Klarna Bank AB, a prominent online lending platform, faces potential changes in its share structure as its largest shareholders propose the creation of a special class of shares to grant early investors more control over company decisions post its public debut.
The proposal suggests that current shareholders, including Chief Executive Officer Sebastian Siemiatkowski and Sequoia Capital, would receive shares with enhanced voting rights compared to common shares, sources familiar with the matter revealed. Tensions between co-founders have contributed to the recent governance drama involving Sequoia Capital, a significant backer of Klarna. Representatives for Klarna, Sequoia, and co-founder Niklas Jacobsson declined to comment on the matter, maintaining silence on the proposed changes.
The move echoes the structure adopted by Meta Platforms Inc, formerly Facebook, which has two classes of shares, with one category holding ten times the voting rights of the other. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta Platforms, wields significant control over the company despite holding a minority economic stake, thanks to this share structure. In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2021, Sebastian Siemiatkowski expressed his initial belief in the principle of "one vote, one share." However, he acknowledged the complexities of decision-making within the boardroom, where differing opinions on the company's future direction emerged.
Klarna, once Europe's largest startup, experienced a remarkable surge in valuation, reaching an impressive $45.6 billion in a 2021 funding round. However, the following year saw a significant drop in valuation to $6.7 billion as mounting interest rates prompted investors to reassess their support for the online lending platform. The recent discussions with investment banks to explore an initial public offering (IPO) indicate Klarna's intent to tap into the public markets despite the governance and valuation challenges it faces.
As Klarna navigates these governance discussions and prepares for a potential IPO, the outcome of the proposed special class of shares could significantly impact the company's future direction and control dynamics among its shareholders. Investors and industry observers closely monitor developments at Klarna, considering its prominent position in the fintech sector and its potential to reshape the landscape of online lending and payments.
Klarna's shareholders' proposal for a special class of shares underscores the evolving dynamics of governance and control in the startup ecosystem. As the company grapples with internal tensions and external market forces, its decisions regarding share structure could shape its trajectory in the competitive fintech landscape.
