- Existing Navitas Investor adds $10mm commitment, at same terms as existing PIPE investors, bringing total anticipated PIPE proceeds to $155mm
- New redemption backstop of up to 2mm shares from institutional investor
DUBLIN, IRELAND and Memphis, TN. – AUGUST 23, 2021— Navitas Semiconductor (“the Company” or “Navitas”), the industry leader in GaN power integrated circuits (“ICs”), and its partner Live Oak Acquisition Corp. II (“Live Oak II”) (NYSE: LOKB), a publicly-traded special-purpose acquisition company, provided certain updates related to their proposed business combination, which values the combined entity at a pro forma equity value of $1.04 billion.
Gallium nitride (GaN) is a next-generation semiconductor technology that runs up to 20x faster than legacy silicon, and enables up to 3x more power and 3x faster charging in half the size and weight. Navitas’ GaNFast™ power ICs integrate GaN power and drive plus protection and control to deliver simple, small, fast and efficient performance. With over 130 patents issued or pending, and significant trade secrets including a proprietary process design kit (PDK), Navitas believes it has a multi-year lead in next-generation GaN power ICs.
Since the original announcement of the business combination on May 7th, 2021, the number of OEM chargers in mass production containing Navitas GaNFast power ICs has increased from 75 to more than 140, more than all GaN competitors combined, based on Navitas estimates. The number of GaNFast power ICs shipped has also increased, from over 18 million to over 25 million.
In addition to previously disclosed tier-1 customers such as Dell, Amazon, LG Electronics, Xiaomi and Belkin, Navitas recently showcased testimonials from partners across all target end-markets. This includes OPPO in the fast-charger market for smartphones, Lenovo in mobile and data center, Enphase Energy in the solar market, and Electric Vehicle system supplier Brusa Elektronik AG. The testimonials are available at www.navitassemi.com/ir/ and are included in the Investor Meeting video from July 26th, 2021.
Increased PIPE:
At the time that Navitas and Live Oak II entered into the definitive agreement for the business combination, Live Oak II also entered into subscription agreements for an oversubscribed and upsized $145mm private placement of Class A common stock in Live Oak II at $10.00 per share (the “PIPE”), from a diversified group of institutional investors. On August 17, 2021, Live Oak II entered into a subscription agreement with an affiliate of Atlantic Bridge, an existing investor in Navitas for an additional $10mm of Class A common stock to be issued in the PIPE, on the same terms as the existing PIPE investors.
Redemption Backstop:
Live Oak II has also entered into a redemption backstop agreement with Encompass Capital Advisors LLC (“Encompass”). Encompass is an institutional investment manager, primarily focused on investing across the energy eco-chain.
In the agreement, and subject to certain conditions and including limitations on pricing, Encompass has agreed to direct certain fund entities and/or managed accounts, for which it has investment discretion to offer to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of LOKB Class A common stock prior to the closing of the business combination. Encompass has also agreed to not redeem any shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the business combination, and to vote any shares of Class A Common Stock held by Encompass as of the record date for the special meeting in favor of the business combination and all other proposals to be presented at the special meeting, provided that such proposals have been approved and recommended by the LOKB Board for approval by LOKB’s stockholders.
“We are thrilled to be progressing through the business combination with Live Oak, and pleased that we can accommodate an additional commitment from long-term investor Atlantic Bridge. We welcome Encompass and their support of our business, particularly given their focus on the energy eco-system, including renewables and electric vehicle end markets.” said Gene Sheridan, co-founder and CEO of Navitas. “This kind of support means that we can focus on new generations of products, new markets, and new customers as part of our mission to ‘Electrify Our World™’ profitably and sustainably..”
About Navitas
Navitas Semiconductor Limited is the industry leader in GaN power IC’s, founded in 2014. Navitas has a strong and growing team of power semiconductor industry experts with a combined 300 years of experience in materials, devices, applications, systems and marketing, plus a proven record of innovation with over 200 patents among its founders. GaN power ICs integrate GaN power with drive, control and protection to enable faster charging, higher power density and greater energy savings for mobile, consumer, enterprise, eMobility and new energy markets. Over 130 Navitas patents are issued or pending, and over 25 million GaNFast power ICs have been shipped with zero reported field failures.
