Indonesian online lender Akulaku Inc. is mulling going public in the U.S. through a merger with a blank-check company that would value the company at almost $2 billion, people with knowledge of the situation told Bloomberg Friday (Jan. 14).
Akulaku, which is backed by Ant Group, is working with advisers on a potential merger and is early discussions with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Catcha Investment Corp., which was launched by internet entrepreneur Patrick Grove, according to the Bloomberg report.
The merger — with Catcha Investment Corp or another SPAC investor — could happen later this year.
Akalaku, which was founded in 2014, is looking to raise $200 million to $300 million in a private funding round.
A Catcha Group representative declined Bloomberg’s request for comment. Akulaku didn’t immediately respond to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.
Akulaku offers digital banking, consumer credit, digital investment and insurance brokerage services, according…