Venture Republic To Go Private via MBO

Venture Republic Inc., an internet commerce supporting company, announced that Venture Republic approved a tender offer from an investment vehicle by Kei Shibata, the CEO of Venture Republic. The TOB price is set at 1,100 yen, a 37.3% premium over a 3-month average. The largest shareholder Lawson Co., a major convenience store operator, agreed to the offer. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ is ready to provide up to 2.2 billion yen in financing. Venture Republic will be delisted upon the successful outcome of this deal. The company went public in August 2008.