BEN Announces Private Placement at Premium to Market Price, Secures $50 Million Standby Equity Purchase Agreement

Rhea-AI Summary

Brand Engagement Network (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI) has secured significant funding through two key transactions. The company closed a $5.925 million private placement with existing investors, selling shares at $5.00 each, above the current market price. Additionally, BEN entered a $50 million Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (SEPA) with Yorkville Advisors, accessible over three years.

These financial moves aim to support BEN's strategic growth, market validation, and scaling of its human-like, conversational AI assistants. The private placement involves complex share transfers and warrant issuances, while the SEPA provides flexible capital access. However, the SEPA's utilization is pending SEC approval of a registration statement.

Positive

• Secured $5.925 million through private placement at $5.00 per share, above market price
• Entered $50 million Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with Yorkville Advisors
• Increased financial flexibility for strategic growth initiatives
• Support for expanded market validation and production scaling of AI assistants

Negative

• SEPA utilization pending SEC approval of registration statement
• Issuance of 960,000 warrants at $5.00 per share, potentially diluting existing shareholders
• Release of 1,252,500 shares from lockup restrictions, potentially increasing sell pressure

Insights

Financial Analyst

The private placement and SEPA provide significant financial flexibility for BEN. The $5.925 million private placement at a premium to market price signals strong investor confidence. The $50 million SEPA offers a substantial capital reserve over three years, enabling strategic growth without immediate dilution. However, the issuance of additional shares and warrants may lead to future dilution. The release of shares from lockup restrictions could potentially increase selling pressure. Overall, while these financial maneuvers strengthen BEN's position, investors should monitor how effectively the company deploys this capital for growth and revenue generation.

AI Technology Expert

BEN's focus on "safe and secure customer engagement AI" aligns with growing market demand for trustworthy AI solutions. The emphasis on human-like, conversational AI assistants suggests advanced natural language processing capabilities. The company's plans for "expanded market validation and production scaling" indicate a transition from development to commercialization phase. This could potentially accelerate revenue growth if successful. However, the AI market is highly competitive, with tech giants and startups vying for dominance. BEN's success will depend on its ability to differentiate its offerings and effectively scale its technology. Investors should closely monitor BEN's progress in market penetration and any unique features of its AI assistants.

Market Research Analyst

The AI customer engagement market is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected CAGR of 25.1% from 2021 to 2028. BEN's focus on this sector positions it well for potential expansion. The premium-priced private placement suggests strong investor belief in BEN's prospects. However, the company faces stiff competition from established players and well-funded startups. The success of BEN's strategy will hinge on its ability to deliver superior AI solutions and effectively penetrate key markets. Investors should watch for announcements regarding client acquisitions, partnerships and technological advancements to gauge BEN's progress in this competitive landscape.

JACKSON, Wyo., Aug. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brand Engagement Network Inc. (“BEN”) (Nasdaq: BNAI), an emerging provider of safe and secure customer engagement AI, today announced it has closed a private placement with existing investors to purchase shares of BEN’s common stock in the aggregate amount of $5.925 million. Concurrently, BEN announced that it has entered into a $50 million Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (“SEPA”) with Yorkville Advisors. Together, these two transactions provide the Company with increased financial flexibility and access to capital in support of strategic growth initiatives, expanded market validation, and production scaling of its human-like, conversational AI assistants.

The private placement is backed by a group of existing BEN stockholders, who agreed to purchase 1.185 million shares of common stock at $5.00 per share, materially above the current trading price of the Company’s common stock. For each share purchased, investors received an additional share of common stock from certain existing stockholders of the Company. In exchange for transferring their shares to existing investors, certain transferring stockholders were issued 960,000 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $5.00 per share, and received a release from certain existing “lockup” restrictions on 1,252,500 shares of common stock owned by them. The shares of common stock will be purchased on a monthly basis through April 5, 2025.

Under the terms of the SEPA, Yorkville Advisors has agreed to purchase BEN shares up to the aggregate amount of $50 million over three years. This financing structure will provide the company with access to capital on an as-needed basis to fund its business plan as it seeks to execute on its growth and revenue strategies. BEN cannot utilize the SEPA until a registration statement registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About BEN

BEN (Brand Engagement Network) is a leading provider of conversational AI technology and human-like AI avatars headquartered in Jackson, WY. BEN delivers highly personalized, multi-modal (text, voice, and vision) AI engagement, with a focus on industries where there is a massive workforce gap and an opportunity to transform how consumers engage with networks, providers, and brands. The backbone of BEN’s success is a rich portfolio of conversational AI applications that drive better customer experience, increased automation and operational efficiencies. Powered by a proprietary large language model developed based on years of research and development from leading experts in AI and advanced security methodologies, BEN seeks to partner with companies with complementary capabilities and networks to enable meaningful business outcomes.

Additional information about BEN can be found here: https://beninc.ai/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of BEN to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” or “would,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside BEN’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to BEN; uncertainty regarding and the failure to realize the anticipated benefits from future production-ready deployments; the attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees and key personnel; our ability to grow our customer base; BEN’s history of operating losses; BEN’s need for additional capital to support its present business plan and anticipated growth; technological changes in BEN’s market; the value and enforceability of BEN’s intellectual property protections; BEN’s ability to protect its intellectual property; BEN’s material weaknesses in financial reporting; BEN’s ability to navigate complex regulatory requirements; the ability to maintain the listing of BEN’s securities on a national securities exchange; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations; the effects of competition on BEN’s business; and the risks of operating and effectively managing growth in evolving and uncertain macroeconomic conditions, such as high inflation and recessionary environments. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

BEN cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. BEN cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. BEN does not undertake nor does it accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, and it does not intend to do so unless required by applicable law. Further information about factors that could materially affect BEN, including its results of operations and financial condition, is set forth under “Risk Factors” in BEN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

BEN Contacts

Investors:
Ryan Flanagan, ICR
ryan.flanagan@icrinc.com

Media:
Dan Brennan, ICR
dan.brennan@icrinc.com

FAQ

What is the value of BEN's (BNAI) recent private placement?

BEN (BNAI) closed a private placement worth $5.925 million with existing investors.

At what price were BNAI shares sold in the private placement?

BNAI shares were sold at $5.00 per share in the private placement, which was above the current market price.

What is the value of the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (SEPA) BEN (BNAI) secured?

BEN (BNAI) secured a $50 million Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with Yorkville Advisors.

How long is the term of BEN's (BNAI) Standby Equity Purchase Agreement?

The Standby Equity Purchase Agreement for BEN (BNAI) is accessible over a three-year period.

What is the purpose of BEN's (BNAI) recent funding transactions?

The funding is intended to support BEN's strategic growth initiatives, expanded market validation, and production scaling of its AI assistants.