Fintech
Meteorite Capital Inc. Agrees to Qualifying Transaction with Sparkit Media Inc.
Montreal, Quebec–(Newsfile Corp. – May 19, 2020) – Meteorite Capital Inc. (TSXV: MTR) (“Meteorite“) announces that it has signed a binding letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement“) with Sparkit Media Inc. (“Sparkit“), a privately held corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia, which outlines the general terms and conditions pursuant to which METEORITE and Sparkit have agreed to complete a transaction that will result in a reverse take-over of METEORITE by the shareholders of Sparkit (the “Transaction“). The Letter Agreement was negotiated at arm’s length and is effective as of May 18, 2020. All dollar amounts set forth herein are in Canadian dollars.
Sparkit Media Inc. is an Influencer marketing and sales platform with sponsorship capabilities. Sparkit leverages the power of crowdsourcing and voting to use fan-generated ideas to create highly engaging online video “events” for its own digital advertising campaigns. Sparkit amplifies Influencer reach and engagement and monetizes the entire fan base of an Influencer by leveraging traffic from other networks including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. Sparkit enables a brand new revenue exchange between consumers, sponsors and Influencers. The registered office of Sparkit is located at 2900 – 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, V6C 0A3 . Sparkit was incorporated under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act on August 21, 2013
Terms of the Transaction
Prior to the completion of the Transaction, METEORITE shall file articles of amendment to effect a name change (the “Name Change“) to a name chosen by Sparkit and acceptable to the applicable regulatory authorities and the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV“).
The Transaction is then expected to proceed by way of a three cornered amalgamation (the “Amalgamation“) pursuant to which Sparkit shall amalgamate with a wholly-owned subsidiary of METEORITE, and METEORITE will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of Sparkit (the “Sparkit Shares“), in exchange for METEORITE Common Shares on the basis of 0.0995 METEORITE Common Shares for every one Sparkit Share issued and outstanding (the “Exchange Ratio“), reflecting a deemed price of $0.225 per METEORITE Common Share or such other value that is acceptable to METEORITE, Sparkit and the TSXV, such that Sparkit will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of METEORITE as it exists following the completion of the Transaction (the “Resulting Issuer“). As a condition to the Amalgamation all outstanding options, convertible notes, convertible debt and any other agreement for the purchase Sparkit Shares shall either have been exercised for their rightful common shares of Sparkit prior to the Amalgamation or cancelled.
Concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, METEORITE intends to conduct a brokered private placement offering of Common Share units (the “Units“) led by Leede Jones Gable (the “Agent“) for gross proceeds to Meteorite of a minimum of $1,755,000 and a maximum of $2,2500,000 (the “Offering“), in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. Each Unit shall be comprised of one Common Share and on half (1/2) Common Share purchase warrant (each, a “Warrant“). Each whole Warrant will entitle its holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.35 for a period of twenty four (24) months following the completion of the Transaction. The Agents will receive a cash commission (the “Cash Commission“) equal to 8% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering and such number of broker warrants (the “Broker Warrants“) that is equal to 8% of the number of Units sold, provided that no Cash Commission will be payable or Broker Warrants issuable for purchasers that are on METEORITE’s President’s List. Each Broker Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Unit at a price of $0.225 until the date which is 24 months following the completion of the Transaction, subject to customary anti-dilution provisions.
The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to expand Sparkit’s business and for general corporate purposes.
The Units (common share and warrants), issued pursuant to the Offering will be offered in minimum subscriptions of 20,000 Units ($4,500) by way of a subscription agreement for accredited investors only and will be subject to a statutory hold or restricted period of four (4) months and one day after the Offering Closing Date.
Insiders, Officers and Board of Directors of the Resulting Issuer
Upon completion of the Transaction, all of the officers and two of the three METEORITE directors will resign and be replaced by nominees of Sparkit. The following sets out the names and backgrounds of the persons that are currently proposed to be the directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer.
Clovis Najm, who is currently the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Sparkit Media Inc. and will continue in these positions with the Resulting Issuer. Mr. Najm is responsible for the strategy, team and growth of Sparkit. Having created three companies, and completed one full acquisition to date, Mr. Najm is familiar with developing new technologies that break into new markets. Past commercialization includes tech-heavy organizations such as the United States Navy and Cisco Systems. Ad technology brands have included Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen and Shaw Media in Canada.
