NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF EU REGULATION 596/2014 (WHICH FORMS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

5 December 2023

RECOMMENDED CASH ACQUISITION

of

Velocys plc

by

Madison Bidco Limited

(a newly formed company indirectly owned by (i) a fund advised by Lightrock, (ii) a fund advised by Carbon Direct Capital, (iii) GenZero and (iv) Kibo Investments, as members of the Consortium)

to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement

under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006

1.    Introduction

The boards of directors of Bidco and Velocys are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms and conditions of a recommended all cash acquisition by Bidco of the entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital of Velocys.

It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a court‑sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the 2006 Act (although Bidco reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the Cooperation Agreement). 

2.    The Acquisition

Under the terms of the Acquisition, which will be subject to the Conditions and further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to be set out in full the Scheme Document, each Velocys Shareholder will be entitled to receive:

for each Velocys Share: 0.25 pence in cash

In addition, conditional on the Acquisition becoming Effective, Bidco has agreed to provide up to US$40 million (approximately £31.5 million) of growth capital which is expected to ensure that Velocys and its management have the capital resources needed to deliver against Velocys' medium-term strategic plans.

In connection with the Acquisition, the Carbon Direct Fund has agreed to provide a secured bridging loan of £3.5 million ("Bridge Financing") with a view to providing sufficient capital for Velocys through to the Acquisition becoming Effective.

The Acquisition values Velocys' entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital at approximately £4.1 million on a fully diluted basis and provides a post growth capital valuation of Velocys of up to approximately US$45.2 million (approximately £35.6 million).

If, on or after the date of this announcement and prior to the Acquisition becoming Effective, any dividend and/or other distribution and/or other return of capital or value is announced, declared, made or paid or becomes payable in respect of the Velocys Shares, Bidco reserves the right to reduce the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition for the Velocys Shares by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such dividend and/or distribution and/or other return of capital or value, in which case any reference in this announcement to the consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition will be deemed to be a reference to the consideration as so reduced. Any exercise by Bidco of its rights referred to in this paragraph shall be the subject of an announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the terms of the Scheme or the Acquisition. In such circumstances, Velocys Shareholders shall be entitled to retain any such dividend, distribution and/or other return of capital or value.

3.            Background to and reasons for the Acquisition

Bidco believes that the production of sustainable aviation fuel ("SAF") is a compelling market opportunity given the confluence of regulatory support, demand pull by airlines, and increased technology readiness. Furthermore, Bidco believes Velocys is well positioned to capitalise on these sector tailwinds given its patented integrated Fischer-Tropsch reactor and catalysis solution and its pipeline of commercial licensing opportunities.

However, while Bidco believes that these secular tailwinds for SAF potentially stand to benefit Velocys and its technology in the long term, without significant additional growth capital Velocys will be unable to further scale the business and accelerate the delivery of its technology to clients, including Velocys' reference projects. Reflecting the very challenging public market environment, the deterioration in Velocys' share price prior to release of the possible offer announcement, and the risks and circumstances of the business, Velocys has been unable to raise sufficient growth capital. Bidco believes that, given this funding challenge, the viability of the business and its ability to deliver against its growth strategy will be impacted to the detriment of Velocys' shareholders, management team and employees.

It is the view of Bidco that the longer-term interests of Velocys and its employees therefore are best served away from the public markets. Bidco believes that Velocys is best positioned to succeed as a private company, with the current management team, and with an injection of growth capital from a consortium of long-term investors who have the requisite experience in supporting industrial companies as they seek to fully realise their potential.

Velocys noted in its announcement on 20 November 2023 that, unless Velocys was able to find meaningful sources of funding or strategic options, it was unlikely that Velocys would be able to continue as a going concern beyond the end of December. This date has now been extended into early-January 2024 as a result of cost control and cash management initiatives. The Acquisition provides Velocys shareholders with a certain liquidity opportunity in circumstances where shareholders may otherwise face the prospect of realising minimal value.

4.    Recommendation

The Velocys Directors, who have been so advised by Panmure Gordon as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. Panmure Gordon is providing independent financial advice to the Velocys Directors for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code.

In providing its financial advice to the Velocys Directors, Panmure Gordon has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Velocys Directors. Panmure Gordon has taken into consideration Velocys' limited cash resources, the challenging financial position of Velocys and the absence of alternative funding offers, in circumstances where, should the Bridge Financing not be made available by the Carbon Direct Fund in connection with the Acquisition, the insolvency of Velocys would be a significant possibility. The Velocys Directors believe that the Bridge Financing, which is vital for Velocys to avoid insolvency, would not be made available in the absence of the Acquisition and that any insolvency would highly likely result in minimal value being returned to Velocys Shareholders. 

Accordingly, the Velocys Directors, who have been so advised by Panmure Gordon, intend to unanimously recommend that Velocys Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions at the General Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, to accept or procure the acceptance of such Takeover Offer).

Each Velocys Director who holds Velocys Shares has irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour of the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting in respect of their own beneficial holdings of Velocys Shares, amounting to, in aggregate 7,070,412 Velocys Shares representing approximately 0.43 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velocys as at the Latest Practicable Date.

Velocys Shareholders should note that, in the event that the Acquisition does not become Effective, it is unlikely that Velocys will be able to repay the Bridge Financing and remain a going concern. In those circumstances, it is likely that administrators would be appointed promptly and, whilst the administrator would seek to maximise value from the sale of available assets, it is considered highly unlikely that this would result in anything other than mininmal returns to Velocys Shareholders, after costs and preferential (including secured) and unsecured claims that would arise on insolvency.

