The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) share price will be one to watch after the buy now pay later provider announced a capital raising.
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What did Zip announce?
Late on Wednesday Zip announced the launch of a $150 million capital raising.
This comprises an underwritten $120 million placement to institutional and sophisticated investors and a non-underwritten $30 million share purchase plan.
According to the release, Zip is raising the funds at $5.34 per new share, which represents a 4.1% discount to its last close price of $5.57.
Why is Zip raising funds?
Zip revealed that it is undertaking the capital raising to support its US growth and UK expansion, explore new markets, and product expansion.
The majority of the proceeds will be used on its growing US-based QuadPay business. Management intends to deploy 58% or $85 million of the capital in this market.
It notes that it has been experiencing significant growth in the $5 trillion market. In November, the company's transaction value and customer number tripled to $264.2 million and 2.8 million, respectively. Pleasingly, it is achieving this growth with market leading unit economics.
Management wants to build on this and expects the capital raising to accelerate its growth. This includes customer acquisition, app usage, and merchant partnerships.
What else are the funds being used for?
Approximately 10% or $15 million will be deployed in the UK to scale its operations, support merchant and customer acquisition, and underpin its receivables funding until a local facility is established.
In addition, Zip intends to use 24% of the raise or $35 million to support its recently established New Markets division. This side of the business has been established to lead the active pursuit of global growth opportunities. It will also invest in strategic interests, greenfield launches, and local partnerships outside its core business.
The company revealed that its New Markets division has already made a couple of strategic investments. The first is United Arab Emirates-based buy now pay later provider, Spotii. The second is leading payments platform provider Twisto. The latter is operational in Czechia and Poland. It has an omni-channel product set aligned with Zip and the ability to passport licensing across the European Union.
Finally, the remaining 8% or $12 million will be deployed in the ANZ market. This includes supporting the launch of the Zip Business offering and the development of additional products within its digital wallet.
