Kalera Announces a Bridge Financing Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

Kalera AS, a leading vertical farming company, announced a secured convertible bridge financing facility of up to $20 million, with initial commitments of $10 million from key lenders including Lightrock and Canica AS. The funding will mature in one year and bears an 8% PIK interest rate, secured by the company’s assets. The lenders can convert the loan into shares post-merger with Agrico Acquisition Corp at $10.00 per share. Interim CEO Curtis McWilliams emphasized that this financing will enhance Kalera's operational capacity and align with long-term objectives.

Positive

• Secured $10 million in initial funding with potential for up to $20 million.
• Financing enables strategic investments to support long-term growth.
• Positive market demand for Kalera's products noted by management.

Negative

• None.

ORLANDO, Fla., March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kalera AS (“Kalera” or the “Company”) (Euronext Growth Oslo: KAL, Bloomberg: KSLLF), one of the preeminent leafy green vertical farming companies and a leader in plant science for producing high-quality produce in controlled environments, today announced it entered a secured convertible bridge financing facility for up to $20 million. The lenders will initially include Lightrock, the growth equity and impact investing platform affiliated with LGT, Canica AS, and NOX Management, which have collectively committed to lending the Company US$10 million under the facility. The facility, which matures one year from the drawdown date, will bear PIK interest at 8%, is secured by certain assets of Kalera and, subject to required corporate approvals, will be convertible by the lenders into shares at any time following the consummation of the announced merger with Agrico Acquisition Corp and the Nasdaq listing at a conversion price of US$10.00 / share in the merged entity. Kalera, working closely with Agrico Acquisition Corp (“Agrico”), continues to pursue additional strategic financing alternatives as it progresses toward its merger with Agrico.

Curtis McWilliams, Interim CEO said, “This agreement is a positive step forward for our business and highlights the ongoing growth and momentum in the underlying demand for our products. The closing of this loan provides us with the additional funding to invest in our business and strategically position us to deliver against our long-term objectives.”

About Kalera:

Kalera is a vertical farming company headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The company produces fresh, nutritious, and excellent tasting leafy greens with minimal environmental impact. It has spent several years optimizing plant nutrient formulas and developing an advanced automation and data acquisition system with Internet of Things, cloud, big data analytics and artificial intelligence. Kalera currently operates farms in Orlando (Florida), Atlanta (Georgia), Houston (Texas), and Kuwait. More information is available at https://www.Kalera.com/.

Eric Birge
ir@kalera.com
313-309-9500

FAQ

What financing has Kalera AS secured in March 2022?

Kalera AS secured a convertible bridge financing facility of up to $20 million, with an initial commitment of $10 million.

What are the terms of Kalera's new financing facility?

The financing bears an 8% PIK interest rate, matures in one year, and is secured by Kalera's assets.

What is the conversion price for the secured financing by Kalera?

The conversion price for the secured financing is $10.00 per share after the merger with Agrico Acquisition Corp.

Who are the lenders involved in Kalera's financing?

Lenders include Lightrock, Canica AS, and NOX Management.

What impact does this financing have on Kalera's business?

The financing is expected to support strategic investments and enhance Kalera's operational capacity for growth.