5.    Background to and reasons for the recommendation

Velocys operates a business model focused on providing a unique technology pathway to enable production of SAF. Velocys has developed industry leading proprietary patented micro-channel Fischer-Tropsch reactors and a comprehensive biorefinery integrated technology package for use by SAF producers with the focus of the business model being to provide Velocys' Fischer-Tropsch solution under site license agreements and subsequently providing engineering services, reactors and catalysts to generate revenue through fees. Velocys has an extensive intellectual property portfolio consisting of over 200 granted patents, 90 pending patents and various trademarks.

Significant funding requirement to execute Velocys' strategy

The provision of Velocys' integrated technology and service model requires significant engineering and project resources, alongside a robust balance sheet to support the business whilst its revenue pipeline develops (including the two reference projects in development) and to provide performance guarantees to future clients. In addition, Velocys requires funding for its recently commissioned manufacturing facility, including for production start-up and the strengthening of catalysis service delivery to clients. The commercial progress of Velocys, and in turn the timing of significant revenue and income for Velocys, is dependent on external factors such as favourable government policies relating to SAF and the construction funding of biorefineries by third parties. The potential for delays to Velocys' revenue potential means that significant working capital continues to be required to support the business during its growth phase.

Notwithstanding the commercial progress made to date by Velocys, it currently generates minimal revenue and has significant losses. Accordingly, Velocys has, for some time, been seeking significant long-term funding to further scale its business and to allow for the acceleration of the delivery of its technology to clients, including Velocys' reference projects and an identified pipeline of opportunities. To achieve this, on 18 May 2023, Velocys announced a fundraise of a minimum of US$40 million (up to a maximum of £50 million). However, reflecting a challenging public market environment and the risks and circumstances of the business, only a total of £6.3 million (before expenses) has been raised since this date.

Significant market head winds

Velocys' revenue is heavily influenced by the progress of its customers, including its two reference projects and large but slow-moving business development pipeline, as well as the ability for SAF biorefinery projects to attract significant third-party financing to enable Velocys to invoice the projects. The SAF industry is relatively nascent and evolving. The industry has been impacted by slower than expected government policies (particularly in the UK) and technical issues with third party SAF technologies which the Velocys Board believes, in addition to its funding issues, have impacted the timeliness of completion of the development capital raises for the Altalto Project and Bayou Fuels Project. Accordingly, Velocys had minimal revenues in 2023 and had to continue to meet the costs of both the Altalto Project (in addition to grant funding) and the Bayou Fuels Project.

Alternative options explored by Velocys

As a result of Velocys' material funding requirements, during 2023, the Velocys Board has had discussions with a broad range of institutional and specialist financial investors, as well as strategic investors and venture entities, none of which (save for in relation to discussions with members of the Consortium) have to date resulted in offers of material funding for Velocys.

Equity financing: The equity fundraise in May 2023 raised less than targeted, and the financial markets and risk profile of the business have not materially improved since this date. Even if new or existing shareholders were prepared to put further equity funding into Velocys, there would be no guarantee that such funding could be made available on a timely basis and such funding would likely be highly dilutive to existing shareholders. Further, any such funding would be unlikely to significantly extend Velocys' cash runway, given Velocys' relatively high working capital needs and ongoing funding requirements.

Debt financing: As noted above, Velocys has very limited revenues and significant losses and, accordingly, other than the Bridge Financing (which is being provided in connection with the Acquisition), Velocys has not identified a viable debt solution to provide near-term or long-term financing.

Other strategic alternatives: In recent weeks and months, Velocys has explored a number of strategic alternatives, including discussions with a number of companies operating in relevant industries. To date, none of these have resulted in a viable funding alternative. Whilst Velocys continues to pursue commercial, collaboration and licence opportunities, given Velocys' very limited cash runway, it is highly unlikely that these opportunities could materially extend the cash runway in the timeframe available. The Velocys Board believes that Velocys' value primarily lies in its integrated technology solution and, accordingly, that it is highly unlikely that Velocys Shareholders would receive additional value over and above the Acquisition Price in the event that Velocys sold its assets on a piecemeal basis or entered an insolvency process, such as administration. Velocys has taken specialist restructuring advice in relation to its very limited cash runway.

In summary, the Velocys Board believes that none of the alternatives set out above are capable of delivering a solution to the urgent financial constraints faced by Velocys. The Velocys Board now finds itself in a challenging position where, given the immediate need for near-term funding and Velocys' significant long-term funding requirements, other than the Acquisition and associated provision of funding to Velocys, it currently has no viable options available to it that would secure sufficient near-term funding and otherwise that would be expected to secure the future of the business. The announcement made by Velocys on 20 November 2023 noted that Velocys would require funding by the end of December 2023 to enable it to continue as a going concern. This date has now been extended into early-January 2024 as a result of cost control and cash management initiatives undertaken by Velocys however, this slight extension has no material impact on Velocys' precarious financial position. In the event that funding is not obtained, Velocys would need to consider and take steps to implement alternatives which continue to seek to protect the interests of financial creditors, commercial counterparties and employees potentially resulting in minimal value being attributed to the existing equity. 

Bridge Financing and growth capital

The proposals for the Acquisition include: (i) the provision of near-term funding in the form of the Bridge Financing by the Carbon Direct Fund; and (ii) an intention from Bidco to provide up to US$40 million of growth capital funding to Velocys following the Acquisition becoming Effective. It is Velocys' understanding that, absent the Acquisition, the Bridge Financing would not be available to Velocys. Further details on the Bridge Financing are set out below.

Bridge Financing

On 5 December 2023, in connection with the Acquisition, the Carbon Direct Fund entered into the Facility Letter with Velocys and certain of Velocys' subsidiaries (as guarantors). Pursuant to the terms of the Facility Letter, the Carbon Direct Fund has agreed to make available to Velocys a term secured loan facility of £3.5 million.

