Fintech

Cyber Security 1 AB: CYBER1 SECURES COMMITTED CAPITAL

Published

5 years ago

December 20, 2019

CYBER1 SECURES COMMITTED CAPITAL
OF UP TO EURO €30 MILLION OVER 36 MONTHS

London United Kingdom – 20 December 2019 – Cyber Security 1 AB (Publ) (the “Company”) (“CYBER1”) (Nasdaq First North: CYB1), an international leader in Cyber Security, Governance, Risk and Compliance services today announces it has successfully arranged funding of up to EURO €30 million. The package which comprises of an equity backstop of up to EURO €25 million and a further up to EURO €5 million as a PIPE investment into a potential business combination with a US based SPAC.

On the annual general meeting, held on 25 July 2019, the board of directors of Cyber1 was authorized to issue new equity instruments. The board of directors is now pleased to announce that Cyber1 has entered into a direct placement agreement (“Agreement“) with LDA Capital LLC (“LDA Capital“), a Los Angeles based private alternative investment group, which has agreed to provide the Company with up to EURO €30 million (“Commitment Amount”) in committed capital over the next 36 months.

The Commitment Amount will be divided into two main sections:

“Development Capital” of up to EURO €25 million:

Company will use the funds to strengthen the business and the investment will allow the Company to, inter alia:

improve cash flow;
provide funding for its planned acquisitions; and
use the funding as project / trade finance for advance funding of customer projects.

Private Investment into Public Equity (“PIPE”) investment of up to EURO €5 million:

The funds, to be used specifically as support for a potential business combination between Cyber1 and a New York listed Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC).

Development Capital

The Development Capital will be accessed by the Company in the form of a directed share subscription facility with an aggregate subscription price of up to EURO €25 million which allows the Company to drawdown funds during the 36-month term of the Agreement by, inter alia, issuing ordinary shares of the Company for subscription to LDA Capital. Any drawdown of funds by Cyber1 following the next annual general meeting is subject to that the shareholders of Cyber1 resolves, or authorizes the board of directors to resolve, to issue new equity instruments.

The Company will control the timing and maximum amount of the draw down under this facility and has the right, not the obligation, to draw down up to EURO €25 million, with each placement notice being a put option (“Option”) on LDA Capital dependent upon certain parameters such as the previous 10-day average trading volume of CYBER1 shares on Nasdaq First North Growth Market and with up to two placement notices each month during the term.

In addition to any shares LDA Capital will subscribe for under the Option, as additional consideration for LDA Capital entering into the Agreement, LDA Capital will receive 29,548,648 warrants to subscribe for one additional ordinary share each. Each Warrant will be exercisable at any time during a period of 3 years following issue with an exercise price of €0.43. No additional consideration will be paid for the warrants and the warrants will not be listed. The issue of any of warrants pursuant to the Agreement after the 2020 AGM will require specific approvals by the Cyber1 shareholders in the event that mandate provided to the Cyber1 board at the AGM 2019 is not renewed or extended as detailed below.

The Company shall pay LDA Capital, a commitment fee equal one and four fifths per cent (1.80%) of the Commitment Amount, payable from the proceeds of the first three drawdowns before the lapse of a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the Agreement and on every drawdown date, the Company will pay a financing expense equivalent to ten per cent (10%) of the subscription proceeds.

Any subscription by LDA Capital of shares through the exercise of the Option will be at a price set by the Company which will not carry any discount to the current market price.

LDA Capital has explicitly agreed to a prohibition on any short-selling of Cyber1 shares over the term of the Agreement.

The Board have chosen the method of fundraising provided by the Agreement as they believe it provides flexibility to enable exploitation of the opportunities to develop the business, despite the prevailing stock market conditions. The Company will control the actual amount and the timing of any investment under the Agreement over a period of thirty six (36) months, whilst having the opportunity to receive regular cash injections if considered appropriate and in the interests of the Company and its Shareholders. This should allow the Company to drip feed cash as requirements and opportunities occur, rather than fully diluting existing Shareholders immediately for an amount of cash that the Company may not need.

PIPE Investment

LDA Capital are committed to support the Company with its announced intention to seek a US listing and have therefore committed, subject to definitive investment terms, up to EURO €5 million PIPE for a potential SPAC business combination which will cornerstone the funding for this potential process.

