IZEA Announces Preliminary Results of its Modified Dutch Auction Tender Offer

Rhea-AI Summary

IZEA Worldwide announced preliminary results of its modified Dutch auction tender offer to repurchase common stock. The company plans to acquire 36,682 shares at $2.80 per share, totaling approximately $108,310 excluding fees. This represents about 0.23% of IZEA's outstanding shares as of June 16, 2025. The tender offer, which expired on June 16, 2025, used cash on hand for the repurchase. The final share count remains subject to confirmation by Broadridge Financial Solutions, the depositary for the tender offer, and assumes all shares tendered through guaranteed delivery will be delivered within one trading day of expiration.

Positive

• Company demonstrates financial stability by using cash on hand for share repurchase
• Share buyback program indicates management's confidence in company's value
• Tender offer provides shareholders with opportunity to sell shares at a fixed price

Negative

• Small buyback size of only $108,310 represents minimal impact on share count (0.23% of outstanding shares)
• Limited shareholder participation with only 36,682 shares tendered

Insights

Financial Analyst

IZEA's buyback program attracted minimal shareholder participation, with only 0.23% of outstanding shares tendered at $2.80 each.

IZEA's modified Dutch auction tender offer has resulted in remarkably low participation, with only 36,682 shares tendered out of their $8.7 million allocation - representing approximately 0.23% of the company's outstanding shares. This means the company will spend just $108,310 on share repurchases, dramatically below their $8,700,000 authorized amount.

This minimal participation suggests several possible interpretations: 1) Current shareholders may believe IZEA's stock is undervalued at the $2.80 offer price and expect better returns by holding; 2) The company's investor base may consist of long-term holders rather than short-term traders seeking exit opportunities; or 3) There could be limited market awareness of the tender offer.

The wide gap between authorized repurchase amount and actual participation (98.8% below target) signals that the buyback program was significantly oversized relative to shareholder interest. While share repurchases typically indicate management's confidence in company value, the minimal uptake here creates an unusual situation where most of the allocated capital will remain on IZEA's balance sheet. This outcome essentially maintains the status quo for the company's capital structure and ownership distribution, with negligible impact on shares outstanding or EPS metrics.

ORLANDO, Fla., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: IZEA), a leading influencer marketing company that makes Creator Economy solutions for marketers, announced today the preliminary results of its modified “Dutch auction” tender offer (the “Offer”) to repurchase up to $8,700,000 of its common stock at a price of $2.80 per share (the "Purchase Price"), less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, using cash on hand. The Offer expired at 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on June 16, 2025 (the "Expiration Date").

Based on the preliminary count by Broadridge Financial Solutions, the depositary for the Tender Offer (the “Depositary”), a total of 36,682 shares were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the Tender Offer. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, and based on the preliminary count by the Depositary, the Company expects to acquire 36,682 shares in the Tender Offer for an aggregated cost of approximately $108,310, excluding all fees and expenses. The shares to be acquired pursuant to the Tender Offer represent approximately 0.23% of the Company’s outstanding shares as of June 16, 2025.

The number of shares to be purchased in the Tender Offer is preliminary and subject to change. The preliminary information contained in this press release is subject to confirmation by the Depositary and assumes that all shares tendered through notice of guaranteed delivery will be delivered within one trading day of the Expiration Date. The final number of shares to be purchased in the Tender Offer will be announced following the expiration of the guaranteed delivery period and completion by the Depositary of the confirmation process. Payment for the shares accepted for purchase under the Tender Offer, and return of shares tendered and not purchased, will occur promptly thereafter.

Important Information
The Offer described in this press release has commenced and will not be made to any person in any jurisdiction in which either the Offer, or solicitation or sale thereof, is unlawful. This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of IZEA. The Offer is only being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, letter of transmittal, and related materials filed with the SEC as part of a Schedule TO. Stockholders are strongly encouraged to read the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase, and other related documents, as they contain important information and an explanation of the terms and conditions for participation. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and other documents that the Company will be filing with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from the information agent for the Offer, MacKenzie Partners, by phone at 1-800-322-2885, or by e-mail addressed to tenderoffer@mackenziepartners.com. 

About IZEA Worldwide, Inc.
IZEA Worldwide, Inc. (“IZEA”), is an influencer marketing company with a mission to make creator economy solutions for marketers. We do this by lighting up the Creator Economy with IZEAs—our strategies, campaigns, and solutions that build brands and drive demand. Since launching the industry’s first-ever influencer marketing platform in 2006, IZEA has facilitated nearly 4 million collaborations between brands and creators.

Press Contact
Matt Gray
IZEA Worldwide, Inc.
Phone: 407-674-6911
Email: ir@izea.com 

FAQ

What is the price per share for IZEA's Dutch auction tender offer?

IZEA's Dutch auction tender offer price is $2.80 per share, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest.

How many shares did IZEA repurchase in its tender offer?

Based on preliminary results, IZEA expects to acquire 36,682 shares, representing approximately 0.23% of the company's outstanding shares as of June 16, 2025.

What is the total value of IZEA's share repurchase?

The total cost of the share repurchase is approximately $108,310, excluding all fees and expenses.

When did IZEA's tender offer expire?

IZEA's modified Dutch auction tender offer expired at 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on June 16, 2025.

Who is the depositary for IZEA's tender offer?

Broadridge Financial Solutions serves as the depositary for IZEA's tender offer.