- Investment fully subscribed by Heights Capital Management
and Ophir Asset Management, creating for the first time in the
company’s history a group of cornerstone shareholders
- Investment combining a reserved capital increase of €15m and
a reserved issuance of convertible bonds of €50 million priced at a
c. 86% conversion premium
- Proceeds to be allocated to the acquisition of Avanquest’s
minority interests, to strengthen the Group’s capital
structure
- Binding agreement with minority shareholders providing a c.
€153 million equity valuation for the Avanquest division excluding
its fintech activities, or c. €98 million for all minority
interests, to be paid through a mix of cash and newly issued
Claranova shares
Regulatory News:
Claranova (Paris:CLA) (Euronext Paris: FR0013426004 – CLA) (the
“Company” or the “Group”), today announces an agreement with
institutional investors Heights Capital Management (“Heights”) and
Ophir Asset Management (“Ophir” and together with Heights, the
“Investors”), for a strategic investment of €65 million (the
“Investment”) to fund the acquisition of Avanquest’s minority
interests (the “Acquisition”).
The Investment hails a new major milestone in Claranova’s
development. Besides giving Claranova new substantial financial
resources to simplify its capital structure through the
Acquisition, it creates for the first time in the company’s history
a group of cornerstone shareholders to stabilize its shareholder
structure and support the Group’s long-term development. Through
this transaction, the Investors also demonstrate their confidence
in the Group’s fundamentals, strategy and potential.
The Investment will be carried out in the form of a reserved
capital increase of €15 million (the “Capital Increase”) and a
reserved issuance of €50 million of senior, unsecured bonds
convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares
(obligations convertibles échangeables en actions nouvelles ou
existantes - OCEANE) (the “Convertible Bonds”).
The Capital Increase will be subscribed by Ophir for €10 million
and by Heights for €5 million. It will consist in the issuance of
2,142,857 new shares at €7.00 per share, representing 5.39% of the
Group’s current share capital (the "New Shares"). The Convertible
Bonds will be fully subscribed by Heights and will be issued at a
c. 86% conversion premium.
At this stage, the Investment does not change the guidance
previously announced for annual revenue of €700 million and
operating profitability above 10%1 by the end of fiscal year
2023.
Pierre Cesarini, CEO of Claranova, declared: “This new
record funding marks a major turning point in Claranova’s
development. Beyond strengthening our investment capacity and
enabling us to simplify the group structure, this transaction
demonstrates the confidence in the Group’s future perspectives, as
recognized by leading investment firms specialized in supporting
companies with a strong growth potential. Through this investment,
Claranova is partnering with long-term investors, able to support
the Group in pursuing its ambitious development plan. With still
considerable potential in each of our activities, an enhanced
investment capacity and the long-term support of major
international investment firms, Claranova has more than ever all
the assets to ensure its change in dimension.”
Use of proceeds of the Investment: buy-out of Avanquest’s
minority interests under the Acquisition
In conjunction with the Investment, the Company has entered into
a binding agreement with Avanquest’s minority shareholders in
relation to the acquisition of their interests in Claranova’s
Software Publishing division. The agreement provides a $1802
million equity valuation for the whole division excluding Lastcard,
Avanquest’s fintech activities, which will remain a separate
activity from the rest of Avanquest and under the joint ownership
of existing Avanquest shareholders.
The consideration for the Acquisition amounts to c. $115
million3, and will be paid through (i) the issuance4 of 4,100,000
new Claranova shares issued at €7.00 representing c. 9.79% of the
share capital of the Company after the completion of the Capital
Increase (ii) the payment of c. $55 million in cash and (iii) the
issuance of several promissory notes of c. $27 million of aggregate
principal amount with maturities ranging from 12 months to 10
years. An independent appraiser (commissaire aux apports) will be
appointed in accordance with French law to issue a report on the
value of the assets being contributed and on the fairness of the
consideration paid by Claranova.
The new Claranova shares will be subject to a 12-month lock-up
from the completion date of the Acquisition.
By holding the entire share capital of the entities comprising
the Avanquest’s division, Claranova will be able to benefit fully
from the ramp-up of its Software Publishing division and receive
the entire net income generated by their roll-out.
The implementation of the Acquisition is expected to be
finalized on or prior to September 30, 2021. Claranova will inform
the market of the Acquisition implementation progress.