The Bridge Financing will be available to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Bridge Financing will (subject to customary conditions at the time of each utilisation) be available to Velocys to draw down in tranches no more frequently than once in every two week period and in amounts based on the anticipated cash flow requirements of Velocys for that period), until the final draw down date of 31 January 2024. No further utilisation requests may be made after 31 January 2024 without the consent of the Carbon Direct Fund. On the current anticipated timetable, the Acquisition is expected to become Effective prior to 31 January 2024. Any drawn down amounts under the Bridge Financing shall be repayable 364 days from the date of the Facility Letter unless any of the following occurs before that time, in which case the Bridge Financing will be required to be repaid in full upon such occurrence:  

(1)  the Acquisition becomes Effective:

(2)  a Change of Control occurs (being any person or group of persons acting in concert (other than the Consortium) acquiring 50.1 per cent. of the shares in Velocys or otherwise gaining direct or indirect control of Velocys);

(3)  the sale of all, or substantially all, of the assets of Velocys occurs whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions; or

(4)  it becomes illegal for the Carbon Direct Fund to fund or maintain its participation in the financing.

Interest will accrue at a rate of 30 per cent. per annum on the principal drawn down pursuant to the Facility Letter.

The Bridge Financing is secured by English and New York law security interests granted by Velocys and certain of Velocys' subsidiaries. Further details of the security are set out in paragraph 11 below.

                Long term financing

Subject to the Acquisition becoming Effective, Bidco has agreed (from the Effective Date) to provide up to US$40 million (approximately £31.5 million) of growth capital which is expected to ensure that Velocys has the capital resources it needs to deliver against its medium-term strategic plans. Existing shareholders will not benefit from the injection of growth capital into Velocys. The Acquisition and Bidco's commitment to provide growth capital of up to US$40 million provides a post growth capital valuation of Velocys of up to approximately US$45.2 million (approximately £35.9 million). Even if Velocys were able to raise a similar amount in the near-term as a public company through the issue of new shares, this would result in significant dilution of existing Velocys Shareholders. 

Conclusion

In conclusion absent the Acquisition Velocys would need to consider and take immediate steps to implement alternatives which continue to seek to protect the interests of financial creditors, commercial counterparties and employees, but which would highly likely result in minimal value being attributed to the existing equity. There can be no guarantee that Velocys would be able to implement alternatives in the available timeframe and it is highly likely Velocys would face insolvency if such alternatives are not implemented in the available timeframe.

The Velocys Directors believe that the financial terms of the Acquisition, when considered together with the financial support to be provided under the Bridge Financing and intended to be provided under the US$40 million growth capital funding, represent the most realistic prospect of returning any value to Velocys Shareholders and the best prospect of enabling Velocys to meet its obligations to employees, pension scheme members and other creditors and to continue to trade as a going concern.

Taking into account the above, the Velocys Board, together with its financial advisers Panmure Gordon, have carefully considered and evaluated the financial terms of the Acquisition. Panmure Gordon is providing financial advice to Velocys under Rule 3 of the Code. In making its assessment, the Velocys Board has also carefully evaluated Bidco's intentions regarding the conduct of the Velocys business under Bidco's ownership. Accordingly, the Velocys Directors intend to unanimously recommend that Velocys Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions at the General Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, to accept or procure the acceptance of such Takeover Offer).

In intending to unanimously recommend the Acquisition, the Velocys Board believes that there is no present viable alternative likely to produce more value for Velocys Shareholders than would be available through the Acquisition, and further that the Acquisition (given the associated provision of funding) represents the only realistic prospect of allowing Velocys to continue as a going concern.

6.    Information relating to Bidco AND the consortium

Bidco

Bidco is a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales on 28 November 2023. It has its registered office at 1 Eagle Place, London, Greater London, SW1Y 6AF. The current directors of Bidco are Kevin Bone, Josh Dienstag and May Liew. Bidco was formed for the purposes of the Acquisition and has not traded since its date of incorporation, nor has it entered into any obligations other than in connection with the Acquisition.

All members of the Consortium are shareholders in Bidco. The members of the Consortium are:

o  Lightrock: Lightrock is a global private equity firm and 'impact investor' with a focus on growth capital. Lightrock's investment philosophy targets companies that pursue scalable and tech-driven business models around the key impact themes of people, planet, and productivity-tech for good;

o  Carbon Direct Capital: Carbon Direct Capital is a global growth investment firm that partners with carbon management technology companies. The firm believes that investing with a science-focused approach maximizes both climate impact and financial returns;

o  GenZero: GenZero is founded by Temasek, a global investment firm incorporated and headquartered in Singapore. It is committed to delivering positive climate impact and long-term sustainable financial returns by investing in opportunities with the potential to be nurtured into impactful and scalable solutions; and

o  Kibo Investments: Kibo Investments is a Singapore-based private investment office with a focus on climate technology

7.            Information relating to Velocys

Velocys is an international sustainable fuels technology company, providing clients with one of the most sustainable routes to the economic production of drop-in SAF from a variety of waste materials. Velocys operates a licencing model offering a technology solution for the development of synthetic sustainable fuels manufacturing via its proprietary patented micro-channel Fischer-Tropsch reactors and comprehensive biorefinery integrated technology package. Velocys has offices in Oxford, UK as well as Houston, US and reactor manufacturing facilities in Ohio, US.

