KiOR's IPO seen valuing co at about $2 billion

By Tanya Agrawal
June 10, 2011  

* To sell10 mln Class A shares for $19-$21 a share

* Backed by PE groups like Khosla Ventures, among others (Adds details, background)

Private-equity backed KiOR Inc expects to receive about $185 million from its initial public offering, which would value the renewable fuels producer at about $2 billion.

The company, which counts Khosla Ventures and Artis Capital Management among its
owners, said it expects to sell 10 million Class A shares for $19-$21 a share.

The Pasadena, Texas-based company said its private-equity stakeholders have
expressed interest in purchasing up to 3.5 million Class A shares from this
offering.

Based on the number of Class A and Class B shares outstanding after this offering and at the midpoint of the anticipated price range, the company is valued at $2 billion.

KiOR has posted a net loss every year since its inception in December 2007 and had
posted a net loss of $46 million for fiscal 2010.

The company said it would use the proceeds to purchase equipment for its planned commercial production facility and for general corporate purposes, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday.

KiOR, had filed for a $100 million IPO in April, but doubled it to $200 million earlier
this month.

Clean technology firms have begun tapping the markets, as conventional fuels such as
U.S. crude CLc1 are becoming increasingly expensive, boosting their appeal.

Last month, shares of biofuel maker Solazyme Inc rose 15 percent in their stock market debut after the company's IPO raised more funds than expected.

Credit Suisse, UBS Investment Bank, Goldman Sachs & Co, Piper Jaffray, Citi and Deutsche Bank Securities are underwriting the IPO.

KiOR shares are expected to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol "KIOR."

Source: Reuters