Key Characteristics of the Investment
- Main Terms of the Capital Increase
The 2,142,857 New Shares will be issued for €15 million in
total, representing 5.39% of the number of shares outstanding prior
to the Investment as of June 30, 2021. The subscription price of
the New Shares was set at €7.00, corresponding to the closing price
(no discount) of August 10th, 2021. The Capital Increase will be
subscribed by Ophir for €10 million and Heights for €5 million,
which will hold respectively 3.41% and 1.71% of the share capital,
and 3.29% and 1.65% of the voting rights post-Investment and prior
to the execution of the Acquisition (on a non-diluted basis).
The New Shares will be issued through a capital increase without
shareholders’ preferential subscription right pursuant to the 16th
resolution of the Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting of 17
December 2020 granting a delegation to the Board of Directors of
the Company to implement a capital increase reserved to a category
of beneficiaries in accordance with article L.225-138 of the French
Commercial Code.
The New Shares will carry dividend rights, and will give right,
from their issuance, to all distributions decided by the Company as
of that date, will be admitted to trading on Euronext under the
same ISIN code FR0013426004 – CLA on or about August 13, 2021, and
will be fully fungible with the Company’s existing shares.
- Main Terms of the Convertible Bonds
The Convertible Bonds will be issued for €50 million in total
and will bear interest at 4.5% per annum, payable in cash
semi-annually in arrears on January 30th and July 30th each year,
commencing on January 30th, 2022.
The par value of the Convertible Bonds will be set at €13.00,
corresponding to a conversion premium of 85.7% to the closing price
of August 10, 2021. The Convertible Bonds will be fully subscribed
by Heights. 3,846,154 Convertible Bonds will be issued,
corresponding to up to 3,846,154 new shares which may be issued
upon conversion/exchange of the Convertible Bonds, representing
9.68% of the number of shares outstanding prior to the Investment
as of June 30, 2021.
The Convertible Bonds will be issued at par and will be
redeemable at par on the fifth (5th) anniversary date of the
issuance date (the “Maturity Date”) unless previously converted,
exchanged, redeemed or purchased and cancelled.
The Convertible Bonds holder will be granted a
conversion/exchange right of the Convertible Bonds into new and/or
existing shares of the Company (the “Conversion/Exchange Right”)
which they may exercise at any time after the second (2nd)
anniversary date of the issuance date (inclusive) up to the seventh
(7th) business day (inclusive) preceding the Maturity Date or the
relevant early redemption date, as the case may be. The initial
conversion/exchange ratio is set at one share per Convertible Bond,
subject to standard adjustments, including anti-dilution and
dividend protections, as detailed in the terms and conditions of
the Convertible Bonds. Upon exercise of their Conversion/Exchange
Right, the Convertible Bonds holder will receive at the option of
the Company new and/or existing Company’s shares carrying all
rights attached to the existing shares as from the date of
delivery.
The Convertible Bonds holder will also be granted an option to
require the Company to redeem all, but not less, of its Convertible
Bonds at any time after the third (3rd) anniversary date of the
issuance date (inclusive) up to the seventh (7th) business day
(inclusive) preceding the Maturity Date for a total redemption
amount generating a maximum overall investment return of 2.00x for
the Convertible Bonds holder (the "Maximum Return"), such
redemption amount being in any event capped in order for the
Company to remain within the limits of a financial debt to EBITDA
ratio of 3.5x.
Upon a change of control of the Company, certain significant
evolutions of the free-float shareholding or a delisting of the
shares of the Company (each, a "Liquidity Event"), the Convertible
Bonds holder will have the option to require the Company to redeem
all, but not less, of its Convertible Bonds for a total redemption
amount corresponding to the Maximum Return.
The Company may force the conversion of the Convertible Bonds
from the third (3rd) anniversary date of the issuance date until
Maturity Date, for all Convertible Bonds outstanding, provided that
for 30 consecutive trading days, the closing price of the shares
multiplied by the conversion ratio in effect at each date exceeds
€27.00.
The Company may also require the early redemption of the
Convertible Bonds at a redemption amount equal to the maximum of
(i) the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interests as
of the early redemption date and (ii) 1.75x, 2.00x or 2.25x the
initial principal amount for any early redemption effected,
respectively, prior to the second anniversary date of the issuance
date, between the second and the third anniversary date of the
issuance date, or after the third anniversary date of the issuance
date.
