Ardenton Capital Corporation

Ardenton Capital Corporation ("ACC"), a multinational private equity corporation that acquires stakes in mid-market private businesses — along with Ardenton Capital Bridging Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary — filed for protection under the CCAA on March 5, listing approximately $354.6 million in collective liabilities. ACC attributes its financial difficulties to two major factors. First, the portfolio companies in which ACC has indirect majority ownership interests are not generating sufficient cash flow for ACC to meet all of its corporate overhead costs, pay interest on its debt, and acquire additional businesses. Second, there have been significant disruptions in the capital raising markets because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, ACC began deferring payments on its preferred and hybrid security products in order to conserve cash at the portfolio company level. However, the deepening impact of the pandemic has derailed the companies' attempts to catch up on these deferred payments to its investors and lenders. Since September 2020, ACC has not made any payments to its debtholders. To reduce costs thus far, in addition to office closures, ACC has implemented significant cost reduction measures, including layoffs and reductions in payroll. During the course of these CCAA proceedings, the companies intend to pursue third-party interim financing and return to Court to seek approval of such financing. KSV Advisory was appointed monitor. Counsel is MLT Aikins and Aird & Berlis for the companies and DLA Piper for the monitor.