Digi Communications N.V.’s Romanian and Spanish subsidiaries sign facility agreements

BUCHAREST, Romania, 27-Jul-2021 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Digi Communications N.V. (The Company) would like to inform its investors and the market that on 21 and 26 July 2021, the Company’s Romanian and Spanish subsidiaries, each acting as borrowers, entered into two facility agreements.

As per the Senior Facility Agreement from December 15, 2020 the details of which were disclosed at that point to the market (please see https://bvb.ro/FinancialInstruments/SelectedData/NewsItem/DIGI-Contractul-de-Facilitate-Senior-incheiata-la-15-decembrie-2020/D0599), an incremental facility was made available to RCS&RDS, which could be established in accordance with the terms and limits set within the Senior Facilities Agreement. Therefore, pursuant to the Senior Facilities Agreement, on 21 July 2021, the Company’s Romanian subsidiary requested the establishment of an incremental facility in an aggregate amount of RON 500,000,000 (the “Incremental Facility”) to be used for the company’s capital expenditure and general corporate purposes. The facility was entered into, besides RCS&RDS as borrower, by and between DIGI Tavkozlesi es Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag („Digi Hu”), INVITEL Tavkozlesi Zrt (“Invitel”), the Company, Digi Spain Telecom SLU (“Digi Spain”), as original guarantors on one hand and the Original Lenders and BRD-Groupe Société Générale S.A., on the other. The Incremental Facility is not yet drawn. It is available to be drawn at a later stage.

On 26 July 2021, the Company’s Spanish subsidiary, acting as borrower together with the Company, RCS&RDS, Digi Hu and Invitel, as Original Guarantors, Banco Santander S.A. and a syndicate of banks, acting as lenders, entered into a facilities agreement for an initial duration of three and a half years with the possibility of extension up to 5 years, under which Digi Spain was made available: (i) a term loan facility in a total aggregate amount of EUR 57,000,000; (ii) a term loan facility in a total aggregate amount of EUR 65,000,000; and (iii) a revolving facility in a total aggregate amount of EUR 10,000,000 to be used for several purposes, including CAPEX and general corporate purposes.

For details regarding the reports, please access the official websites designated of Digi: www.digi-communications.ro (Investor Relations Section).

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Cap Expand Partners announce fresh new approach to business acquisitions, financing and exit strategies

RIEMST, Belgium, 27-Jul-2021 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Financial consulting company Cap Expand Partners are pleased to announce a fresh new approach to business acquisitions, financing, and exit strategies. The company offers exciting windows of opportunity for mid-sized businesses considering expansion overseas, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg (Benelux), and also for independent, fundless sponsors.

According to Managing Director Sergio van Luijk, Cap Expand Partners have the experience to help businesses with insufficient resources or local expertise manage cross-border acquisitions. The company’s network of debt and equity providers are also proving invaluable to independent sponsors, for whom raising capital on a deal-by-deal basis can be time-consuming, leading to many missed transaction opportunities.

“The independent (or fundless) sponsor model is still a novelty concept, and many individuals working on transactions fail to raise the necessary funding on time,” says van Luijk, “which can be detrimental to their reputation in future deals. That’s why we encourage them to discuss financing options with us before signing a letter of intent.”

As pandemic-related lockdown measures subside, many companies are renewing their quest for growth abroad. Due to Brexit, an increasing number of foreign companies are now setting down roots in the Benelux when expanding to Europe:

“The U.K. is no longer a first port of call for many of our international clients seeking to gain foothold in Europe,” adds van Luijk. “Most companies we speak with were previously unaware of the Benelux’ favorable investment climate, which is why we are temporarily offering qualified companies affordable market entry and business valuation quickscans.”

Cap Expand Partners’ Corporate Development & Acquisition Services build upon the client’s existing strategy. At this time, the company will educate the client on local market considerations, assess the industry potential, analyze possible entry strategies, and if applicable, identify and approach potential acquisition targets. Cap Expand Partners will then manage the deal process, value the company, coordinate with existing in-house and external local counsel, draft offer letters, and conduct negotiations. Post-closing assistance and capital raisings are also offered as required.

