Connect with us

Technology

EMERGE Completes Acquisition of Tee 2 Green, Amends Credit Facility, Adds Up to 24-Month Term

Published

on

 Acquisition expected to bring EMERGE to cash flow positive

Tee 2 Green Ltd. (“T2G”) generated revenue of $6.4M, Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $1M, and net income of $700K in 2024 (unaudited)Purchase price of $2.2M, including $1.1M cash, $900K deferred consideration over a 5-year payment plan, and $200K in EMERGE shares issued at $0.065/ share (180-day escrow)In 2024, combined revenue (EMERGE + T2G) exceeded $25M with positive Adjusted EBITDA (1)EMERGE’s portfolio now includes 4 brands across 2 verticals:Grocery: truLOCAL (Meat & Seafood Subscription)Golf: UnderPar, JustGolfStuff, and Tee 2 GreenAlongside the Transaction, EMERGE entered into an amended credit facility with its existing lender offering an up to 24-month termWebcast: EMERGE CEO and Golf COO to host virtual webcast on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 11.00am ET (Register Below)

TORONTO, April 7, 2025 /CNW/ – EMERGE Commerce Ltd. (TSXV: ECOM) (“EMERGE” or the “Company”), a premium e-commerce brand portfolio, is pleased to announce that it has closed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Tee 2 Green Ltd. (“T2G”), effective April 4 (the “Transaction”).

Ghassan Halazon, founder and CEO of EMERGE commented, “The acquisition of Tee 2 Green marks the beginning of our next chapter at EMERGE which entails combining our organically growing business with this accretive, profitable, bolt-on acquisition, at favorable terms, and immediate synergies with our golf brand portfolio. On behalf of the EMERGE team, we would like to extend a warm welcome to the dedicated Tee 2 Green staff joining us on this journey.”

T2G is a profitable, discount golf apparel and equipment business with a 38-year track record of operations, focused on the Canadian market. T2G achieved revenue of $6.4M, Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $1M and net income of $700K in 2024 (unaudited). T2G is based in Ontario, Canada and was founded in 1987 by Robert J. Fell, who will continue to support T2G under EMERGE in his capacity as a consultant. T2G has a diversified revenue stream comprising two retail stores, dozens of roadshows, an online store, and a private label golf apparel brand, NORTHERN SPIRIT.

Immediate Synergies

T2G will benefit from EMERGE’s extensive golf business, which includes UnderPar and JustGolfStuff, an organically growing and profitable vertical for EMERGE in 2024. T2G and EMERGE’s golf business already have a multi-year history of partnership and collaboration. EMERGE expects to utilize its 400,000+ golf subscriber database to help scale T2G’s business cost-effectively.

“We have seen great success with JustGolfStuff, our golf apparel and products business that we have grown nearly 10x over the last 5 years since acquiring it alongside UnderPar in late 2019. We already work closely with T2G, and the teams are intimately familiar and collaborative, thus reducing operational risk. The addition of T2G, expands our strategic golf roadmap which will now include discounted golf experiences, apparel, and products, both online and offline,” commented Maurice Finn, COO of EMERGE’s Golf business.

Acquisition Funded with Cash on Hand

Given EMERGE’s recently bolstered cash position from the sale of the SHOP domains to Shopify (TSX: SHOP) and the sale of the Carnivore Club assets announced in January 2025, as well as the flexible deal structure negotiated with T2G, the Company closed the transaction utilizing existing cash on hand.

Transaction Overview

Pursuant to the Agreement and in consideration for the Transaction, EMERGE paid T2G cash consideration of $1.1M on closing of the Transaction (“Closing”), and will pay $900K in deferred cash consideration over a 5-year period.

EMERGE has issued 3,076,923 common shares in the capital of EMERGE (the “Common Shares” and the Common Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction, the “Compensation Shares”) at a deemed price of $0.065 per Compensation Shares, with the aggregate approximate value of $200,000. All shares issued in relation to the Transaction are subject to a four months hold period pursuant to securities laws and additional restrictions from trading for 180 days from date of issuance pursuant to contractual lock ups.

As part of the transaction, EMERGE has also acquired approximately $2.4M inventory, over an 8-year payment plan. At December 31, 2024, T2G had total assets of $5.3M (including $2.9M in inventory) and total liabilities of $1.1M. Prior to the Closing, T2G has deposited $200,000 in a redeemable guaranteed investment certificate for a one-year term sold by the Royal Bank of Canada (the “GIC”). The parties agreed that on maturity of the GIC, the aggregate amount of the GIC (being principal plus interest) will be paid to the vendors.

