As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2011
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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Form S-1
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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British Virgin Islands | 6770 | 66-0758906 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
641 Lexington Avenue
28th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 822-8165
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
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James D. Dunning, Jr.,
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
641 Lexington Avenue
28th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 822-8165
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
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Copies to:
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Douglas S. Ellenoff, Esq. Stuart Neuhauser, Esq. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP 150 East 42nd Street New York, New York 10017 (212) 370-1300 (212) 370-7889 — Facsimile | Simon Schilder. Esq. Ogier Qwomar Complex, 4th Floor PO Box 3170 Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands VG1110 +1 284 494 0525 +1 284 494 0883 — Facsimile | Bruce S. Mendelsohn, Esq. Alice Hsu, Esq. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP One Bryant Park New York, New York 10036 (212) 872-1000 (212) 872-1002 — Facsimile |
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box.o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filero | Accelerated filero | Non-accelerated filerx | Smaller reporting companyo | |||
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Security Being Registered | Amount Being Registered | Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Security(1) | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) | Amount of Registration Fee | ||||||||||||
Units, each consisting of one ordinary share, no par value, and one warrant(2) | 9,200,000 Units | $ | 10.00 | $ | 92,000,000 | $ | 10,681 | |||||||||
Ordinary shares included as part of the units(2) | 9,200,000 Shares | — | — | — | (3) | |||||||||||
Warrants included as part of the units(2) | 9,200,000 Warrants | — | — | — | (3) | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 92,000,000 | $ | 10,681 |
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. |
(2) | Includes 1,200,000 units, consisting of 1,200,000 ordinary shares and 1,200,000 warrants, which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any. |
(3) | No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g). |
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 8, 2011
P R E L I M I N A R Y P R O S P E C T U S
$80,000,000
Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited
8,000,000 Units
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Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited is a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a British Virgin Islands business company and formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation or contractual control arrangement with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, research or other measures, directly or indirectly, with respect to identifying any acquisition target.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. We are offering 8,000,000 units. Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share and one warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. The warrants will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination or 12 months from the closing of this offering, and will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation, as described in this prospectus. We have also granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any.
We will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account described below, including interest but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding ordinary shares that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to as our public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. We intend to consummate our initial business combination and conduct redemptions of ordinary shares for cash without a shareholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. If, however, a shareholder vote is required by law, or we decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to our initial business combination is executed before the 21-month period ends, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs, as further described herein.
Members of our sponsor, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, have committed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($3.0 million in the aggregate) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. We refer to these warrants throughout this prospectus as the sponsor warrants.
Currently, there is no public market for our units, ordinary shares or warrants. It is anticipated that our units will be quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board quotation system, or the OTCBB, under the symbol “ ” on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares and warrants will be traded on the OTCBB under the symbols “ ” and “ ,” respectively.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus does not constitute, and there will not be, an offering of securities to the public in the British Virgin Islands.
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Per Unit | Total Proceeds | |||||||
Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | $ | 80,000,000 | ||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | 0.55 | $ | 4,400,000 | ||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | 9.45 | $ | 75,600,000 |
(1) | Includes $0.35 per unit, or approximately $2.8 million in the aggregate (approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions to be placed in the trust account described below. Such funds will be released to the underwriters only on completion of an initial business combination, as described in this prospectus. |
Of the proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the sponsor warrants described in this prospectus, approximately $10.00 per unit, or approximately $80.0 million in the aggregate (approximately $9.97 per unit or approximately $91.7 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be deposited into a trust account at [name of bank] with [Trust Company] acting as trustee. Except for a portion of the interest income earned on the trust account balance that may be released to us to pay any taxes payable on such interest and to fund our working capital requirements, and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of our public shares if we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, each as described herein, our memorandum and articles of association provide that none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account except as described in this prospectus.
The underwriters are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to purchasers on or about , 2011.
