Bright Machines, a tech company providing intelligent, software-defined manufacturing, and SCVX, a special purpose acquisition company, have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Bright Machines becoming a publicly listed company. Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur in the second half of 2021, the combined company will operate as Bright Machines, and will be traded under the new ticker symbol “BRTM”.

“At Bright Machines, our mission has been clear from the start: to bring software-defined intelligence down to the factory floor and enable our customers to effortlessly modernize their manufacturing operations,” said Amar Hanspal, CEO and co-founder of Bright Machines. “Our industrial automation platform, powered by proprietary software and AI-driven solutions, allows even the most traditional manufacturing companies to quickly and easily deploy flexible automation solutions at scale. We believe that our technology represents a big leap in the transformation of manufacturing, as companies adapt to growing consumer demand, intensifying competition and the refactoring of global supply chains to improve resiliency and sustainability.”

Mike Doniger, CEO and chairman of the board of SCVX, said, “Bright Machines’ innovative, industrial automation technology provides a crucial pathway for manufacturers to upgrade and secure their factories for the realities of the 21st century. Geopolitical tensions and the increasing threat of cyberattacks on manufacturing facilities are making it even more important for companies to minimize their supply chain risks and prepare for a world of distributed manufacturing. The momentum we have seen from Bright Machines in the nascent but critical space of software-defined manufacturing proves the strength of their solution and strategy. They are dramatically improving the speed and economics associated with the adoption of smart production lines and, eventually, fully programmable factories. We are thrilled to be partnering with Bright Machines and look forward to working together to revolutionize how products get made.”

Carl Bass, chairman of the board at Bright Machines and former CEO of Autodesk, Inc. said, “It is clear that Bright Machines’ differentiated, software-driven approach to industrial automation has the potential to completely upend traditional manufacturing methods. The company has demonstrated product-market fit and is seeing accelerating customer interest and broad deployment of their solutions. The opportunity in front of the team is simply enormous.”

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and capital markets advisor to Bright Machines and acted as sole placement agent on the private placement. Latham & Watkins LLP and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP are acting as legal advisors to Bright Machines. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is acting as legal advisor to SCVX