SCHEDULE 13G/A: iNovia Growth Capital and Fund Disclose Amended 9.99% Stake in Sonder Holdings

Sentiment:

Amendment to Beneficial Ownership Statement


iNovia Growth Capital Inc. and iNovia Growth Fund, L.P. have filed an amended Schedule 13G, disclosing a combined beneficial ownership of 9.99% in Sonder Holdings Inc. as of December 31, 2024.

Capital raiseThe document references a Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 13, 2024, under which iNovia Growth Fund, L.P. and iNovia Growth Fund-A, L.P. purchased Series A Preferred Stock in two tranches (August 13, 2024, and November 14, 2024). This indicates a past capital raise by Sonder Holdings Inc. from these investors.

Summary

  • iNovia Growth Capital Inc. and iNovia Growth Fund, L.P. (the "Reporting Persons") filed an amendment to their Schedule 13G, detailing their beneficial ownership in Sonder Holdings Inc. common stock.
  • As of December 31, 2024, iNovia Growth Capital Inc. beneficially owns an aggregate of 1,190,336 shares of Sonder Holdings Inc. common stock, representing 9.99% of the class.
  • This ownership for iNovia Growth Capital Inc. includes 306,897 shares of common stock directly held by its affiliated funds, 778,500 shares issuable upon conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock, and 104,939 shares issuable upon exchange of Sonder Canada Inc. exchangeable shares.
  • iNovia Growth Fund, L.P., as a primary reporting person, beneficially owns 947,859 shares, representing 8.01% of the class, which is part of the aggregate ownership reported by iNovia Growth Capital Inc.
  • The calculation of beneficial ownership is based on 11,034,574 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 1, 2024, as reported by Sonder Holdings Inc. in its proxy statement.
  • The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock includes a "blocker provision" that allows holders to limit conversion if it would exceed a beneficial ownership threshold, which iNovia Growth Capital Inc. has set at 9.99%.
  • The Reporting Persons acquired Series A Preferred Stock through a Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 13, 2024, with the first tranche closing on August 13, 2024, and the second tranche closing on November 14, 2024.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The document is a neutral, factual disclosure of beneficial ownership. The continued significant stake by a growth capital firm could be seen as mildly positive, indicating ongoing investor confidence, but it is not a performance report.

Positives

  • The continued significant institutional investment by iNovia Growth Capital and its affiliated funds (9.99% stake) indicates ongoing confidence in Sonder Holdings Inc.'s long-term prospects.
  • The investment from a growth capital firm suggests potential strategic support and a long-term investment horizon for Sonder Holdings Inc.

Risks

  • The value of the investment is directly tied to the performance and market price of Sonder Holdings Inc.'s common stock.
  • The potential conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Exchangeable Shares into common stock, even with the beneficial ownership limitation, could lead to future dilution for existing shareholders.
  • An additional 29,508 shares of Common Stock are to be issued to iNovia entities upon the achievement of certain share price targets, representing a future potential dilutive event if these targets are met.

Future Outlook

The document indicates potential future issuance of 29,508 shares of Common Stock to iNovia entities upon the achievement of certain undisclosed share price targets, which could lead to further beneficial ownership.

Management Comments

  • The document is a regulatory filing and does not contain direct quotes or paraphrased statements from company management of Sonder Holdings Inc. It includes a certification from Karim Sharobim, Chief Legal Officer of INOVIA GROWTH CAPITAL INC., stating that the securities were not acquired for the purpose of changing or influencing control of the issuer.

Industry Context

This filing reflects a significant institutional investment in Sonder Holdings Inc., a company operating in the hospitality and short-term rental sector. Such investments are common for growth-oriented companies seeking capital for expansion and market penetration. The 'blocker provision' is a standard mechanism in convertible securities to manage beneficial ownership thresholds and avoid triggering certain regulatory or corporate governance requirements.

Corporate Governance

Change TypeDescriptionEffective DateImpact Assessment
Beneficial Ownership LimitationiNovia Growth Capital Inc. has set a beneficial ownership limitation of 9.99% for the conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, preventing them from exceeding this threshold upon voluntary conversion.NAThis limitation prevents iNovia from immediately converting all their preferred shares if it would push their beneficial ownership above 9.99%, potentially mitigating immediate dilution risk for other shareholders from a single large conversion event, while also avoiding certain regulatory thresholds for the investor.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders: The disclosure of a significant institutional stake (9.99%) by iNovia Growth Capital Inc. could be viewed positively, signaling investor confidence. The potential future conversion of preferred shares and exchangeable shares, though limited by a blocker provision, represents potential dilution. The future issuance of shares based on price targets also represents potential dilution.
  • Company (Sonder Holdings Inc.): The investment from iNovia Growth Capital Inc. provides capital and potentially strategic support. The beneficial ownership limitation helps manage the impact of large conversions on the share structure.

Next Steps

  • Potential future issuance of 29,508 shares of Common Stock to iNovia entities upon the achievement of certain share price targets.

Key Dates

DateDescription
2024-08-13Date of the Securities Purchase Agreement (SPA) and the First Tranche Closing for Series A Preferred Stock purchase.
2024-11-01Date as of which 11,034,574 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, used as a basis for beneficial ownership calculation.
2024-11-08Date Sonder Holdings Inc. filed its definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders, reporting outstanding shares.
2024-11-14Date of the Second Tranche Closing for Series A Preferred Stock purchase.
2024-12-31Date of event which requires the filing of this Schedule 13G/A statement.
2025-02-14Date the Joint Filing Statement was signed and the Schedule 13G/A was filed.

Keywords

Sonder Holdings Inc., iNovia Growth Capital Inc., iNovia Growth Fund, Schedule 13G/A, Beneficial Ownership, Common Stock, Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, SEC Filing, Institutional Investor, Equity Stake, Corporate Governance

Disclaimer:The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.