Lisa Dea, Chief Financial Officer of Latitude Health Sciences Inc. has been asked to accept the role of a director and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Resulting Issuer. Ms. Dea, CPA, CA has over 19 years of experience in the finance, securities and accounting fields. Ms. Dea has been the CFO of several TSX listed companies where she was responsible for corporate strategy, all aspects of finance and legal, debt and capital market activities, managing banking relationships with US, Canadian and International banks, internal and external public reporting, financial controls, processes and corporate governance. She has been instrumental in helping several companies grow from the development stage to large-scale commercial operations. Ms. Dea, previous to her time in industry, spent eleven years at Deloitte & Touche LLP, achieving the position of Senior Manager. Ms. Dea obtained her Chartered Accountants designation in 1997 and holds a BComm from the University of British Columbia.
Charles R. Spector will stay on as a director of the Resulting Issuer.
As at the date hereof, the above individuals collectively own, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, approximately 56.9% of the issued and outstanding Sparkit Common Shares. To the knowledge of Sparkit, the only persons who currently holds more than 10% of the voting securities of Sparkit currently outstanding are Clovis Najm (who owns 56.7% of the issued and outstanding Sparkit Common Shares and is expected to own 33.5% METEORITE Common Shares on completion of the Transaction, based on the minimum subscription being attained), and Gabe Albarian Jr. (who owns 27.3 % of the issued and outstanding Sparkit Common Shares and is expected to own 16.1% METEORITE Common Shares on completion of the Transaction, based on the minimum subscription being attained).
Capitalization
As of the date hereof, (i) METEORITE has 7,065,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding, as well as 500,000 broker warrants (each exercisable to acquire one METEORITE Common Share at a price of $0.15 per Common Share) and options to acquire an aggregate of 706,500 Common Shares at $0.15 per Common Share; and (ii) Sparkit has 213,447,865 common shares outstanding and, following the exercise or cancellation of any options and the conversion of all promissory notes and certain outstanding trade payables, will have approximately 223,277,032 common shares outstanding. Prior to the completion of the Transaction, all of the Sparkit Options will have either been exercised into their rightful number of Sparkit Common Shares or cancelled and all of the Sparkit promissory notes and the trade payables will have been converted into Sparkit Common Shares.
Based upon the number of issued and outstanding shares in each of METEORITE and Sparkit on the date hereof, upon completion of the Transaction and the Offering (assuming that it is fully subscribed), it is expected that the Resulting Issuer will have approximately 39,787,222 Common Shares issued and outstanding (non-diluted), of which the current shareholders of METEORITE will hold 7,065,000 Common Shares representing approximately 17.76% (assuming no exercise of any convertible securities of METEORITE prior to closing), the former shareholders of Sparkit will hold 22,222,222 Common Shares representing approximately 55.85% and the purchasers under the Offering will hold 10,000,000 Common Shares representing approximately 25.13%.
In addition, upon completion of the Consolidation, Transaction and the Offering, the Resulting Issuer will also have outstanding approximately 1,828,722 stock options and broker warrants (not accounting for any exercises thereof).
Financial Information for Sparkit
METEORITE will provide further details in respect of the Transaction and financial information regarding Sparkit, in due course by way of press release. However, METEORITE will make available to the TSXV, all financial information as required by the TSXV and will provide, in a press release to be disseminated at a later date, summary financial information derived from such statements.
Upon completion of the Transaction, it is the intention of the parties that the Resulting Issuer will continue to focus on the current business and affairs of Sparkit and will be an Industrial or Technology Issuer listed on the TSXV.
Conditions to Transaction
The Transaction is subject to various conditions, including as follows:
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completion of satisfactory due diligence;
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completion of the Offering;
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METEORITE and Sparkit entering into a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement“) in respect to the Transaction; and
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all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals relating to the Consolidation and Transaction, including, without limitation, TSXV approval, will have been obtained.
Additional Information Regarding the Transaction
The final legal structure for the Transaction will be determined after the parties have considered all applicable tax, securities law, and accounting efficiencies.
The Letter Agreement contains standard confidentiality, access to information and non-solicitation provisions.
The Transaction is expected to be completed on or about July 31, 2020. The Letter Agreement may be terminated upon mutual written agreement of the parties, in the event of any breach by Sparkit of the standstill provisions, in the event the Definitive Agreement is not entered into by June 30, 2020.
METEORITE exists under the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act with its registered and head office located at 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 3900, Montreal, Québec. It is a capital pool company and intends for the Transaction to constitute its “Qualifying Transaction” as such term is defined in the policies of the TSXV. METEORITE is a “reporting issuer” within the meaning of the Securities Act of each of the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec.
