JFB Construction Holdings and XTEND have agreed to a $1.5 billion all-stock merger, forming a Nasdaq-listed AI robotics firm called XTEND AI Robotics under the ticker XTEND. Eric Trump backs the deal alongside key investors, merging construction strengths with advanced drone tech.
JFB Construction Holdings (NASDAQ: JFB) and XTEND announced the definitive agreement on February 17, 2026. The business combination values the pro forma entity at $1.5 billion, with a Nasdaq listing planned post-closing in mid-2026 after regulatory nods. Both boards approved unanimously, and JFB’s majority shareholders provided written consent.
Current XTEND shareholders will hold approximately 70% of fully diluted shares after the merger, while JFB shareholders retain about 30%. This reverse merger lets XTEND lead with its tech platform, using JFB’s public status for faster market access. JFB also committed to a $10 million private placement to support pre-merger XTEND investment.
Key Players
JFB Construction Holdings, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Lantana, Florida, focuses on hospitality, commercial, industrial, and residential projects nationwide. CEO Joseph Frank Basile III oversees diverse U.S. operations. XTEND, launched in 2018 by CEO Aviv Shapira, CXO Matteo Shapira, CTO Rubi Liani, and CQO Adir Tubi, builds the XOS AI operating system for drones and robots.
Technology Focus
XTEND’s XOS platform delivers human-supervised autonomy, letting one operator manage multiple drones in tough conditions via AI-human hybrid control. It’s deployed with U.S. DoD Special Forces, Israel’s Ministry of Defense, and allies for security missions. Post-merger, the firm will ramp up U.S. manufacturing at a Tampa, Florida, facility.
Strategic Backing
Eric Trump invests personally, joined by Unusual Machines (AMEX: UMAC), American Ventures, Protego Ventures, Aliya Capital Partners, and Agostinelli Group. Stifel serves as the exclusive financial advisor to XTEND. This lineup signals strong confidence in scaling AI defense robotics amid global tensions.
JFB’s Momentum
JFB stock rocketed 753% in the past year. Recent wins include a confirmed $11 million contract for eight luxury homes in Jupiter, Florida, announced January 27, 2026, plus broader 2025 backlogs exceeding $69.5 million across sectors. CFO Ruben Calderon recently purchased 1,550 shares for $30,000, boosting insider optimism.
| Expertise | U.S. construction projects | XOS AI for drones/robots |
| Ownership | ~30% fully diluted | ~70% fully diluted |
| Facilities | Lantana HQ | Tampa manufacturing post-merger |
| Investors | Public market base | Eric Trump, UMAC, ventures |
Market Impact
The JFB XTEND merger rides surging demand for hybrid AI autonomy in defense, where human oversight trumps pure machine decisions in chaos. As a senior editor in construction-tech beats, I view this as a calculated leap: JFB trades cyclical builds for recurring robotics revenue. Risks persist, though; merger delays or XOS scaling hiccups could pressure the ownership balance.
XTND AI Robotics targets U.S.-made systems for defense, inspection, and logistics markets. Eric Trump’s stake may unlock federal doors, but real wins depend on XOS volume production. This deal positions the firm ahead of SPAC-heavy rivals and could see it dominate AI-driven construction robotics by 2027.
Image Credit – stocktitan.net
