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BEST Inc. Announces Completion of Going Private Transaction

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HANGZHOU, China, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BEST Inc. (NYSE: BEST) (“BEST” or the “Company”), a leading integrated smart supply chain solutions and logistics services provider in China and Southeast Asia, today announced the completion of its merger (the “Merger”) with Phoenix Global Partners, an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to the previously announced agreement and plan of merger, dated as of June 19, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”), among the Company, BEST Global Partners, an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Parent”) and Merger Sub. As a result of the Merger, the Company has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent and has ceased to be a publicly traded company.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on February 18, 2025, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each American Depository Share of the Company (each, an “ADS”), representing twenty (20) class A ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.01 each (the “Class A Shares,” together with class B ordinary shares and class C ordinary shares of the Company, collectively, the “Shares”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than ADSs representing the Excluded Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), together with the Class A Shares represented by such ADSs, has been cancelled and ceased to exist in exchange for the right to receive US$2.88 in cash per ADS without interest, and each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than the Excluded Shares, the Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and Class A Shares represented by ADSs, has been cancelled and ceased to exist in exchange for the right to receive US$0.144 in cash per Share without interest. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, share-based incentives held by current or former officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company have also been cancelled, cashed out or rolled over into equity incentives of Parent, as applicable. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Excluded Shares have been cancelled without payment of any consideration from the Company therefor and the Dissenting Shares have been cancelled and will entitle the former holders thereof to receive the fair value thereon determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 238 of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands.

Registered shareholders immediately prior to the Effective Time who are entitled to the Merger Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement) will receive a letter of transmittal and instructions on how to surrender their Shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration and should wait to receive the letter of transmittal before surrendering their Shares. Payment of the Merger Consideration will be made to holders of Shares (other than Class A Shares represented by ADSs) in respect of each such Share held thereby upon surrender of applicable Shares and delivery of the letter of transmittal and any other documents required by such letter of transmittal to be delivered in connection therewith. Payment of the Merger Consideration (after deduction of the fees, charges, deductions and expenses provided for under the Deposit Agreement, dated September 22, 2017, between the Company, the ADS depositary and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder) will be made to holders of ADSs in respect of each ADS held thereby as soon as practicable after Citibank, N.A., the ADS depositary, receives the aggregate Merger Consideration payable to holders of ADSs from the paying agent.

The Company also announced today that it has requested that trading of its ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) be suspended on March 10, 2025 (New York time). The Company has requested that NYSE file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) notifying the SEC of the delisting of the ADSs on NYSE and the deregistration of the Company’s registered securities. The deregistration will become effective 90 days after the filing of the Form 25 or such shorter period as may be determined by the SEC. The Company intends to suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by filing a Form 15 with the SEC in approximately ten days following the filing of the Form 25. The Company’s obligations to file with the SEC certain reports and forms, including Form 20-F and Form 6-K, will be suspended immediately as of the filing date of the Form 15 and will cease once the deregistration becomes effective.

Kroll, LLC (operating through its Duff & Phelps Opinions Practice) is serving as the financial advisor to the Special Committee. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as U.S. legal counsel to the Special Committee. Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP is serving as Cayman Islands legal counsel to the Company.

Fangda Partners is serving as U.S. legal counsel to the Consortium. Walkers (Hong Kong) is serving as Cayman Islands legal counsel to the Consortium. Kirkland & Ellis is serving as U.S. legal counsel to Alibaba Investment Limited and Cainiao Smart Logistics Investment Limited.

About BEST

BEST Inc. (NYSE: BEST) is a leading integrated smart supply chain solutions and logistics services provider in China and Southeast Asia. Through its proprietary technology platform and extensive networks, BEST offers a comprehensive set of logistics and value-add services, including freight delivery, supply chain management and global logistics services. BEST’s mission is to empower business and enrich life by leveraging technology and business model innovation to create a smarter, more efficient supply chain. For more information, please visit: http://www.best-inc.com/en/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this announcement and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-inc-announces-completion-of-going-private-transaction-302395536.html

SOURCE BEST Inc.

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Chengdu Unleashes Industry Opportunities at 2025 World Conference on Cultural Industry

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CHENGDU, China, March 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from National Business Daily:

Chengdu, a city celebrated for its deep cultural roots, showcased its growing prowess in creative industries at the 2025 World Conference on Cultural Industry, held March 21-22. Themed “Culture Leadership in Urban Vitality and Innovation”, the event attracted industry leaders, government officials, and creative professionals from around the world, highlighting Chengdu’s efforts to blend culture with cutting-edge technologies and innovation.