Velocys has a number of third-party clients to whom it supplies its services and technology; in addition Velocys is developing two full-scale biorefinery reference projects: the Bayou Fuels Project in Mississippi, US, which will utilise woody waste to produce sustainable fuels, and the Altalto Project in Immingham in the UK, which will process municipal and commercial solid waste into sustainable fuels. The reference projects are being developed to accelerate adoption of Velocys' technology and, following the completion of third-party development capital project financing and commencement of the detailed engineering stage of these projects, the reference projects are expected to generate significant technology licensing revenue for Velocys.

Velocys' near-term ambitions are focused on creating sustainable value by growing the customer pipeline, progressing its biorefinery reference projects in the UK and US into FEED (Front End Engineering Design) delivery and revenue generation. Fees will start being generated as the reference projects progress through their FEED phase which will generate revenues through the execution of technology licenses and engineering services agreements. Velocys is also focused on expansion of its commercial and business development functions, and engineering and reactor manufacturing to support the scale-up of its business.

Velocys' aim is to become a leading provider of innovative SAF solutions to enable the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.

8.            Irrevocable undertakings

As described above, Bidco has received irrevocable undertakings to vote (or, where applicable, procure voting) in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by a Takeover Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of such Takeover Offer) from all of the Velocys Directors who own Velocys Shares, in respect of their own beneficial holdings totalling 7,070,412 Velocys Shares (representing approximately 0.43 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velocys) as at the Latest Practicable Date. The undertakings will remain binding in the event that a higher competing offer for Velocys is made.

In addition to the irrevocable undertakings referred to above received from the Velocys Directors, Bidco has received an irrevocable commitment from Lansdowne Partners to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by a Takeover Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of such Takeover Offer), in respect of 303,156,632 Velocys Shares (representing approximately 18.35 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velocys) as at the Latest Practicable Date. The undertakings will remain binding in the event that a higher competing offer for Velocys is made.

Accordingly, Bidco has received irrevocable commitments to vote in favour of the resolutions relating to the Scheme and the Acquisition at the Meetings (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by a Takeover Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of such Takeover Offer), in respect of a total of 310,227,044 Velocys Shares (representing in aggregate approximately 18.78 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Velocys) as at the Latest Practicable Date.

Further details of these irrevocable undertakings, including the circumstances in which they cease to be binding, are set out in Appendix 3 to this announcement.

9.            Financing of the Acquisition

The cash consideration payable to Velocys Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition will be financed using cash resources made available to Bidco from members of the Consortium.

In accordance with Rule 2.7(d) of the Code, Cavendish, in its capacity as financial adviser to Bidco, is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to Bidco to satisfy in full the cash consideration payable to Velocys Shareholders under the terms of the Acquisition.

Further information on the financing of the Acquisition will be set out in the Scheme Document.

10.          SANCTIONS DISQUALIFIED SHAREHOLDERS

In connection with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and other countries have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions against officials, individuals, regions, companies and industries in Russia. The sanctions consist of (amongst other things) asset freezes and other restrictions on certain individuals and entities, and restrictions on certain trade and financial transactions involving Russia. 

To the extent that any Velocys Shareholder is a Sanctions Disqualified Shareholder, the transfer of such Velocys Shareholder's Scheme Shares and their entitlement to the cash consideration payable by Bidco for such Velocys Shares will arise (on the basis set out in the Scheme) only upon the later of: (i) the Effective Date; and (ii) the earlier of the Licence Grant Date or the date on which the relevant asset freeze or other Sanctions are removed. In addition, no Sanctions Disqualified Shareholder will be entitled to vote at the Court Meeting or appoint a proxy to exercise all or any such Velocys Shareholder's right to vote on their behalf at the meeting.

11.          Offer‑related arrangements

Confidentiality agreement with Carbon Direct Capital

On 30 August 2022, Carbon Direct Capital and Velocys entered into a confidentiality agreement, pursuant to which, amongst other things, Carbon Direct Capital has undertaken, subject to certain exceptions, to keep information relating to Velocys confidential and not to disclose it to third parties. The term of the confidentiality agreement was extended on 29 November 2023. These confidentiality obligations will remain in force until the earlier of: (i) 29 August 2024; and (iii) 30 days after either Carbon Direct Capital or Velocys gives notice of termination to the other.

Confidentiality agreement with Lightrock

On 27 November 2023, Lightrock and Velocys entered into a confidentiality agreement in relation to the Acquisition covering information shared between the parties since 1 October 2023, pursuant to which, amongst other things, Lightrock has undertaken, subject to certain exceptions, to keep information relating to Velocys confidential and not to disclose it to third parties. These confidentiality obligations will remain in force until the earlier of: (i) the date on which the parties enter into definitive documentation; (ii) 1 October 2026; and (iii) 30 days after either Lightrock or Velocys gives notice of termination to the other.

Confidentiality agreement with GenZero

On 16 October 2023, GenZero, through Carbon Solutions Platform Pte. Ltd and Velocys entered into a confidentiality agreement in relation to the Acquisition, pursuant to which, amongst other things, GenZero has undertaken, subject to certain exceptions, to keep information relating to Velocys confidential and not to disclose it to third parties. These confidentiality obligations will remain in force until the earlier of: (i) 16 October 2025; and (ii) 30 days after either GenZero or Velocys gives notice of termination to the other.

Confidentiality agreement with Kibo Investments

On 24 August 2023, Kibo Invest Pte. Ltd., on behalf of Kibo Investments, and Velocys entered into a confidentiality agreement in relation to the Acquisition, pursuant to which, amongst other things, Kibo Investments has undertaken, subject to certain exceptions, to keep information relating to Velocys confidential and not to disclose it to third parties. These confidentiality obligations will remain in force until the earlier of: (i) 24 August 2026 and (ii) 30 days after either Kibo Investments or Velocys gives notice of termination to the other.

