Snapchat rejects a $3 billion cash offer from Facebook

snapchatAccording to the Wall Street Journal, Snapchat, a business that has no sales, has rejected an all-cash offer from Facebook Inc. for close to $3 billion.

Snapchat is a smartphone app that enables users to take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of recipients. These sent photographs and videos are known as “Snaps”  disappear in 10 seconds or less after opening.

Snapchat has also been approached by other investors and potential acquirers. Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. had offered to lead an investment that would value Snapchat at $4 billion.

Snapchat Inc. co-founder Evan Spiegel thinks that users numbers will continue to grow rapidly and his company can get an even higher valuation. He is said not to be interested in selling the business before 2014.

Snapchat raised $80 million in a second round of funding led by Institutional Venture Partners in June 2013.

USA, Los Angeles, CA & Menlo Park, CA

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Dealflow.com acquires the assets of Goldfish.io

goldfishDealflow.com has acquired the assets of startup research business Goldfish.io, including its technology assets, its database of subscribers, and all trademarks and copyrights. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our focus is on using live financial information from the social web to create research tools for evaluating investment opportunities,” said Steven Dresner, president of Dealflow.com. “Goldfish.io has been at the forefront of building early detection systems that identify potential company financings or other corporate events. We think the combination of the Goldfish.io technology with our own technology is a perfect fit.”

USA. Jericho, NY

Electric Word acquires iGaming North America conference

electric wordElectric Word plc’s online gaming business iGB has acquired a 50% interest in SAM Media Ltd, a Nevada-based conference business that owns the annual iGaming North America conference. Electric Word’s interest is held through iGB’s wholly owned US subsidiary, iGamingBusiness North America Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and was acquired for a nominal sum.

igamingIn 2013, the iGaming North America conference achieved revenues of approximately $0.5m. The deal allows iGB to share in future profit growth above an agreed threshold and also gives each party a call option to acquire the others’ membership interest at a future date.

Julian Turner, EW’s Chief Executive, said: “The regulatory changes which continue to unfold in the USA make it a very interesting market for our online gaming information business. This deal builds on the launch of our iGaming North America magazine in 2012 and gives us a great opportunity to extend the brand further.”

UK, London and USA, Nevada

WPP acquires app creator Bottle Rocket

wppWPP is to acquire Bottle Rocket, a company that creates iPhone, iPad and Android apps for leading brands. The agency will work horizontally with other operating companies across WPP. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

bottle rocketFounded in 2008, Bottle Rocket’s unaudited revenue for the previous twelve months ended September 2013 was US $17 million. Clients include NPR, Scripps Networks, ABC News, National Geographic and NBC Universal. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has grown from about 45 employees in 2011 to 170 today.

UK, London & USA, Dallas, TX

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Bglobal plc to sell its metering business

bglobalAs a result of a strategic review the board of Bglobal plc has decided to sell its metering business, B Global Metering Limited.

The company is also implementing a number of other actions including taking significant cost out of Bglobal’s head office and re-focusing the business on its customers and implementing strict cash management procedures.

The company does not intend to sell Utiligroup Limited the data management software publisher it bought for £11.59 million in August 2011.  The sale of the Bglobal company as a whole was being considered. However, this no longer the case and as a result, the company is no longer in an “offer period” for the purposes of the Takeover Code.

John Grant, Chairman, notes that: “Since 15 August 2013, I, the Board, the management team and employees of the Company have – with the assistance of KPMG LLP – been working hard to review the strategic direction of the Company. As a result, we have already taken a number of steps to improve the current performance of Bglobal, and have decided to explore whether shareholder value can be further maximised through the sale of the metering business as we believe that a third party may be better placed to take this business to the next phase of its development. I would like to thank the customers and employees of the Company for their support during this review period.”

UK, Darwen, Lancashire

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Groupon buys Ticket Monster from LivingSocial for $260 Million

grouponGroupon is to acquire Korean-based Ticket Monster from LivingSocial for $260 million in cash and stock. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2014.

“Ticket Monster is a perfect fit for Groupon as we continue to transition our business globally from a flash sale email model to a mobile commerce marketplace,” said Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky. tmon

“Ticket Monster has a vibrant and growing marketplace in one of the world’s largest ecommerce markets. Coupled with outstanding mobile penetration and expertise in local, travel, and product, they will help us accelerate our overall growth, provide immediate scale and serve as a cornerstone for our operations in Asia.”

Ticket Monster — known locally as TMON — was founded in 2010 and has quickly grown into a leading provider of product, local and travel offers in Korea. TMON has consistently seen year-over-year billings growth in excess of 50 percent, with annual billings of more than $800 million today. The business is said to be close to break-even on an EBITDA basis.

Approximately half of its sales are transacted on mobile devices. Based in Seoul, the company has grown to 1,000 employees serving more than 4 million active customers.

The Ticket Monster brand and leadership team will remain in place. Groupon and TMON will work on an operational plan for the two local entities once the deal has closed.

