves millions of customers and entrepreneurs, offering access to one of the region’s most advanced online marketplaces while helping consumers save time and money.
eMAG will continue its growth strategy and investment plans, supported by Prosus and its experienced management team. The company has allocated RON 1.2 billion for investments in technology, logistics, and financial services during the current fiscal year. According to the company, regional e-commerce still has significant growth potential, with market penetration currently standing at approximately 11–12% of total retail sales and expected to increase substantially in the coming years.
“I would like to thank the eMAG team, the management team that made this exceptional journey possible, and our partners at Prosus, who supported the development of local e-commerce through capital and know-how over the years,” said Iulian Stanciu. “I also thank our partners, sellers, and the millions of customers who have placed their trust in us. The technology developed here in Bucharest and exported across the region has created a technology champion that will continue to grow rapidly in a sector that is still in its early stages of development.”
In his new role, Stanciu plans to accelerate investments in Romanian companies and projects capable of creating long-term value. His focus will include improving access to capital, mentorship, business know-how, and helping local companies connect with larger markets.
He emphasized that Romania needs a stronger entrepreneurial infrastructure to develop more businesses capable of becoming regional leaders.
“An investor can make a tremendous difference to a business and an entrepreneur,” he added. “I encourage entrepreneurs to remain open to partnerships. People can achieve more together through well-designed, long-term collaborations. If until now I was a player—an entrepreneur—today I am moving toward becoming a coach—an investor. I want to help companies and entrepreneurs grow. Perhaps we can create ten eMAGs over the next ten years, across different industries. Romania does not lack talent or entrepreneurs. What we lack is equity and venture capital. I intend to put this capital back to work in the economy.”