Since the Transaction is an arm’s length transaction, METEORITE is not required to obtain shareholder approval for the Transaction. However, it will be required to obtain shareholder approval of the Name Change. The Transaction is also subject to shareholder approval of Sparkit.
METEORITE has also agreed to issue to the Agent and other parties who assisted in locating the target and advising upon the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, an advisory fee of 500,000 of METEORITE common shares at a deemed price of $0.225 per share, for advising Sparkit and METEORITE through the Qualifying Transaction process, representing approximately 1.33% of the common shares of the Resulting Issuer. All of these parties are dealing with METEORITE, Sparkit and the Resulting Issuer at arm’s length.
METEORITE has also agreed, subject to the fulfilment of the conditions set forth in section 8.5 of Policy 2.4, to advance to Sparkit an additional amount of up to $100,000 in order to allow Sparkit to preserve its assets and business pending the completion of the Qualifying Transaction. The additional advance will be used to continue to allow Sparkit to preserve its assets and business and will be made on similar terms and conditions as the prior advance described below.
On April 19, 2020, METEORITE had previously advanced $25,000 to Sparkit. This prior advance is payable on June 30, 2020, bears interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum and is memorialized in a promissory note from Sparkit.
Sponsorship
METEORITE proposes to make an application for exemption from the sponsorship requirements of the TSXV in connection with the Transaction. However, there is no assurance that the TSXV will exempt METEORITE from all or part of applicable sponsorship requirements.
Further Information
All information contained in this news release with respect to METEORITE and Sparkit was supplied by the parties respectively, for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.
For further information regarding the Transaction, please contact:
Charles R. Spector, Secretary and Director, METEORITE Capital Inc.
Telephone: (514) 878-8847
Email: [email protected]
Clovis Najm, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Sparkit Media Inc.
Telephone: 778-960-2701
Email: [email protected]
Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.
The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD‐LOOKING INFORMATION:
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the terms and conditions of the proposed Consolidation and Transaction; the terms and conditions of the proposed Offering; use of funds; and the business and operations of the Resulting Issuer after the proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, METEORITE and Sparkit assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication,
distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/56134
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA)
As we close out 2024, the fintech industry continues to deliver headlines that underscore its dynamism and innovation. From IPO aspirations to groundbreaking regulatory milestones, today’s updates highlight the transformative power of fintech partnerships, regulatory evolution, and disruptive technologies. Here’s what you need to know.
Chime’s Quiet Step Toward Public Markets
Chime, the U.S.-based financial technology startup best known for its digital banking services, has taken a significant step by filing confidential paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). As one of the most valuable private fintechs in the U.S., Chime’s move could potentially signal a renewed appetite for fintech IPOs in a market that has been cautious following fluctuating valuations across the tech sector.
With a valuation that reportedly exceeded $25 billion in its last funding round, Chime’s IPO could set a new benchmark for the industry. Observers note that its strong customer base and revenue growth may make it an appealing choice for investors seeking to capitalize on the digital banking boom. However, the timing and success of the IPO will depend on broader market conditions and the regulatory landscape.
Source: Bloomberg
ZBD’s Pioneering Achievement: EU MiCA License Approval
ZBD, a fintech company specializing in Bitcoin Lightning network solutions, has made history by becoming the first to secure an EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license. This landmark approval by the Dutch regulator positions ZBD at the forefront of compliant crypto-fintech operations in Europe.
MiCA, which aims to harmonize the regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the EU, has been a focal point for industry players aiming to establish legitimacy and expand their offerings. ZBD’s achievement not only validates its operational rigor but also sets a precedent for other fintech firms navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Industry insiders view this as a strategic advantage for ZBD as it broadens its footprint in Europe. By leveraging its regulatory approval, the company can accelerate its product deployment and establish trust with institutional and retail users alike.
Source: Coindesk, PR Newswire
The Fintech-Credit Union Synergy: A Blueprint for Innovation
The convergence of fintechs and credit unions continues to reshape the financial services ecosystem. Collaborative initiatives, such as the one highlighted in the recent partnership between fintech innovators and credit unions, are proving to be a potent force in delivering tailored financial solutions.
This “dream team” approach allows credit unions to leverage fintech’s technological expertise while maintaining their community-focused ethos. Key areas of collaboration include digital payments, personalized financial management tools, and enhanced loan processing capabilities. These partnerships not only enhance member engagement but also enable credit unions to remain competitive in an increasingly digital-first financial environment.
