Auddia Inc. has signed a definitive merger agreement 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 Jeff Thramann, founder of Thramann Holdings, owning the remaining 80% and remaining as CEO.
The merger represents a strategic pivot for Auddia, which currently operates an AI platform for audio content, toward a broader focus on artificial intelligence and web3 technologies. The combined entity will house Auddia as a fully owned subsidiary alongside Thramann Holdings' three portfolio companies: LT350, a distributed AI data center company; Influence Healthcare, a healthtech company; and Voyex, a travel services platform. This consolidation creates a holding company positioned at what Thramann describes as "the juncture of AI and web3" with the potential to build value across numerous verticals.
Financial implications of the deal are significant, with management estimating a base case discounted cash flow valuation of McCarthy Finney at $250 million. The closing is conditioned on Auddia having at least $12 million cash on hand to fund the combined company to key future business milestones. Detailed financial disclosures will be included in materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including a registration statement on Form S-4. Investors can access these documents through the SEC website at https://www.sec.gov when available.
The transaction's importance extends beyond corporate restructuring to signal growing convergence between AI infrastructure, blockchain technology, and traditional industries. LT350's patented solar parking lot canopy infrastructure aims to transform underutilized spaces into distributed AI data centers, potentially addressing growing computational demands while supporting utility infrastructure. Influence Healthcare seeks to leverage AI and blockchain to reshape surgical care through value-based models, while Voyex aims to improve travel experiences through agentic AI and fintech integration.
For the technology and investment communities, this merger demonstrates how AI-native companies are seeking public market access through reverse mergers with existing listed entities. The deal has been unanimously approved by both companies' boards and received a fairness opinion from Houlihan Capital. It remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Auddia stockholders and effectiveness of the S-4 registration statement. The combined company's ability to execute its vision will depend on successful integration of diverse technologies and sufficient capital, with risks detailed in Auddia's filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2024.
This business combination reflects broader trends in technology investment, where companies are positioning themselves at the intersection of multiple disruptive technologies. The success of McCarthy Finney could influence how other early-stage AI companies approach public markets and structure their growth strategies across multiple industry verticals simultaneously.
