The9 Signed a Definitive Share Purchase Agreement to Invest in AI Unmanned Retail Store Platform KuaiJin for $1.5M Cash Consideration

The9 Limited (NASDAQ:NCTY) ("The9"), an established Internet company, today announced that it signed a definitive share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Kuaijin Shidai (Xiamen) Technology Co., Ltd. ("KuaiJin"), a company operating unmanned retail store platform in China, to purchase 15% of KuaiJin by cash and issuance of The9's restricted shares. The9 is also granted a purchase option to purchase up to 51% of the total shares of KuaiJin. The purchase option is exercisable within 2 years and will be based on KuaiJin's valuation at US$60 million.

KuaiJin provides standardized cost-effective solution to retail stores in China. Within 48 hours, traditional retail stores can be transformed into AI unmanned retail store by installation of KuaiJin hardware and software. The AI unmanned retail stores can be opened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, under the monitor of AI-powered 360-degree surveillance cameras. After such transformation, the payroll cost will be significantly reduced. The chance of getting shoplifting will also be reduced. Profit of the retail stores will be increased accordingly. Due to this clear business model, KuaiJin has already transformed more than 500 retail shops in more than 100 cities in China.

Pursuant to the Agreement, The9 will pay cash consideration of US$1.5 million and will issue 318,448,800 restricted Class A ordinary shares (equivalent to 1,061,496 ADSs) to KuaiJin. The restricted Class A ordinary shares to be issued to KuaiJin will be subject to lock-up conditions and will only be released according to the following schedule: (i) when the market capitalization of The9 reaches US$200 million, 20,940,900 Class A ordinary shares (equivalent to 69,803 ADSs) of The9 will be released from the lock-up; (ii) when the market capitalization of The9 reaches US$500 million, 1,894,800 Class A ordinary shares (equivalent to 27,921 ADSs) of The9 will be released from the lock-up, and (iii) when the market capitalization of The9 reaches US$1 billion, 4,188,300 Class A Ordinary shares (equivalent to 13,961 ADSs) of The9 will be released from the lock-up. The rest of the restricted shares shall be released from the lock-up when either of the following conditions are met: KuaiJin completes a qualified IPO and its shares owned by The9 become freely tradable in the open market; or if and when the The9 exercises its purchase option and, as a result, holds a minimum 51% of the then total share capital of KuaiJin.