Merging SF into NewCo Question...with Cash/Stock Roll Election

searcher profile

May 04, 2020

by a searcher from The University of Texas at Austin - Red McCombs School of Business in 700 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

Let's say SearchCo, LLC is formed with 10 investors and raises $200,###-###-#### years later, SearchCo, LLC finds XYZ Corp to acquire for $6 million, financed through 1/3 cash (reg D raise), 1/3 SBA loan, 1/3 seller note. At the time of the acquisition, some SearchCo, LLC investors want to take their cash step-up and walkaway from the deal, while some roll their stepped-up investment and invest in the $2mm Reg D offering to retain their pro-rata economics.

Structurally, what's the best way to accomplish this where investors have the election to roll or walkaway at the acquisition?

Do you form NewCo, which raises money (Reg D $2mm) from both pro-rata SearchCo, LLC investors and new investors, then NewCo acquires and closes both XYZ Corp and SearchCo, LLC at which time SearchCo, LLC investors get their stepped-up consideration based on their cash or stock election?

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Reply by a searcher
from The University of Texas at Austin in 700 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Jonathan - I was thinking of having 2 step-ups: one for those who cash out and a higher one for those who roll into NewCo. I assume SearchCo would merge into NewCo and similar to an acquisition, the search investors would get their choice of consideration - cash or stock premium.
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Reply by an investor
from Harvard University in Houston, TX, USA
I'm a little new to the space, so please forgive my lack of information. I have two questions: (1) would investors who choose to cash out get a step-up similar to investors who take NewCo equity? (2) How are NewCo and SearchCo tied together legally?
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