Per the terms of the agreement, Groupon will acquire LivingSocial Korea — the holding company that owns Ticket Monster. Any non-Korean assets currently owned by LivingSocial Korea will be divested prior to close. The agreement is for at least $100 million in cash, and up to $160 million in Groupon Class A common stock, with the final cash and stock allocation to be determined. The transaction is subject to regulatory and other customary closing conditions, including review by Korean antitrust authorities.

USA, Chicago, IL & Washington, DC & South Korea, Seoul

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Experian acquires Passport Health Communications for $850M

Experian, the global information services company, is acquiring Passport Health Communications, a  provider of data, analytics and software in the US healthcare payments market. The purchase price is $850 million. 

Founded in 1996, Passport Health is a data and software provider, with sales to over 2,500 hospitals in the US and more than 9,000 other healthcare providers. Its products are used by healthcare providers to manage payments between patients, commercial payers (such as insurance companies) and government programmes.

Passport Health’s revenues  are largely subscription based. The business has renewal rates of c. 95% and average contract duration of 3 to 5 years. In the year ending 31 December 2013, Passport Health is expected to generate revenue of US$121m, representing organic growth of 23%, and EBIT of US$30m. In the year ending 31 December 2014, Experian expects Passport Health revenue to reach approximately US$145m (of which 84% is already booked and contracted), with EBIT margins in the high twenties.

Don Robert, Chief Executive Officer of Experian, said, “Since entering the US healthcare payments market five years ago, we have steadily expanded our position through both organic investment and acquisition, and our business is growing strongly. We are now taking the next step and the acquisition of Passport Health will make us a clear leader in this high growth and attractive market. With our newly combined product range, we will offer our clients in the US healthcare industry a competitive one-stop-shop to manage risk and to satisfy their payments requirements. We are excited about the growth opportunities created by this combination and we greatly look forward to welcoming our new Passport Health colleagues to Experian once the transaction completes.”

Experian entered the healthcare payments market in 2008, with the acquisition of SearchAmerica, which focused on helping hospitals to manage their billings and cash flows. Experian further consolidated its position in 2011 with the acquisition of Medical Present Value, which extended its client footprint into physician practices and clinics and added new capabilities in insurance claims. Subsequently, Experian merged the two businesses to create Experian Healthcare, which in the year ending 31 March 2014 is expected to generate revenue of US$75m, with organic revenue growth in the mid-teens.

UK, Nottingham & USA, Franklin, TN

i.TV acquires GetGlue

i-tvi.TV, maker of mobile TV guide apps, has acquired GetGlue, the maker of the GetGlue app for TV, movies and sports. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

getglue“GetGlue has built an impressive product with a highly engaged audience,” said i.TV CEO, Brad Pelo. “With over 4.5 million registered users, GetGlue delivers over 1 billion social impressions every month to 100 million unique Facebook and Twitter users. With this kind of reach, it’s no wonder more than 75 TV networks partner with GetGlue to engage with their fans, and 30 media companies integrate with the GetGlue API. i.TV’s own platform of second screen services power experiences for brands like Nintendo, AOL, Huffington Post, TELUS and i.TV’s own leading TV guide application. Together, i.TV and GetGlue will reshape the social TV and second screen landscape.”

i.TV will continue to build and grow GetGlue as an independent product, while enabling GetGlue to benefit from i.TV’s platform of partners and services. GetGlue will maintain its New York City presence.

In January 2013, DigiNet reported that an $80 million acquisition of GetGlue by Viggle had been terminated.

USA, New York, NY & Provo, UT

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Utilitywise – audited results for the year: Utilitywise – acquisition analysis

utilitywiseUtilitywise, a utility cost management consultancy, has announced final audited results for the year ended 31 July 2013. These include certain amendments to the Company’s Income Statement from that presented with the Company’s preliminary results issued on 15 October 2013. This has led to additional revenue of £430,595 being recognised within the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2013 with a consequential increase in profitability, There is no impact on the Company’s cash flows. For full details go the the London Stock Exchange announcement here.

The revenue and EBITDA adjustments to the 2013 income statement of the Company are as follows:

Revenue £24.83M prelims: £25.25M (audited)
EBITDA £7.39M prelims: £7.82M (audited)

Highlights

  • Like for like revenue growth up 61%.
  • Acquisitions of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Ltd, Aqua Veritas Consulting Ltd and Energy Information Centre Ltd.
  • 15,333 customers and 44,361 meters at 31 July (30 September 2012: 11,400 and 32,972 respectively) with additional 550 customers and 23,000 meters added through EIC.
  • £16.6 million of secured contracts waiting to go live as at 31 July ( 31 July 2012: £7.1 million – 30 September 2013 (post period) £18.2 million).
  • Proposed final dividend payment of 1.8p, making total dividend for the year of 2.6p.

Geoff Thompson, Chief Executive of Utilitywise, commented

“Our first full year as a plc has proved a very successful one. As well as delivering very strong organic growth we have been able to invest and build for the future. Integration of the three businesses that we acquired is progressing well and we have entered the new financial year with an improved suite of products and services to satisfy the wider energy needs of all businesses, regardless of size.