No finder’s fees are expected to be paid in connection with the Transaction.

All conditions precedent to the completion of the Transaction have been satisfied, including receipt of TSXV approval,

The Transaction constituted an Expedited Acquisition in accordance with Policy 5.3 of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Go Forward Business

Following the Transaction, EMERGE retains 4 brands across 2 main verticals. truLOCAL is our flagship grocery brand, a Canadian meat and seafood subscription service, and the golf vertical, which now includes UnderPar, JustGolfStuff, and Tee 2 Green.

T2G is expected to substantially enhance the Company’s revenue, profitability and cash flow profile, and in the process, strengthen its balance sheet, and potentially improve its cost of capital over time.

Amended Credit Facility

Alongside the Transaction, the Company has also entered to enter into a first amendment (the “Amended Facility”) to the second amended and restated credit agreement dated January 31,2024 with its existing lender, which amends the Company’s current credit agreement.

The Amended Facility provides an 18-month extension, and an additional 6-month extension option provided that lender consent is obtained. Inclusive of the 6-month extension, the Amended Facility would mature in April 2027. The Company remains in good standing with existing lender, which it has worked with since November 2019.

The interest rate on the principal amount owing under the Amended Facility remains variable rate, unchanged at the greater of 9% per annum and the TD Prime Rate + 6.55% per annum.

“We are pleased to see our lender continue to support our progress and plans over the next 18-24 months, including the accretive acquisition of T2G. We intend to use this extended facility term to continue to drive organic growth, which we have achieved for 3 consecutive quarters, along with improved profitability and cash flow. As this is a variable-rate credit facility, the recent and anticipated interest rate cuts are expected to result in substantial interest savings, and in turn, enhance cash flow, in addition to the significant improvements expected from T2G’s positive contribution,” continued Halazon.

Webcast Details

EMERGE management will be hosting a virtual webcast on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 11.00am EST to discuss the Company’s recent acquisition, operational progress and upcoming plans. Registration details below:

Register: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oTHpkLGuTVaB7hGY0PI-Ow

Webinar (Zoom) ID: 832 9097 9100

Passcode: 015854

About EMERGE

EMERGE is a premium, Canadian e-commerce brand portfolio. Our subscription, marketplace, and retail businesses provide our members with access to offerings across our grocery and golf verticals. truLOCAL is our flagship Canadian meat and seafood subscription service, connecting local farmers with a health-conscious audience. Our golf vertical includes our discounted tee-times/ experiences brand, UnderPar, and our discounted golf apparel and equipment brands, JustGolfStuff and Tee 2 Green.

Follow EMERGE:
LinkedIn | XInstagram | Facebook 

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release makes reference to certain non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing a further understanding of results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the financial information of the Company reported under IFRS. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income/loss determined in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Adjusted EBITDA as defined by management means earnings before interest and financing costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, transaction costs, foreign exchange gains/losses, discontinued operations, unrealized gains/losses on contingent consideration and share-based compensation. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure because it provides information about the operating and financial performance of EMERGE and its ability to generate ongoing operating cash flow to fund future working capital needs and fund future capital expenditures or acquisitions.

Notice regarding forward-looking statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements (“forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements related to the closing of the Transaction and the timing thereof, the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the closing of the Transaction, including, without limitation, TSXV approval in respect of the Transaction, any benefit that may be derived by the Company from the Transaction, including, without limitation, any material benefit to the working capital or financial position of the Company as a result of the Transaction, expectations regarding cash flow both as a result of the Transaction and in general, as well as other statements containing the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “continue”, “estimate”, “forecasts” and other similar expressions. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. There is no guarantee the Transaction will be completed as contemplated or at all, and the forward-looking information contained herein is based on the assumptions of management of the Company as of the date hereof including, without limitation, assumptions with respect to the financial position, cash flow, and working capital of the Company, the ability of the Company to obtain TSXV approval for the Transaction and the satisfaction of any other conditions thereto, and the conditions of the financial markets and the e-commerce markets generally, among others. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking information has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control, including risks related to the disposition of a operating business by the Company, risks that the benefits derived from the Transaction may not be as expected or that the Company may not see any benefit from the Transaction, risks that each party to the Agreement may not satisfy its obligations or covenants, risks that the Company may be subject to litigation as a result of the Transaction including allegations of misrepresentation or breach of conditions or covenants, risks that the TSXV may not approve the Transaction, as well as the risk factors discussed in the Company’s MD&A, which is available through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

On Behalf of the Board
Ghassan Halazon
Director, President, and CEO
EMERGE Commerce Ltd.

