商定估值和收购条款

Good morning, everyone. Let's get straight to the crux of the matter. We've reviewed your latest financial projections, and while we appreciate the significant growth you've demonstrated, our valuation models still place your company at closer to 850 million, not the 1 billion you're requesting. There's a notable gap to bridge.

Andrew, thank you for your candor. While we understand your perspective, our valuation of 1 billion isn't pulled out of thin air. It accounts for our patented technology's future potential, synergies with your existing portfolio, and our strong customer retention rates, which your models might be underweighting. We believe it's a fair reflection of our true market value and growth trajectory.

We acknowledge those points. However, regarding the payment structure, we're proposing a 70% cash, 30% stock split. This provides immediate liquidity for your shareholders while still allowing them to benefit from the upside of the combined entity. What are your thoughts on that mix?

Thank you, Andrew. We were hoping for a higher stock component, perhaps closer to 40-45%, to align long-term interests more closely. Our shareholders are keen on the growth prospects of your company post-acquisition. Can you elaborate on the rationale behind the 70/30 split?

The 70/30 split aims to balance immediate shareholder returns with our desire to minimize dilution for our existing shareholders. It’s a standard approach for deals of this size, ensuring capital preservation while still offering upside potential. Let's consider a path forward. If we were to meet you closer to 920 million, would a 75% cash, 25% stock offer be more palatable?

That's an interesting shift, Andrew, and it narrows the valuation gap significantly. However, reducing the stock component below 30% might be a sticking point for our board, especially considering the long-term value we see in the combined entity. Could we explore a scenario where the total consideration is 950 million, with a 65% cash, 35% stock split? That would be a strong signal to our investors.

950 million is a substantial increase from our initial position. And 35% stock is higher than we had budgeted. Let me confer with our board. What other key financial terms are non-negotiable for your side, beyond valuation and payment structure?

Beyond those, the earn-out clause based on next year's performance would be critical. We're looking at a 12-month period, with specific revenue and EBITDA targets. It provides an incentive for our team to ensure a seamless transition and continued growth, aligning our interests perfectly.