“The market in which we operate remains highly fragmented and we have still attracted only a very small percentage of our addressable market. Through our strong relationships with energy supply companies and our ability to identify customers and deliver the optimum solutions, we remain confident in the continued success of the Company.”

Read the full announcement here

Utilitywise Acquisition Analysis

1. Acquisition of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited on 1 October 2012 for £1,040,821 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares, an element of which is contingent on the performance of Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited to 31 July 2013. Contingent consideration has been included as a best estimate of amounts payable.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 1,040,821
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Property, plant and equipment   15,260
Receivables   122,289
Cash   159,152
Payables     (251,788)
Net assets   44,913
     
Goodwill   995,908
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   355,821
Shares issued   300,000
Contingent consideration    

385,000

Total  consideration   1,040,821

The goodwill reflects expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

The total value of the contingent consideration is based on a multiple of expected EBITDA capped at £385,000. This is split equally between cash and shares.  All of the contingent consideration is included in trade and other payables as it meets the definition of a financial liability.

Since the date of acquisition Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited has generated revenue of £916,913 and a profit before tax of £203,999 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Clouds Environmental Consultancy Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £24,966,494 and profit before tax £6,053,067. 

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £49,403. These costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

2. Acquisition of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited on 16 April 2013 for £2,161,677 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares, an element of which is contingent on the performance of Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited to 30 April 2014. Contingent consideration has been included as a best estimate of amounts payable.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 2,161,677
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Customer related intangible assets    

443,000

Technology based intangible assets    

241,000

Property, plant and equipment   12,158
Receivables   349,011
Cash   15,361
Payables   (566,494)
Deferred tax liability   (136,800)
Net assets   357,236
     
Goodwill   1,804,441
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   70,385
Liabilities settled   91,292
Contingent consideration    

2,000,000

Total consideration   2,161,677

 

Customer related intangible assets relate to customer relationships in place at the date of acquisition.

Technology related intangible assets relate to hardware design intellectual property.

The goodwill reflects the value of the workforce and expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

The total value of the contingent consideration is based on a multiple of expected EBITDA, capped at £4,000,000. This is split equally between cash and shares. All of the contingent consideration is included in trade and other payables as it meets the definition of a financial liability.

Since the date of acquisition Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited has generated revenue of £276,886 and a profit before tax of £168,198 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Aqua Veritas Consulting Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £24,940,096 and profit before tax £5,844,453.

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £70,892. These costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

3. Acquisition of Energy Information Centre Limited

Utilitywise Plc acquired the entire share capital of Energy Information Centre Limited on 3 July 2013 for £18,201,154 in order to enhance the service offering provided by the Group.

Consideration consisted of both cash payments and the issue of shares.

Goodwill on consolidation has been calculated as follows:

  £
Amount of consideration 18,201,154
     
Fair value of net assets acquired:  
Customer related intangible assets    

6,239,000

Intangible fixed assets   108,025
Property, plant and equipment   3,845,911
Investments   200
Receivables   1,094,239
Cash   3,008,473
Payables   (3,386,677)
Deferred tax liability   (1,247,800)
Net assets   9,661,371
     
Goodwill   8,539,783
     

 

Consideration:  
Cash   11,662,500
Shares issued   5,390,125
Deferred cash   1,148,529
Total consideration   18,201,154

Customer related intangible assets relate to customer relationships in place at the date of acquisition.

The goodwill reflects the value of the workforce and expected synergies from combining the two businesses and is not tax deductible.

Since the date of acquisition Energy Information Centre Limited has generated revenue of £531,444 and a profit before tax of £145,867 which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming Energy Information Centre Limited was acquired at the beginning of the annual reporting period, group revenue would be £31,108,691 and profit before tax £7,901,001.

The Group estimate costs incurred in relation to the transactions to be £786,131. Of this amount £317,833 relate to the issue of new shares to fund the acquisition and have subsequently been taken to the share premium reserve. The remaining costs are included within exceptional items in the consolidated statement of total comprehensive income.

UK, South Shields

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DMGT acquires DIIG EUROPE for £75M

dmg information, the business information division of DMGT, is to acquire DMGTDIIG EUROPE for £75 million, from Decision Insight Information Group, a portfolio company of the US private equity firm TPG Capital.

DIIG(E) is a UK and Ireland property searches group, primarily delivering residential and commercial property search results to legal professionals, and is based in Kent, England with additional offices in Edinburgh, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland. DIIG(E)’S business comprises SearchFlow Limited (England & Wales), Millar & Bryce Limited (Scotland), Rochford Brady Legal Services Limited (Ireland), Decision Insight Hub Limited and Decision First Limited.

The acquired businesses had revenues of £69 million and operating profit of £6 million for the year to 31 December 2012.

Suresh Kavan, CEO of dmgi, said: “Acquiring this group of outstanding companies will greatly increase our strategic reach at a time of great opportunity in the property information industry. We are delighted to welcome them to our portfolio of companies.”

UK, London & USA, Austin, TX

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