Exhibit 99.1
Overstock Closes Transaction with Pelion
Venture Partners to Oversee Medici Ventures’
Blockchain Assets
Overstock is limited partner in blockchain fund
SALT LAKE CITY – April 26, 2021 – Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK), today announces it has closed its blockchain fund transaction with Pelion Venture Partners, a third-party venture capital firm with a proven track record of successfully investing in early stage companies. Overstock’s wholly owned blockchain-focused subsidiary, Medici Ventures, has been converted into a limited partnership (the “Fund”) and will be managed by Pelion MV GP, LLC, which will act as the general partner of the Fund. Overstock.com, Inc. is the sole limited partner of the Fund.
As the limited partner, Overstock has committed $45 million over the eight-year life of the Fund. The Fund will return invested capital to Overstock first and then split profits on successful exits as set forth in the Fund’s Limited Partnership Agreement. The Fund will hold a significant minority ownership stake in tZERO Group, Inc. (“tZERO”) and Overstock will retain a direct minority equity interest in tZERO.
“We remain bullish on blockchain technology and are excited for Medici Ventures to enter this new post-closing phase,” said Overstock chief executive officer Jonathan Johnson. “Pelion has spent the last three months getting to know these portfolio companies better. I expect Pelion, which will oversee the portfolio and make follow-on investment decisions, will take these companies to the next level and help guide them to economic success. I’m pleased we closed this transaction ahead of schedule. Overstock can now focus on our core e-commerce business, which continues to realize tremendous revenue, profit, and market share growth.”
Pelion MV GP, LLC now has sole authority and responsibility regarding the Fund’s investment decisions and in exercising all shareholder rights Medici Ventures holds in the portfolio companies.
“I am pleased this transaction with Overstock came together and has now closed,” said Pelion Venture Partners founder and managing director Blake Modersitzki. “Pelion recognizes the value in these disruptive companies and the world-changing potential of blockchain technology. We look forward to jumping in immediately and working with each of the portfolio companies to maximize the value of these assets.”
About Overstock
Overstock.com, Inc Common Stock (NASDAQ:OSTK) / Series A-1 Preferred Stock (tZERO ATS:OSTKO) / Series B Preferred Stock (OTCQX:OSTBP) is an online retailer and technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its leading e-commerce website sells a broad range of new home products at low prices, including furniture, décor, rugs, bedding, home improvement, and more. The online shopping site, which is visited by tens of millions of customers a month, also features a marketplace providing customers access to millions of products from third-party sellers. Overstock was the first major retailer to accept cryptocurrency in 2014, and in the same year founded Medici Ventures, its wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to the development and acceleration of blockchain technologies to democratize capital, eliminate middlemen, and re-humanize commerce. Overstock regularly posts information about the Company and other related matters on the Newsroom and Investor Relations pages on its website, Overstock.com.