Cooperation Agreement

Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, Bidco and Velocys have, amongst other things, each agreed to cooperate in respect of the obtaining of a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation in connection with the transfer of any Velocys Shares held by Sanctions Disqualified Shareholders. This is because these Velocys Shareholders are prohibited from participating in the Acquisition in the absence of such a licence or the Sanctions applicable to them being removed, as described in paragraph 10 above. Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, Bidco has also agreed to put arrangements in place for the continued availability of directors' and officers' insurance for the Velocys Directors following the Acquisition becoming Effective. In addition, Bidco has agreed to certain provisions if the Scheme should switch to a Takeover Offer. The Cooperation Agreement will terminate in certain circumstances, including if the Acquisition is withdrawn, terminated or lapses, or if prior to the Long Stop Date any Condition has been invoked by Bidco (with the consent of the Panel), if the Velocys Directors withdraw their recommendation of the Acquisition or if the Acquisition does not become Effective in accordance with its terms by the Long Stop Date or otherwise as agreed between Bidco and Velocys. Pursuant to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement and the requirements of Paragraph 3(g)(i) of Appendix 7 to the Takeover Code, Bidco undertakes that it will deliver a notice in writing to Velocys and the Panel on the Business Day prior to the Sanction Hearing confirming either: (i) the satisfaction or waiver of the Conditions (other than the Conditions relating to the implementation of the Scheme); or (ii) to the extent permitted by the Panel, that it intends to invoke or treat as unsatisfied or incapable of satisfaction one or more Conditions.

Facility Letter and security

Pursuant to the terms of the Facility Letter, the Carbon Direct Fund has agreed to provide a term loan facility to Velocys of £3.5 million, Velocys may utilise the facility for general corporate and working capital purposes of the Velocys Group. Details of the Facility Letter are set out in paragraph 5 above.  

The Bridge Financing is secured by English and New York law security interests granted by granted by Velocys and certain of Velocys' subsidiaries. Accordingly, on 5 December 2023, in connection with the Bridge Financing, Velocys and certain of Velocys' subsidiaries (as guarantors) entered into (i) an English law governed debenture, pursuant to which Velocys and certain of Velocys' subsidiaries granted security interests over substantially all of their assets including intellectual property, land, investments, bank accounts and insurances; (ii) a New York law governed share pledge agreement, pursuant to which Velocys and one of its subsidiaries granted pledges over the shares and associated rights in certain of Velocys' subsidiaries; a New York law governed patent security agreement, pursuant to which certain of Velocys' subsidiaries pledged certain patent collateral and associated rights and the authorisation to supplement that pledge of patent collateral; and (iv) a New York law governed secured guaranty, pursuant to which certain of Velocys' subsidiaries pledged and granted security interests in substantially all of their assets, in each case, in favour of the Carbon Direct Fund.

12.          Disclosure of interests in Velocys securities

Except for the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 8 above, as at 4 December 2023 (being the Latest Practicable Date) neither Bidco, nor any of its directors, nor, so far as Bidco is aware, any person treated as acting in concert (within the meaning of the Takeover Code) with it for the purposes of the Acquisition: (i) had any interest in or right to subscribe for any relevant securities of Velocys; or (ii) had any short positions in respect of relevant securities of Velocys (whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or otherwise), including any short position under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take delivery; or (iii) has borrowed or lent any relevant securities of Velocys (including, for these purposes, any financial collateral arrangements of the kind referred to in Note 3 on Rule 4.6 of the Takeover Code) save for any borrowed shares which have been either on-lent or resold; or (iv) is a party to any dealing arrangement of the kind referred to in Note 11 on the definition of acting in concert in the Takeover Code.

13.      Directors, management, employees, pensions, research and development and locations

Bidco's strategic plans for Velocys

Bidco recognises the strength of Velocys' market proposition, technology, licences, partners, people, facilities and reference projects and believes that under the ownership of Bidco, and with an adequate injection of growth capital, Velocys' prospects can materially improve. Bidco acknowledges and places great value on the identified commercial pipeline of licensing opportunities Velocys has fostered and believes that successful execution of this pipeline and the conversion of leads into binding agreements can generate significant returns on any investment. Notwithstanding this, Bidco is also highly cognisant of Velocys' current inability to deliver on its strategy and therefore, conditional on the Acquisition becoming Effective, Bidco has agreed to provide up to US$40 million of growth capital which is expected to enable Velocys to meet its medium-term strategic plans.

Following the Acquisition becoming Effective, Bidco intends to work closely with Velocys' management, and where appropriate, other stakeholders, to undertake a review of Velocys' business in order to determine the short and long-term objectives for the business and how they can best be delivered having regard to the additional growth capital being provided by Bidco. This review will include an assessment as to how best to support Velocys' existing growth strategies in pursuit of the commercial opportunities before it. The detailed scope of this review and the appropriate timetable for its completion has not yet been finalised, but Bidco anticipates this review will be completed within approximately three months from the Acquisition becoming Effective.

Employees and management

Bidco attaches great importance to the skills and experience of the employees and management team of Velocys and its subsidiaries and consequently, Bidco does not intend to cause Velocys or its subsidiaries to effect any material change with regard to: (i) the continued employment of its employees and managers and (ii) the conditions of employment or balance of skills and functions of the management of Velocys or its subsidiaries. However, given Bidco's intention for Velocys to operate as a private company going forward, certain functions necessary for Velocys to operate as a public company will no longer be needed, which may result in marginal reductions in headcount. In addition, it is intended that, with effect from the Effective Date, each of Velocys' non-executive directors will resign from their office as directors of Velocys.