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Sole Book-Running Manager | ||
Citi | Deutsche Bank Securities |
, 2011
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SUMMARY
This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing. References in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “company” or “our company” refer to Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited References in this prospectus to our “public shares” are to our ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market) and references to “public shareholders” refer to the holders of our public shares, including our sponsor and management team to the extent our sponsor and/or members of our management team purchase public shares, provided that our sponsor’s and each member of management’s status as a “public shareholder” shall only exist with respect to such public shares. References in this prospectus to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, references to our “sponsor” refer to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. References in this prospectus to the “Companies Act” means the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 of the British Virgin Islands. References in this prospectus to the “memorandum and articles of association” means the company’s memorandum and articles of association (as amended). Unless we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. Registered trademarks referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
General
We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a British Virgin Islands business company with limited liability and formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation or contractual control arrangement with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, research or other measures, directly or indirectly, with respect to identifying any acquisition target.
We will seek to capitalize on the significant strength of our management team to identify, acquire and operate a business operating primarily in Asia, Europe or the United States, although we may pursue acquisition opportunities in other geographic regions. Also, while we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we may initially consider those industries or sectors that complement our management team’s background, such as media and publishing, information technology, industrial products, energy, financial services and retail and consumer products. Our Chief Executive Officer, President and Directors each have over 20 years of experience managing, advising, acquiring, financing and selling private and public companies in a variety of industries. We believe that our extensive contacts and sources, ranging from private and public company contacts, private equity funds, and investment bankers to attorneys, accountants and business brokers, will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities.
Our executive officers and the majority of our directors were officers or directors of a blank check company, China Holdings Acquisition Corp., which we refer to as CHAC, which on November 21, 2007 conducted an initial public offering raising total proceeds of $128,000,000. Subsequently, on November 20, 2009 CHAC consummated a business combination with Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics Co., Limited, a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding, interior flooring, and design in residential and commercial buildings in China. The merged entity is now called China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market with the symbol CCCL. China Ceramics used the cash remaining from CHAC’s trust post merger to acquire a new ceramic tile production facility in Gaoan, Jiangxi Province. China Ceramics completed a one share for four warrants tender offer on August 30, 2010. Approximately 80.9% of the outstanding warrants were exchanged for shares. On November 19, 2010, China Ceramics announced that it priced an underwritten public offering for an aggregate of approximately $26.0 million in gross proceeds. The majority of the proceeds of the offering are being used to significantly increase China Ceramic’s manufacturing capacity. Our executive officers and a majority of our directors played a key role throughout
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the business combination transaction for CHAC including assisting in identifying numerous suitable acquisition candidates including the ultimate target, and assisting in the proxy solicitation of stockholder approval for such acquisition.
We anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interest or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure a business combination to acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the controlling shareholder of the target or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even though we will own a controlling interest in the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction.
Our management team will focus on creating shareholder value by leveraging its experience, among others, in the management, operation and financing of businesses to improve the efficiency of operations and implement strategies to grow revenue (either organically or through acquisitions). Consistent with this strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
• | Middle-Market Growth Business. We will seek to acquire one or more growth businesses with an enterprise value ranging from $300 million to $500 million. We believe that our focus on businesses in this segment of the middle market will offer us a substantial number of potential business targets that we believe can benefit from improved operations and achieve and maintain significant revenue and earnings growth. Given the backgrounds and deal sourcing capabilities of our management team, we believe likely geographic locations of acquisition opportunities will be primarily in Asia, Europe, and the United States, although we may pursue acquisition opportunities in other geographic regions. The acquisition target could be part of a private equity portfolio, a family controlled private business or a division from a larger organization. We do not intend to acquire either a start-up company or a company with negative cash flow. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
• | Companies with Opportunity to Strengthen Management and Add Value. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that provide a platform for us to develop the acquired business’ management team and leverage the experience of our officers, directors and sponsor investors. We believe that the operating expertise of our officers and directors is well suited to complement and, if required, replace the target’s management team. |
• | Business with Revenue and Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of brand and new product development, increased production capacity, increased operating leverage, expense reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions. |
• | Companies with Potential for Strong Free Cash Flow Generation. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong, stable and increasing free cash flow. We will focus on one or more businesses that have predictable revenue streams and definable low working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We may also seek to prudently leverage this cash flow in order to enhance shareholder value. |
• | Benefit from being a public company. We intend to only acquire a company that will benefit from being publicly traded and can effectively utilize the broader access to capital and public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company. |
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other
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considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials that we would file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.
