Exhibit 99.1
Local Bounti, Disruptive AgTech Company Redefining the Future of Farming, and Leo Holdings III
Corp Announce Upsizing of PIPE Investment by $25 Million
- New Commitments Increase Total PIPE Proceeds from $125 million to $150 million, at Same Terms as Initial
PIPE Commitments -
- Total Expected PIPE Proceeds Will Meet Minimum Cash Requirement for Business Combination to Close -
Hamilton, MT – November 5, 2021 – Breakthrough U.S. indoor agriculture company Local Bounti Corporation (“Local Bounti”) and Leo Holdings III Corp (NYSE:LIII) (“Leo”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, today announced they have entered into subscription agreements for an additional $25 million of common stock in a private placement (“PIPE”) from new and existing PIPE investors on the same terms as the initial PIPE financing in the previously announced business combination transaction between Local Bounti and Leo on June 18, 2021 (the “Business Combination”). This increases the aggregate amount of expected PIPE proceeds to $150 million. Commitments for the upsized PIPE come from new and existing PIPE investors, including Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, BNP Paribas Asset Management Ecosystem Restoration Fund, strategic partner Sarath Ratanavadi, CEO of Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited, Scott McNealy, co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems, and affiliates of Leo’s sponsor.
With this increase in the fully committed PIPE, the $150 million of expected PIPE proceeds will satisfy the minimum cash requirement for the Business Combination to close, as stipulated in the merger agreement entered into on June 18, 2021 by Local Bounti and Leo, regardless of any potential redemptions by Leo shareholders that may occur. As a result, and subject to Leo’s shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions, Local Bounti and Leo expect to close the Business Combination as planned, resulting in Local Bounti becoming a publicly traded company.
“We appreciate this vote of confidence from our top tier PIPE investors, and believe this validates our differentiated and superior business model focused on strong unit economics and capital efficiency. This upsized PIPE commitment provides certainty for our business combination with our partners, properly capitalizes our business, and puts us in a strong position to disrupt the traditional agriculture industry,” said Craig Hurlbert, Co-CEO of Local Bounti. “We are at an opportune time in the growth of our business and the industry, and completion of this business combination taking us into the public markets will help us broaden the reach of our sustainably, locally grown produce while focusing on driving the best unit economics of any company in the CEA space,” continued Mr. Hurlbert.
A leader in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) space, where it uses 90% less water and 90% less land than traditional agriculture, Local Bounti is focused on significantly increasing produce shelf life, reducing waste and emissions, and addressing the availability of high-quality produce in local communities. Local Bounti’s sustainably-grown produce is cultivated locally, reducing food miles – the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the current produce supply chain. The environmental greenhouse conditions help to ensure nutritional value and taste, and Local Bounti’s products are non-GMO and pesticide/herbicide free. Local Bounti’s sustainable, root-on, living product results in less environmental impacts, carbon footprint, and less waste. To learn more about Local Bounti’s unique growing process, diversified product offerings and experienced leadership team, please visit localbounti.com.