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K1 Investment Management, LLC Provides Update on Possible Offer for MariaDB PLC
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL ACT, 1997, TAKEOVER RULES, 2022 (THE “TAKEOVER RULES”) AND IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE TAKEOVER RULES. THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY OFFER WILL BE MADE, NOR AS TO THE TERMS ON WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER WILL BE MADE.
K1 Investment Management, LLC (“K1”) Provides Update on Possible Offer for MariaDB PLC (“MariaDB”/the “Company”)
Firm Urges MariaDB’s Board to Honor Fiduciary Responsibility to Shareholders and Support Stability of Business by Thoroughly Considering Possible Offer
LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — K1 today provided an update on its non-binding proposal to acquire, together with K1’s investment affiliates, all of the issued, and to be issued, share capital of MariaDB (the “Possible Offer“).
K1 said, “As one of the leading global investors in enterprise software providers, we remain interested in acquiring MariaDB because we believe the company’s database software and solutions deliver a meaningful value proposition to firms across industry sectors, and around the world. We continue to believe our Possible Offer, as announced on Feb. 16, 2024, is in the best interests of all stakeholders, including shareholders, lenders, employees and customers.”
“In fact, our Possible Offer is more attractive to stakeholders in the face of a mounting financial crisis at the Company precipitated by the Company’s lender. We have provided a clear way to create value and help MariaDB reach its full potential, and we intend to continue to pursue a transaction that accomplishes just that.”
“We urge MariaDB’s Board to honor its fiduciary responsibility to the Company and its stakeholders while supporting the stability of MariaDB’s business by moving forward with our Possible Offer. K1 will continue to be fully available and responsive to MariaDB’s Board, to enable a successful path forward to be agreed.”
About K1
K1 is a global investment firm that builds category-leading enterprise software companies and has over $13 billion of assets under management. K1 partners with strong management teams of high-growth technology businesses to help them achieve successful outcomes. With over 125 professionals, K1 and its operating affiliate, K1 Operations LLC, change industry landscapes with operationally focused growth strategies designed to rapidly scale portfolio companies. Since the inception of the firm, K1 has partnered with over 200 enterprise software companies including industry leaders such as Axcient, Checkmarx, Emburse, Elmo, Granicus, Litera Microsystems, Onit, Reveal-Brainspace, simPRO, Smarsh, and XTM International.
Responsibility Statement
The K1 Responsible Persons (being the investment committee of K1) accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the K1 Responsible Persons (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Important Notice Relating to Financial Adviser
Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, together with its affiliate Lazard & Co., Limited (which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority) (“Lazard“), is acting exclusively as financial adviser to K1 and no one else in connection with the Possible Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than K1 for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lazard nor for providing advice in relation to the Possible Offer or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Lazard nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Lazard in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.
Further Information; No Offer or Solicitation
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or invitation to purchase any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Possible Offer or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In particular, this announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.
Disclosure Requirements under the Irish Takeover Rules
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person who is ‘interested’ in 1% or more of any class of ‘relevant securities’ of MariaDB or a securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror which has announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an ‘opening position disclosure’ following the commencement of the ‘offer period’ and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An ‘opening position disclosure’ must contain, among other things, details of the person’s ‘interests’ and ‘short positions’ in any ‘relevant securities’ of each of (i) MariaDB and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s).
An ‘opening position disclosure’ by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3:30 pm (Irish time) on the day that is ten ‘business days’ following the commencement of the ‘offer period’ and, if appropriate, by no later than 3:30 pm (Irish time) on the day that is ten ‘business days’ following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, if any person is, or becomes, ‘interested’ (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of ‘relevant securities’ of MariaDB, all ‘dealings’ in any ‘relevant securities’ of MariaDB or any securities exchange offeror (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such ‘relevant securities’) must be publicly disclosed by not later than 3:30 pm (Irish time) on the ‘business day’ following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the ‘offer period’ ends. If two or more persons cooperate on the basis of any agreement either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an ‘interest’ in ‘relevant securities’ of MariaDB, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose ‘relevant securities’ ‘dealings’ should be disclosed can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel’s website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie.