The two-day conference explored thriving creative industries such as gaming, animation, film, and design, providing a platform for collaboration through industry matchmaking, site visits, and cultural events. The opening ceremony featured speeches from international delegates, including a representative from South Yorkshire, U.K., alongside perspectives from Greater Manchester and Liverpool officials on urban creative strategies.

Industry experts offered detailed insights into trends driving digital creativity, while a signing ceremony cemented partnerships in various sectors of cultural industry. Local media group presented a series of local projects, underscoring the city’s contributions to innovation in digital media and storytelling.

During the conference, a standout moment came as the U.K. delegation toured two of Chengdu’s leading digital creative parks. Discussions with park managers and companies centered on product exports and potential cross-border collaborations. That evening, a Sino-U.K. cultural promotion dinner spotlighted opportunities in film, music, art, design, and sports, with several initial agreements taking shape during one-on-one talks.

On March 22, participants visited Chengdu’s iconic landmarks, experiencing the city’s rich heritage and vibrant creative spirit firsthand. The tours reinforced Chengdu’s appeal as a place where tradition meets modern innovation, leaving a strong impression on attendees.

The conference bolstered Chengdu’s connections with global creative industries, positioning it as an increasingly influential player in the international cultural and technological landscape while fueling its ongoing development ambitions.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2647187/Conference_Scene.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chengdu-unleashes-industry-opportunities-at-2025-world-conference-on-cultural-industry-302408412.html

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IDC Overseas, Ltd. Announces Expiration and Results of Exchange Offer of its Outstanding 9.0% Notes due 2026

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TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IDC OVERSEAS, LTD. (the “Company” or “IDC”) announced today that its offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) any and all of its outstanding 9.0% Notes due 2026 (ISIN: XS2590265471; Common Code: 259026547) (the “Existing Notes”) for an equal amount of its new 9.0% Notes due 2030 (the “New Notes”) has expired in accordance with its terms at 4:00 p.m. London time on March 21, 2025.  An aggregate principal amount of $144,940,000 of Existing Notes have been validly tendered for exchange, representing 96.63% of the outstanding Existing Notes.  The Company has accepted for exchange all of the Existing Notes tendered.  The Company expects the settlement date of the Exchange Offer to be on or about March 26, 2025

General

BCP Securities, Inc. is acting as exclusive dealer manager for the Exchange Offer. D.F. King Ltd. has been appointed as the information agent and exchange agent for the Exchange Offer. The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer are described in the exchange offer memorandum, copies of which may be obtained by Eligible Holders by contacting (i) BCP Securities, Inc. at jharper@bcpsecurities.com or (ii) D.F. King Ltd. at +44 20 7920 9700 or idc@dfkingltd.com. For more information, visit https://clients.dfkingltd.com/idc.

The New Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state of the United States or other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Accordingly, the New Notes are being offered and sold only to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Eligible Holders”).

This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes nor an offer to purchase Existing Notes. The Exchange Offer was made solely by means of the exchange offer memorandum.

About the Company

IDC was founded in 1995 and has evolved from a consulting firm to an investment bank, to a multi-fund platform for strategic investments. IDC operates its business through four offices located in Miami, Guatemala City, Madrid and Copenhagen, providing a global platform and local knowledge for sourcing transactions and raising capital for different funds and a network divided into six verticals. IDC’s purpose is to be a transformation agent, ultimately making a positive impact and changing the lives of people through its investments and proprietary projects. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s assets under management were US$2.1 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies and are identified by our use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “strategy” and similar terms and phrases, and may include references to assumptions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on numerous assumptions and that our actual results of operations, including our financial condition and liquidity may differ materially from (and be more negative than) those made in, or suggested by, any forward-looking statements contained in this release. In addition, even if our results of operations, including our financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or future events or developments. More detailed information about these and other factors is set forth in the exchange offer memorandum.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idc-overseas-ltd-announces-expiration-and-results-of-exchange-offer-of-its-outstanding-9-0-notes-due-2026–302408390.html

SOURCE IDC Overseas, Ltd.