Kobus Paulsen, CYBER1 Chairman, commented on the transaction:

“This agreement with LDA Capital continues the momentum, started with a strong third quarter for the Company. It gives CYBER1 alternatives as it secures funding for continued growth and development of the Company over the next few years. This capital commitment positions CYBER1 to continue with its business and strategic acquisition plans, improves the Group’s cash flow and allows the Group to engage in some of the more significant Public and Private sector Cyber Security projects”

Warren P Baker III, Managing Partner of LDA Capital, commented on the transaction:

“This investment in CYBER1 constitutes an important element of our focus on cybersecurity, which remains one of the world’s most persistent, difficult and costly problems facing businesses and government. We anticipate continued substantial investment in this sector in order to combat increasing threats from cyber-attacks. Indeed, cyber-attacks will accelerate, and company budgets for cybersecurity spending will grow, independent of broader macroeconomic factors. We expect CYBER1, with its unique presence in the cyber security and IoT domains, to be a central participant in the growth of effective defences against, and monitoring systems of cybercrime, and look forward to the company’s rapid advancement on a global scale.”

The board of directors’ authorization to issue new equity instruments

On the annual general meeting in Cyber1, held on 25 July 2019, the board of directors was authorized to, until the next annual general meeting, with or without deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights and with the right to pay also in kind, by way of set-off, or with other conditions, on one or several occasion, to issue shares, warrants and convertibles. The authorisation is limited to 150,000,000 shares, or warrants or convertibles that entitle to subscribe for or convert into a corresponding number of shares.

Certified Adviser
Mangold Fondkommission AB is the Company’s Certified Adviser.
Telephone: +46 (0)8 5030 1550
E-mail: [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Tim Metcalfe: European Investor Relations contact, CYBER1
Email: [email protected]

Matt Glover: U.S Investor Relations contact, CYBER1
Email: [email protected]

This information is information that CYBER1 is obliged to make public, pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on 20.12.2019 at 16:30 CET.

About CYBER1

CYBER1 is engaged in providing cyber resilience solutions and conducts its operations through physical presences in Sweden, South Africa, the UK, Kenya, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, the Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market (Nasdaq: CYB1.ST, and as an American Depositary Receipt (OTCQX: CYBNY), the Group delivers services and technology licenses to enhance clients’ protections against unwanted intrusions, to provide and enhance cyber resilience and to prevent various forms of information theft. CYBER1 had revenues of 43.95m EUR in 2018. For further information, please visit www.cyber1.com/investors.

For further information please visit: www.cyber1.com

For all company filings and reports, please visit: https://cyber1.com/cyber1-investor-information/

About LDA Capital:

LDA is a global alternative investment group with expertise in complex, cross border transactions. The firm was founded in 2018 with a focus on special situations in emerging private and public companies requiring capital solutions. The Founders have a 20-year business history together having collectively executed over 200 transactions in both the public and private markets. Both founders have dedicated their careers to international & cross border opportunities, having transacted in 42 countries with aggregate transaction values of over $5 billion. LDA has sector expertise and industry concentration across Technology, Media & Telecom, Natural Resources, Healthcare, and emerging industries such as Cannabis, Fintech, and Blockchain.

Please visit www.ldacap.com for further information.

Fintech

Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Peter Tolan

fintech-pulse:-daily-industry-brief-–-a-dive-into-today’s-emerging-trends-and-innovations

The fintech landscape continues to redefine itself, driven by innovation, partnerships, and groundbreaking strategies. Today’s roundup focuses on the latest digital wallet offerings, evolving payment trends, strategic collaborations, and notable funding achievements. This editorial explores the broader implications of these developments, casting light on how they shape the future of fintech and beyond.

Beacon’s Digital Wallet for Immigrants: A Gateway to Financial Inclusion

Beacon Financial, a leading player in financial technology, recently launched a digital wallet tailored to meet the unique needs of immigrants moving to Canada. This offering bridges a critical gap, enabling seamless financial integration for newcomers navigating a foreign system.

By combining intuitive technology with user-centric features, Beacon aims to empower immigrants with tools for payments, savings, and remittances. This aligns with the growing demand for tailored financial products that resonate with specific demographics.

Op-Ed Insight:
Financial inclusion is more than just a buzzword; it’s a moral imperative in the fintech space. Products like Beacon’s digital wallet highlight the industry’s potential to create tangible change. As global migration trends increase, such offerings could inspire similar initiatives worldwide.

