BigBear.ai, a provider of artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud-based big data analytics, and cyber engineering services, and GigCapital4 Inc., a special purpose acquisition company, have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in BigBear.ai becoming a publicly traded company. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021, at which time the combined company will be named BigBear.ai, Inc., and is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq. The transaction values the company at an enterprise value of approximately $1.57 billion.

Reggie Brothers, chief executive officer of BigBear.ai, said, “Our end-to-end data-driven decision dominance technology provides clarity and insight in complex environments – we empower customers to make the best decisions fast through exploratory analytics and anticipatory intelligence. This is an absolutely mission critical service for our defense and intelligence customers, who trust BigBear.ai in situations where there is little margin for error. We also see a ripe opportunity in the growing commercial market, as companies dedicate their budget to technology that allows them to harness the power of AI and ML for predictive analytics and forecasting capabilities to manage risk and capitalize on opportunities. In GigCapital4, we found a like-minded strategic partner that shares our vision for the future of data-driven decision dominance, and this business combination will help us drive growth as a public company. We have momentum and multiple paths for growth, and we are excited to be embarking on this next chapter.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the BigBear.ai team to use our unique TMT focused, Private-to-Public Equity (PPE)™ platform to bring such an exceptionally strong company to the public markets,” said Raluca Dinu, founding managing partner of GigCapital Global and CEO of GigCapital4. “As a public company, BigBear.ai will have a stronger capital structure to invest in additional technology development, expand commercial R&D and business development teams, and accelerate growth both organically and through acquisitions. The combination of BigBear.ai and GigCapital4 brings unique, attractive, and promising opportunities to all stockholders and stakeholders, while substantiating our commitment to support artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, which we believe is one of the highest-impact technology verticals of our lifetime.”

Jeffrey Hart, principal at AE Industrial Partners, said, “In a world where the complexity and variety of data is increasing exponentially, the Company’s AI-powered technology allows its customers to make sense of the world around them. With a truly differentiated position and platform in the market, we believe this transaction will provide the necessary resources for the team at BigBear.ai to fully realize its vision and potential.”

Kirk Konert, partner at AE Industrial Partners, said, “We are excited to continue our partnership with the BigBear.ai team in this next phase of their growth. As agencies and companies across the world deal with the proliferation of data and cyber threats, BigBear.ai will be able to leverage its deep customer intimacy and technology to pursue an even broader range of contracts and penetrate new targeted industry verticals.”

William Blair is serving as exclusive financial advisor, Kirkland and Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel, and Grant Thornton is serving as auditor to BigBear.ai. Oppenheimer & Co Inc. is serving as capital markets advisor and placement agent, and BMO Capital Markets is serving as exclusive financial advisor, DLA Piper LLP (US) is serving as legal counsel, and BPM LLP is serving as auditors to GigCapital4. Mayer Brown LLP is serving as legal counsel to Oppenheimer & Co Inc., BMO Capital Markets and William Blair.