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Damon Inc. Announces Closing of Upsized $16.5 Million Underwritten Public Offering

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Transaction Strengthens Balance Sheet and Enables Execution of Multi-Vertical Revenue Strategy

VANCOUVER, BC, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Damon Inc. (NASDAQ: DMN) (“Damon” or the “Company”), a designer and developer of electric motorcycles and other personal mobility products that seek to empower the personal mobility sector through innovation, data intelligence and strategic partnerships, today announced the closing of its previously announced public offering of 126,900,000 units at a public offering price of $0.13 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one Series A warrant to purchase one common share, subject to adjustment in accordance with its terms. In addition, the Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 19,035,000 common shares at a price per share equal to the public offering price per unit (net of discounts and commissions) minus $0.001, and/or 19,035,000 Series A warrants at a price of $0.001 per warrant, to cover over-allotments.

Gross proceeds to the Company, before deducting underwriting commissions and other offering expenses, were approximately $16.5 million. The proceeds of this offering will support Damon’s next phase of growth, focused on accelerating revenue generation through its proprietary technologies, data intelligence, user-driven design and strategic partnerships.

“This financing marks a pivotal moment for Damon, providing the financial foundation needed to advance our mission in sustainable mobility,” said Dom Kwong, CEO of Damon Inc. “This transaction strengthens our balance sheet and provides us with the resources needed to execute our business plan with confidence. It will also enable us to focus on multiple potential revenue verticals—including our proprietary safety systems and electrification technology—and to leverage an asset-light business model through strategic partnerships, positioning us strongly for long-term value creation.”

Maxim Group LLC acted as sole book-runner in connection with the offering. In connection with the offering, the underwriter partially exercised its overallotment option and purchased an additional 19,035,000 Series A warrants at $0.001 per warrant for additional gross proceeds of $19,035.

A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-285872) was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and was declared effective by the SEC on March 20, 2025 (the “registration statement”). A final prospectus relating to the offering was filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Electronic copies of the prospectus relating to this offering may also be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (212) 895-3745 or by email at syndicate@maximgrp.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Damon Inc.

Damon Inc. is a designer and developer of personal mobility products and technology solutions that integrate AI-driven safety systems, smart electrification, and user-driven design to revolutionize sustainable transportation. Operating across four potential revenue verticals – Data Intelligence & Services, Engineering Services, Personal Mobility Products, and Special Projects – Damon believes it is positioned to capture a significant share of the $40B global electric two-wheeler market by 20301. The company distinguishes itself through its integrated ecosystem approach, combining advanced data analytics, engineering expertise, and strategic partnerships with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Damon emphasizes accessible mobility solutions while leveraging its proprietary AI-driven safety systems and intelligent energy management technology to deliver superior performance and operational efficiency in the urban and business mobility space. For more information, please visit damon.com.

1 Source McKinsey Report on Micromobility (2022) 

Forward Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our strategic initiatives, revenue expansion plans, business model evolution, and expected efficiency improvements and growth. In developing the forward-looking statements in this press release, we have applied several material assumptions, including the general business and economic conditions of the industries and countries in which Damon operates, and general market conditions. Many risks, uncertainties, and other factors could cause the actual results of Damon to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our history of losses, our ability to implement our growth strategy and achieve profitability, our limited operating history with recent acquisitions, our ability to obtain adequate financing as needed, our ability to continue as a going concern, our status as a foreign private issuer, our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, customer demand for or acceptance of our products and services, the impact of competitive or alternative products, technologies, and pricing, emerging competition and rapidly advancing technology that may outpace our own, our ability to manufacture or distribute products and secure strategic supply and manufacturing arrangements, our ability to protect our intellectual property, impact of any changes in existing or future regulatory and tax regimes applying to our business, our ability to successfully consummate strategic transactions and integrate companies or technologies we acquire, our ability to attract and retain management and employees with specialized knowledge and technical skills, our ability to develop and maintain effective internal controls, general economic conditions and events and the impact they may have on us and our customers, including but not limited to increases in inflation rates and rates of interest, supply chain challenges, increased costs for materials and labor, cybersecurity threats, and conflicts such as those in Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Hamas, our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items, and other risk factors discussed in our periodic and current reports and registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the press release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, events may differ materially from current expectations. Damon disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required pursuant to applicable securities law. All forward-looking statements contained in the press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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SOURCE DAMON Motors Inc.

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