Source: Fintech Futures.

Juniper Research Highlights 2025’s Payment Trends

Juniper Research’s latest report unveils pivotal payment trends poised to dominate in 2025. Central themes include the adoption of instant payment networks, a surge in embedded finance solutions, and the rise of crypto-backed financial products.

The research underscores the rapid adoption of real-time payment systems, fueled by increasing consumer demand for speed and efficiency. Meanwhile, embedded finance promises to blur the lines between traditional banking and non-financial services, delivering personalized and context-specific solutions.

Op-Ed Insight:
As the lines between financial services and technology continue to blur, these trends emphasize the industry’s shift toward convenience and personalization. The growing role of crypto-based solutions reflects an evolving consumer mindset, where decentralization and digital-first experiences gain precedence.

Source: Juniper Research.

MeaWallet and Integrated Finance Partner to Revolutionize Digital Wallets

MeaWallet, a prominent fintech solutions provider, has partnered with Integrated Finance to advance digital wallet capabilities and secure card data access for fintech companies. This collaboration focuses on empowering fintechs to deliver better, safer digital payment experiences.

MeaWallet’s role as a technology enabler aligns seamlessly with Integrated Finance’s goal of simplifying complex financial infrastructures. Together, they aim to create scalable, robust platforms for secure payment solutions.

Op-Ed Insight:
Partnerships like this underscore the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. As security concerns grow in tandem with digital payment adoption, solutions addressing these challenges are essential for maintaining consumer trust. The fintech ecosystem thrives when synergy and innovation coalesce.

Source: MeaWallet News.

Nucleus Security Among Deloitte’s Fastest-Growing Companies

Nucleus Security has achieved a remarkable milestone, ranking 85th on Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 500 list. This achievement is attributed to its robust cybersecurity solutions, which cater to the increasingly digital fintech environment.

With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, fintech companies are under immense pressure to safeguard their platforms. Nucleus Security’s growth reflects the rising demand for comprehensive, scalable security solutions that protect sensitive financial data.

Op-Ed Insight:
In a digital-first world, robust cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. The recognition of companies like Nucleus Security signals the growing importance of protecting fintech infrastructure as the industry scales globally.

Source: PR Newswire.

OpenYield Secures Funding to Transform the Bond Market

OpenYield has announced a successful funding round, aiming to revolutionize the bond market through innovative technology. The platform promises greater transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in fixed-income investments.

This funding underscores the growing appetite for digitizing traditionally opaque financial markets. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, OpenYield seeks to democratize bond investments, making them accessible to a broader audience.

Op-Ed Insight:
The bond market, long viewed as complex and inaccessible, is ripe for disruption. OpenYield’s efforts to modernize this space highlight fintech’s transformative potential to democratize finance and empower individual investors.

Source: PR Newswire.

Key Takeaways: Shaping the Future of Fintech

Today’s developments underscore several critical themes in the fintech landscape:

Personalization and Inclusion: Products like Beacon’s wallet highlight the importance of understanding and addressing specific user needs.
Collaborative Ecosystems: Partnerships, like that of MeaWallet and Integrated Finance, emphasize the power of collaboration in solving industry challenges.
Emerging Technologies: Juniper Research’s predictions affirm the continued influence of blockchain, embedded finance, and instant payment networks.
Security at the Core: The recognition of Nucleus Security underscores the essential role of cybersecurity in fintech.
Market Transformation: OpenYield’s funding signifies the ongoing disruption of traditional financial markets, paving the way for broader accessibility.

The post Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.

Fintech

Fintech Pulse: Industry Updates, Innovations, and Strategic Moves

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2024

Peter Tolan

fintech-pulse:-industry-updates,-innovations,-and-strategic-moves

As fintech continues to reshape the global financial landscape, today’s briefing highlights pivotal developments, strategic expansions, and innovative launches across the industry. This op-ed explores the latest advancements with commentary on their potential impacts and challenges.

Finastra Data Breach: A Wake-Up Call for Fintech Security

Source: KrebsOnSecurity

The cybersecurity landscape is buzzing after Finastra, one of the largest financial technology providers globally, confirmed an investigation into a potential data breach. Reports suggest unauthorized access to its systems, raising concerns about data security across its client base, which includes thousands of banks and financial institutions worldwide.

