TAAL announces going private transaction

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2022 /CNW/ – TAAL Distributed Information Technologies Inc. (CSE: TAAL | FWB:9SQ1 | OTC: TAALF) (“TAAL” or the “Company“), today announced that it has entered into a definitive acquisition agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement“) pursuant to which Calvin Ayre, who currently owns approximately 38.5% of the outstanding common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares“), will indirectly acquire all of the remaining Common Shares by way of a statutory plan of arrangement and take the Company private.

The parties to the Acquisition Agreement include the Company, Indigo IP Holdings Ltd. (“Indigo“), an entity 100% owned by Mr. Ayre, and 14487460 Canada Inc. (the “Acquiror“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indigo. Pursuant to Acquisition Agreement the Acquiror will purchase all of the Common Shares not held by Mr. Ayre at a price of C$1.07 per Common Share in cash pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement (the “Transaction“). The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 35.4% to the Company’s closing share price on the Canadian Securities Exchange on November 1, 2022, the last trading day prior to today’s announcement, and a premium of approximately 39.9% to the 10-day volume weighted average price on that date.

The Company’s board of directors (the “Board“) unanimously approved the Acquisition Agreement following a unanimous recommendation from a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee“) comprised of Deborah Rosati, Marco Strub, Michael Darcy and Daniel Diemers constituted to review the Transaction. Both the Special Committee and the Board determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of the Company and fair to shareholders (other than Mr. Ayre, Indigo, the Acquiror and their affiliates) and unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction at the special meeting of shareholders to be held to approve the Transaction (the “Special Meeting“).

Leede Jones Gable Inc., the Special Committee’s independent financial advisor, has provided an opinion to the Special Committee that, as of November 2, 2022, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications to be set out in the fairness opinion letter, the consideration to be received by the Company’s shareholders (other than Mr. Ayre) is fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders.

Deborah Rosati, director and Chair of the Special Committee, stated, “After careful deliberation, the Special Committee considers that the Transaction represents the best available path forward for the Company and its shareholders in the current circumstances. The Company will require access to significant additional capital in the near future to continue its operations, and the Special Committee noted the challenging market environment for obtaining any equity financing, and the uncertainty and cost that would be associated with obtaining any available debt financing. The Transaction will provide the shareholders with immediate and certain cash value in these current market conditions, while providing the Company with additional flexibility to operate as a private company in the hands of a committed long-term investor.”

Transaction Details

About TAAL Distributed Information Technologies Inc.

TAAL Distributed Information Technologies Inc. delivers value-added blockchain services, providing professional-grade, highly scalable blockchain infrastructure and transactional platforms to support businesses building solutions and applications on the BSV platform, and developing, operating, and managing distributed computing systems for enterprise users. BitcoinSV Blockchain is the world’s largest public blockchain by all major utility metrics, data storage, daily transaction volume, scaling ability, and average block size.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements included in this news release constitute “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words “will”, “intends”, “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information will contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking information contained in this news release includes but is not limited to statements regarding: the closing of the Transaction, the anticipated timing of various steps to be completed in connection with the Transaction (including the mailing of the information circular, the holding of the Special Meeting and the closing of the Transaction) and other statements that are not material facts. These statements are based on factors and assumptions related to historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Since forward-looking information relates to future events and conditions, by its very nature it requires making assumptions and involves inherent risks and uncertainties.

Actual results or events could differ materially from those contemplated in forward-looking statements as a result of, without limitation, the following: (i) the ability to secure the required shareholder or court approvals; (ii) the occurrence of a “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement), the receipt of a superior proposal, or the failure by either party to satisfy any other closing condition in favour of the other provided for in the Acquisition Agreement, which condition is not waived; (iii) general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and (iv) the future performance, financial and otherwise, of TAAL.

TAAL cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from expectations. Material risk factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that the Transaction will not be completed on the terms and conditions thereof, or on the timing, currently contemplated, and that it may not be completed at all, due to a failure to obtain or satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required shareholder and court approvals and other conditions of closing necessary to complete the Transaction or for other reasons; (ii) the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; (iii) the possibility of litigation relating to the Transaction; and (iv) risks inherent to the Company’s business and/or factors beyond its control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company or the ability to consummate the Transaction.

For additional information with respect to risks and other factors which could occur, see the risks set out in TAAL’s Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2021 under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in TAAL’s continuous disclosure filings available on the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Given these risks, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information contained herein. Other than as required by law, TAAL undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

The CSE, nor its Regulation Services Provider, accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.