AKROPOLIS GROUP, UAB ANNOUNCES REDEMPTION OF NOTES

What Every Startup Can Learn From The Gaming Industry's Epic Business Model Evolution

Geek Vibes Nation

36 minutes ago

Geek Vibes Nation

What Every Startup Can Learn From The Gaming Industry's Epic Business Model Evolution

By Matt Lhoumeau, CEO of Concord I'll never forget the first time I played World of Warcraft. It was 2005, I was working at a telecom company in France, and I couldn't understand why anyone would pay €13 every month just to play a game they'd already bought. Fast forward to today, and that 'crazy' subscription model generates billions annually. The gaming industry didn't just change how we play – it revolutionized how businesses think about customer relationships, revenue models, and long-term value creation. As someone who's built a company serving over 1,500 businesses, I've watched countless startups struggle with the same challenges game developers faced 20 years ago: How do you create sustainable revenue? How do you keep customers engaged? How do you scale without losing your soul? The answers, surprisingly, come from an industry that turned 'Game Over' into 'New Game+'. From One-and-Done to Games as a Service The gaming industry's transformation mirrors what every modern business needs to understand. In the 1990s, game developers had one shot: ship a cartridge, hope it sells, move on to the next project. Sound familiar? That's how most businesses still operate – one transaction, one customer interaction, hope for the best. Then everything changed. Games became services. Relationships became ongoing. Revenue became recurring. This shift didn't happen overnight, and it wasn't without casualties. For every Fortnite generating $5 billion annually from a free game, there's an Anthem or Babylon's Fall that crashed and burned. The difference? Understanding that the business model is as important as the product itself. The Free-to-Play Revolution: When Giving Away Your Product Makes You Rich Here's where it gets interesting for startups. The gaming industry discovered something counterintuitive: sometimes the best way to make money is to give your product away for free. League of Legends, one of the most profitable games ever created, costs nothing to play. Yet it generates over $1.5 billion annually. How? By fundamentally rethinking the value exchange. Instead of charging for access, they charge for enhancement. Instead of one big payment, they enable thousands of micro-transactions. Instead of hoping customers stay, they continuously provide reasons to engage. This isn't just about games. When we built Concord, we applied similar thinking. Instead of charging huge upfront fees like traditional enterprise software, we made it accessible to small businesses with flexible pricing. We learned that lowering barriers to entry while providing continuous value creates stronger, more profitable relationships than any one-time sale ever could. The Contract Behind the Controller What most people don't realize is that every modern game is essentially a complex web of contracts and agreements. When you download Fortnite, you're not just getting a game – you're entering into terms of service, privacy agreements, content licenses, and potentially hundreds of micro-contracts for every in-game purchase. This is where my world intersects with gaming in fascinating ways. Modern game companies need sophisticated procurement contract management software to handle relationships with: Platform providers (Steam, Epic, PlayStation, Xbox) Payment processors for multiple currencies and methods Cloud service providers for massive multiplayer infrastructure Content creators and licensing partners Localization and distribution partners globally One AAA game studio we work with manages over 3,000 vendor contracts just for a single game launch. Miss a renewal with your cloud provider? Your game goes offline. Mess up a licensing agreement? Your soundtrack disappears. The stakes are massive, and manual management is impossible. Data: The Real Power-Up Gaming companies were among the first to truly understand the power of analytics. Every click, every purchase, every rage quit – it's all data that drives decisions. Riot Games processes 500 billion events monthly from League of Legends alone. That's not just impressive; it's instructive. Modern contract analytics software applies the same principles to business operations. Just as game developers track player engagement to optimize experiences, businesses can track contract performance to optimize relationships. Which vendors deliver on time? Which contracts generate the most value? Where are the bottlenecks in your approval process? The gaming industry learned that data without action is just expensive storage. The same applies to any business. It's not enough to collect information – you need systems that surface insights and enable rapid response. The Subscription Economy: Lessons from the MMO Masters Remember when buying software meant getting a box with CDs? Gaming killed that model first. World of Warcraft proved that players would pay monthly for ongoing value. Xbox Game Pass took it further – why buy games when you can access hundreds for $15/month? This shift required fundamental changes in how companies operate: Continuous Content Creation : You can't charge monthly for a static product. Game developers learned to ship updates constantly, creating reasons for players to stay engaged. Every business needs to think the same way – what's your content strategy? Community Management : Subscription models live or die on retention. Gaming companies invest heavily in community managers, moderators, and engagement specialists. Your customer success team is your guild leader. Predictable Revenue Operations : When players subscribe, you can forecast revenue months in advance. But this requires sophisticated systems to manage billing, renewals, and churn prevention – exactly the kind of operational excellence that modern contract management enables. The Platform Play: Building Ecosystems, Not Just Products Perhaps the biggest lesson from gaming is the power of platforms. Steam didn't just sell games – it became the place where PC gaming happens. Epic Games leveraged Fortnite's success to launch a competing store. Roblox turned players into developers, creating a $45 billion ecosystem where users generate the content. For startups, this means thinking beyond your immediate product. How can you create a platform that others build upon? How can you turn customers into partners? How can you enable ecosystem growth? This requires sophisticated partner management, clear agreements, and scalable operations – challenges that multiplayer game developers have been solving for years. The Dark Side: Lessons from Loot Box Controversies Not every gaming innovation should be copied. The loot box controversy teaches valuable lessons about customer trust and sustainable practices. When EA's Star Wars Battlefront II locked progression behind randomized purchases, the backlash was swift and severe. The game that was supposed to print money became a cautionary tale. The lesson? Short-term monetization tactics that exploit customers will eventually backfire. Building sustainable businesses requires balancing value creation with value capture. Your pricing model should feel fair, transparent, and aligned with customer success. Your Next Level Awaits The gaming industry's evolution from product to service, from transaction to relationship, from single-player to massive multiplayer, offers a masterclass in business model innovation. But these lessons only matter if you can execute on them. Here's your quest log for applying gaming wisdom to your startup: Rethink Your Revenue Model : Are you still selling products when you could be providing services? Consider how subscription, freemium, or platform models might transform your business. Invest in Infrastructure : Just as modern games require robust backend systems, your business needs operational excellence. Automate what you can, starting with critical processes like contract management. Embrace Continuous Delivery : Ship early, ship often, respond to feedback. The days of 'fire and forget' are over. Your product should evolve constantly. Build Community, Not Just Customer Base : Your most engaged users are your greatest asset. Invest in tools and processes that enable community growth. Make Data-Driven Decisions : If game companies can analyze billions of events, you can track your key metrics. Start with the basics and scale from there. Prepare for Global Scale : Gaming went global because digital distribution made borders irrelevant. Is your business ready for international growth? The gaming industry transformed because it had to. Faced with technological change, shifting consumer expectations, and intense competition, developers either evolved or disappeared. Every industry faces similar pressures now. The question isn't whether you need to transform – it's whether you'll learn from those who've already blazed the trail. Game Over? Not even close. For smart startups willing to learn from gaming's epic evolution, it's just the beginning of a whole new adventure. Ready Player One? Matt Lhoumeau is the co-founder and CEO of Concord, a contract management platform trusted by over 1,500 companies. A lifelong gamer turned entrepreneur, Matt discovered parallels between gaming's digital transformation and the operational challenges facing modern businesses.

Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

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Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

SíO PAULO, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerdau S.A. ("Gerdau") (NYSE: GGB) announces the expiration of its previously announced offer to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 4.875% notes due 2027 (the "Notes") issued by Gerdau Trade Inc. ("Gerdau Trade"), fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Gerdau (by itself and as successor in interest of Gerdau Aços Especiais S.A.), Gerdau Açominas S.A. and Gerdau Aços Longos S.A. (together, the "Guarantors") (the "Offer"). The Offer was made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated June 3, 2025 (the "Offer to Purchase") relating to the Notes and the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery. Information regarding the Notes and the results of the Offer is summarized in the following table: Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding Principal Amount Tendered(1) Principal Amount Outstanding Following the Settlement Date(1) Consideration(2) 4.875% Notes due 2027 G3925DAD2 / USG3925DAD24 37373WAD2 / US37373WAD20 US$418,244,000 US$237,646,000 US$180,598,000 US$1,007.83__________________ (1) Does not take into account US$200,000 principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which remain subject to the holders' performance of the delivery requirements under such Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. (2) Per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase, based on the Fixed Spread (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) plus the yield calculated to the maturity date for the Notes, based on the bid-side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for the Notes as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on June 9, 2025. The Consideration does not include Accrued Interest (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on the Notes, which will be payable in cash. Information on the Offer The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 9, 2025 (the "Expiration Date"). All conditions described in the Offer to Purchase have been satisfied, and Gerdau has accepted for purchase all of the Notes validly tendered. Settlement Settlement of the Offer is expected to occur within three business days following the Expiration Date, which will be June 12, 2025 (the "Settlement Date"). For More Information The terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer Documents. Copies of the Offer Documents are available at and by request to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender agent and information agent for the Offer (the "Tender and Information Agent"). Requests for copies of the Offer Documents should be directed to the Tender and Information Agent at +1 (800) 628-9011 (toll free) and +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or by e-mail to gerdau@ Gerdau Trade has engaged BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC to act as the dealer managers (the "Dealer Managers") in connection with the Offer. Any questions or requests for assistance regarding the Offer may be directed to BofA Securities, Inc. collect at +1 (646) 855-8988 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (888) 292-0070, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC collect at +1 (212) 357-1452 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (800) 828-3182, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at +1 (212) 834-3554 / +55 11 4950 3312 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (866) 834-4666 / +1 (866) 846-2874, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC collect at +1 (212) 761-1057 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (800) 624-1808. Disclaimer This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Offer was being made solely by means of the Offer Documents. The Offer was not made to holders of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require any tender offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer was deemed to be made on behalf of Gerdau Trade by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. The Offer Documents have not been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer Documents or any other documents related to the Offer, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including those related to the Offer. Forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Gerdau S.A. Rafael Dorneles JapurVice-President and Investor Relations Officer View original content: SOURCE Gerdau S.A.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