About Live Oak Acquisition Corp. II
Live Oak II raised $253 million in December 2020, and its units, Class A common stock and warrants are listed on the NYSE under the tickers “LOKB.U,” “LOKB” and LOKB WS,” respectively. Live Oak II is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Live Oak II is led by an experienced team of managers, operators and investors who have played important roles in helping build and grow profitable public and private businesses, both organically and through acquisitions, to create value for stockholders. The team has experience operating and investing in a wide range of industries, bringing a diversity of experiences as well as valuable expertise and perspective.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding the proposed transaction, the ability of the parties to consummate the transaction, the benefits of the transaction and the combined company’s future financial performance, as well as the combined company’s strategy, future operations, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projections of market opportunity and market share, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “project,” “forecast,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.
Live Oak II and Navitas caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the possibility that the expected growth of Navitas’ business will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, due to, among other things: (i) Navitas’ goals and strategies, future business development, financial condition and results of operations; (ii) Navitas’ customer relationships and ability to retain and expand these customer relationships; (iii) Navitas’ ability to accurately predict future revenues for the purpose of appropriately budgeting and adjusting Navitas’ expenses; (iv) Navitas’ ability to diversify its customer base and develop relationships in new markets; (v) the level of demand in Navitas’ customers’ end markets; (vi) Navitas’ ability to attract, train and retain key qualified personnel; (vii) changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs; (viii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Navitas’ business, results of operations and financial condition; (ix) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy; (x) the ability of Navitas to maintain compliance with certain U.S. Government contracting requirements; (xi) regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; and (xii) Navitas’ ability to protect its intellectual property rights. Forward-looking statements are also subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including (i) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; (ii) the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the proposed transaction, including the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction or that the approval of the stockholders of Live Oak II is not obtained; (iii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Live Oak II or Navitas following announcement of the proposed transaction; (iv) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts Live Oak II’s or Navitas’ current plans and operations as a result of the announcement of the proposed transaction; (v) costs related to the proposed transaction; (vi) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction; (vii) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Navitas; (viii) risks related to the rollout of Navitas’ business and the timing of expected business milestones; (ix) the effects of competition on Navitas’ business; (x) the amount of redemption requests made by Live Oak II’s public stockholders; (xi) the ability of Live Oak II or the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the proposed transaction or in the future; and (xii) those factors discussed in Live Oak II’s registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-256880) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and Live Oak II’s final prospectus filed with the SEC on December 4, 2020 under the heading “Risk Factors” and other documents of Live Oak II filed, or to be filed, with the SEC.
If any of the risks described above materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by our forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither Live Oak II nor Navitas presently know or that Live Oak II and Navitas currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Live Oak II’s and Navitas’ expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Live Oak II and Navitas anticipate that subsequent events and
developments will cause Live Oak II’s and Navitas’ assessments to change. However, while Live Oak II and Navitas may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Live Oak II and Navitas specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Live Oak II’s and Navitas’ assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Important Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, Live Oak II has filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which includes a proxy statement/prospectus of Live Oak II. Live Oak II also plans to file other documents and relevant materials with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. After the Registration Statement has been cleared by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to the stockholders of Live Oak II. SECURITYHOLDERS OF LIVE OAK II AND NAVITAS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS AND RELEVANT MATERIALS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about Live Oak II and Navitas once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Participants in the Solicitation
Live Oak II and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Live Oak II in connection with the proposed transaction. Navitas and its officers and directors may also be deemed participants in such solicitation. Securityholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of Live Oak II’s executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Live Oak II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2021 and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction when they become available. Information concerning the interests of Live Oak II’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Live Oak II’s stockholders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available.
Contact Information
For Navitas
Media
Graham Robertson, CMO Grand Bridges
Investors
Stephen Oliver, VP Corporate Marketing & Investor Relations
For Live Oak II
Adam J. Fishman, Managing Partner
Navitas Semiconductor, GaNFast and the Navitas logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Navitas Semiconductor, Ltd. 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.
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