Existing employment rights and pensions

Bidco intends for the existing contractual and statutory employment rights of Velocys' management and employees will be safeguarded in accordance with applicable law.

Velocys does not operate or contribute to any defined benefit pension schemes in respect of its management and employees. It does, however, contribute to a defined contribution pension plan. Bidco does not intend to make any material changes to the terms and conditions of Velocys' pension schemes, including the employer contributions, accrual of benefits for existing members or the rights of admission of new members.

Incentive arrangements

The Acquisition will affect participants in the Velocys Share Plans, who will be contacted separately as set out in paragraph 14 below.

Bidco has not entered into and has not had discussions on proposals to enter into, any form of incentivisation arrangements with members of Velocys' management. However, Bidco believes that providing equity incentivisation of key employees is important to align the team with the firm's mission and strategic objectives and therefore following the Acquisition becoming Effective, Bidco intends to review the management, governance and incentive structure of Velocys. Bidco confirms no discussions regarding incentive arrangements will take place before the Effective Date.

Headquarters, locations, fixed assets and research and development

Bidco does not intend to make any changes to Velocys' business (including its research and development function) or broader strategic plans, or locations and places of business (including its headquarters and headquarters functions) and does not intend to redeploy any of Velocys' fixed assets.

Trading facilities

Velocys Shares are currently admitted to trading on the AIM. As set out in paragraph 16, applications will be made for the cancellation of the admission to trading of Velocys Shares on AIM and steps will be taken by Bidco following the Acquisition becoming Effective to re-register Velocys as a private company.

None of the statements in this paragraph 13 are "post-offer undertakings" for the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the Takeover Code.

14.          Velocys Share Plans

Participants in the Velocys Share Plans will be contacted regarding the effect of the Acquisition on their options and awards under the Velocys Share Plans. Details of the impact of the Scheme on each of the Velocys Share Plans and the proposals will be set out in the Scheme Document. Options under the Velocys Share Plans have a higher exercise price than the Acquisition Price and therefore no proposals are required to be made for any options under the Velocys Share Plans pursuant to Rule 15 of the Takeover Code. Accordingly, no such Rule 15 proposals will be made to option holders in connection with the Acquisition.

15.          Scheme process

The Acquisition is subject to the Conditions and certain further terms referred to in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to be set out in full in the Scheme Document, and will only become Effective if, among other things, the following events occur on or before the Long Stop Date (or such later date as Bidco and Velocys may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and, if required, the Court may approve):

·    a resolution to approve the Scheme is passed by a majority in number of Velocys Shareholders present and voting (and entitled to vote) at the Court Meeting, either in person or by proxy, representing 75 per cent. or more in value of each class of the Scheme Shares held by those Velocys Shareholders;

·    the Resolutions necessary to implement the Scheme and the Acquisition is passed by the requisite majority of Velocys Shareholders at the General Meeting;

·    following the Court Meeting and General Meeting and satisfaction and/or waiver (where applicable) of the other Conditions, the Scheme is sanctioned by the Court (without modification, or with modification on terms agreed by Bidco and Velocys); and

·    following such sanction, a copy of the Court Order is delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The Conditions in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Appendix I to this announcement provide that the Scheme will lapse (under the authority of Rule 13.5(b) of the Takeover Code) if:

·    the Court Meeting and the General Meeting are not held by the 22^nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Velocys with the consent of the Panel (and that the Court may approve if required));

·    the Sanction Hearing to approve the Scheme is not held by the 22^nd day after the expected date of the Sanction Hearing to be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be agreed between Bidco and Velocys with the consent of the Panel (and that the Court may approve if required)); or

·    the Scheme does not become Effective by 11.59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date (or such later date as Bidco and Velocys may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and (if required) the Court may allow).

If any Condition in paragraph 2 of Appendix I to this announcement is not capable of being satisfied by the date specified therein, Bidco shall make an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service as soon as practicable and, in any event, by not later than 8.00 a.m. on the Business Day following the date so specified, stating whether Bidco has invoked that Condition, (where applicable) waived that Condition or, with the agreement of Velocys, specified a new date by which that Condition must be satisfied.

Once the necessary approvals from Velocys Shareholders have been obtained and the other Conditions have been satisfied or (where applicable) waived and the Scheme has been sanctioned by the Court, the Scheme will become Effective upon delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies. Subject to the satisfaction of the Conditions, the Scheme is expected to become Effective during January 2024.

As noted in paragraph 10, Velocys and Bidco have agreed to cooperate in respect of the obtaining of a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation in connection with the Acquisition. The obtaining of such licence is not a Condition, but rather, to the extent that any Velocys Shareholder is a Sanctions Disqualified Shareholder, any Velocys Shares held by any such Velocys Shareholder and such Velocys Shareholder's entitlement to the cash consideration payable by Bidco for such Velocys Shares will arise (on the basis set out in the Scheme) upon the later of: (i) the Effective Date; and (ii) the earlier of the Licence Grant Date or the date on which the relevant asset freeze or other Sanctions are removed.

Upon the Scheme becoming Effective: (i) it will be binding on all Velocys Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they attended or voted at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting (and if they attended and voted, whether or not they voted in favour); and (ii) share certificates in respect of Scheme Shares (other than Scheme Restricted Shares unless the Licence Grant Date takes place prior to or on the Effective Date) will cease to be valid and entitlements to Scheme Shares held within the CREST system will be cancelled. In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Takeover Code, the consideration for the transfer of the Scheme Shares to Bidco will be despatched no later than 14 days after the Effective Date. The consideration for the transfer of the Scheme Restricted Shares to Bidco will be despatched on the later of: (i) 14 days from the Effective Date; and (ii) the earlier of the Licence Grant Date or the date on which the relevant asset freeze or other Sanctions are removed. In the event asset freeze or other Sanctions remain in place upon the transfer of the Scheme Restricted Shares to Bidco, the consideration will be held in a segregated account in accordance with applicable sanctions legislation.