Industry analysts emphasize that such collaborations underscore a broader trend of traditional financial institutions embracing fintech-driven solutions to bridge service gaps and foster innovation.
Source: PYMNTS
Tackling Student Loan Debt: A Fintech’s Mission
Student loan debt remains a pressing issue for millions of Americans, and a Rochester-based fintech aims to offer relief through its cloud-based platform. This innovative solution is designed to simplify loan management and provide borrowers with actionable insights to reduce their debt burden.
The platform’s features include repayment optimization tools, personalized financial education, and seamless integration with loan servicers. By addressing the complexities of student loan management, this fintech is empowering borrowers to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.
As the student loan crisis continues to evolve, solutions like this highlight the critical role fintech can play in addressing systemic financial challenges while fostering financial literacy and inclusion.
Source: RBJ
Industry Implications and Takeaways
Today’s updates underscore several key themes shaping the fintech landscape:
- Regulatory Milestones: ZBD’s MiCA license approval exemplifies the importance of regulatory compliance in unlocking growth opportunities.
- Strategic Partnerships: The collaboration between fintechs and credit unions demonstrates the value of combining technological innovation with traditional financial models to drive customer-centric solutions.
- Market Opportunities: Chime’s IPO move reflects a potential revival in fintech public offerings, signaling confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
- Social Impact: Fintech’s ability to tackle systemic issues, such as student loan debt, showcases its role as a force for positive change.
The post Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025
Leading global payments platform SPAYZ.io has confirmed it will be attending iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 on 14 to 16 January. Exhibiting at Stand 64 at Trade Centre Dubai, SPAYZ.io’s team of professionals will be on hand providing live demonstrations of its renowned payment services for payment providers. Attendees will also receive exclusive insight into SPAYZ.io’s plans for 2025 alongside early early access to its upcoming plans for the new year.
SPAYZ.io delivers a host of payment solutions that leverage the latest technological innovations and open access to the fastest growing emerging markets across Africa, Europe and Asia. Over the past year, there has been huge demand for its Open Banking and local payment method services, alongside bank transfers, mass payouts, online banking and e-wallets.
Yana Thakurta, Head of Business Development at SPAYZ.io commented: “We look forward to once again participating at iFX Dubai to expand our network of partners and clients. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the year, connecting with thousands of industry leaders from FOREX platforms to trading companies, and everything in between.
“Our key goal for iFX Dubai EXPO 2025 is to expand our portfolio of solutions and geographies. We’re using this as an opportunity to partner with like-minded entities who share our ambition to provide payment solutions that are truly global.”
Come meet SPAYZ.io’s team at the Trade Centre Dubai at Stand 64. You can also book a meeting slot with a member of a team.
The post SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments
Airtm, the most connected digital dollar account in the world, is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished industry leaders to its Board of Directors: Rafael de la Vega, Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane, and Shivani Siroya, CEO & Founder of Tala. These appointments reflect Airtm’s commitment to innovation and financial inclusion as the company enters its next phase of growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rafael and Shivani to Airtm’s Board of Directors,” said Ruben Galindo Steckel, Co-founder and CEO of Airtm. “Their unique perspectives and proven track records will be invaluable as we continue scaling our platform to empower individuals and businesses in emerging markets. Together, we’ll push the boundaries of financial inclusion and innovation to create a more connected and equitable global economy. Rafael and Shivani bring a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will strengthen Airtm’s mission to connect emerging economies with the global market.”
Rafael de la Vega, a seasoned leader in fintech global partnerships and technology innovation, is currently the Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane. With a proven track record of delivering scalable, impactful solutions at the intersection of fintech, innovation, and commerce, Rafael’s expertise will be pivotal as Airtm continues to grow. “Airtm has built a platform that breaks down barriers and opens up opportunities for people in emerging economies to connect to global markets. I am excited to contribute to its growth and help further its mission of fostering financial inclusion on a global scale,” said Rafael.
Shivani Siroya, CEO and Founder of Tala, is a pioneer in financial technology, renowned for empowering underserved communities through access to credit and essential financial tools. Her leadership in leveraging data-driven innovation aligns seamlessly with Airtm’s vision of creating more equitable financial opportunities. “Empowering underserved communities has always been at the core of my work, and Airtm’s mission resonates deeply with me. I’m thrilled to join the Board and work alongside such a dynamic team to expand access to financial tools that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Shivani.
The post Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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