EQS-PVR: ZEAL Network SE: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution

On 2 December 2024, we received the following notification from Mr Oliver Jaster:

As part of a Group voting rights notification (Section 37 WpHG) by Mr Oliver Jaster dated 2 December 2024, it was reported that the voting rights held by Cassio I GmbH & Co KG, Cassio I Management GmbH, Günther Vermögens- und Beteiligungs GmbH & Co KG and Günther Vermögens- und Beteiligungs-Management GmbH (together the 'Notifying Parties') and attributable to them with regard to ZEAL Network SE amount to 35.17% and that the voting rights held by the Notifying Parties and attributable to them accordingly exceed the thresholds of 10%, 15%, 20% and 20%. of ZEAL Network SE amount to 35.17% and, accordingly, the voting rights in ZEAL Network SE held by the Notifying Parties and attributable to them have exceeded the thresholds of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35%.

Against this background, the Notifying Parties hereby notify ZEAL Network SE of the following in accordance with Section 43 (1) WpHG:

1. Objectives pursued with the acquisition

1. The acquisition of voting rights in ZEAL Network SE is based on an intragroup reorganisation. The investment in ZEAL Network SE pursues strategic objectives.
    
2. There is no concrete intention to obtain further voting rights in ZEAL Network SE within the next twelve months by acquisition or otherwise. However, should the possibility of acquiring or otherwise obtaining further voting rights arise, the Notifying Parties intend to examine this and, if the Notifying Parties reach a positive conclusion in the course of the examination, to exercise them.
    
3. The shares in ZEAL Network SE are attributable to the Notifying Parties to a significant extent from other companies also controlled by Mr Oliver Jaster on the basis of a voting pooling agreement. The Notifying Parties endeavour to ensure that the parties to the voting pooling agreement continue to be represented on the Supervisory Board of ZEAL Network SE to an extent that is commensurate with their total shareholding in ZEAL Network SE. No further influence on the composition of the administrative, management and supervisory bodies of ZEAL Network SE is sought.
    
4. The Notifying Parties do not intend to make any material changes to the capital structure of ZEAL Network SE, in particular with regard to the ratio of equity and debt financing and the dividend policy.
    

2. Origin of the funds used for the acquisition

The exceeding of the voting rights thresholds by the notifying companies is due to an intragroup reorganisation. No funds were used for the acquisition of voting rights as part of this intragroup reorganisation.