Implications and Challenges

While the details of the breach remain sparse, this incident underscores a glaring vulnerability in the fintech sector—cybersecurity. As financial services increasingly rely on interconnected ecosystems, breaches like these threaten not only individual institutions but also the trust customers place in fintech platforms.

The key takeaway for the fintech industry is clear: proactive cybersecurity strategies must go beyond compliance. Real-time threat detection, robust encryption standards, and regular audits are no longer optional but essential for maintaining operational integrity.

Future Considerations

This breach could trigger a domino effect, prompting regulators to tighten security standards and requiring fintech companies to double down on investments in data protection. Startups and mid-tier players, often lacking extensive cybersecurity budgets, may face significant pressure to keep pace.

PayPal Resurrects Money Pooling Feature

Source: TechCrunch

In a bid to stay ahead of the competition, PayPal is reintroducing its Money Pooling feature, a popular tool that was discontinued in 2021. The feature allows users to pool funds collectively, catering to families, small businesses, and social groups.

Strategic Revival

This move reflects PayPal’s commitment to customer-centric innovation. By reinstating a feature beloved by its user base, the company seeks to reclaim market share lost to emerging competitors offering similar functionalities.

Broader Industry Impacts

Money pooling represents a broader trend in fintech—customized solutions that cater to niche needs. This reintroduction may inspire competitors like Venmo and CashApp to refine their collaborative payment offerings.

While this move strengthens PayPal’s ecosystem, its success will depend on seamless integration with existing services and robust fraud prevention mechanisms to avoid abuse of the feature.

Santander Expands Fintech Reach in Mexico

Source: Yahoo Finance

Santander is making waves in the Latin American fintech space with the launch of a dedicated fintech unit in Mexico. The initiative aims to capitalize on Mexico’s growing fintech adoption and digital payments market, valued at billions of dollars annually.

Strategic Significance

Santander’s expansion into Mexico highlights the region’s untapped potential. Latin America is a burgeoning market for fintech, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, a youthful demographic, and demand for accessible financial services.

Challenges on the Horizon

While Mexico offers immense opportunities, regulatory complexities and market competition from local players like Clip and Konfío pose significant challenges. Santander will need to blend its global expertise with local adaptability to succeed in this dynamic market.

2024 Global Fintech Awards: Spotlighting Excellence

Source: PRNewswire

Benzinga has announced the winners of the 2024 Global Fintech Awards, honoring companies and individuals driving innovation in financial technology. This year’s winners spanned categories like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and payment solutions.

Recognizing Industry Leaders

Awards like these highlight the collaborative spirit and entrepreneurial drive fueling fintech growth. Recognizing trailblazers not only motivates incumbents but also inspires startups to push the boundaries of innovation.

What It Means for the Ecosystem

The awards also bring attention to emerging technologies. Categories such as blockchain and AI signal the industry’s continued focus on leveraging cutting-edge tech for efficiency and scalability.

Commonwealth Central Credit Union Partners with Jack Henry

Source: FinTech Futures

Commonwealth Central Credit Union (CCCU) has announced a partnership with Jack Henry, a leading financial technology provider, for a comprehensive tech upgrade. The collaboration focuses on enhancing member experience through improved digital services.

Modernizing Member Experiences

Credit unions have often lagged behind major banks in adopting advanced digital solutions. By partnering with Jack Henry, CCCU aims to bridge this gap, offering members streamlined services such as mobile banking, automated lending, and personalized financial tools.

A Growing Trend

This partnership reflects a broader trend in the financial industry—credit unions and smaller banks embracing fintech to remain competitive. As customer expectations evolve, partnerships like this may become the norm rather than the exception.

Key Takeaways for the Fintech Industry

Cybersecurity is Critical: The Finastra breach underscores the need for robust security measures.
Innovation Drives Loyalty: PayPal’s revival of its Money Pooling feature highlights the importance of listening to customers.
Regional Opportunities: Santander’s expansion into Mexico showcases the untapped potential of emerging markets.
Recognition Matters: Awards like Benzinga’s provide valuable visibility for companies and individuals shaping the industry.
Partnerships Foster Growth: Collaborations between credit unions and fintech companies signify a trend towards modernized financial solutions.

The post Fintech Pulse: Industry Updates, Innovations, and Strategic Moves appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.

