Powerhouse Ventures won't proceed with sale of Invert Robotics stake

Christchurch-based technology incubator Powerhouse Ventures will not proceed with plans to sell a quarter of its Invert Robotics' holding for $1.3 million as one of the sale conditions has not been satisfied.

In September, Powerhouse said it had been approached during Invert's current financing round and announced plans to sell, stating the sale would result in a profit above its current book value of Invert.

It currently owns 34.6 per cent of the company and the sale would have reduced that to between 23.6 per cent and 28.2 per cent of the shares.

The deal was conditional to completing a pre-emptive shareholder process and co-sale rights under the shareholder agreement it has with Invert.

"Whilst Powerhouse agreed to the now-cancelled transaction, we are more than happy to maintain our higher holding stake in Invert," Powerhouse said.

According to Powerhouse, the potential buyer will now invest directly in Invert's current capital raise to ensure it achieves its required holding level of Invert shares.

Invert is undertaking an initial capital raise of A$4m which is proceeding "terribly well," said Powerhouse chief executive Paul Viney.

The book is expected to be closed in a week or two. He declined to name the potential buyer.

Invert will subsequently look to raise around a further A$6m to "enable M&A expansion throughout Europe," he said.

The second part will take place over the next 12 months, according to Viney.

Invert Robotics has developed a novel climbing robot system for remote inspection services in the dairy and food processing sectors as well as the aviation industry.

According to Powerhouse it has an enterprise value of $10.7m and seven employees.

Powerhouse shares recently traded at 35 Australian cents on the ASX and have more than halved this year.