Auddia Inc. (NASDAQ: AUUD) has approved a definitive merger agreement for a business combination with Thramann Holdings, LLC, a privately held holding company that controls three early-stage AI-native companies. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, will result in Auddia being renamed McCarthy Finney and trading under the new ticker symbol MCFN on Nasdaq. Auddia shareholders are expected to own approximately 20% of the combined company at closing, with founder Jeff Thramann owning the remaining 80%.
Jeff Thramann, who will remain as CEO of McCarthy Finney, described the opportunity at the juncture of AI and web3 technologies to build significant value across numerous verticals. The merger represents a strategic shift for Auddia, which currently operates an AI platform for audio through its faidr superapp and Discovr Radio music-promotion platform. Upon closing, Auddia will become a fully owned subsidiary alongside Thramann Holdings' three portfolio companies: LT350, Influence Healthcare, and Voyex.
LT350 is a distributed AI data center company with proprietary solar parking lot canopy infrastructure that integrates modular battery storage and GPU cartridges. The company aims to build a network of distributed AI data centers at the edge by leveraging underutilized parking lot space. More information about their technology can be found at https://tinyurl.com/auudnewsroom. Influence Healthcare leverages AI, blockchain, and vertical integration to empower surgeons to drive adoption of value-based care in surgical specialties. Voyex is a travel services platform that uses agentic AI, an integrated fintech platform, and charter aircraft to improve the travel experience by addressing flight delays and cancellations.
The company estimates the base case discounted cash flow valuation of McCarthy Finney to be $250 million based on forward-looking 10-year pro forma analysis. Financial statements and detailed disclosures will be included in materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including a registration statement on Form S-4. The transaction requires Auddia to have at least $12 million cash on hand at closing to fund McCarthy Finney to key future business milestones. Houlihan Capital provided a fairness opinion to Auddia's special committee and board of directors regarding the merger.
This merger represents a significant consolidation in the AI infrastructure space, bringing together complementary technologies across audio, data centers, healthcare, and travel services. The combination creates a diversified holding company with applications of AI across multiple industries, potentially creating synergies between the portfolio companies' technologies. For investors, the transaction transforms Auddia from a pure-play audio AI company into a broader AI holding company with estimated valuation upside, though existing shareholders will experience significant dilution, owning just 20% of the combined entity.
The implications extend beyond financial restructuring to potentially influence how AI technologies are deployed across critical infrastructure sectors. LT350's approach to distributed data centers could address growing concerns about AI's energy consumption and latency issues. Influence Healthcare's model represents an alternative approach to healthcare delivery that could reshape physician autonomy and patient relationships. Voyex's travel platform addresses persistent industry pain points through AI-driven solutions. The merger positions McCarthy Finney to capitalize on multiple AI trends simultaneously while leveraging Thramann's experience with 130+ patents and multiple successful company exits.