Cap Expand Partners also help raise capital on behalf of independent sponsors. Unlike traditional private equity teams, these are experienced individuals who do not have a dedicated pool of funds and raise financing on a deal-by-deal basis to acquire and manage companies. This allows the client to focus on sourcing new deals, and creating value for the companies that they already own. Additionally, Cap Expand Partners educate their investor network on independent sponsor economics, create credibility towards counterparties, and ultimately streamline these complex transactions. The company recently published an article on the independent sponsor model.

For more information about Cap Expand Partners, or to arrange a consultation, visit the website at www.cap-expand.org.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Venture Fund part of insurtech startup Ignatica’s Pre-A round of financing

ZÜRICH, 7-Jul-2021 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Ignatica, the insurance policy administration platform that offers digital self-service and intelligent automation solutions for insurers, is excited to announce that the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) has become its strategic investor.

The ITVF is a HK$2 billion fund established in 2017 by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to co-invest with selected venture capital funds in local innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups.

“Becoming a portfolio company of the ITVF is core to Ignatica’s love and commitment to Hong Kong and its burgeoning start-up and technology sector,” said Ignatica President and Co-Founder, Travis Callahan.

As the first insurtech investment made by the ITVF, Ignatica’s platform lets insurers quickly and efficiently build and launch new products at low cost, while drastically reducing administration costs and transforming the servicing experience for consumers.

“The investment aligns with the ITVF’s primary objective to support the development of I&T start-ups in Hong Kong. We look forward to supporting Ignatica’s innovative work that creates new markets and value for the insurance industry,” said an ITVF spokesperson.

As of July 7, 2021, the ITVF has invested US$1.75 million in Ignatica.

“As a lifelong Hong Konger, it means a great deal to me to enter into this partnership with the city,” said Ignatica CTO and Co-Founder Adhish Pendharkar. “Ignatica is a reflection of the diversity, innovation, and sense of community of Hong Kong.”

Ignatica’s suite of SaaS offerings allows insurance product managers to create and edit coverages and plans, dynamically adjust pricing, and change product configurations in seconds. They also enable servicing and back-office operations to be automated and pushed to the front edge for digital self-service for even the most complex insurance products.

“The ITVF is an ideal investor as we continue to scale our business globally,” said Manuel San Miguel, Ignatica’s CEO and Co-Founder. “It’s an honor to be chosen by the city’s own, premiere investment fund.”

“We welcome the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund to join as a co-investor of Ignatica. We believe Ignatica will be better positioned growing in the Hong Kong market, and in turn contributing to Hong Kong’s fintech industry,” said Ming Shu, Partner of Lingfeng Capital. “As the lead investor of the company’s Pre-A round of financing, we are very pleased to introduce Ignatica to the ITVF. Moving forward, we aspire to continue our post-investment value-add to our portfolio companies and together building the future of insurance technology in the Greater China region and beyond.”

ABOUT IGNATICA (www.ignatica.io/)

Ignatica was founded in 2018 by Manuel San Miguel, former Manulife CTO for APAC, fellow technology and insurance industry veteran, Adhish Pendharkar, and longtime C-suite executive and entrepreneur Travis Callahan. Its core platform technology enables insurers to profitably provide every person on the planet the type of insurance they need, at the price they can afford, with the service and speed that today’s customers expect.

ABOUT INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY VENTURE FUND (https://www.itf.gov.hk/en/funding-programmes/supporting-start-ups/itvf/)

The ITVF is a HK$2 billion fund established by the HKSAR Government in 2017 with a view to attracting more private capital to invest in local I&T start-ups, thereby creating a more vibrant I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. The ITVF will co-invest with selected co-investment partners at a matching investment ratio of approximately 1 to 2.

ABOUT LINGFENG CAPITAL (www.lingfengcap.com/)

Lingfeng Capital is a growth capital private equity fund for the fintech sector in the Asia Pacific, particularly in the Greater China region. Its focus is on real applications and underlying tech for the finance industry. Its vision is to become the leading innovative tech fund management company and to facilitate growth and success for the next generation of entrepreneur-driven fintech companies.

SOURCE: EuropaWire