Our management team has a broad range of global operational experience across a variety of sectors, including with Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., a diversified media company with 82 newspapers, 8 broadcast TV stations and internet products, Hasbro, Inc., one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world, Apollo Investment Corporation, a leading financial services company, The Peterson Companies, a multi-platform marketing solutions company which became one of the largest publishers in the United States, Yellow Book, at the time a leading a source for finding local businesses and advertising, Chi-X Global Inc., a global exchange operator, Cicada Corporation, a leading provider of exchange and dealer information and trading technology in Europe and Asia, and Dow Jones Telerate, a global financial information publisher and distributor.
Our management team also has extensive expertise in traditional private equity investing across a broad range of sectors including coal, wind, natural gas storage, oil and gas exploration, consumer products in the United States and Europe, industrial products in Spain and Italy and construction material in China. They have also taken a number of private companies public through the IPO process.
Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad international network of contacts and corporate relationships that have served as an extremely useful source of investment opportunities. This network has been developed through our management team’s:
• | experience in sourcing, acquiring, operating, financing and selling businesses; |
• | reputation for integrity and fair dealing with sellers, financing sources and target management teams; |
• | membership in various industry associations around the world; |
• | extensive experience as advisors of transactions; and |
• | experience in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions. |
This network has provided our management team with a flow of referrals that has resulted in numerous transactions. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us with an important source of investment opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds, accounting firms and large business enterprises. Certain members of the management team have spent the last few years working with Asia based businesses and have developed an extensive network of professional services contacts and business relationships in that region.
Our management team has a broad range of experience leading public and private companies as well as acquiring businesses from a wide variety of sellers in different transaction structures, including, the acquisition of divisions from larger companies (acquisition of Ziff-Davis Publishing Inc. from Ziff Davis Inc., and Softbank); the acquisition of family-owned businesses (purchase of Petersen Publishing from its founder, Robert E. Petersen) and the roll-up of certain industries (buy-out of Yellow Book and subsequent acquisitions). Additionally, the operating expertise of our management team has enabled certain of our officers and directors to continue as management following certain combination transactions.
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which will be made available to us.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent
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investment banking firm which is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, that such an initial business combination is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view.
Each of our officers has agreed that until the earliest of our initial business combination, our redemption of our public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering or such time as he ceases to be an officer, to present to us for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity with an enterprise value of $100 million or more, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have. As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Certain of our officers currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us. In addition, our officers have agreed not to participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering.
Our executive offices are located at 641 Lexington Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10022, and our telephone number is (212) 822-8165.
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The Offering
In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.
Securities offered |
8,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of: |
• one ordinary share; and |
• one warrant. |
Proposed OTCBB symbols |
Units: “ ” |
Ordinary shares: “ ” |
Warrants: “ ” |
Trading commencement and separation of ordinary shares and warrants. |
The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. |
Separate trading of the ordinary shares and warrants is prohibited until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K |
In no event will the ordinary shares and warrants be traded separately until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
Units: |
Number outstanding before this offering |
0 |
Number outstanding after this offering |
8,000,000 |
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Ordinary shares: |
Number outstanding before this offering |
1,623,529(1)(2) |
Number outstanding after this offering |
9,411,765(2)(3) |
Warrants: |
Number of sponsor warrants to be sold simultaneously with closing of this offering |
3,000,000 |
Number of warrants to be outstanding after this offering and the private placement |
11,000,000 |
Exercisability |
Each warrant offered in this offering is exercisable to purchase one ordinary share. |
Exercise price |
$11.50 per share, subject to adjustments as described herein. |
Exercise period |
The warrants will become exercisable on the later of: |
• 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, or |
• 12 months from the closing of this offering; |
provided in each case that we have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available, and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder. |
We are not registering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants at this time. However, we have agreed to use our best efforts to file and have an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to maintain a current prospectus relating to those ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed and to register the ordinary shares that are issuable upon exercise of the warrants under state blue sky laws, to the extent an exemption is not available. |
The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York time, five years after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. On |
(1) | This number includes an aggregate of 211,764 founder shares held by our sponsor that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters. |
(2) | This number includes a portion of the founder shares in an amount equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option that are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. |
(3) | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the resulting forfeiture of 211,764 founder shares. |
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the exercise of any warrant, the warrant exercise price will be paid directly to us and not placed in the trust account. |
Redemption of warrants |
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described below with respect to the sponsor warrants): |
• in whole and not in part; |
• at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
• upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period; and |
• if, and only if, the last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $17.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
We will not redeem the warrants unless an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and available throughout the 30-day redemption period. |
