As a result of the deal, VisionLabs will become the largest asset in the portfolio of Intema, which was established by MTS AI as a new brand aimed at developing, launching, and marketing AI-based products on the global arena. The agreement provides for Intema to acquire a 100% equity stake in VisionLabs from the company’s existing shareholders, which prior to the deal consisted of its founders (51.77%), Sberbank group companies (25.07%) and the Sistema PJSFC venture fund Sistema_VC (23.16%). VisionLabs Co-founder Alexander Khanin will remain Chairman of the VisionLabs Board of Directors, and plans, together with Co-founder Ivan Laptev, to convert shares they own in VisionLabs into equity interest in MTS AI.
The deal has been approved by the MTS Board of Directors (including its Audit Committee) and is also subject to regulatory approval. MTS was advised in the transaction by BofA Securities as financial consultant, and Herbert Smith Freehills served as legal counsel.
Viacheslav Nikolaev, MTS President & CEO, commented: “With MTS AI, we are creating a powerful center of excellence in artificial intelligence, which will bring together strengths across people, expertise, and product development. The acquisition of VisionLabs will reinforce our AI product portfolio in the promising computer vision space, which will enable us to further enhance the potential of the MTS digital ecosystem, as well as deliver world-class solutions for corporate clients in both Russia and abroad.”
Alexander Khanin, MTS AI CEO, commented: “Over the next few years, artificial intelligence technology will become a key driver for business and social development. At MTS AI, we are taking advantage of this window of opportunity by setting up Intema, which is focused on identifying promising AI-based concepts and product ideas that can be developed and launched with the help of investment and expert support. Looking ahead, we aim to create new breakthrough products at the intersection of diverse innovations from across our portfolio. At the same time, VisionLabs will continue to operate in line with its existing team and business strategy.”
Dmitry Filatov, Sistema_VC President, commented: “Our investment in VisionLabs in 2016 and subsequent exit is a model of execution for our corporate venture fund, which has created value for both the fund and the company as a whole. On the one hand, when the fund launched we made an absolutely correct decision to invest in a business that turned out to be highly successful, significantly growing in value and generating a healthy ROI. And on the other hand, as a result of this deal we have seriously strengthened the capabilities of the Sistema Group of companies in the promising artificial intelligence space, building a firm foundation for future scaling in this direction.”
Lev Khasis, First Deputy Chairman of the Sberbank Management Board, commented: “Our investment in VisionLabs has generated for us a great return on invested capital — the value of Sber’s stake in the company has increased more than 3.7 times since entry. Today, Sber has world-class capabilities in biometrics that we continue to develop, including by leveraging VisionLabs’ technology expertise. Our partnership with VisionLabs is continuing across a variety of key areas for the bank’s further development in these directions, including the SmartBio biometric platform, as well as facial and gesture recognition for SberPortal. In addition, together with VisionLabs we will continue executing on our existing contracts and working across Sber’s ecosystem and partnerships. A multitude of high-tech solutions that just a few years ago seemed like fantasy have now become commonplace for our customers and employees, including access control in bank branches and offices, as well as biometric-enabled customer service across our ATMs, stores, and mobile apps.”