The issue of the Convertible Bonds will be carried out without
preferential subscription rights or shareholders’ subscription
priority periods pursuant to the 16th resolution of the
Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting of 17 December 2020
granting a delegation to the Board of Directors of the Company to
implement a capital increase reserved to a category of persons in
accordance with article L.225-138 of the French Commercial
Code.
The Convertible Bonds will not be subject of an application for
admission to trading on any market and will not be listed.
The new shares resulting from the Convertible Bonds will carry
current dividend rights, give right, from their issuance, to all
distributions decided by the Company as of that date and will be
admitted to trading on Euronext under the same ISIN code
FR0013426004 – CLA.
The Company has agreed to a lock-up undertaking on the issuance
or sale of shares or of securities giving access to the share
capital, for a period of 90 calendar days from the
delivery-settlement of the Capital Increase, subject to certain
customary exceptions.
Impact of the Investment and the Acquisition on the share
capital5
Following settlement and delivery, the New Shares resulting from
the Capital Increase will represent 5.1% of the share capital of
the Company and the Company’s total share capital will be EUR
41,871,511 divided into 41,871,511 shares. For illustration
purposes, a shareholder holding 1.00% of the Company's share
capital prior to the Capital Increase, will hold 0.95% of the
Company’s share capital upon completion of the Capital Increase (or
0.94% on a fully diluted basis).
(%) Ownership interest(1)
On a non-diluted basis
On a fully diluted
basis
Before the Capital Increase, the
conversion of the Convertible Bonds and the issuance of the New
Shares under the Acquisition
1.00%
0.99%
After the Capital Increase only
0.95%
0.94%
After conversion of the Convertible Bonds
only
0.91%
0.90%
After issuance of the new shares under the
Acquisition only
0.91%
0.90%
After the Capital Increase, the conversion
of the Convertible Bonds and the issuance of the new shares under
the Acquisition
0.80%
0.79%
(1) Assuming the issuance of 2,142,857 New Shares under the
Capital Increase and of 3,846,154 new shares upon conversion of the
Convertible Bonds (based on the initial conversion/exchange
ratio)
Evolution of the shareholding structure following the
Investment and the Acquisition
The shareholding structure of the Company prior to the Capital
Increase, the issuance of the Convertible Bonds and the Acquisition
is set forth below.
Shareholders
Number of shares on a
non-diluted basis1
% of capital on a non diluted
basis
% of voting rights on a
non-diluted | basis
% of capital on a
fully-diluted basis
% of voting rights on a
fully-diluted basis
Executives, managers and directors
2,636,773
6.6%
8.7%
7.6%
9.6%
Free Float2
36,849,756
92.8%
91.3%
91.8%
90.4%
Treasury shares
242,125
0.6%
0.00%
0.6%
0.0%
Total
39,728,654
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Following the Capital Increase, the issuance of the Convertible
Bonds and the Acquisition, the share capital and voting rights of
the Company will be as follows:
Shareholders
Number of shares on a
non-diluted basis
% of capital on a non diluted
basis
% of voting rights on a
non-diluted basis
% of capital on a
fully-diluted basis
% of voting rights on a
fully-diluted basis
Executives, managers and directors
2,636,773
5.7%
7.6%
6.1%
7.8%
New Institutional funds
2,142,857
4.6%
4.5%
11.9%8
11.6%8
Avanquest minority shareholders
4,100,000
8.9%
8.6%
8.2%
7.9%
Free Float
36,849,756
80.1%
79.3%
73.3%
72.7%
Treasury shares
242,125
0.5%
0.00%
0.5%
0.0%
Total
45,971,511
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Information available to the public and risk factors
- Risk factors relating to the Investment
The main risk factors in relation to the Investment are the
following:
The Company could face cash-flow difficulties which would
prevent it from facing its payment obligations under the terms and
conditions of the Convertible Bonds.
The Company shareholders participation would incur a dilution in
case of exercise of the bondholder's conversion right, should the
Company decide to issue new Company shares in this context.
The Convertible Bonds conversion, as the case may be, may have
an adverse impact on the Company shares stock price and their
volatility and liquidity could also be affected.
Detailed information regarding the Company, including its
business, financial information, results, prospects and related
risk factors are contained in the Company’s 2019-2020 Universal
Registration Document filed with the French Autorité des marchés
financiers (“AMF”) on October 21, 2020 under number D. 20-0890.