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. |
None of the sponsor warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by members of our sponsor or their permitted transferees. |
Founder shares |
In January 2011, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 1,623,529 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.015 per share. The founder shares held by our sponsor include an aggregate of 211,764 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full, so that our sponsor will collectively own 15.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and they are not required to forfeit their founder earn out |
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shares, as described in this prospectus). In addition, the founder earn out shares (equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination (which we refer to as the founder earn out period). |
The founder shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, except that: |
• the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, and |
• our sponsor has agreed (i) to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and (ii) to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering (although it will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares it holds if we fail to consummate a business combination within such time period). |
If we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our sponsor has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination. |
Transfer restrictions on founder shares |
Our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of its founder shares (except to permitted transferees, as described in this prospectus) until (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, contractual control arrangement, or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or |
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other property (except as described below under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Ordinary shares and Warrants”). In addition, notwithstanding our sponsor’s ability to transfer, assign or sell its founder shares to permitted transferees during the lock up periods described above, our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the founder earn out shares (whether to a permitted transferee or otherwise) before they are earned. |
Sponsor warrants |
Members of our sponsor have committed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants, each exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share, at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($3.0 million in the aggregate) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. The purchase price of the sponsor warrants will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account. If we do not complete a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds of the sale of the sponsor warrants will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law), and the sponsor warrants will expire worthless. |
Transfer restrictions on sponsor warrants |
The sponsor warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and they will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by members of our sponsor or their permitted transferees (except as described below under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Ordinary shares and Warrants”). If the sponsor warrants are held by holders other than members of our sponsor or their permitted transferees, the sponsor warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. |
Proceeds to be held in trust account |
$80.0 million, or approximately $10.00 per unit of the proceeds of this offering and the proceeds of the private placement of the sponsor warrants ($91.7 million, or approximately $9.97 per unit, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be placed in a segregated trust account with [Trust Company] acting as trustee. These proceeds include approximately $2.8 million (or approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting commissions. |
We may increase the initial amount held in the trust account from approximately $10.00 per unit prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In such case, the increase would be funded by an increase in the amount of the deferral of the underwriting commissions payable in connection with this offering, an increase in the number of sponsor |
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warrants to be purchased by our sponsor at a price of $1.00 per warrant and/or a reduction from $650,000 of the amount initially available to us for working capital that is not held in the trust account. Public shareholders would own a smaller percentage of our outstanding ordinary shares on a fully diluted basis to the extent that our sponsor purchases additional warrants. |
Except for a portion of the interest income that may be released to us to pay any taxes and to fund our working capital requirements, and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of our public shares if we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, as discussed below, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, (ii) a redemption to public shareholders prior to any voluntary winding-up in the event we do not consummate a business combination within the applicable period, or (iii) pursuant to any liquidation. |
The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of our public shareholders. |
Anticipated expenses and funding sources |
Unless and until we complete our initial business combination, no proceeds held in the trust account, other than up to $0.8 million, subject to adjustment as described below, of the interest earned on the trust account (net of taxes payable), and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of our public shares if we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, will be available for our use and we may pay our expenses only from: |
• such interest; and |
• the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account, which will be $650,000 in working capital after the payment of approximately $750,000 in expenses relating to this offering. |
If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option or the size of this offering is increased, the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will proportionately increase. In addition, if the size of this offering is decreased, the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will proportionately decrease. |
Conditions to consummating our initial business combination |
There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. Because, unlike many blank check companies, we do not have the limitation that a target |
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business have a minimum fair market enterprise value equal to a specified percentage of the net assets held in the trust account at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we will become the controlling shareholder of the target or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even though we will own a controlling interest in the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. |
Permitted purchases of public shares by us prior to the consummation of our initial business combination using amounts held in the trust account |
Unlike many blank check companies, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, prior to the consummation of a business combination, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering (1,200,000 shares, or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at any time commencing after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial business combination and ending on the date of the shareholder meeting to approve the initial business combination. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information and may not be made during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18, as in effect at the time we wish to make such purchases, are not satisfied, it is likely that we will not make such purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the per-share amount then held in the trust account (approximately $10.00 per share or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). We can purchase any or all of the 1,200,000 shares (or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase. It will be entirely in our discretion as to how many shares |
