Debra Borchardt
Cannabis marketing firm Springbig is dramatically reducing its valuation in its IPO deal with SPAC company Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: TCAC)to $275 million from the previously announced valuation of $500 million. In November, Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corp. said it reached a deal with Springbig to merge with an estimated equity value of $500 million of the combined company with a $300 million springbig enterprise valuation plus $200 million cash on the balance sheet from the SPAC. On Tuesday, the sides agreed “that market conditions have changed since the proposed merger agreement was initially announced,” according to a statement. Although it is worth noting that Springbig’s annual revenue is just $24 million, making even the lowered valuation pretty frothy.
Paul Sykes, Chief Financial Officer of Springbig, said: “These latest developments represent further significant steps towards completing our business combination with TCAC. The amendments to the terms of the merger have enhanced the value of this transaction to our public shareholders. By reducing valuation and combining this with the innovative structure of offering up to one million bonus shares to be issued pro-rata to non-redeeming public shareholders, we believe we have created an attractive proposition that adequately reflects current market dynamics. Additionally, the commitments we have received from the global institutional investor with respect to the senior secured convertible note, the CEF Facility with Cantor, and the previously announced $13 million common equity PIPE will ensure that springbig starts life as a public company with access to adequate capital to continue to scale our existing business and pursue our expansion strategies as opportunities emerge.”
New Financing
The companies released a statement outlining additional financing changes. Springbig and TCAC said they have an agreement for the issuance of senior secured convertible notes with a 24-month maturity, up to $16 million principal amount that has been subscribed to by a global institutional investor. “An initial tranche of $11 million will close in connection with the closing of the merger agreement. The second tranche of $5 million, subject to certain conditions in the agreement, will close 60 days after the resale registration statement is declared effective by the SEC.”
Additionally, TCAC has also agreed to a $50 million equity financing facility with Cantor Fitzgerald LP. Jeffrey Harris, CEO of springbig, added: “We are delighted to have the support of Cantor and an institutional investor. The growth opportunity ahead of springbig is significant as we look to strengthen our core loyalty and marketing communication capabilities, execute our expansion strategies, and deploy the additional capital we receive from our transition into a public company.”
2021 Earnings
In March, Springbig reported that it had strong year-over-year revenue growth of 58% to $24 million in 2021 from $15 million in 2020. Gross margin improved by 4% YoY to 71% in 2021 from 67% in 2020 and the retail client base increased by 63% from 759 in 2020 to 1,240 in 2021.
2 comments
Steve Schuman
May 3, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Please check your facts, the valuation was cut from $300 (not $500) to $275 mil.
Debra Borchardt
May 3, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Hi Steve, according to the Nov. 9 press release “Estimated post-transaction equity value of the combined company is approximately $500 million, with approximately $200 million cash on hand after closing.”