This document, as well as other regulated information and all of
the Company’s press releases, are available on the website of the
Company (www.claranova.com).
Your attention is drawn to the risk factors related to the
Company and its activities presented in chapter 4 of its 2019-2020
Universal Registration Document. The 2019-2020 Universal
Registration Document is available on the websites of the Company
(www.claranova.com) and the AMF (www.amf-france.org).
The Investment will not give rise to the filing of a prospectus
with the Autorités des Marchés Financiers.
This press release does not constitute a prospectus under the
Prospectus Regulation (as defined below) or an offer of securities
to the public.
Indicative timetable and Legal Information regarding the
Investment
- August 11, 2021 – Publication of the press release announcing
the Investment
- August 13, 2021 – Settlement and delivery of the Capital
Increase
Advisors
Bryan, Garnier & Co. is acting as Sole Financial Advisor to
Claranova and Sole Global Coordinator in connection with the
Investment. Hogan Lovells LLP is acting as Legal Advisor to
Claranova in connection with the Investment. Jeantet is acting as
Legal Advisor to Heights Capital Management in connection with the
Investment. Baker McKenzie is acting as Legal Advisor to Claranova
in connection with the Acquisition.
About Claranova
Claranova is a global technology company, home of digital brands
and services acclaimed by millions of users across the world. With
average annual growth of more than 40% over the last three years
and revenue of 472 million euros in FY2020-2021, Claranova has
proven its capacity to turn a simple idea into a worldwide success
in just a few short years. Present in 15 countries and leveraging
the technology expertise of its 700+ employees across North America
and Europe, Claranova is a truly international company, with 95% of
its revenue derived from international markets.
As a leader in personalized e-commerce, Claranova also stands
out for its technological expertise in software publishing and the
Internet of Things, through its businesses PlanetArt, Avanquest and
myDevices. These three technology platforms share a common vision:
empowering people through innovation by providing simple and
intuitive digital solutions that facilitate everyday access to the
very best of technology.
For more information on Claranova group:
https://www.claranova.com or
https://twitter.com/claranova_group
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain forward-looking
statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are
based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than
statements of historical fact included in this press release about
future events are subject to, without limitation, (i) change
without notice, (ii) factors beyond the Company’s control, (iii)
clinical trial results, (iv) regulatory requirements, (v) increased
manufacturing costs, (vi) market access, (vii) competition and
(viii) potential claims on its products or intellectual property.
These statements may include, without limitation, any statements
preceded by, followed by or including words such as “target,”
“believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “plan,” “objective,” “project,” “will,” “can have,”
“likely,” “should,” “would,” “could” and other words and terms of
similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements
are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the
Company’s control that could cause the Company’s actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from the
expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. A description of these risks,
contingencies and uncertainties can be found in the documents filed
by the Company with the AMF, including the 2019-2020 Universal
Registration Document, as well as in the documents that may be
published in the future by the Company. Furthermore, these
forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates are made only
as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The
Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements, forecasts or estimates to reflect any subsequent
changes that the Company becomes aware of, except as required by
law.
This press release has been prepared in French and English. In
the event of any differences between the texts, the French language
version shall supersede.
Disclaimer
This press release may not be released, published or
distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States
of America, Australia, Canada or Japan. This press release and the
information contained herein do not constitute either an offer to
sell or purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell or
purchase, securities of Claranova (the “Company”).
No communication or information in respect of the offering by
the Company of any securities mentioned in this press release may
be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where registration
or approval is required. No steps have been taken or will be taken
in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The
offering or subscription of the Company’s securities may be subject
to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain
jurisdictions. None of the Company and Bryan, Garnier & Co (the
“Sole Global Coordinator”) takes any responsibility for any
violation of any such restrictions by any person.
This press release does not, and shall not, in any
circumstances, constitute a public offering, a sale offer nor an
invitation to the public in connection with any offer. The
distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain
jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes
are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such
restrictions.
This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus
within the meaning of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended
(the “Prospectus Regulation”).
With respect to the Member States of the European Economic Area
(including France) (the “Member States”), no action has been or
will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the securities
referred to herein requiring a publication of a prospectus in any
Member State. As a result, the securities of the Company may not
and will not be offered in any Member State except in accordance
with the exemptions set forth in Article 1(4) of the Prospectus
Regulation, or under any other circumstances which do not require
the publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to Article
1 of the Prospectus Regulation and/or to applicable regulations of
that relevant Member State.
