Li Ka-shing's Horizons Ventures Partners with ZAGG in HzO
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
ZAGG Inc. (NASDAQ: ZAGG) (www.ZAGG.com)
announced today that Horizons Ventures, Ltd., a Hong Kong investment
firm controlled by Li Ka-shing, purchased a $3 million stake in HzO as
part of a preferred equity investment. ZAGG owns a significant stake in
HzO, a Utah-based company that provides WaterBlock™ technology for
consumer and industrial electronic assemblies.
"Horizons Ventures believes HzO's technology expands the world of mobile
connectivity as it meets global consumers' new expectations for mobile
devices," said Jason Wong, CFO of Horizons Ventures, who will serve in
Horizons' seat on the HzO board of directors.
"This new partnership with Horizons is an important step in bringing
HzO's WaterBlock technology to the global marketplace," said Robert G.
Pedersen II, CEO and Chairman of ZAGG, and also Chairman of HzO Inc.
"The function, value, and ubiquity of smartphones is expected to
continue to increase in the future, and HzO is positioned to offer a
unique solution to protect consumer electronics from water damage.
Horizons is a very savvy firm deeply experienced in identifying and
maximizing emerging technologies, and I am honored to work closely with
them to quickly expand the HzO technology and further our ZAGG
relationship."
ZAGG originally acquired HzO in 2009, then spun off HzO Inc. as a
private independent company to improve and commercialize its WaterBlock™
technology.
The award-winning HzO technology is a unique process that creates a
nanoscale, thin film coating that protects electronics against damage
caused by exposure to fluids, which is the leading cause of lost
functionality in electronics. The coating is transparent and can be
applied to a variety of surfaces including plastic, metal and glass. In
addition to water repellence, the coating can repel many oils, synthetic
fluids, hazardous materials, dust and dirt. HzO intends to integrate its
technology in multiple industries including consumer electronics,
automotive, first responder devices, military devices and vehicles,
solar energy, and industrial applications.
About ZAGG Inc
ZAGG Inc., based in Salt Lake City, prides itself on offering premium
quality and superior service. ZAGG® is a market leader in innovative
mobile device accessories that protect, personalize, and enhance the
mobile experience. The company designs, produces, and distributes
branded screen protection under the invisibleSHIELD® brand, keyboards,
keyboard cases, earbuds, mobile power solutions and device cleaning
accessories under the family of ZAGG® brands. In addition, the company
designs, produces and distributes cases, earbuds and headphones under
the iFrogz brands in the value-priced lifestyle sector. The company's
products are sold worldwide in leading consumer and electronics
retailers, wireless retailers and their affiliates, and through the ZAGG
website. For more information, visit ZAGG.com.
About HzO Inc.
HzO's proprietary WaterBlock™ is cutting-edge technology that protects
valuable electronics from water, humidity, and other liquids. Powerful
and invisible, WaterBlock™ protects on the molecular scale. HzO is
commercializing WaterBlock in consumer electronics, military, marine,
industrial and other markets. http://www.pcworld.com/article/243827/hzo_nanotechnology_seal_keeps_smartphones_from_drowning.html
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg6Bj_qfANI.
About Horizons Ventures Ltd.
Horizons Ventures is a Hong Kong-based investment company focused on
early-stage companies in the field of telecommunications, media &
technology.
Investor Relations:
Genesis Select Corp.
Kim
Rogers-Carrete, 949-429-7408
krogersc@genesisselect.com
or
Media:
Lane
PR
Amber Roberts, 212-302-5964
Amber@lanepr.com
or
Company:
ZAGG
Inc.
Nathan Nelson, 801-263-0699 ext. 107
nnelson@zagg.com
Source: ZAGG Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
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