Sep 30, 2019

WeWork will withdraw IPO filing

Axios

Photo: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

WeWork announced Monday that it would formally pull its IPO filing after a tumultuous series of weeks saw its valuation plummet and the departure of CEO Adam Neumann, per CNBC.

The big picture, via Axios' Dan Primack: The company's new CEOs, Artie Minson and Sebastian Gunningham, have already made a variety of moves to shore up the company's finances. It currently has around $2 billion of cash on hand and is owed another $1.5 billion next year from shareholder SoftBank, with reports that SoftBank may increase its investment if it can change the original deal terms.

Go deeper ... We(re)Work: One week, many changes

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Dan Primack

Scoop: Adam Neumann will determine WeWork's fate

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for WeWork

Japanese investment firm SoftBank will pay former WeWork CEO and current non-executive chairman Adam Neumann around $200 million to leave the board of directors, give up his voting shares and support SoftBank's takeover, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Why it matters: It's a dramatic — and legally dubious — development in a saga that has seen the embattled company plunge from a $47 billion valuation to below $8 billion. SoftBank's board will vote on Tuesday, but that's irrelevant, since Neumann's 10 votes per share are the only ones that matter. It's unclear if Neumann's successors Sebastian Gunningham and Artie Minson will stay on as co-CEOs.

Go deeperArrowOct 21, 2019
Dan Primack

Report: SoftBank to take control of WeWork

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Japanese investment firm SoftBank is set to take control of WeWork in a deal that slashes the co-working company's valuation from $48 billion to around $8 billion, according to CNBC. WeWork is declining comment, and there is subsequent reporting that the company is still deciding between SoftBank's offer and a debt package led by J.P. Morgan.

Why it matters: SoftBank helped break WeWork. Now it may own it.

Go deeperArrowOct 21, 2019
Dan Primack

How SoftBank plans to save WeWork

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

WeWork's board this morning will vote on whether to accept a rescue package from SoftBank or one arranged by JPMorgan.

The big picture: SoftBank's package includes a massive bribe... errr, I mean golden parachute... errr, I mean "consulting contract" for Neumann.

Go deeperArrowOct 22, 2019