Fintech

Fintech Pulse: Milestones, Partnerships, and Transformations in Fintech

Published

4 days ago

November 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

fintech-pulse:-milestones,-partnerships,-and-transformations-in-fintech

The fintech sector continues its relentless drive toward innovation and market dominance. Today’s highlights include a record-breaking customer milestone for Revolut, groundbreaking fintech solutions for women in the EU, open entries for the PayTech Awards 2025, implications of political shifts on funding, and notable recognition at the US FinTech Awards.

Revolut Hits 50 Million Customers: A Global Fintech Giant’s Milestone

Source: Revolut

Revolut, the UK-based financial super app, has achieved a monumental feat: surpassing 50 million customers worldwide. This milestone underscores its position as a leader in the global fintech landscape, furthering its ambition to create the world’s first truly global bank.

Key to this success has been Revolut’s strategy of expanding its offerings, from banking to travel and crypto services, all within a seamless user experience. The company’s recent ventures into emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia demonstrate its intent to bridge financial services gaps while retaining competitive differentiation through technology.

This milestone is not just a triumph for Revolut but a signal of fintech’s capacity to redefine traditional banking. It reinforces the narrative that digital-first strategies, customer-centric innovation, and international scalability can challenge long-standing financial institutions.

PayTech Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Innovation

Source: FinTech Futures

The PayTech Awards 2025 are officially open for entries, promising to spotlight the brightest minds and most innovative projects in the payment technology sector. These awards are a testament to the industry’s commitment to advancing secure, seamless, and scalable payment systems.

This year, the focus is on emerging technologies that redefine how businesses and consumers interact financially. Categories will recognize achievements across multiple domains, including sustainability in payments, AI-driven solutions, and partnerships that push boundaries.

As fintech companies prepare their entries, the awards provide a timely reminder of the sector’s ongoing evolution and the collaborative efforts required to achieve meaningful breakthroughs.

U.S. Politics and the Fintech Sector: A New Era of Funding?

Source: American Banker

The U.S. fintech sector might witness an infusion of optimism as speculation about a second Trump presidency gains momentum. The Trump-era policies of deregulation and venture capital encouragement are remembered as catalysts for unprecedented fintech growth during his first term.

While it remains uncertain how regulatory landscapes will shift, the possibility of a more relaxed approach toward fintech compliance could rejuvenate funding inflows. Investors and startups alike are watching closely, weighing the potential benefits against long-term risks tied to reduced oversight.

A politically charged backdrop often spells volatility, but for fintech, it may also spell opportunity. Preparing to adapt quickly will be crucial for startups and established players in the face of any regulatory pivot.

Klara AI and Unlimit: Addressing the €1.3 Trillion Female Economy

Source: FF News

Klara AI has teamed up with Unlimit to launch a fintech solution aimed at empowering women across the EU. This collaboration targets the €1.3 trillion female economy by addressing the unique financial needs of women entrepreneurs and consumers.

The solution promises to integrate AI-powered tools with streamlined financial management services, enabling users to access credit, manage investments, and scale businesses effectively. By tailoring services to the underserved female demographic, the partnership hopes to drive financial inclusion and support economic growth.

This initiative stands as a blueprint for fintechs exploring niche markets, proving that innovation tailored to specific segments can yield transformative results.

Autire: Accounting Tech of the Year at US FinTech Awards

Source: Business Wire

Autire, a rising star in financial technology, has been crowned ‘Accounting Tech of the Year’ at the US FinTech Awards 2024. The award recognizes Autire’s ability to blend cutting-edge AI with intuitive user interfaces, delivering unparalleled accounting solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Autire’s platform has gained traction for automating complex accounting tasks, ensuring compliance, and delivering actionable insights through real-time analytics. Its emphasis on reducing administrative burdens for SMEs has been particularly impactful, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on growth rather than bookkeeping.

The recognition not only cements Autire’s reputation but also highlights the role of AI-driven accounting solutions in reshaping business operations globally.

Final Thoughts: A Fintech Revolution in Full Swing

From customer milestones to policy-driven opportunities, the fintech ecosystem is in constant evolution. Revolut’s ascent to 50 million users signals growing consumer trust in digital platforms. The PayTech Awards continue to inspire innovation, while political shifts could redefine the regulatory landscape. Initiatives like Klara AI and Unlimit emphasize the power of targeted solutions, and companies like Autire show how niche technologies can achieve broad impact.

The next phase of fintech growth will likely hinge on inclusivity, adaptability, and innovation—pillars that today’s news stories exemplify.

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