SOURCE Emerge Commerce Ltd.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Robert Payne becomes Chief Technology Officer at Piedmont Advantage Credit Union

Published

on

By

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Piedmont Advantage Credit Union (PACU) is proud to announce the promotion of Robert Payne to Chief Technology Officer (CTO), marking a significant milestone in a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in the technology field.

Payne has served as PACU’s Senior Vice President of Information Technology for over a decade, leading with a vision to ensure that technology functions and works smarter to make financial services easier, safer and more seamless for members and employees alike.

“Technology should feel effortless for the people who rely on it, our members and employees,” Payne said. “In my new role, I look forward to building on that foundation and driving strategic technology decisions that add real, measurable value.”

Payne holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Security (now called Cybersecurity) from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky., and is certified in ISO/IEC 20000, the international standard for IT service management. His approach to leadership blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of how technology shapes member experiences and internal operations.

As CTO, Payne will align PACU’s technology infrastructure with its long-term strategic goals. His priorities include:

Fortifying cybersecurity, recognizing that trust is the foundation of all member relationships.Enhancing digital experiences to ensure members can bank anytime, anywhere seamlessly.Investing in automation and AI to increase operational efficiency and allow staff to focus more on members’ financial well-being.Ensuring resilience and scalability to support PACU’s continued growth.

“Robert has a clear vision for how technology can enable innovation and preserve the human connections that make our credit union so unique,” said PACU’s President & CEO, Dion Williams. “His leadership has been instrumental in building a technology strategy that puts our members first and empowers our employees to serve with confidence and ease. As CTO, he will continue to guide us toward a more secure, efficient and people-focused future.”

While artificial intelligence and automation are key areas of interest, Payne emphasizes that technology at PACU will always serve people, not replace them. “No technology can replicate the relationships, trust and sense of belonging that define who we are,” he said. “That’s priceless, and it will always be our priority.”

About Piedmont Advantage Credit Union
Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., and founded in 1949 to meet the financial needs of Piedmont Aviation and Piedmont Airline employees, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union has grown to serve member-owners, who reside, work, worship, attend school or operate a business in one of the six counties it serves in North Carolina or who are employed by one of its many employer companies. These six counties are Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Rockingham. A not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution, Piedmont Advantage still has a strong presence in aviation with its six branches and 10 ATMs throughout the service region.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robert-payne-becomes-chief-technology-officer-at-piedmont-advantage-credit-union-302427139.html

SOURCE Piedmont Advantage Credit Union

Continue Reading

Technology

20 Global Ministers Gather in Riyadh for a Ministerial Roundtable on Human Capability Development as part of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI)

Published

on

By

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), a Saudi Vision 2030 Realization Program, convened a ministerial roundtable on day one of the second edition of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference. The HCI conference is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of HCDP, on April 13 – 14 2025 in the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center under the theme of #BeyondReadiness

The closed-door ministerial roundtable meeting focused on “AI Literacy for All: Promoting Equitable Access for Resilient Capabilities” and engaged 20 ministers from around the world, as well as local and global experts in education and technology, including representatives from the Saudi Education and Training Evaluation Commission, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

The roundtable explored the critical need for integrating digital skills as a cornerstone of human capability development and examined AI literacy’s central role in ensuring individuals can thrive in an AI-driven economy. 

The meeting also highlighted the need to establish inclusive strategies that promote digital education, and the importance of integrating AI skills into curricula and strengthening international collaboration to discover scalable solutions that can provide equitable access to AI tools and digital training worldwide. 

Participants in the roundtable agreed to issue a joint statement following the meeting, which highlighted key aspects of the discussion and outlined their main recommendations on next steps, which are as follows: 

Advocating for the inclusion of AI literacy in national education systems, ensuring future generations are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in an AI-powered world. Encouraging initiatives that support continuous education and reskilling opportunities for AI literacy, enabling individuals to remain adaptable in the face of technological advancements. Continuing to support the strengthening of international collaboration, sharing resources, knowledge, and experiences to enhance access to AI education globally. 

The roundtable reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to leading global efforts in human capability development in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, driven by its recognition of the central role of human capability development in achieving sustainable economic growth worldwide. Global participants in the roundtable identified innovative, concrete solutions to ensure that countries can remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth across various industries by enabling individuals and institutions to succeed in an AI-powered world.