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Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

SíO PAULO, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerdau S.A. ("Gerdau") (NYSE: GGB) announces the expiration of its previously announced offer to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 4.875% notes due 2027 (the "Notes") issued by Gerdau Trade Inc. ("Gerdau Trade"), fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Gerdau (by itself and as successor in interest of Gerdau Aços Especiais S.A.), Gerdau Açominas S.A. and Gerdau Aços Longos S.A. (together, the "Guarantors") (the "Offer"). The Offer was made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated June 3, 2025 (the "Offer to Purchase") relating to the Notes and the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery. Information regarding the Notes and the results of the Offer is summarized in the following table: Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Principal Amount Outstanding Principal Amount Tendered(1) Principal Amount Outstanding Following the Settlement Date(1) Consideration(2) 4.875% Notes due 2027 G3925DAD2 / USG3925DAD24 37373WAD2 / US37373WAD20 US$418,244,000 US$237,646,000 US$180,598,000 US$1,007.83__________________ (1) Does not take into account US$200,000 principal amount of Notes tendered pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which remain subject to the holders' performance of the delivery requirements under such Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. (2) Per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase, based on the Fixed Spread (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) plus the yield calculated to the maturity date for the Notes, based on the bid-side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for the Notes as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on June 9, 2025. The Consideration does not include Accrued Interest (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on the Notes, which will be payable in cash. Information on the Offer The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 9, 2025 (the "Expiration Date"). All conditions described in the Offer to Purchase have been satisfied, and Gerdau has accepted for purchase all of the Notes validly tendered. Settlement Settlement of the Offer is expected to occur within three business days following the Expiration Date, which will be June 12, 2025 (the "Settlement Date"). For More Information The terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer Documents. Copies of the Offer Documents are available at and by request to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender agent and information agent for the Offer (the "Tender and Information Agent"). Requests for copies of the Offer Documents should be directed to the Tender and Information Agent at +1 (800) 628-9011 (toll free) and +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or by e-mail to gerdau@ Gerdau Trade has engaged BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC to act as the dealer managers (the "Dealer Managers") in connection with the Offer. Any questions or requests for assistance regarding the Offer may be directed to BofA Securities, Inc. collect at +1 (646) 855-8988 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (888) 292-0070, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC collect at +1 (212) 357-1452 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (800) 828-3182, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at +1 (212) 834-3554 / +55 11 4950 3312 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (866) 834-4666 / +1 (866) 846-2874, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC collect at +1 (212) 761-1057 or toll-free (U.S. only) at +1 (800) 624-1808. Disclaimer This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Offer was being made solely by means of the Offer Documents. The Offer was not made to holders of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require any tender offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer was deemed to be made on behalf of Gerdau Trade by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. The Offer Documents have not been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer Documents or any other documents related to the Offer, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including those related to the Offer. Forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Gerdau S.A. Rafael Dorneles JapurVice-President and Investor Relations Officer View original content: SOURCE Gerdau S.A. 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AKROPOLIS GROUP, UAB ANNOUNCES REDEMPTION OF NOTES

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What Every Startup Can Learn From The Gaming Industry's Epic Business Model Evolution

Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

AKROPOLIS GROUP, UAB ANNOUNCES REDEMPTION OF NOTES

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What Every Startup Can Learn From The Gaming Industry's Epic Business Model Evolution

Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

Announcement by Gerdau S.A. of Results of Cash Tender Offer for Any and All Outstanding 4.875% Notes due 2027 issued by Gerdau Trade Inc.

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