NEW
YORK and LOS
ANGELES, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinite
Realty, Inc. (iR), the Metaverse innovation and entertainment
company born out of the powerful merger of social ecommerce
platform Display Social, leading entertainment production company
Thunder Studios, and innovative Metaverse builder Infinite
Metaverse, announced today that they have entered into a
definitive merger agreement to acquire esports and entertainment
conglomerate ReKTGlobal, Inc., in a $470
million all-stock deal, based on an equity valuation for iR
of $2 billion, for a combined
post-close valuation of $2.47
billion. Completion of the transaction is subject
to customary closing conditions, including ReKTGlobal shareholder
approval, as well as regulatory and other approvals.
This acquisition is another step in our
journey towards becoming the world's leading Metaverse
Entertainment company
Founded in 2017 by industry veterans Dave Bialek and Amish Shah, ReKTGlobal has
focused on helping endemic and non-endemic brands authentically
activate within the gaming and esports industries. With its proven
and experienced leadership team, ReKTGlobal is uniquely positioned
to help brands engage the esports and creator markets through
services including content creation, paid media, marketing,
influencer activation, fan relationship building and monetization,
and more. This acquisition aims to consolidate ReKT's entertainment
and esports business into Infinite Reality's already impressive
offering of creative tools covering social, gaming, virtual and
remote production, NFT minting, content, and Metaverse
creation.
As part of the deal, Infinite Reality will integrate ReKT's four
key business divisions, which include esports franchises, marketing
and partnership services, talent management, and technology
products. Infinite Reality's comprehensive vision is bolstered by
ReKt's previous acquisitions of content creation and marketing
company Greenlit Content; renowned digital media agency Fearless
Media; fan engagement and monetization platform FullCube, and
digital talent management company TalentX Entertainment.
Additionally, ReKTGlobal stands at the forefront of competitive
global esports, thanks to its ownership of League of Legends LEC
champions Team Rogue and Call of Duty League's London Royal Ravens. ReKTGlobal currently has offices
in New York, Los Angeles, Las
Vegas, Charlotte, London,
and Berlin. Investors in
ReKTGlobal include the band Imagine Dragons, Nick Gross, son of billionaire investor
Bill Gross, DJ Steve Aoki, and
Summit Partners, to name a few.
"This acquisition is another step in our journey towards
becoming the leading Metaverse Entertainment company in the world,"
said Infinite Reality CEO John
Acunto. "The synergies across our combined business units
from content creation to Web3 entertainment to APIs and more are
awe inspiring. We look forward to working with ReKTGlobal's
senior leadership to integrate our valuable combined assets and
accelerate Infinite Reality's growth."
"We are extremely excited to announce this acquisition to all of
our investors, employees, and clients, as well as all Rogue and
Royal Raven fans around the world,"
said Amish Shah, ReKTGlobal Founder and Chairman. "Our journey does
not end today. We are beginning the next chapter in our evolution
into the Metaverse. The explosive combination of our shared
collective assets together creates a dominant, unstoppable force in
the marketplace."
By integrating the two companies' robust assets, Infinite
Reality further establishes its place at the forefront of creator
empowerment and Metaverse opportunities.
"We believe that the future of business, entertainment,
socializing, and learning will be conducted in digital environments
and that iR is the company that will bring it all to life," said
ReKTGlobal co-founder and CEO Dave
Bialek. "We will employ the incredible 150,000 square foot
production facilities at Thunder Studios to create the digital
twins of our gaming and creator brands, as well as the many
businesses, municipalities, and brands who also wish to take the
transformative step. With many thanks to John Acunto and Rodric
David and the many brilliant and creative minds at iR who
recognized the synergies between our companies and quickly and
innovatively snapped the pieces together."
Infinite Reality previously announced it entered into a
definitive merger agreement with NYSE-listed Universal Security
Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: UUU) and secured a Standby Equity Purchase
Agreement with Yorkville Advisors Global, LP for up to $200 million upon completion of the merger with
Universal Security Instruments. Completion of the announced
merger with Universal Security Instruments remains subject to
approval by shareholders of both Infinite Reality and Universal, as
well as clearance by the Securities and Exchange Commission and
NYSE stock exchange listing.
Cowen is serving as exclusive financial advisor to ReKTGlobal
and O'Melveny is serving as legal counsel to ReKTGlobal.
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains
"forward-looking statements." Forward- looking statements are
generally identified by terminology such as "may," "should,"
"expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target,"
"projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts,"
"potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other
similar words. These statements are only predictions. Infinite
Reality has based these forward-looking statements largely on their
then-current expectations about future events as well as the
beliefs and assumptions of management. Forward-looking statements
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which
involve factors or circumstances that are beyond each of Infinite
Reality's control. Events could differ materially from those stated
or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of
factors, including but not limited to: (i) risks associated with
the ability to obtain the shareholder approval required to
consummate the proposed transactions and the timing of the closing
of the proposed transaction; (ii) the outcome of any legal
proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others
related to the proposed transactions; (iii) the occurrence of any
event, change or other circumstance or condition that could
give rise to the termination of the proposed transactions, (iv)
statements regarding future events, actions or performance.
Accordingly, forward-looking statements are not guarantees and you
should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of
future events. Infinite Reality cannot assure you that the events
and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will
be achieved or occur, and actual results could differ materially
from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements made in this communication relate only
to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Except
as required by applicable law or regulation, Infinite Reality
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the
statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of an unanticipated
event.
This Communication is Not a Solicitation
This
communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in
any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities
in connection with the proposed merger shall be made except by
means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
About Infinite Reality, Inc.
Infinite Reality is
fostering a revolution of data, commerce, online authenticity, and
digital transparency. Our vision of an open Metaverse makes each
brand, creator, and fan the master of their own internet
experience, their own data, the ways in which they distribute
content and sell products, and the ways in which they interact with
one another. iR provides the tools and services that companies and
creators need to develop compelling open Metaverse experiences. Our
Metaverse Empowerment Group advises, manages, designs, and oversees
these custom features leveraging our expert internal and creator
community resources. iR's Entertainment division, anchored by
Thunder Studios, provides production, broadcasting, and streaming
services to the world's best talent, brands, and creators. Infinite
Reality has all of the resources to seamlessly create and broadcast
content into and from the Metaverse. For more information visit
theinfinitereality.com.
About ReKTGlobal
ReKTGlobal is at the forefront of
what matters most to Gen Z audiences. It is a cutting-edge digital
entertainment organization that helps connect brands with what's
now and what's next, from traditional sports and esports to social
media, music, and more. ReKT is the parent company to
digitally-native brands including championship esports
organizations Rogue and the London Royal Ravens, content creator
collectives SwayLA and MADGMR, and the creator economy/NIL
monetization app, Fullcube. ReKT is also home to the esports
industry's most robust media and marketing agency business,
consulting brands, properties, and influencers. For more
information visit rektglobal.com.
Media Contact:
press@theinfinitereality.com
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SOURCE Infinite Reality