PropertyGuru Successfully Completes Business Combination with Bridgetown 2 Holdings
- Proceeds of ~US$254 million will be used to further accelerate organic growth and pursue M&A opportunities to capture the growth momentum of a recovering Southeast Asia property market driven by long-term macro tailwinds of increasing affluence, digitalization and urbanization
- Transaction values PropertyGuru at an enterprise value of ~US$1.36 billion and an equity value of ~US$1.61 billion
- PropertyGuru will ring the NYSE’s opening bell on March 18 and begin trading under the ticker “PGRU”
PropertyGuru Pte. Ltd. (“PropertyGuru” or “the Company”), Southeast Asia’s leading1 property technology (“PropTech”) company, today completed its previously announced business combination with Bridgetown 2 Holdings Limited (“Bridgetown 2”) (NASDAQ: BTNB), a special purpose acquisition company formed by Pacific Century Group (“Pacific Century”) and Thiel Capital LLC (“Thiel Capital”). The business combination was approved by Bridgetown 2 stockholders in an Extraordinary General Meeting of Company Shareholders held on March 15, 2022.
PropertyGuru Group Limited’s (“PubCo”) ordinary shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on March 18, 2022 under the ticker symbol “PGRU”.
“We are thrilled to have successfully completed our business combination with Bridgetown 2, which provides additional capital to pursue organic and strategic growth, and will accelerate our ability to access capital markets in pursuit of delivering world-class solutions for our customers,” said Hari V. Krishnan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, PropertyGuru Group. “Over the past 15 years PropertyGuru has helped shape the PropTech industry in Southeast Asia and introduced many first solutions for property seekers, agents, and developers that enabled digitalization of the property industry. As evidenced by the 23% increase in our 2021 revenue – we are entering our next post-Covid phase of growth with significant momentum.
“As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in technology and expand our services and offerings to build on our leading positions in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.[1] Southeast Asia’s real estate market is beginning to recover from the pandemic and as the region’s increasingly affluent and digitally enabled population moves to urban centers, PropertyGuru is well-positioned to benefit from these long-term trends.”
Southeast Asia is estimated to be the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030[2], driven by favourable long-term macroeconomic dynamics, creating significant opportunities for PropertyGuru – which has an addressable market of US$8.1 billion according to Frost & Sullivan. Through its continued investments, the Company is positioned to stay ahead of the evolving market demand and extend its leadership position as the region’s property markets recover from the pandemic.
“PropertyGuru is digitally transforming a traditional real estate market in Southeast Asia to create a trusted and transparent online property marketplace,” said Matt Danzeisen, Chairman, Bridgetown 2. “We believe PropertyGuru is just scratching the surface in the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing region, and we are excited to partner with Hari and his talented team to create lasting value for our shareholders, employees, customers and partners.”
Transaction Details
The completion of the business combination values PropertyGuru at an enterprise value of ~US$1.36 billion and an equity value of ~US$1.61 billion.
PropertyGuru received ~US$254 million in gross proceeds through the contribution of US$122 million of cash held in Bridgetown 2’s trust account, a concurrent US$100 million private placement (“PIPE”) of common stock anchored by Baillie Gifford, Naya, REA Group, Akaris Global Partners, and one of Malaysia’s largest asset managers, priced at US$10.00 per share. REA Group also invested an additional US$32 million. In addition, KKR, TPG Group and REA Group rolled 100% of their equity into PropertyGuru, demonstrating their continued commitment to the Company’s growth strategy.
Advisors
Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. served as exclusive financial advisor to PropertyGuru. Latham & Watkins LLP and Allen & Gledhill LLP served as legal advisors to PropertyGuru.
Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., KKR Capital Markets Asia Limited and TPG Capital BD, LLC served as placement agents to Bridgetown 2. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP served as legal advisors to Bridgetown 2.
Ringing the Bell at the NYSE
On March 18, PropertyGuru’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Hari V. Krishnan will ring the NYSE opening bell at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (9:30 p.m. Singapore Time). He will be joined on stage by PropertyGuru’s Leadership team, Founders, Board and Bridgetown 2’s Chairman and CEO. The bell-ringing ceremony will be livestreamed to its gala listing event in Singapore and available on NYSE’s website here: https://www.nyse.com/bell.
PropertyGuru will commemorate its listing by opening the doors to the Company’s five Southeast Asian markets through live-stream door installations between New York and its home markets, that will be set up at the NYSE’s Experience Square. The event will take place at 10:15a.m. Eastern Time.
