Benzinga | Jan 27, 2022 07:34AM EST

AVCtechnologies Announces Definitive Agreement To Divest Computex Technology Solutions To Focus On Kandy Platform

American Virtual Cloud Technologies, Inc.("AVCtechnologies" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:AVCT), a trusted partner providing best-in-class cloud-based solutions to global enterprise customers, today announced it has executed a definitive agreement to sell its Computex Technology Group (Computex) business to Calian Group Ltd. (Calian) (TSX:CGY), which will complete AVCtechnologies' transition to a pure-play cloud communications and collaboration company, centered on its premium Kandy platform.



The proceeds from the sale along with use of cash on hand are expected to leave AVCtechnologies debt-free and allow long-term value creation for its shareholders. AVCtechnologies' recently completed share registration related to warrants issued in prior transactions will, if all the issued warrants are exercised, based on the warrant exercise prices which currently range from $1.50 to $2.00 per share, result in the receipt of over $40 million in incremental cash proceeds, fully funding its strategic growth initiatives including the recently announced partnerships with Braidio and Etisalat.

AVCtechnologies also recently announced that Michael Tessler had joined its Board as Chairman. Tessler is the founder and former CEO of Broadsoft, one of the world's largest Unified Communications as a service (UCaaS) platform providers, which was sold to Cisco in 2018 for $1.9 billion. Cloud communications represents a fast-growing total addressable market that is expected to grow at least in the low-teens CAGR over the next four years to $100 billion1.

AVCtechnologies' Kandy platform, which it acquired in December 2020, is one of the largest pure-play providers of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), and Direct Routing as a Service (DRaaS) for enterprise customers and has consistently generated above-market revenue growth rates. AVCtechnologies previously announced projected revenues of its Kandy Business Unit to grow from $14.3 million in 2020 to approximately $18.8 million in 2021 and to more than $37 million in 2022. The significant projected growth is driven by 505% year-over-year subscriber growth (90% CAGR) from January 2019 to November 2021.

Darrell J. Mays, CEO of AVCtechnologies, said "Our white-label relationships with key telecommunication companies and technology vendors, global carrier-grade connectivity, and proven SD-WAN integration position AVCtechnologies as a premier cloud communications provider poised to gain market share."

AVCtechnologies acquired Computex, an award-winning IT solutions provider specializing in data centers, enterprise networking, cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services, in April 2020.

"We have been pleased with the growth of Computex's VAR and Managed Services businesses since acquiring the business in 2020; however, with our newly dedicated focus on our core Kandy cloud communications and collaboration technologies, we decided to divest Computex and believe the business will continue to thrive under Calian's ownership," said Mays.

The closing of the transaction is subject to shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions. Shareholders holding more than 50% of AVCtechnologies' outstanding common stock have signed voting agreements to support the transaction.

Truist Securities, Inc. is serving as sole financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig LLP is serving as legal counsel to AVCtechnologies.

1Sources: IDC UC and Collaboration 2019-2025 May 2021, Juniper CPaaS: Future Market Outlook & Emerging Opportunities 2020-2025 July 2021, Company Estimates, September 2021