Evolv Technology, a AI touchless security screening provider backed by Bill Gates, and NewHold Investment Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a business combination that will result in Evolv becoming a publicly traded company. It is anticipated that Evolv will trade on the NASDAQ with the ticker symbol “EVLV” after the deal closes.

Evolv’s patented and expanding technology portfolio in weapons screening provides the company with advantages to capitalize on a substantial global market opportunity for Evolv’s AI-enabled touchless screening systems. Its software platform allows for the integration of new services such as the recently launched thermal scanning.

“Evolv Technology was built with a mission to make people safer in their everyday lives – whether at work, in stores, stadiums, concert halls, theme parks or schools,” said Peter George, CEO of Evolv. “In a world where increasing weapons violence and health threats imperil human security, our platform identifies threats before they cause harm, without the invasive pat downs, wands and bag checks experienced with traditional metal detector technology. Every Evolv team member shares that mission: to save lives. Our merger with NewHold will provide the capital to build upon our expansive vision for human security.”

“Evolv Technology presents a preeminent opportunity to build the world’s most important enterprise in physical security, expanding the boundaries through AI and analytics,” said Kevin Charlton, CEO of NewHold Investment Corp. “This transaction will provide Peter and the Evolv team with the capital to continue to develop the leading technologies that will make people safer and make their lives more convenient.”

Pursuant to the merger agreement, Evolv will merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of NewHold, with Evolv being the surviving entity of the merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of NewHold. NewHold, which currently holds approximately $172.5 million of cash in trust, will be renamed to Evolv Technology Inc. following the merger. The combined entity will have an estimated pro forma enterprise value of approximately $1.25 billion. The upsized and oversubscribed $300 million PIPE includes investors such as Motorola Solutions Inc., Magnetar Capital, Eldridge, Senator Investment Group and UBS O’Connor, in addition to investments from star athletes, franchise owners and managers. Assuming no trust account redemptions by NewHold’s public stockholders, Evolv’s existing stockholders will own approximately 72% of the fully diluted shares of common stock of the combined company immediately following the closing of the business combination.

Following the closing of the transaction, the company will be led by CEO Peter George. Kevin Charlton, CEO of NewHold and Neil Glat, board member of NewHold, will join Evolv’s board of directors, Evolv co-founder Mike Ellenbogen, chairman Alan Cohen of DCVC, David Orfao of General Catalyst, Bilal Zuberi of Lux Capital, an executive from Motorola Solutions, Merline Saintil and Mark Sullivan.