Valiant acquires a minority stake in Bazr through a preferred equity deal
€50m pre-money valuation of the business
Bazr is Europe’s first Live Social Commerce app
The live shopping industry is expected to account for 20% of e-commerce by 2026
Valiant Asset Management is an alternative credit manager focused on the Western European corporate middle market
Milan, 23 September 2024 – Valiant Asset Management today announced a strategic investment in Bazr S.p.A., an innovative Italian platform founded by Simone Giacomini, which is set to revolutionize the social commerce market in Europe.
Bazr has developed the first European Live Social Commerce app and is an emerging force in its vertical, having already attracted multiple large commercial partnerships. Its unique technology and the growing demand for its platform and services set it apart as a future leader in the space.
Valiant acquired a minority equity stake in Bazr at a pre-money valuation of 50 million euros. The investment represents a compelling strategic investment for Valiant, who focuses on alternative corporate credit and structured equity investments in Western Europe. The investment in Bazr aligns with Valiant’s mandate to support the growth and value creation in high-potential enterprises within the European market.
This preferred equity deal is structured to minimize dilution for ordinary equity holders, allowing them to maintain upside optionality. This new tranche of capital benefits from a considerable cushion of ordinary equity invested over time and valuable governance protections.
This deal exemplifies Valiant’s role as a trusted partner to successful entrepreneurs, offering flexible capital solutions tailored to the unique needs of each company, while executing due diligence, structuring, and funding with speed and professionalism.
"In a world where social media, influencer marketing, and live streaming increasingly drive consumer behavior, Bazr represents an extremely promising vision, and the data shows that it has the potential to achieve outstanding results," commented Sandro Patti, Founder and CIO of Valiant Asset Management.
"We have closely followed Bazr’s development from the early stages. We have been impressed by the capabilities of the team created by Simone
Giacomini, who has already led highly successful projects in the space, and also by the strong network of commercial partners who have already signed collaboration deals with
Bazr. Simone is a successful serial entrepreneur, with a strong track record of iconic ventures, further validating Bazr’s potential for exceptional growth.”
“This investment represents more than just financial backing for Bazr," added Simone Giacomini, Founder of Bazr. "It symbolizes the addition of a reliable partner in Valiant to help us grow, starting with the Italian market. We are very excited to welcome Valiant to our family of investors."
Bazr is the first European Live Social Commerce app, entirely dedicated to shopping, connecting creators, brands, and users in a unique way by combining the selling power of live streaming with influencer marketing. On Bazr, users can transact instantaneously during live shopping sessions hosted by professional creators, creating an exclusive and engaging experience for brands and consumers alike.
“For a lawyer assisting companies in M&A and growth projects, the chance to work with a company which could become a leader in the European Live Shopping industry is very exciting," added Francesco Marotta, the lawyer who assisted Bazr in the deal, "Live shopping is an industry that McKinsey considers the next big market, expected to account for over 20% of the e-commerce sector by 2026. We think being on the ground floor of this process is a very unique value-creation opportunity.”
About Valiant Asset Management
Valiant Asset Management is an alternative credit investment firm focused on the Western European corporate middle market. Through its team’s deep understanding of companies and underlying assets, and over 40 years
of cumulative investment experience in Western European corporate credit, Valiant Asset Management aims to generate equity-like returns with senior credit type of protections.
Press contact
Kieran Glennon
About BAZR
Bazr is the Live Social Commerce platform where all products have a story to tell: a 100% shopping app connecting creators, brands, and users in a unique way, combining the sales potential of live streaming and influencer marketing.
Press contact
Anna Viganò - Chief Marketing Officer
Bazr press office - BPRESS
Alexandra Cian, Serena Roman, Chiara Sandonato, Chiara Pastorello
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