SSG Capital Advisors acted as the investment banker to Thinkstream, Inc. in the sale of substantially all of its assets to Thinkstream Acquisition, LLC ("TAL"), an investor group consisting of the company's largest creditor and two technology entrepreneurs. The sale was effectuated through a Chapter 11 Section 363 process in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. The transaction closed in December 2015.
Thinkstream is a software and systems firm that develops distributed information networks to meet the communication and interoperability demands of public safety and criminal justice markets. The Company has one of the only technologies on the market that can integrate public safety networks on a state, multi-state or nationwide level. Networks powered by the Thinkstream platform are capable of scaling to encompass thousands of information systems.
SSG was originally retained as investment banker in November 2014 and conducted a comprehensive marketing process to sell the business. However, the process ceased when the Company lost a key contract bid and subsequently came under substantial pressure from creditors. As the result of the dispute regarding its significant debt burden, an involuntary petition was filed against Thinkstream by several petitioning creditors in May 2015. In July 2015, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court entered an order for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
A Trustee was appointed to operate Thinkstream and pursued a sale strategy to avoid further deterioration of the business. The Trustee reengaged SSG to solicit offers to purchase the Company. TAL's offer was ultimately the highest and best price for substantially all of the assets of Thinkstream. SSG's experience identifying alternative solutions and its understanding of the Chapter 11 sales process enabled key stakeholders to maximize the value of the Company.
Other professionals who worked on the transaction include:
- David S. Rubin of Kantrow Spaht Weaver and Blitzer, Chapter 11 Trustee to Thinkstream, Inc.;
- Julie M. McCall of Kantrow Spaht Weaver and Blitzer, counsel to the Chapter 11 Trustee;
- Barry H. Grodsky and Donald J. Miester, Jr. of Taggart Morton, LLC, counsel to Thinkstream, Inc.;
- Gregory J. St. Angelo of La Nasa, St. Angelo & La Nasa, LLC, counsel to the senior lender;
- Brandon A. Brown, Erin Wilder-Doomes and Ryan J. Richmond of Stewart Robbins & Brown, LLC, counsel to the largest petitioning creditor; and
- Jan M. Hayden, Phyllis G. Cancienne, David C. Rieveschl, Warner J. Delaune and Matthew C. Usdin, counsel to Thinkstream Acquisition, LLC.
SSG Capital Professionals on this deal:
- Mark E. Chesen, Managing Director
- Neil Gupta,Vice President
- Brian Martin,Associate
SSG Capital Advisors is an independent boutique investment bank that assists middle-market companies and their stakeholders in completing special situation transactions. We provide our clients with comprehensive investment banking services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private placements, financial restructurings, valuations, litigation and strategic advisory. SSG has a proven track record of closing over 300 transactions in North America and Europe and is a leader in the industry.