Panatone Finvest, a Tata Sons' subsidiary acquires a controlling stake in Tejas Networks

Tejas Networks has announced that it has executed definitive agreements with Panatone Finvest Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited which will entail preferential allotment of 1.94 crore equity shares at a price per equity share of INR 258 per share aggregating to INR 500 crore; preferential allotment of 3.68 crore warrants, each carrying a right to subscribe to 1 (one) equity share at an exercise price of INR 258 per equity share aggregating to INR 950 crore, which may be exercised by Panatone in one or more tranches during the period commencing from the date of allotment of the warrants until the expiry of 11 (eleven) months.

It will also provide a preferential allotment of 1.55 crore warrants, each carrying a right to subscribe to 1 (one) equity share at an exercise price of INR 258 per equity share aggregating to INR 400 crore, which may be exercised by Panatone in one or more tranches during the period commencing from the expiry of 12 (twelve) months from the date of allotment of the warrants until the expiry of 18 (eighteen) months from the date of allotment of the warrants; acquisition of up to 13 lakh equity shares of the Tejas Networks from certain personnel in management, at a price not exceeding INR 258 per equity share aggregating to INR 34 crore, subject to such terms and conditions as mutually agreed between the parties.

Speaking on this transaction, Saurabh Agrawal, Executive Director of Tata Sons Private Limited, said, "We are excited to partner with Tejas Networks, India's leading telecom and network company with a strong DNA of R&D. We look forward to working with the highly experienced management team of Tejas Networks and creating a full stack of globally competitive wireline and wireless products."

V Balakrishnan, Chairman of Tejas Networks, said, "We are delighted about our association with the Tata group, which has a long history of building highly successful global businesses of scale. This association provides us the necessary financial resources, global relationships, and strong ecosystem to innovate and scale our business."

Sanjay Nayak, CEO and Managing Director at Tejas Networks, said, "We are privileged to be part of the Tata group, which has a rich legacy as India's most visible and trusted business brand. Tejas Networks was started with a vision of creating a top-tier global telecom equipment company from India. The association with Tata group will accelerate the realization of this vision and enable us to address the large market opportunity available to us to build a financially strong global company, backed by a trusted brand. I am fully committed to making this a success and am excited about the next phase of our journey."

Sanjay Nayak shall continue as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to lead Tejas Networks along with the existing management team through the next phase of growth. The preferential allotment of the equity shares and warrants has been approved by the Board of Directors of Tejas Networks and the transactions are subject to shareholders' approval and other customary closing conditions and approvals. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited is acting as the manager of the open offer and Khaitan & Co is acting as the legal advisor to the transaction.