SAN JOSE, CA / WESTBURY, NY (September 3, 2020) – QuantumScape Corporation (“QuantumScape”), a leader in the development of next generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for use in electric vehicles, and Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. (“Kensington”) (NYSE: KCAC), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced a definitive agreement for a business combination that would result in QuantumScape becoming a publicly listed company. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named QuantumScape and is expected to remain listed on the NYSE and trade under the new ticker symbol “QS”.
In the decade since the company was founded, QuantumScape has been exclusively focused on developing solid-state batteries and designing a scalable manufacturing process to commercialize its battery technology for the automotive industry. QuantumScape believes the proceeds from this transaction will fully fund the company through the start of production via its joint venture with the Volkswagen Group (“Volkswagen”).
Jagdeep Singh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of QuantumScape, commented, “Today marks an important milestone of advancing QuantumScape’s effort in developing the next generation of solid-state batteries to meet the needs of all future electric vehicles as the world transitions to zero emissions. Ten years ago, we embarked upon an ambitious goal that most thought was impossible. Through the tireless work of QuantumScape’s more than 200 scientists and engineers, and our partnership with Volkswagen since 2012, we have developed a new battery technology that is unlike anything else in the world. We are now excited to partner with Kensington’s unique team of world-class automotive executives, who share our vision of a cleaner and safer future powered by QuantumScape. This vote of confidence from investors, and the capital provided by this transaction, will drive a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Justin Mirro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kensington, who will join the combined company Board of Directors, added, “We are extremely excited and honored to partner with QuantumScape, as this represents a unique opportunity to invest in a pure-play battery company that is positioned to transform the auto industry. Kensington considered hundreds of automotive companies and QuantumScape stands out as the leading company to play a pivotal role in the advancement of electric vehicles. Through the vision and leadership of Jagdeep Singh, QuantumScape has created a world-class team that is developing the next generation of solid-state batteries that will achieve the future performance requirements of leading vehicle manufacturers. By combining QuantumScape with Kensington’s deep industry expertise and capital from this transaction, we are confident that QuantumScape’s investment thesis has been significantly enhanced.”
Volkswagen, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, and QuantumScape have previously announced the formation of a manufacturing joint venture to prepare for the mass production of solid-state batteries for Volkswagen. QuantumScape’s relationship with Volkswagen dates back to 2012 and includes collaboration on battery cell development, the testing of prototype cells, previously announced funding commitments of over $300 million, and representation on QuantumScape’s Board of Directors.
Former Tesla Chief Technology Officer and current QuantumScape board member JB Straubel commented, “QuantumScape’s solid-state anode-less design represents the most elegant architecture I’ve seen for a lithium-based battery system, and the company has an opportunity to redefine the battery landscape.”
Venture capitalist, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, and current QuantumScape board member Vinod Khosla added, “When we backed QuantumScape ten years ago, we knew it was a bold vision to transform one of the world’s largest industries. We are therefore thrilled that the team has developed technology that addresses the single largest cost component and deficiency of electric cars, the battery. By enabling greater range and much faster charge times, we believe QuantumScape’s technology will assist EVs in becoming significantly more competitive with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, paving the way for greater adoption and a greener future.”
“The merger with Kensington and associated PIPE transaction allows us to fund our business plans to first production,” continued Jagdeep Singh. “We look forward to executing on continued product development and validation through to first revenue and what we believe will be significant growth thereafter.”
Transaction Overview
The business combination values QuantumScape at an implied $3.3 billion pro forma enterprise value. The boards of directors of both Kensington and QuantumScape have approved the proposed transaction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to, among other things, the approval by Kensington’s stockholders and satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions stated in the definitive documentation.
The private placement of common stock includes commitments from institutional investors Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC and Janus Henderson Investors.
Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the merger agreement and investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Kensington with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.
Advisors
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is serving as legal advisor and UBS Investment Bank, Stifel Nicolaus & Company Incorporated and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated are serving as financial advisors to Kensington. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and UBS Investment Bank are serving as joint placement agents on the PIPE offering. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is serving as legal advisor and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to QuantumScape.
Investor Conference Call Information
QuantumScape and Kensington will host a joint investor conference call to discuss the proposed transaction today, Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 8:30 am ET.
To listen to the prepared remarks via telephone dial 1-877-407-4018 (U.S.) or 1-201-689-8471 (International) and an operator will assist you. A telephone replay will be available at 1-844-512-2921 (U.S.) or 1-412-317-6671 (International), passcode: 13709570 through September 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET.
About QuantumScape Corporation
QuantumScape, founded in 2010 in California, is a leader in the development of next generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for use in electric vehicles. The company’s mission is to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future.
For additional information, please visit www.quantumscape.com
About Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp.
Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: KCAC) is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a business combination in the automotive sector. Kensington is sponsored by Kensington Capital Partners LLC and the management team of Justin Mirro, Bob Remenar, Simon Boag and Daniel Huber. Kensington is also supported by a board of independent directors including Tom LaSorda, Anders Pettersson, Mitch Quain, Don Runkle and Matt Simoncini. The Kensington team has completed over 70 automotive transactions and has over 300 years of combined experience leading some of the largest automotive companies in the world.
For additional information, please visit www.autospac.com.
Important Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the transaction, Kensington intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the SEC, which will include a preliminary proxy statement to be distributed to holders of Kensington’s common stock in connection with Kensington’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Kensington’s stockholders with respect to the transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to QuantumScape’s stockholders in connection with the transaction. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, Kensington will mail a definitive proxy statement, when available, to its stockholders. Investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about Kensington, QuantumScape and the transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by Kensington through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp., 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 301, Westbury, NY 11590.
Participants in the Solicitation
Kensington and QuantumScape and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Kensington will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the transaction when they become available. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the transaction when they become available. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. When available, these documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Forward-Looking Statements
This article contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and information based on management’s current expectations as of the date of this current report. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this article, including statements regarding the future development of QuantumScape’s battery technology, the anticipated benefits of QuantumScape’s technologies and the performance of its batteries, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this current report, the words “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “pro forma,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “predict,” “target,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “continue,” “believe,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipates” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, hopes, beliefs, intentions, and strategies regarding future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Many of these factors are outside QuantumScape’s control and are difficult to predict. QuantumScape cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, QuantumScape disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that could materially affect QuantumScape’s actual results can be found in QuantumScape’s periodic filings with the SEC. QuantumScape’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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Pamela Fong is QuantumScape’s Chief of Human Resources Operations, leading people strategy and operations, including talent acquisition, organizational development and employee engagement. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Fong served as the Vice President of Global Human Resources at PDF Solutions (NASDAQ: PDFS), a semiconductor SAAS company. Before that, she served in several HR leadership roles at Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Inc., a multinational electronics manufacturer, and NUMMI, an automotive manufacturing joint venture between Toyota and General Motors. Ms. Fong holds a B.S. in Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley and a M.S. in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business.