If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of an agreement or understanding, whether express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules. Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1 and 8.2 of the Irish Takeover Rules).
In general, interests in securities arise when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of the securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an ‘interest’ by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel’s website.
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a ‘dealing’ under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel’s website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel at telephone number +353 1 678 9020.
Publication on Website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules, a copy of this announcement will be available on K1’s website: https://k1.com/meridian-update promptly and in any event by no later than 12 noon on the business day following this announcement. The content of this website is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.
Investor Contact
Lazard (Financial Advisor to K1)
Adrian Duchini, Keiran Wilson, Charles White
+44 20 7187 2000
Media Contact
Haven Tower Group
Donald Cutler, Brandon Blackwell
+1 424 317 4864 or +1 424 317 4868
[email protected] or [email protected]
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Fintech PR
ADFW Unveils Full Agenda for 2024 Edition, One of the Most Impactful Financial Gatherings of the Year
ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) has unveiled a compelling agenda for this year’s event that will take place from 9th to 12th December 2024. ADFW 2024 – ADGM’s flagship event with ADQ as its headline partner – is one of the most anticipated financial gatherings this year, with a lineup of industry-shaping events, influential speakers, and strategic forums that will explore the theme of ‘Welcome to the Capital of Capital.’
This third edition is in keeping with ADFW’s tradition of convening some of the most renowned global financial leaders, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to address and analyse topics such as economic, human, cultural, environmental and technological capital, that make Abu Dhabi the ‘Capital of Capital’. The agenda for 2024 includes over 60 main and side events, more than 350 thematic sessions and approximately 600+ speakers. The event expects a gathering of over 20,000 attendees from around the world, representing over USD 30 trillion in managed assets.
Commenting on ADFW’s exceptional agenda, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and ADDED said, “Abu Dhabi Finance Week has firmly established itself as a global platform that attracts the most influential professionals in the finance industry from across the world. This year’s agenda for ADFW is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international financial hub, where innovation and collaboration drive progress for the Falcon Economy. ADFW continues to create unparalleled opportunities for meaningful dialogue, shaping strategies that strengthen resilience and growth in today’s evolving economic landscape, welcoming them to the ‘Capital of Capital’.”
Key forums, including the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, Asset Abu Dhabi, RESOLVE 2024, Fintech Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will return this year. New events for 2024 include the UBS Investment Forum, the China UAE Investment Summit with HSBC, the Islamic Finance Summit, the Spear’s Private Wealth Summit, and the Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Showcase.
Day 1: Opening Ceremony and Abu Dhabi Economic Forum
The official opening ceremony is on 9th December in the presence of esteemed members of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, heads of leading global investment and financial firms and other VIPs from the financial industry.
Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, a high-level leadership gathering, will feature in-depth discussions on the current state of and prospects for the Falcon Economy. It will bring together senior members of the Abu Dhabi government and prominent figures from the private sector, representing key industries. Speakers include the CEOs of Blackrock, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Citigroup, BNY, Lunate, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Aldar. ADEF Private Leadership Forum, Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum, the UBS Investor Forum and the prestigious ADFW Gala Dinner are a few of the major sub-events scheduled for the day.
Day 2: Asset Abu Dhabi and RESOLVE
The second day starts with Asset Abu Dhabi in association with ADCB, Mubadala and PGIM Global Asset Management. Bringing together asset allocators, asset managers, investment bankers, venture capitalists, private equities, family offices and other institutional investors, collectively managing over USD 30 trillion in assets, the event will see industry titans such as Ray Dalio, Robert Smith – Founder, Chairman & CEO at Vista Equity Partners, Aron Landy – CEO at Brevan Howard, and Bill Huffman – CEO at Nuveen take to the stage.
