Serko seeks initial public offering of $22 million

Serko Limited (Serko) announced its initial public offering in Auckland today. The online corporate travel booking and expense management company plans to list on the NZX Main Board to fuel its growth ambitions. Serko will issue $17 million of new shares and existing equity holders have offered to sell a further $5 million of shares.

Serko is a cloud-based technology company that provides an integrated corporate travel booking and expense management solution to approximately 6,000 corporations and government agencies across the Asia Pacific region.

The offer, at $1.10 per share, is expected to open on 4 June 2014. Serko has registered a prospectus, and approved an investment statement, each dated 26 May 2014. Once the offer is open the investment statement and the prospectus will be available to download from www.serkoshareoffer.co.nz, as well as being available in hard copy from Serko and Link Market Registry Services. The offer will be open to both New Zealand and Australian investors.

CEO Darrin Grafton said: "Our cloud-based products make the process of booking travel and managing expenses straightforward. We have spent the past 7 years developing a robust technology solution that streamlines travel booking, assists travellers and supports the management of what is, for most corporations, their second biggest cost category. We have built a blue chip user base, primarily in Australia. We’re now seeking additional capital to expand our reach into new markets across Asia Pacific and potentially beyond. In addition, we will accelerate the development of a number of new products."

As previously announced, Serko’s board of directors is led by Simon Botherway as independent chairman (New Zealand), as well as Claudia Batten (USA) and Clyde McConaghy (Australia) as independent directors. They serve alongside executive directors and co-founders Darrin Grafton, chief executive, and Bob Shaw, chief strategy officer.

Chairman Simon Botherway says: "This is a great opportunity to participate in an exciting New Zealand-based software company with a proven product and growing revenue streams. The timing is right for Serko to raise additional funds to accelerate its growth plans."

Serko’s financial adviser and organising participant is investment bank Cameron Partners Limited.