Exalos AG signs $65 million exit deal

Founded in 2003 and based in Zürich, Exalos has developed and launched several highly innovative advanced products for the world’s most demanding application areas. In particular, Exalos’ field-proven SLEDs for fiber optic gyroscope and Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs), backed by 59 global patents, complement indie’s laser and Silicon Photonics products, creating the industry’s highest-performance portfolio targeting rapidly emerging Autotech applications.

The company has now been acquired by Indie, an Aliso Viejo (CA)-based Autotech solutions innovator providing next generation automotive semiconductors and software platforms. It focues on developing innovative, high-performance and energy-efficient technology for ADAS, user experience and electrification applications. The acquisition of Exalos, Indis will expands its ADAS and user experience portfolio with breakthrough near infrared and visible Superluminescent LED (SLED) as well as Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) products.

Indie to pay $45 million 
Subject to the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement, indie paid approximately $45 million to Exalos equity holders comprised of 6.6 million indie Class A common shares. In addition, if certain revenue-based performance targets are exceeded over a 24-month post-closing period, there is an opportunity for such holders to earn up to $20 million more in cash or indie Class A common shares, at indie’s election. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both indie and Exalos. The acquisition is expected to be financially neutral in 2023 and accretive to indie’s 2024 results.

"Exalos’ differentiated solutions immediately expand indie’s ADAS and User Experience product and technology offering to our global tier one and automotive OEM customer base," said Donald McClymont, indie’s co-founder and CEO. "Specifically, indie can now leverage Exalos’ core Super luminescent LED, and SOA technologies to enable Head Up Display (HUD), high brightness visible lighting and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based navigational applications and, importantly, to extend our FMCW LiDAR portfolio. We are gaining a well-established team of 17 world class engineers, including the industry’s leading expertise in bright light sources based on a proprietary Gallium Nitride process. At a higher level, our acquisition of Exalos represents another step in our quest to build a broadline Autotech powerhouse.”

“We are excited to join forces with indie at this key juncture of Exalos’ evolution," said Christian Velez, CEO and founder of Exalos. "Given indie’s global sales channels and demonstrated scalability, I am confident that together we can take our business to the next level, capitalizing on clear product synergies between us and extending our customer reach while preserving the Exalos innovation engine."

The securities to be issued in connection with the transaction have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold absent registration under or exemption from such Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

(Press release/RAN)