RESOLVE will also be held on this day, in collaboration with the Judicial Department. Under the theme ‘Resilience’, the event is set to host impactful conversations among key stakeholders from the global dispute resolution community and leaders from government, industry, and academia.
Day 3: Fintech Abu Dhabi and Global Financial Regulators Summit
Fintech Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s largest fintech festival, will spotlight innovations in AI, digital security, and blockchain technology. Breakout events like Blockchain Abu Dhabi, RISK 4.0 Forum, Islamic Finance Summit and the AI Abu Dhabi Forum will showcase the transformative potential of emerging technologies. Leading voices, including Jeremy Allaire – CEO and Founder of Circle, Richard Teng – CEO of Binance, and Caroline Pham – U.S. CFTC Commissioner, will discuss the evolving landscape of financial technology.
The Global Financial Regulator Summit also returns as a closed-door gathering of international senior regulatory bodies and representatives from the MENA region, the European Union, the UK, Asia and the USA to discuss the approach to the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of AI.
Day 4: ADSFF
Exactly one year after hosting its last edition at COP28, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will be held on the concluding day of ADFW to conduct discussions on sustainable finance, impact investing, and net-zero commitments. It will bring together impactful voices like H.E. Carme Artigas Brugal, Co-Chair of the AI Advisory Body at the United Nations, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Jonathan Dean of AXA IM and H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of Alterra underscoring Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability and green finance.
Curated side events include ‘Women in Finance’ and the ADFW Venture Park.
For more information on the agenda please visit What’s Happening in ADFW | Agenda – Abu Dhabi Finance Week
Register for Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2024 at Get your ticket – Abu Dhabi Finance Week
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NEW DELHI, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Comviva, a global leader in digital transformation solutions, specializing in customer experience management, data monetization, and mobile financial services, today announced the appointment of Raja Mansukhani as its Chief Strategy, Technology, and Transformation Officer. In this key role, Raja will drive the execution of strategic initiatives that are central to Comviva’s transformation and the realization of its ambitious Comviva 2.0 vision.
Raja brings over two decades of leadership experience across IT, telecommunications, fintech, and digital platforms. He has led organizations through large-scale business and operational transformations, market expansions, and the launch of innovative products and technologies in diverse global markets. Prior to joining Comviva, Raja was the CEO of a Digital Platforms company within the Axiata Group.
Welcoming Raja to the Comviva leadership team, Rajesh Chandiramani, Chief Executive Officer at Comviva, said, “We are thrilled to have Raja on board during this transformative phase for Comviva. His deep industry knowledge and proven ability to drive growth and innovation align perfectly with our vision for Comviva 2.0. Raja’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping our strategic direction and technology roadmap, as we continue to deliver cutting-edge digital solutions for our customers worldwide.”
Raja Mansukhani shared his enthusiasm about joining the Comviva team, stating, “I am honored to be part of Comviva, a company renowned for its pioneering solutions and steadfast commitment to a customer-centric approach. As the industry undergoes rapid transformation, this is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic initiatives alongside a talented team that will unlock new opportunities and accelerate Comviva’s growth while delivering differentiation and significant value creation for our customers. As a team, we will drive innovation, foster value-driven transformation, and work towards achieving the bold objectives of Comviva 2.0.”
With Raja’s appointment, Comviva reaffirms its commitment to delivering innovative, customer-first solutions while accelerating its transformation efforts to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
As part of its strategic growth, Comviva is enhancing its capabilities in digital commerce, data monetization, and customer experience solutions. By focusing on partnerships with technology leaders and hyperscalers, and advancing operational excellence across MarTech, FinTech, DigiTech, and RevTech, Comviva is positioning itself as a catalyst for innovation. These initiatives align with the company’s vision to lead the digital transformation journey, empowering businesses to unlock new revenue streams and deliver exceptional customer value.
