Online travel agency (OTA) Yatra will be listed on NASDAQ as a result of its merger with special purpose acquisition firm Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corp (TRTL). NASDAQ listed TRTL will buy the Indian OTA firm in a multi-phased transaction, valuing it at $218 Mn.
As per the terms of the proposed transaction, it is estimated that the current shareholders of Yatra will continue to own at least 35% of the issued and outstanding shares in the combined company.
Terms Of The Deal
The first $100 Mn of cash will be allocated entirely to the combined company’s balance sheet and to pay transaction expenses. Any amount greater than $100 Mn available from TRTL will then be allocated 80% to current Yatra shareholders and 20% as cash to the combined company’s balance sheet. However, cash payments to current Yatra shareholders will be limited to $80 Mn. Also, existing shareholders of Yatra may receive additional consideration of up to $35 Mn provided they achieve certain financial objectives during the 18 months after closing of the deal.
To Be Listed As YTRA
Consequently, Yatra intends to be listed on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol “YTRA” following completion of the transaction. The combined company will continue to be led by Yatra’s management team under the leadership of chief executive and co-founder Dhruv Shringi post the merger. Completion of the transaction, which is expected by October 2016, is subject to approval by TRTL stockholders and other customary closing conditions.
Founded in 2006, Yatra counts Valiant Capital Management, Norwest Venture Partners, as well as Reliance Venture Asset Management Ltd, Web18 of TV18 Group and Intel Capital among its backers. During the fiscal year ended March 2016, Yatra customers booked more than 2.8 Mn air travel reservations and hotel stays with total transaction value worth more than $900 Mn, an increase of 25% from the prior year.
Dhruv Shringi stated, “We are excited to partner with TRTL in a transaction that we believe will enable Yatra to continue its growth as a new public company. This transaction gives us substantial additional resources to support our growth and the continued improvement of our integrated online and mobile platforms. We look forward to expanding our already extensive network of domestic and international partnerships with hotels, airlines, car services and tour package promoters, as well as further strengthening our brand presence and technology platform.”
Meanwhile, TRTL, which is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, acquisition, or similar business combination, had raised $212.75 Mn in its IPO in July 2014. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is acting as TRTL’s capital markets advisor. Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP are representing TRTL. Goodwin Procter LLP is representing Yatra.
Nathan Leight, chairman of the board of TRTL, stated, “We created TRTL with the express purpose of partnering with a company that would benefit from a public listing, could utilize our cash resources for growth and generate long-term returns for our shareholders. Yatra has the broadest brand recognition of any online travel agent in India. The infrastructure required to compete in India as an online travel agent represents a significant barrier to market entry. With its high level of brand recognition, large hotel network, significant investment in technology, and deep management experience in this sector, we believe Yatra has created tremendous competitive advantages.”
Third Big Deal In Online Travel Space This Year
This deal marks the third big deal in the online travel space in the country. In February, Ibibo secured an investment of $250 Mn from Naspers, the South African internet and media company, and Chinese internet firm Tencent. Similarly, rival MakeMyTrip, which is already listed on NASDAQ, had raised an investment of $180 Mn from Chinese travel major Ctrip in January through convertible bonds.
Yatra which claims to have 4 Mn customers in India was earlier rumoured to be in talks with mcommerce platform Paytm for a stake sale. This year, in January, Yatra acqui-hired Mumbai-based Travel-logs, which specialises in organising customised city walks and private tours. Last month, it acquired mGaadi, a Bangalore-based auto rickshaw aggregator. The terms of the deal are undisclosed.
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