BuzzFeed, Inc. Completes Majority Stake Investment by Byron Allen's Family Office, Positioning Company for Next Era of Growth
Byron Allen Assumes Role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Jonah Peretti Transitions to President of BuzzFeed AI
Company to Pursue Free Streaming, AI-Powered Media, and Direct-to-Consumer Expansion
BuzzFeed, Inc. (“BuzzFeed” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BZFD) today announced the closing of its previously announced transaction with Allen Family Digital, LLC, an affiliate of Byron Allen's Family Office, under which Allen Family Digital, LLC acquired approximately 51% of the Company's outstanding shares. Byron Allen has assumed the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jonah Peretti has transitioned to his newly created role as President of BuzzFeed AI.
Under the terms of the agreement, Allen Family Digital acquired 40 million shares of BuzzFeed, Inc. common stock at a price of $3.00 per share, representing a total transaction value of $120 million for a total purchase price of $120 million. The transaction was funded with $20 million in cash at closing and a $100 million promissory note due five years from closing, accruing interest at 5% annually. BuzzFeed has used $12.5 million of the cash proceeds from the transaction to pay down existing indebtedness, materially strengthening the Company’s balance sheet and enhancing financial flexibility to support future growth initiatives.