Any Velocys Shares issued before the Scheme Record Time will be subject to the terms of the Scheme. 

Further details of the Scheme, including expected times and dates for each of the Court Meeting, the General Meeting and the Sanction Hearing, together with the notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, will be set out in the Scheme Document.

It is expected that the Scheme Document and the Forms of Proxy accompanying the Scheme Document will be sent to Velocys Shareholders (other than Sanctions Disqualified Shareholders) as soon as practicable and in any event within 28 days of this announcement (or such later date as Bidco and Velocys may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and, if required, the Court may approve).

16.          Delisting, and cancellation of trading and re‑registration

Prior to the Acquisition becoming Effective, Velocys will make an application to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission to trading of Velocys Shares on AIM, to take effect from or shortly after the Effective Date.

The last day of dealings in the Velocys Shares on AIM is expected to be the Business Day immediately prior to the Effective Date and no transfers will be registered after 6.00 p.m. (London time) on that date.

On the Effective Date, all of the Velocys Shares, other than the Scheme Restricted Shares unless the Licence Grant Date takes place prior to or on the Effective Date, will become owned by Bidco and the share certificates in respect of those Velocys Shares will cease to be valid and of value and should be destroyed. In addition, entitlements to Velocys Shares held within the CREST system will be cancelled.

It is intended that, as soon as practicable after the Acquisition is Effective, Velocys will be re-registered as a private limited company.

17.          Documents

Copies of the following documents will be available on Bidco's website at www.madisonmomentum.com and Velocys' website at http://offer.velocys.com , subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, promptly and in any event by no later than noon on the Business Day following this announcement:

·    this announcement;

·    the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 8 above and summarised in Appendix 3 to this announcement;

·    the documents entered into for the financing of the Acquisition referred to in paragraph 5 above;

·    the Confidentiality Agreements;

·    the Cooperation Agreement; and

·    the consents from financial advisers to being named in this announcement.

Neither the content of the websites referred to in this announcement, nor any website accessible from hyperlinks, is incorporated into or forms part of this announcement.

18.          General

Bidco reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the Panel and subject to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement) to implement the acquisition of the Velocys Shares by way of a Takeover Offer as an alternative to the Scheme. In such event, the Takeover Offer will be implemented on substantially the same terms, so far as applicable, as those which would apply to the Scheme.

If the Acquisition is effected by way of a Takeover Offer, and such Takeover Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are received, Bidco intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the 2006 Act so as to acquire compulsorily the remaining Velocys Shares in respect of which the Takeover Offer has not been accepted.

Investors should be aware that Bidco may purchase Velocys Shares otherwise than under the Scheme or any Takeover Offer, including pursuant to privately negotiated purchases.

The Acquisition will be on the terms and subject to the conditions set out herein and in Appendix 1, and to be set out in full in the Scheme Document. The bases and sources for certain financial information contained in this announcement are set out in Appendix 2. Details of undertakings received by Bidco are set out in Appendix 3. Certain definitions and terms used in this announcement are set out in Appendix 4. The Scheme Document will be sent to shareholders of Velocys within 28 days of this announcement (or on such later date as may be agreed with Velocys and the Panel).

Cavendish (as financial adviser to Bidco) and Panmure Gordon (as financial adviser to Velocys) have each given and not withdrawn their consent to the publication of this announcement with the inclusion herein of the references to their names in the form and context in which they appear.

This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities.

Enquiries

Cooley (UK) LLP is acting as legal adviser to Bidco

Mayer Brown LLP is acting as legal adviser to Velocys.

Further information

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited ("Cavendish"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as financial adviser to the Consortium and Bidco and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Consortium and Bidco for providing the protections offered to clients of Cavendish or for providing advice in connection with any matter referred to in this announcement. Neither Cavendish nor any of its affiliates (nor their respective directors, officers, employees or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Cavendish in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Takeover Offer or otherwise. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Cavendish as to the contents of this announcement.

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited ("Panmure Gordon"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as financial adviser and Rule 3 adviser, to Velocys and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Velocys for providing the protections offered to clients of Panmure Gordon or for providing advice in connection with any matter referred to in this announcement. Neither Panmure Gordon nor any of its affiliates (nor their respective directors, officers, employees or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Panmure Gordon in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Takeover Offer or otherwise. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Panmure Gordon as to the contents of this announcement.

Shore Capital and Corporate Limited ("Shore Capital"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as adviser to Velocys and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Velocys for providing the protections offered to clients of Shore Capital or for providing advice in connection with any matter referred to in this announcement. Neither Shore Capital nor any of its affiliates (nor their respective directors, officers, employees or agents) owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Shore Capital in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Takeover Offer or otherwise. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Shore Capital as to the contents of this announcement.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Velocys in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the offer document), which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Acquisition. Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the offer document).

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus, prospectus equivalent document or exempted document.

This announcement contains inside information in relation to Velocys for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Velocys is David Bate, General Counsel, Senior Vice President and Head of Compliance for Velocys. Velocys' Legal Entity Identifier is 549300KGMQV70HA5Y715.

If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or independent financial adviser duly authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) if you are resident in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.

Overseas Shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Any failure to comply with such requirements may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of complying with English law, the Takeover Code and the Market Abuse Regulation and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.

The availability of the Acquisition to Velocys Shareholders who are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the UK should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom to vote their Velocys Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to appoint another person as proxy to vote at the Court Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by any person. Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the offer document).

