GoPro, and Starman Optical, a privately held optical-photonics company, announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement.
In connection with the proposed transaction, GoPro shareholders will receive an aggregate cash payment of $285 million, or $1.14 per share, subject to potential adjustment based on GoPro’s net working capital at closing and will maintain ownership of approximately 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company. GoPro’s outstanding debt of approximately $92 million will be repaid in full at closing, resulting in a clean, substantially debt-free balance sheet.
Over the past 24 years, GoPro has developed industry-leading imaging solutions featuring innovative, advanced optics, market-defining technology and an associated IP portfolio of more than 2500 U.S. patents. The merger intends to maximize the value of GoPro’s IP and growth potential in consumer, commercial and defense markets by recapitalizing the company, strengthening its balance sheet, investing in growth and onshoring the manufacturing of products for strategic markets.
GoPro will remain a publicly listed company and will continue to fully support its existing consumer products and its subscription and cloud platform while investing in growth and a broader, diversified product roadmap. Starman’s U.S.-made optical transceivers are expected to be added to GoPro’s portfolio, extending the Company’s reach into the large and rapidly growing market for AI infrastructure in optical transceivers.
