Stem, Inc. – Market Leader in AI-Driven Clean Energy Storage Systems – to Combine with Star Peak, Creating First Public Pure Play Smart Energy Storage Company
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Stem, Inc. to become publicly listed through business combination with (NYSE: STPK).Star Peak Energy Transition Corp . - Founded in 2009, Stem is an energy storage leader that offers customers a complete solution of integrated battery storage systems, network integration and battery optimization via its proprietary AI-driven software platform called Athena™.
- Stem delivers significant customer value by lowering energy costs, stabilizing the grid, alleviating intermittency and reducing carbon emissions – addressing electric grid constraints and driving the rapid global transition to zero carbon, renewable generation.
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Transaction to provide up to
$608 million in gross proceeds, comprised of Star Peak’s$383 million of cash held in trust, assuming no redemptions, and a$225 million fully-committed common stock PIPE at$10.00 per share, including investments from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock,Van Eck Associates Corporation ,Adage Capital Management, L.P. ,Electron Capital Partners , andSenator Investment Group . -
Following the expected first quarter 2021 transaction close, the combined company will have an estimated equity value of approximately
$1.35 billion and will remain listed on theNew York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol “STEM.” - All Stem shareholders will roll 100% of their equity holdings into the new public company.
- Transaction positions Stem to capitalize on significant growth opportunities, expand globally and continue to advance its Athena™ software platform.
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Stem’s energy storage systems address a
$1.2 trillion market opportunity, and offers investors a unique ESG opportunity to invest in a pure play clean energy company helping to revolutionize the electric grid.
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Founded in 2009, Stem is an industry leading provider of AI-driven energy storage systems and market leader in the clean energy ecosystem. The Companygenerates revenue by providing customers with integrated energy storage systems, long-term recurring software services and energy market participation through its proprietary software platform, called Athena™, which enables AI-automated system operations. The Company empowers its customers and partners to optimize energy usage by automatically switching between battery power, onsite generation and grid power. Its storage solutions address a
Stem’s smart energy storage technology solves many of the challenges facing today’s dynamic power market and is well positioned to manage the increasing decentralization and democratization of the electric grid, significantly accelerating renewable growth and virtual power plants. Stem’s network of energy storage systems supports utilities in reducing the dependency on conventional power sources. The network helps alleviate grid intermittency issues and promotes the adoption of renewable energy generation as a replacement for fossil fuels while supporting customers in meeting their ESG goals.
Management Commentary:
Stem Investment Highlights:
- Large addressable market and strong macroeconomic tailwinds – the global energy storage market is expected to increase approximately 25-fold by 2030, driven by the convergence of two technologies (i) low-cost renewable generation and (ii) rapid reduction in battery costs and improving efficiency. The energy storage market is expected to grow materially faster than solar and wind generation.
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Market and technology leader:
- More than 600 MWh of storage capacity commissioned since 2014.
- Over 900 systems operating or contracted with Stem’s proprietary Athena™ software platform, in more than 200 cities and representing approximately 1 GWh of storage capacity.
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75% market share in the
California commercial and industrial storage market, the largest energy storage market in theU.S. - First mover AI software platform has operated globally with over 40 utilities and 16 million runtime hours across its customer base.
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Balance sheet supports significant market expansion – strong balance sheet with approximately
$525 million of cash to fully finance allU.S. and international forecasted growth. - Highly visible growth – strong backlog and long-dated recurring software revenue streams enhance near-term revenue visibility.
- Capital light business model – AthenaTM AI-driven software leads to strong operating leverage with low expected capital intensity.
- Pure play clean energy company with attractive ESG characteristics – Stem facilitates rapid adoption of renewables and supports customer sustainability goals.
Transaction Overview
The business combination values the combined company at a
The Boards of Directors of each of Stem and Star Peak have unanimously approved the transaction. The transaction will require the approval of the stockholders of both Stem and Star Peak, and is subject to other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021. All Stem shareholders will roll 100% of their equity holdings into the new public company.
Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the merger agreement and investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Star Peak with the
Advisors
Investor Conference Call Information
Star Peak and Stem will host a joint investor conference call to discuss the proposed transaction
Interested parties may listen to the prepared remarks call via telephone by dialing 877-407-0784, or for international callers, 201-689-8560. A telephone replay will be available until
About Stem
Stem provides solutions that address the challenges of today’s dynamic energy market. By combining advanced energy storage solutions with Athena™, a world-class artificial intelligence (AI)-powered analytics platform, Stem enables customers and partners to optimize energy use by automatically switching between battery power, onsite generation and grid power. Stem’s solutions help enterprise customers benefit from a clean, adaptive energy infrastructure and achieve a wide variety of goals, including expense reduction, resilience, sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility and innovation. Stem also offers full support for solar partners interested in adding storage to standalone, community or commercial solar projects – both behind and in front of the meter.
Headquartered in
About
Star Peak is a blank check company incorporated in
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events of Star Peak or Stem’s future financial or operating performance. For example, projections of future revenue and other metrics are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “or“ or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Star Peak and its management, and Stem and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: 1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement with respect to the business combination; 2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Star Peak, the combined company or others following the announcement of the business combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; 3) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Star Peak, to obtain financing to complete the business combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing; 4) changes to the proposed structure of the business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the business combination; 5) the ability to meet the NYSE’s listing standards following the consummation of the business combination; 6) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Stem as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; 7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; 8) costs related to the business combination; 9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 10) the possibility that Stem or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 11) Stem’s estimates of its financial performance; 12) the impact of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic and its effect on business and financial conditions; and 13) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Star Peak’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
Important Information for Investors and Stockholders
In connection with the proposed transaction, Star Peak will file a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the
Use of Projections
This press release contains financial forecasts of Stem. Neither Stem’s independent auditors, nor the independent registered public accounting firm of Star Peak, audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections for the purpose of their inclusion in this press release, and accordingly, neither of them expressed an opinion or provided any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this press release. These projections should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results. The projected financial information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking information. The assumptions and estimates underlying such projected financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, competitive and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the prospective financial information. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above. Actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by the projected financial information contained in this press release, and the inclusion of such information in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results reflected in such projections will be achieved.
Participants in the Solicitation
Star Peak and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Star Peak’s shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of Star Peak’s executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Star Peak’s final prospectus filed with the
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Investor – Stem
stemIR@icrinc.com
Media Contact – Stem
stemPR@icrinc.com
Star Peak
info@starpeakcorp.com
847 905 4400
Source:
Investor – Stem
Marc Silverberg, ICR, Inc.
stemIR@icrinc.com
Media Contact – Stem
Cory Ziskind, ICR, Inc.
stemPR@icrinc.com
Star Peak
Tricia Quinn
Courtney Kozel
info@starpeakcorp.com
847 905 4400