For the purposes of the provision above, the expression “offer
to the public” in relation to any shares of the Company in any
Member State means the communication in any form and by any means
of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any
securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to
purchase any securities, as the same may be varied in that Member
State.
This document does not constitute an offer to the public in
France and the securities referred to in this press release can
only be offered or sold in France pursuant to Article L. 411-2, 1°
of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et
financier) to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting
for their own account, as defined in Article 2 point (e) of the
Prospectus Regulation. In addition, in accordance with the
authorization granted by the general meeting of the Company’s
shareholders dated 17 December 2020, only the persons pertaining to
the categories specified in the 16th resolution of such general
meeting may subscribe to the offering of New Shares.
This document may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in
or into the United States. This document does not constitute an
offer of securities for sale nor the solicitation of an offer to
purchase securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction
where such offer may be restricted. Securities may not be offered
or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The
securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities Act, and the Company does not intend to make a
public offering of its securities in the United States.
The distribution of this document (which term shall include any
form of communication) is restricted pursuant to Section 21
(Restrictions on "financial promotion") of Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”). This document is only being distributed
to and directed at qualified investors as defined in Article 2
point (e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of the
domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
who (i) are outside the United Kingdom, (ii) have professional
experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within
the definition of investment professionals in Article 19(5) of the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order
2005 (as amended) (the “Financial Promotion Order”), (iii) are
persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth
companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the Financial
Promotion Order or (iv) are persons to whom this communication may
otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons referred to in
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above together being referred to as
“Relevant Persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied
on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not Relevant Persons.
Any investment or investment activity to which this document
relates is available only to Relevant Persons, and will be engaged
in only with such persons in the United Kingdom.
The securities referred to in this press release may not and
will not be offered, sold or purchased in Australia, Canada or
Japan. The information contained in this press release does not
constitute an offer of securities for sale in Australia, Canada or
Japan.
Prohibition of sales to European Economic
Area retail investors
No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make
available any securities to any retail investor in the European
Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:
a) the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one
(or more) of the following:
i. a retail client as defined in point
(11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID
II"); or ii. a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU)
2016/97, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a
professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of
MiFID II; or iii. not a “qualified investor” as defined in the
Prospectus Regulation; and
b) the expression “offer" includes the communication in any form
and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the
offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor
to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities.
Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation
(EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for
offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them
available to retail investors in the European Economic Area has
been prepared and therefore offering or selling the securities or
otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the
European Economic Area may be unlawful under the PRIIPS
Regulation.
Prohibition of sales to UK retail
Investors
No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make
available any securities to any retail investor in the United
Kingdom (“UK”). For the purposes of this provision:
a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one
(or more) of the following:
i. a retail client, as defined in point (8)
of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK
domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
(“EUWA”); or ii. a customer within the meaning of the provisions of
the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to
implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not
qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of
Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of
domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or iii. not a qualified
investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it
forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and
b) the expression an “offer” includes the communication in any
form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the
offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor
to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities.
Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation
(EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the
EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the
securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors
in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the
securities or otherwise making them available to any retail
investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs
Regulation.
1 In terms of EBITDA margin. 2 Circa €153 million, converted at
a EUR/USD rate of 1.1722 as of August 10, 2021. 3 Circa €98 million
on the basis of the above conversion rate. 4 These 4,100,000 new
shares will be issued in accordance with the 18th resolution of the
Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting of 17 December 2020,
pursuant to which the Shareholders have granted to the Company
board of directors the authority to increase the company's share
capital in consideration for asset contributions. 5 The dilution
impacts presented in this section do not take into account the June
2018 ORNANE bond issue, the redemption modalities of which have not
been decided yet by the Company. These 26,363,636 ORNANE bonds
(among which 455,000 are held by the Company) mature on July 1st,
2023. As of June 30, 2021, no ORNANE bond has been converted. 6 As
at June 30, 2021. 7 Including some institutional investors with
individual holdings below 5% of the total share capital. 8 Taking
into account the conversion of €50m Convertible Bonds for a maximum
of 3,846,154 new shares.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210810006062/en/
ANALYSTS - INVESTORS +33 1 41 27 19 74 ir@claranova.com
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS +33 1 75 77 54 65
ir@claranova.com
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