For more information, contact the HCI Conference Media Team: media@humancapabilityinitiative.org  

Access the HCI Conference Website: https://humancapabilityinitiative.org/en/  

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663390/20_Global_Ministers.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/20-global-ministers-gather-in-riyadh-for-a-ministerial-roundtable-on-human-capability-development-as-part-of-the-human-capability-initiative-hci-302427132.html

SOURCE Human Capability Development Program (HCDP)

Continue Reading

Technology

Meizu Breaks into the Middle East Market with the AI Ecosystem Products

Published

on

By

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — From April 12 to 13, Meizu partnered with Geely Auto to host a product launch event in Dubai, introducing its full ecosystem products to the Middle East market and accelerating its global expansion.

At the event, Meizu showcased multiple innovative products tailored for overseas markets, including smartphones such as the Meizu 21 series, Meizu Note 22 series, Meizu Mblu 21, Meizu Mblu 22 Pro, and the AI-powered Meizu Lucky 08. Smart wearable devices like the smart glasses StarV Air2 and StarV View, as well as the smart ring StarV Ring2, also made their debut.

To meet the cross-language communication needs of Middle Eastern users, the highly acclaimed multilingual real-time translation function of the StarV Air2 smart glasses added Arabic to its support list, which premiered at the event and will be officially launched in late April. With Arabic support, StarV Air2 now covers 14 real-time translation languages, broadening its user group and allowing more users to learn about Meizu’s vision of “AI Enlightening a Better Life.”

With the acceleration of its “overseas Flyme AI ecosystem strategy”, Meizu is swiftly and steadily expanding overseas markets. The Middle East, a strategic hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, is a critical market for Meizu to seize global markets further.

Following its return to the global markets after releasing its overseas Flyme AI ecosystem strategy at MWC 2025, a global industry technology highland, Meizu partners with Geely Auto again to unveil overseas AI ecosystem products in the Middle East. This strategic move signifies a solid step in Meizu’s global resurgence and underscores its ambition and determination in worldwide expansion.

As overseas expansion accelerates, Meizu has achieved remarkable success with its ecosystem products. Its products are now available in over 30 countries and regions across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. Cars equipped with Flyme Auto are exported to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia-Pacific, and the overseas ecosystem integrating “people, cars, and homes” has taken shape. In Q1 2025 alone, Meizu entered key frontier markets like the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Australia.

Currently, by virtue of its forward-looking ecosystem integrating “smartphones, glasses and cars”, Meizu has become the No.1 company in China in three aspects. Meizu has doubled the sales of AI-powered smartphones, achieved the top market share for smart glasses, and supported the largest number of cars on the market equipped with the Flyme Auto smart cockpit operating system.

In terms of Flyme AIOS, Meizu has deeply integrated AI capabilities into its operating system, redefining the neural network of the entire digital space. Its open architecture has access to advanced models like Tongyi Qianwen, Doubao, ERNIE Bot, and DeepSeek to deliver system-level, cross-device, open, and smart integrated AI experiences.

Meizu’s StarV series captured over 41.5% market share in a single quarter after its launch in September, ranking first in China in terms of market share in a single quarter. Technically, it pioneered the adoption of the most challenging optical waveguide technology in the industry, achieving top product maturity. According to iResearch’s 2024 Consumer AR Glasses Market Dynamics and Trends Report, Meizu leads China’s “Five AR Glasses Giants” as the only AR player with a full ecosystem.

And Meizu is the smartphone brand of DreamSmart Group, which carries AI eco-products in three product areas, which are smartphones, XR and smart cars. With deep technological expertise in multiple industries, DreamSmart is recognized as a leader in smart ecosystems.

In the smart cockpits, Meizu’s Flyme Auto saw 310,000 new vehicle installations in March (including upgrades for over 200,000 Geely Galaxy L6 and L7 users), with cumulative sales of exceeding 910,000 cars. It has ranked first in new users for six consecutive months. At present, Flyme Auto supports 23 models under Geely, Lynk & Co, Galaxy, and other brands, making it the most widely adopted, fastest-growing, and broadest-priced smart cockpit operating system.

These “three No.1 achievements” highlight Meizu’s domestic leadership and lay a foundation for global market expansion. As its globalization accelerates in the future, Meizu will deliver smarter, more convenient, and efficient digital life experiences to users worldwide.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663379/image_5031974_42503889.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663380/1.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663381/2.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663385/Picture1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/meizu-breaks-into-the-middle-east-market-with-the-ai-ecosystem-products-302427133.html

Continue Reading

Trending