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Fintech PR
LONGi and IUCN jointly release the Initiative of Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation with Photovoltaic
XI’AN, China, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — From November 11th to 22nd, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change took place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. LONGi, in conjunction with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), released the “Initiative of Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation with Photovoltaic”. LONGi’s Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Zhang Haimeng, IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis, and Ant Group Director of Sustainable Development Wang Xiaoying attended and witnessed the event.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report highlighting that climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution are the three major global environmental challenges. As a leading global solar energy company, LONGi recognizes that innovation and development of renewable energy technologies such as solar power are not only crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also vital for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. After releasing Climate Action White Papers at COP conference for three consecutive years starting in 2021, LONGi, in collaboration with IUCN at COP29 this year, has taken corporate climate action to a new level by integrating it with biodiversity conservation efforts.
The initiative includes calls for companies to develop and implement climate and biodiversity protection measures in accordance with international multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and global standards, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It also encourages following global best practices to ensure that all activities meet global climate and biodiversity protection requirements, adopting environmentally friendly methods in the design, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the proportion of clean energy use. The initiative advocates for companies to establish a corporate culture for biodiversity conservation and to promote international cooperation, sharing, and dissemination of global best practices through partnerships.
IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis stated in his speech that LONGi, as a leading company in the photovoltaic industry, is actively responding to the IUCN’s guidelines on the biodiversity impact of solar energy projects by releasing this initiative. We believe that the initiative can inspire broader industry and societal actions and will encourage more companies and organizations to participate in the development and application of renewable energy while also taking measures to mitigate their impact on the natural environment.
As biodiversity becomes an increasingly global concern, LONGi has been continuously focusing on how to use photovoltaic technology to promote biodiversity conservation since the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which began in Kunming, Yunnan in 2021, and has actively put this into practice. During the COP28 conference, LONGi announced its “Zero-Carbon Life Plan for Pandas”, donating a distributed photovoltaic power station to the Qinling Giant Panda Conservation and Breeding Research Base in Foping, adopting a Qinling giant panda for life, and providing photovoltaic products and off-grid technology to support wildlife monitoring equipment in the protected area. Earlier, in 2022, LONGi donated photovoltaic modules to the Acquila Wildlife Conservation Base in South Africa, which not only provided daily electricity for the reserve but also clean water sources for wildlife, giving Acquila more possibilities for sustainable ecological operations.
In Duyun City, Guizhou Province, China, a 500kW “Solar +Tea Complementary Project” was established using LONGi photovoltaic products, exploring the application scenarios of photovoltaic technology in traditional tea gardens; the “Solar +Tea Complementary Project” model was also replicated in Pu’er City, Yunnan Province. In the world-famous Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, two photovoltaic power stations of 336kW and 338kW were built, with LONGi’s products helping arid areas achieve green ecological development with “generating electricity on the panels, planting under the panels, and breeding between the panels.”
Zhang Haimeng pointed out that as a leading global nature conservation organization, IUCN possesses extensive professional knowledge, a broad international network, and successful experiences on a global scale. This collaboration between LONGi and IUCN to release the biodiversity conservation initiative further refines and accelerates LONGi’s biodiversity practices. Through joint actions with IUCN, LONGi expects to more effectively promote global partners, policymakers, and the public’s understanding of the importance of biodiversity conservation, and to learn from excellent biodiversity protection projects such as Ant Group’s “Ant Forest,” actively taking effective measures to address global ecological challenges together. At the same time, as a leading global provider of green energy solutions, the photovoltaic technology and solutions that LONGi possesses can provide effective support for IUCN’s conservation actions.
“All things grow, and life is continuous. We call on humanity to join hands in protecting the Earth’s biodiversity and achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. This is not just an initiative, but a call to action, looking forward to everyone contributing to the protection of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecological balance,” said Zhang Haimeng.
About LONGi
Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.
Under its mission of ‘making the best of solar energy to build a green world’, LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com
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