QUEBEC CITY, Canada, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, for ADAS, AD and parking applications, announced today that the Company received the second tranche of the bridge loans (the “Bridge Loans”) in an aggregate amount of US$3.0 million, which are part of a bridge financing in an aggregate amount of up to US$9.0 million (the “Bridge Financing”) made available to the Company by certain of its principal shareholders, namely FS Investors (“FS”), Investissement Québec (“IQ”) and its senior lender, Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins” and, together with FS and IQ, the “Initial Bridge Lenders”). The principal details of the Bridge Financing were announced by the Company on August 19, 2024.
As previously announced, the Bridge Financing is comprised of two tranches, with the first tranche of US$6.0 million funded on August 19, 2024. The second tranche of the Bridge Financing, in an amount of up to US$3.0 million, was conditioned on the absence of a default under the Bridge Loans and the receipt by the Company of a commitment from a strategic investor of its intent to invest a minimum amount of US$5.0 million in a subsequent equity capital raise.
In connection with the Bridge Financing, FS converted US$1.5 million of its existing convertible notes into common shares in the capital of the Company at an above-market conversion price of US$2.00 per share, reducing the convertible note balance by US$1.5 million. The Company also received additional Bridge Loans in an aggregate amount of approximately US$334,000 from certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Additional Bridge Lenders” and, together with the Initial Bridge Lenders, the “Bridge Lenders”) in accordance with the terms of the Bridge Financing.
The Bridge Financing constitutes a “related-party transaction” within the meaning of Regulation 61-101 – Protections of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“Regulation 61-101”) as FS, IQ and the Additional Bridge Lenders are all “insiders” of the Company under Canadian securities laws. However, in light of the fact that the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) have determined that the Company is in serious financial difficulty, the Company is relying on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements contained in Regulation 61-101 on the basis of the “financial hardship” exemption therein.
After considering and reviewing all of the circumstances currently surrounding the Company and the Bridge Financing, the Board, including all independent members of the Board who are free from interest in the Bridge Financing and unrelated to the Bridge Lenders, acting in good faith, unanimously determined that (i) the Company is in serious financial difficulty, (ii) the Bridge Financing is designed to improve the financial condition of the Company, and (iii) the terms of the Bridge Financing are reasonable in the Company’s circumstances.
The Bridge Loans have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or applicable State securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable State securities laws.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sales of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
About LeddarTech
A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.
LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 160 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.
Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at http://www.LeddarTech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the possibility that anticipated benefits of LeddarTech’s recent business combination will not be realized; (ii) the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the business combination or other settlements or investigations may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (iii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (iv) possible disruptions from the business combination that could harm LeddarTech’s business; (v) the ability of LeddarTech to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to relationships with customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (vii) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships following the business combination that could affect LeddarTech’s financial performance; (viii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (ix) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak or escalation of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including COVID-19), as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (x) access to capital and financing and LeddarTech’s ability to maintain compliance with debt covenants; (xi) LeddarTech’s ability to execute its business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; and (xii) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at http://www.sedarplus.ca, including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations, LeddarTech Holdings Inc. Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232 daniel.aitken@LeddarTech.com
Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.
LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”