Unless otherwise determined by Bidco or required by the Takeover Code, and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Scheme by any such use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of that jurisdiction. Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including agents, custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send it in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Takeover Offer may not be made directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Takeover Offer may not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.

Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be included in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the offer document).

Sanctions Disqualified Shareholders

Sanctions Disqualified Shareholders should refer to paragraph 10 of this announcement, which contains important information in relation to such holders.

Further details in relation to Sanctions Disqualified Shareholders will be included in the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the offer document).

Notice to US or United States Velocys Shareholders

The Acquisition relates to the shares of an English company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under the laws of England and Wales. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer or proxy solicitation rules under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "U.S. Exchange Act"). Accordingly, this announcement, the Scheme and certain other documents relating to the Acquisition are subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the UK to schemes of arrangement which differ from the disclosure requirements of the US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included in this announcement and the Scheme documentation has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United Kingdom and thus may not be comparable to financial information of US companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

If, in the future, Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer, which is to be made into the United States, such Takeover Offer will be made in compliance with the applicable US laws and regulations.

It may be difficult for US holders of Velocys Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the US federal laws, since Bidco and Velocys are located in a non-US jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. holders of Velocys Shares may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.

In accordance with normal UK practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, the Consortium, certain affiliated companies or their nominees and brokers (acting as agents), may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Velocys Shares outside of the US, other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes Effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. Also, in accordance with Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act, Cavendish will continue to act as exempt principal traders in Velocys shares on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com.

US Velocys Shareholders also should be aware that the transaction contemplated herein may have tax consequences in the US and, that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. US Velocys Shareholders are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding this transaction.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other information published by Bidco and Velocys contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Bidco and Velocys about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include statements relating to the expected effects of the Acquisition on Bidco and Velocys (including their future prospects, developments and strategies), the expected timing and scope of the Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "prepares", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "projects", "synergy", "strategy", "scheduled", "goal", "estimates", "forecasts", "cost-saving", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements may include statements relating to the following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii) business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of Bidco's, Velocys', any member of the Velocys Group's operations and potential synergies resulting from the Acquisition; and (iii) the effects of global economic conditions and governmental regulation on Bidco's, Velocys', or any member of the Velocys Group's business.

Although Bidco and Velocys believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Bidco and Velocys can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms and schedule; changes in the global political, economic, business and competitive environments and in market and regulatory forces; changes in future exchange and interest rates; changes in tax rates; future business combinations or disposals; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in the behaviour of other market participants; changes in the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction not being realised as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions in the countries in which Bidco and Velocys operate, weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets, changes in tax rates, interest rate and currency value fluctuations, the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Bidco and Velocys operate and changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected in the forward-looking statements. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialises or if any one or more of the assumptions proves incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. Neither Bidco nor Velocys, nor any of their respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place any reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this announcement. 

Specifically, statements of estimated cost savings and synergies related to future actions and circumstances which, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a result, the cost savings and synergies referred to may not be achieved, may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. Due to the scale of the Velocys Group, there may be additional changes to the Velocys Group's operations. As a result, and given the fact that the changes relate to the future, the resulting cost synergies may be materially greater or less than those estimated.

Other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations, neither Bidco nor Velocys is under any obligation, and Bidco and Velocys expressly disclaim any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Dealing and Opening Position Disclosure Requirements

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10^th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10^th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

Publication on a website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published under Rule 26 of the Takeover Code will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Bidco's website at www.madisonmomentum.com and Velocys' website at http://offer.velocys.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the Business Day following this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the content of this website nor of any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated by reference or forms part of this announcement.

No profit forecasts, estimates or quantified benefits statements

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast, profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share for Velocys or Bidco for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share for Velocys or Bidco.

Right to switch to a Takeover Offer

Bidco reserves the right to elect, with the consent of the Takeover Panel and subject to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Velocys as an alternative to the Scheme. In such an event, the Takeover Offer will be implemented on the same terms or, if Bidco so decides, on such other terms being no less favourable (subject to appropriate amendments), so far as applicable, as those which would apply to the Scheme and subject to the amendment referred to in Part B of Appendix 1 to this announcement.

Requesting hard copy documents

In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, Velocys Shareholders, persons with information rights and participants in Velocys Share Plans may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Link Group on 0371 664 0321. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. The helpline is open between 9 am - 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Please note that Link Group cannot provide any financial, legal or tax advice and calls may be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes. For persons who receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested. Such persons may also request that all future documents, announcements and information (and any information incorporated into them by reference to another source) in relation to the Acquisition be sent to them in hard copy form.

Electronic communications

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Velocys Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Velocys may be provided to Bidco during the offer period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c) of the Takeover Code.

Rounding

Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of figures that precede them.

General

If the Acquisition is effected by way of a Takeover Offer, and such a Takeover Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are received, Bidco intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the 2006 Act so as to acquire compulsorily the remaining Velocys Shares in respect of which the Takeover Offer has not been accepted.

Investors should be aware that Bidco may purchase Velocys Shares otherwise than under any Takeover Offer or the Scheme, including pursuant to privately negotiated purchases.

Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code

For the purposes of Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, Velocys confirms that, as at close of business on the Latest Practicable Date, it had 1,651,798,992 ordinary shares of 1p each in issue. Velocys holds no shares in treasury. Accordingly, the total number of voting rights in Velocys is 1,651,798,992. The International Securities Identification Number ("ISIN") of Velocys' shares is GB00B11SZ269.

Disclaimer

The Acquisition will be subject to English law, the jurisdiction of the Court, and the applicable requirements of the Takeover Code, the Panel, the London Stock Exchange and the Registrar of Companies.