Reliance acquires controlling stake in Just Dial for Rs 3,497 crore

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has acquired the controlling stake in the leading local search engine platform Just Dial for a total consideration of Rs 3,487 crore.

Mumbai: Reliance Retail Ventures Limited ("RRVL") on Friday announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in Just Dial Limited ("Just Dial") for a total consideration of Rs 3,497 crores.

As per the company's official release, RRVL will hold 40.95 per cent and would make a public announcement to the public shareholders of Just Dial to acquire up to 2.17 crore equity shares of Just Dial representing 26.00 per cent in accordance with SEBI Takeover Regulations. The company said VSS Mani, founder of Just Dial will continue as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to lead the company through the next phase of growth.

"RRVL, Just Dial and VSS Mani and others, today executed definitive agreements which will entail--Preferential allotment of 2.12 crore equity shares (equivalent to 25.33 per cent post preferential share capital) at price per share of Rs 1,022.25; Acquisition of 1.31 crore equity shares by RRVL from VSS Mani (equivalent to 15.62 per cent post preferential share capital) at a price per share of Rs 1,020.00; and shareholders agreement governing certain inter se rights and obligations between the parties," the release said,

RRVL said the capital infused by it will help drive the growth and expansion of Just Dial into a comprehensive local listing and commerce platform.

"Just Dial would expand discovery on its platform and enhance transactions for millions of products and services. These investments will leverage Just Dial's existing database of 30.4 million listings and its existing consumer traffic of 129.1 million quarterly unique users (as on 31 Mar 2021)," the release said.

Speaking on the transaction, Isha Ambani, Director of RRVL, said that the investment in Just Dial underlines Reliance's commitment to New Commerce

"Reliance is excited to partner with Just Dial and VSS Mani, a first-generation entrepreneur, who has created a strong business through his business acumen and perseverance. The investment in Just Dial underlines our commitment to New Commerce by further boosting the digital ecosystem for millions of our partner merchants, micro, small and medium enterprises. We look forward to working with the highly experienced management team of Just Dial as we further expand the business going forward," said Ambani.

Read:Reliance enters clean energy business with Rs 60,000 crore investment

VSS Mani, Founder and CEO at Just Dial, said, "Nearly 25 years ago, we had a vision to build a connected single platform dedicated to providing fast, free, reliable and comprehensive information to our users and connect buyers to sellers. Our vision has evolved to not only provide search and discovery but drive commerce across merchants through our B2B platform and enable further consumer to merchant commerce given our platform engagement. Our strategic partnership with Reliance enables us to realize this vision and transform the business going forward."

The transaction is subject to shareholder and other customary closing conditions and approvals.

Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor, JM Financial as manager to the open offer, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Khaitan and Co as legal advisors and Deloitte as accounting and tax advisors to RRVL.

Goldman Sachs acted as exclusive financial advisor, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as legal advisor and Ernst and Young provided tax advisory and diligence services to Just Dial and its promoters.

ANI