Acroud strengthens the position within Streaming and SaaS in Sports Betting and Poker through the acquisition of TheGamblingCabin

Acroud AB (publ) ("Acroud"), has today entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Swedishsantas AB also known as TheGamblingCabin ("TheGamblingCabin ") from Swedishsantas Media AB (the “Transaction”) for a consideration of approximately SEK 47.3 million, on a cash- and debt- free basis. The Transaction also includes a potential additional consideration based on EBITDA development during the period from 1 April 2022 up to and including 31 March 2023. The consideration is paid in cash and in newly issued Acroud shares (the “Consideration”). The Transaction is based on Acroud's signed letter of intent and previously communicated press release dated 17 February 2021. TheGamblingCabin is a fast-growing company offering a software based tipster service as well as some very popular video content within Sports Betting, Poker and Horse Racing. TheGamblingCabin has a clear “strategic fit” with Acroud strengthening the software offerings (SaaS) as well as adding some of the most popular ways of consuming media, YouTube and Twitch, to Acroud's offering. TheGamblingCabin generated annualized sales of app EUR 1.4 million based on the 9 month period Q220-Q121 with an EBITDA margin of approximately 65 percent reaching an EBITDA of EUR  0.9 million. The Transaction is not subject to any further conditions and is completed as of 15 April 2021.

The Transaction in brief

• The Transaction is in line with Acroud's previously communicated strategy to become a fast-growing global challenger in digital comparison and news services.

• The Transaction is in line with previous completed acquisitions and is expected to contribute to increased sustainable revenues and profits through an increased market and product diversification through new verticals, markets and media channels.

• The Transaction will lead to a lower risk profile with more stable revenue generation and profitability.

• The Transaction is based on Acroud's letter of intent signed on 17 February 2021.

• The consideration for 100 percent of the shares in Swedishsantas AB, on a cash- and debt- free basis, amounts to approximately SEK 47.3 million paid at closing (the “Upfront Consideration”)

  • Approximately SEK 23.6 million, of the Upfront Consideration will be paid with 7,709,202 Acroud shares (the “Consideration Shares”), at a subscription price of SEK 3.07 per Acroud share (corresponding to EUR 0.30 per share).
  • 50 percent of the Consideration Shares will be subject to a one year lock-up and 50 percent are subject to a two year lock-up from today's date.
  • Approximately SEK 23.6 million of the Upfront Consideration will be paid in cash.

• An additional consideration can be paid based on a multiple of 5 times the EBITDA generated during the period from 1 April 2022 up to and including 31 March 2023 reduced with an annualized EBITDA based on the Q220-Q121 (the “Earn-Out Consideration”). The Earn-Out Consideration is paid with 50 percent in newly issued shares in Acroud and the reminder in cash (the “Earn-Out Consideration Shares”). The price for the Earn-Out Consideration Shares will correspond to the average price of the Acroud share on Nasdaq First North Growth Market for the 30 consecutive calendar days preceding 1 April 2023 (which corresponds to the end of the period when the mentioned targets are measured). The Earn-Out Consideration amounts to a maximum of approximately SEK 82 million.

Background and rationale

TheGamblingCabin's main revenue source is through its “software based tipster service” as well “traditional” affiliation revenue generated by high quality online video content. TheGamblingCabin has only revenues from regulated markets and sees great potential for geographical expansion.

This potential acquisition fits well to Acroud's strategy, and Acroud sees significant synergies and expansion possibilities down the line. TheGamblingCabin's current growth rate, on stand-alone basis is also good. With TheGamblingCabin Acroud will rapidly expand the streaming offering and rich content throughout Acroud's global network and other business lines.

The acquisition of TheGamblingCabin is in line with the previously communicated new strategy. Together with the previously communicated acquisitions, the TheGamblingCabin positions Acroud as not only a leading affiliate within Casino, Sport Betting and Poker, but also it strengthens Acroud's position on the market as a SaaS provider.

With TheGamblingCabin business, Acroud sees not only a strong financial growth driver but also significant synergies across the future operational organization.

"This is the next step of the implementation of Acroud's strategy to be the "Media House of the Future" and a fast growing global player within Streaming and software solutions for the media affiliation industry. TheGamblingCabin's “reduction tool” is an industry leading software and TGC's digital presence with "movable media" is impressive and something that may be expanded internationally. The acquisition together with the other recent acquisitions are together considered transformative and additive for each other. We are building a company where all parts complement each other. Focus will after the acquisition be on "operational excellence" and to develop the new Acroud together with our new team and partners for an existing journey ahead” Robert Andersson, CEO and President, Acroud

 Bengt Sonnert, CEO at TheGamblingCabin comments the Transaction;

"To become a part of Acroud was actually nothing that we even thought about initially, but the more we understood what Acroud is building it felt as an easy choice. They share our visions and provide us with new and greater possibilities to bring our business to the next level."

Purchase Price, Earn-Out Consideration, Lock-Up Period

The upfront purchase price of approximately SEK 47.3 million, on a cash- and debt- free basis, is paid with approximately SEK 23.6 million in cash and approximately SEK 23.6 million is paid with 7,709,202 newly issued Acroud shares. The Consideration Shares are issued at a price of SEK 3.07 per share (EUR 0.30 per share).

The Earn-Out Consideration, which is subject to TheGamblingCabin generating a certain financial performance during the period from 1 April 2022 up to and including 31 March 2023, will be paid with 50 percent in newly issued shares and the reminder in cash. The price for the Earn-Out Consideration Shares will correspond to the average price of the Acroud share on Nasdaq First North Growth Market for the 30 consecutive calendar days preceding 1 April 2023 (which corresponds to the end of the period when the mentioned targets are measured). The Earn-Out Consideration amounts to a maximum of approximately SEK 82 million.

50 percent of the Consideration Shares will be subject to a one year lock-up and 50 percent are subject to a two year lock-up from today's date. The Earn-Out Consideration Shares will be subject to a one year lock-up as of the date of the issuance.

Issue of Consideration Shares and Earn-Out Consideration Shares

The board of directors of Acroud has today resolved to issue and allot the Consideration Shares pursuant to the authorization granted by the annual general meeting on 25 June 2020. The Earn-Out Consideration Shares will be issued after confirmation of TheGamblingCabin having reached the relevant financial performance.

The Consideration Shares represent 5.95 percent of the total number of shares and votes in Acroud on a fully diluted basis. By issuing the Consideration Shares, the number of shares and votes increase by 7,709,202. The share capital increases by EUR 195 031.05.

The number of shares and the increase of the share capital, upon issuance of the Earn-Out Consideration Shares, will depend on the outcome of the targets for the Earn-Out Consideration and the share price development for Acroud's share.

Closing of the Transaction

The Transaction is not subject to any further conditions and is completed as of 15 April 2021.

Advisers

Baker McKenzie and Deloitte is acting as legal and tax advisor, respectively, to Acroud in the Transaction.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Andersson, President and CEO
+356 9999 8017

Gustav Vadenbring, CFO
+356 9967 6001

ACROUD AB (publ)
Telephone:  +356 2132 3750/1
E-mail:        info@acroud.com
Website:     www.acroud.com

 
About ACROUD AB
ACROUD owns, operates and develops high-quality comparison sites, mainly in iGaming affiliation, for the purpose of helping our partners by channelling high-quality users to the Company’s customers – primarily iGaming operators. Through the sites, ACROUD generates high-quality users, primarily to global iGaming operators. The Company, which was founded in 2003, has just over 70 employees and is headquartered in Malta. The share (ACROUD) is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser: FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se, +46 8 528 00 399

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