SMAAASH Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: SMSH) (the “Company”),
previously announced that it has successfully consummated its
transaction with SMAAASH Entertainment Private Limited (“SMAAASH”).
As part of the transaction, the Company changed its name to
“SMAAASH Entertainment Inc.” and began trading November 23, 2018 on
NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “SMSH”.
SMAAASH, the brainchild of successful serial
entrepreneur Shripal Morakhia, is a global virtual reality gaming
and sports entertainment company. SMAAASH has grown by developing a
specialized innovation ecosystem that has ensured that all
physical, digital and virtual games are based on proprietary
technology.
The Company will majority own and control all
new, future US-located SMAAASH family entertainment centers, and
all SMAAASH eSports center operations, including SMAAASH Digital,
as they develop. The Company owns a minority stake in the
India-based SMAAASH Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., which currently owns
and operates 39 family entertainment centers. Pursuant to this
transaction, the Company has a right to invest and build a larger
stake in SMAAASH over the next 30-60 days.
SMAAASH centers provide a specialized sports and
extreme sports experience based on the company’s Virtual Reality,
Mixed Reality and simulation-based technologies and games. The
Company plans to launch three dedicated eSports centers in the U.S.
by March 2019, with four more to follow by December 2019, and
monetize its audience through specialized fan engagement
programs.
In addition to the continued roll out of SMAAASH
centers, proprietary content, and dedicated eSports centers,
the Company plans in the coming months include developing, owning,
and managing high performing eSports teams with the overall goal of
becoming an international hub for eSports fans from click to
brick.
“I am pleased to announce the closing of our
transaction with SMAAASH Entertainment, Inc.,” said Shripal
Morakhia, CEO and Chief Imagination Officer of SMAAASH. “We believe
that the public platform provided by the Company will enhance our
visibility and boost our growth plans as we seek to build out our
network of sports centers.”
“This model has been well proven in major
metropolitan areas throughout India and the United States,
addressing major secular trends as malls transition into experience
centers. The departure of legacy mall tenants enables us to secure
prime real estate at highly competitive rates while simultaneously
providing those malls with a significant increase in foot traffic
and potential spend.”
“I am particularly enthused with our aggressive
efforts in the eSports space, addressing an industry expected to
grow to $1.7 billion in annual revenues by 2021. I strongly believe
that our goal to create a fully integrated eSports platform,
encompassing the development, ownership and management of eSports
teams at all competitive levels, paired with the strategic
integration of social influencers, a specialized content strategy
and various contests and scholarships at our planned eSports
locations, will drive the creation of a significant fan base which
we plan to monetize with using internally developed fan engagement
initiatives while concurrently establishing the Company as a
thought leader within the eSports industry. We expect these efforts
to not only provide the Company with a significant first mover
advantage, as we strive to revolutionize the way people view
entertainment, but offer notable synergies with the family
entertainment centers, many of which will contain a dedicated
in-house eSports arena.”
“I look forward to sharing more of our growth
story, at upcoming investor conferences, including the 11th Annual
LD Micro Main Event in Los Angeles,” concluded Morakhia.
F. Jacob Cherian, CEO and Founder of SMAAASH
Entertainment, Inc., said, “SMAAASH redefines sports entertainment
with its ability to infuse its technology-rich experience to
entertain customers worldwide. SMAAASH operates in the entire
gaming ecosystem: making its own games, operating its centers,
selling games to marquis global clients, and leveraging its digital
platform. Further, SMAAASH is well positioned to capitalize on
attractive growth areas such as eSports.”
About SMAAASH Entertainment
Inc.:
SMAAASH Entertainment Inc. (f/k/a I-AM Capital
Acquisition Company) (NASDAQ:SMSH), Co-Founded and led by CEO F.
Jacob Cherian and CFO Suhel Kanuga, was a blank check company, also
commonly referred to as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or
SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange,
asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar
business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The
Company raised $52.7 million in its August 2017 initial public
offering. The Company completed its transaction with SMAAASH
Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. on November 20, 2018.
About SMAAASH Entertainment Pvt.
Ltd.:
SMAAASH is a global entertainment company
offering interactive sports experiences and virtual reality gaming
technology. SMAAASH is founded by Shripal Morakhia, a visionary
Indian entrepreneur. SMAAASH presently operates world-class
entertainment centers across 39 locations in India, and one
international center in the U.S. SMAAASH’s core concept is to offer
an interactive, immersive and fun experience to customers at its
centers, blending Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality and other
games, indoor sports simulation entertainment, and attractive food
and beverage options, customized to the tastes and preferences of a
diverse set of customers across age groups, genders and
backgrounds, including corporate customers, families, friends and
children.
SMAAASH Labs, the research and development
division of SMAAASH, currently employs over 47 engineering
professionals who have designed and built over 60 VR, AR, and
simulator games to-date, including interactive sports experiences
such as the world’s first 360-degree cricket simulator. As a
pioneer in the fields of sports simulation, proprietary gaming and
virtual reality entertainment, SMAAASH games are currently in use
in 30 countries around the globe. More information about SMAAASH
can be found on www.SMAAASH.in and www.SMAAASHusa.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains statements that
constitute “forward-looking statements,” including the ownership of
SMAAASH Centers, the development and launch of eSports centers, the
building of a larger stake in SMAAASH, and owning and managing high
performing eSports teams. Forward-looking statements are subject to
numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of
the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on
September 19, 2018, as amended. Copies are available on the SEC’s
website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of
this release, except as required by law.
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
SMAAASH Entertainment, Inc.Roman
Franklinroman@SMAAASHinc.com561-819-8586
MZ North AmericaChris TysonManaging
Director949-491-8235SMSH@mzgroup.us
Luke ZimmermanSenior Associate949-259-4987SMSH@mzgroup.us
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