Digital adtech firm LoKnow of Edmonton received growth capital from BDC Capital to facilitate the acquisition of Toronto’s Dandelion
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, January 10, 2023 – LoKnow, an Edmonton-based digital advertising technology company with locations across Canada, received funding from BDC Capital’s Growth & Transition Capital division to support its growth plans as part of the capital raised for its purchase last year of Dandelion, a complementary firm out of Toronto.
LoKnow combines digital media buying services and proprietary technology to develop and deploy digital advertising strategies and tools for its clients on platforms such as Google, Amazon and relevant social media properties. Dandelion is one of a handful of authorized sales partners in the Americas for the Google Marketing Platform (GMP) and the Amazon DSP as well as an implementation vendor for other platforms and adtech tools. As such, Dandelion serves as a technology access partner for agencies and brands for online media buys and access to marketing data and analytics. LoKnow was in fact one of Dandelion’s key customers prior to the acquisition. The vertical integration of Dandelion, who continues to operate separately, enables both companies to offer a more complete service offering to their respective clients and to benefit from each other’s expertise.
BDC Capital was able to provide the amount required in a rapid fashion to ensure the successful completion of the transaction within the companies’ timeframe. The funds were delivered using BDC Capital’s unitranche instrument, which is a non-dilutive, personalized blend of senior amortizing debt, as well as a patient subordinate component. This facility is designed to keep capital costs down while preserving the cashflow of rapidly growing companies like LoKnow. It recognizes not only the borrower’s achievements to date, but also its potential for future growth.
“This acquisition is a deliberate step towards realizing the LoKnow vision for everyone to access, benefit from, and love the vast world of digital advertising,” comments Vikram Seth, Founder and CEO of LoKnow. “We’re grateful for BDC Capital’s low friction approach to supporting this important transaction with financing structured to help create value for our clients and our employee ownership group.”
“This transaction is transformational for both LoKnow and Dandelion, as it instantly makes them into stronger companies who will draw on each other to accelerate their already admirable growth,” adds Benito Chiodo, Director, Growth & Transition Capital at BDC Capital’s Edmonton office. “With this vertical acquisition, LoKnow’s management team has shown once again their strong capacity to innovate and to differentiate themselves in their field, which they’d already demonstrated with the development of novel technology solutions and industry partnerships.”
About LoKnow
Founded in Edmonton, AB in 2016 by Vikram Seth, LoKnow develops adtech tools and audience data products, makes top digital advertising tools and platforms available to buy-side advertising clients, and helps clients achieve their digital advertising goals. LoKnow has expanded its technology and sales offices to Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg to leverage top talent across Canada and increase access to technology for all of its clients. Visit loknow.com or www.dandelioninc.ca.
About BDC Capital
BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, Canada’s business development bank. With over $6 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country’s most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity as well as ownership transition solutions, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital.
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