08:19 AM EDT, 04/17/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Viking Acquisition Corp. I ( VACI ) and NorthStar Earth & Space said Friday they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a transaction that will take NorthStar public.

The companies said the deal values NorthStar at a pre-money valuation of $300 million and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

Upon closing, the combined company is expected to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NSTR," the companies said.

The transaction includes a fully committed $30 million private investment in public equity, anchored by Cartesian Capital Group, and is expected to generate minimum gross proceeds of $30 million, according to the companies.

The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the proposed transaction, Viking Acquisition and NorthStar said.

Shares of Viking Acquisition were 1.9% higher in Friday premarket trading.