Mercia Asset Management PLC Sale of Mercia's largest direct investment nDreams (8956T)
20 Novembre 2023 - 8:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMMERC
RNS Number : 8956T
Mercia Asset Management PLC
20 November 2023
20 November 2023
Mercia Asset Management PLC
("Mercia" the "Company" or the "Group")
Profitable sale of Mercia's largest direct investment nDreams to
Aonic AB
Mercia Asset Management PLC (AIM: MERC), the proactive,
regionally focused specialist asset manager with c.GBP1.4billion of
assets under management, is pleased to announce the profitable sale
of nDreams Limited ("nDreams") to Aonic AB ("Aonic") for an
enterprise value of GBP90.3million ($110million).
Mercia held a 33.2% direct stake in nDreams, resulting in total
consideration of GBP30.2million, split GBP26.4million in cash
proceeds and GBP3.8million re-invested into Aonic itself. This exit
results in a 2.7x return on invested capital and an 18.4% IRR. The
exit price represents a GBP4.4million (17.5%) increase on Mercia's
carrying value for nDreams as at 31 March 2023.
nDreams is a leading virtual reality ("VR") studio that
specialises in developing and publishing VR games. nDreams is
headquartered in Farnborough and was founded by Patrick O'Luanaigh
in 2006. Mercia was one of the first investors to anticipate the
growth of VR, prior to Facebook buying Oculus. Mercia's initial
investment of GBP0.3million in nDreams was made in March 2014
through its managed funds, with the Group first investing from its
own balance sheet in December 2014.
Aonic is a diversified video gaming investment group, with a
strong position in the VR and augmented reality ("AR") industry,
and made an initial GBP20.0million ($35million) investment into
nDreams in March 2022.
Dr Mark Payton , CEO of Mercia Asset Management PLC, said: "This
trade sale represents another profitable outcome for Mercia,
realising a significant return which is above our current holding
value, predominantly in cash. This latest successful exit further
adds to our strong debt free cash position, which now stands at
c.GBP60million. We look forward to announcing Mercia's Interim
Results on 28 November 2023."
Julian Viggars , CIO of Mercia Asset Management PLC and nDreams'
board member, commented: "When we first invested in nDreams we had
a high conviction in the potential of VR gaming, and this
realisation is a strong validation of that thesis. We have
proactively supported nDreams since 2014 and are pleased that we
will continue to benefit from their continuing growth as part of
Aonic, through our partial reinvestment. We look forward to nDreams
continuing on its exciting VR and AR journey within a larger gaming
group and congratulate Patrick O'Luanaigh and his nDreams team on
all that they have achieved thus far."
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it
forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018.
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Mercia Asset Management PLC
Mark Payton, Chief Executive Officer
Martin Glanfield, Chief Financial Officer +44 (0)330 223
www.mercia.co.uk 1430
Canaccord Genuity Limited (NOMAD and Joint +44 (0)20 7523
Broker) 8000
Simon Bridges, Emma Gabriel
+44 (0)20 7496
Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) 3000
Harry Gooden, James Moat
+44 (0)20 3727
FTI Consulting 1051
Tom Blackwell, Jenny Boyd
mercia@fticonsulting.com
About Mercia Asset Management PLC
Mercia is a proactive, specialist asset manager focused on
supporting regional SMEs to achieve their growth aspirations.
Mercia provides capital across its four asset classes of venture,
private equity, debt and proprietary capital: the Group's 'Complete
Connected Capital'. The Group initially nurtures businesses via its
third-party funds under management, then over time Mercia can
provide further funding to the most promising companies, by
deploying direct investment follow-on capital from its own balance
sheet.
The Group has a strong UK footprint through its regional
offices, university partnerships and extensive personal networks,
providing it with access to high-quality deal flow.
Mercia Asset Management PLC is quoted on AIM with the EPIC
"MERC".
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