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are purchased. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our ordinary shares and the terms of the proposed business combination. All shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. Such open market purchases, if any, would be conducted by us to minimize any disparity between the then current market price of our ordinary shares and the per-share amount held in the trust account. A market price below the per-share trust amount could provide an incentive for purchasers to buy our shares after the filing of our preliminary proxy statement at a discount to the per share amount held in the trust account for the sole purpose of voting against our initial business combination and exercising redemption rights for the full per-share amount held in the trust account. Such trading activity could enable such investors to block a business combination by making it difficult for us to obtain the approval of such business combination by the vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares that are voted. |
Other permitted purchases of public shares by us or our affiliates |
In addition to the permitted purchases of public shares by us prior to the consummation of the initial business combination using amounts held in the trust account, as described above, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, we may enter into privately negotiated transactions to purchase public shares from shareholders following consummation of the initial business combination with proceeds released to us from the trust account immediately following consummation of the initial business combination. Our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may also purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Neither we nor our directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will make any such purchases when we or they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. It is intended that any purchases made by us will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18, as in effect at the time we wish to make such purchases, are not satisfied, it is likely that we will not make such purchases. Although neither we nor they currently anticipate paying any premium purchase price for such public shares, in the event we or they do, the payment of a premium may not be in the best interest of those shareholders not receiving any such additional consideration. In addition, the payment of a premium by |
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us after the consummation of our initial business combination may not be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders who do not redeem their shares, because such shareholders will experience a reduction in book value per share compared to the value received by shareholders that have their shares purchased by us at a premium. Except for the limitations described above on use of trust proceeds released to us prior to consummating our initial business combination, there is no limit on the amount of shares that could be acquired by us or our affiliates, or the price we or they may pay, if we hold a shareholder vote. |
Redemption rights for public shareholders upon consummation of our initial business combination |
We will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per public share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is approximately equal to the per-unit offering price of $10.00 (approximately $0.03 less if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). There will be no redemption rights upon the consummation of our initial business combination with respect to our warrants. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and any public shares it may hold in connection with the consummation of a business combination. |
Manner of conducting redemptions |
Unlike many blank check companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their business combinations and related redemptions of public shares for cash upon consummation of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association: |
• conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and |
• file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of |
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the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies. |
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem shall remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to consummate our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. |
If, however, shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will: |
• conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
• file proxy materials with the SEC. |
If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. In such case, our sponsor has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. |
Many blank check companies would not be able to consummate a business combination if the holders of the company’s public shares voted against a proposed business combination and elected to redeem or convert more than a specified percentage of the shares sold in such company’s initial public offering, which percentage threshold has typically been between 19.99% and 39.99%. As a result, many blank check companies have been unable to complete business combinations because the amount of shares voted by their public shareholders electing conversion exceeded the maximum conversion threshold pursuant to which such company could proceed with a business combination. Since we have no specified maximum redemption threshold contained in our memorandum and articles of association, our structure is different in this respect from the structure that has been used by many blank check companies. However, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination. |
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Limitation on redemption rights and voting rights of shareholders holding 10% or more of the shares sold in the offering if we hold a shareholder vote |
Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our memorandum and articles of association provides that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 10% of the shares sold in this offering. Moreover, any individual shareholder or “group” will also be restricted from voting public shares in excess of an aggregate of 10% of the public shares sold in this offering, and all additional such shares in excess of 10%, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares”, which would then be voted by our management in favor of all proposals submitted for consideration at such meeting and will not be redeemed for cash. We believe these restrictions will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to redeem or vote their shares as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. |
Absent these provisions, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 10% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights or vote against a business combination if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem or vote no more than 10% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to consummate a business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. |
Release of funds in trust account on closing of our initial business combination |
On the closing of our initial business combination, all amounts held in the trust account will be released to us. We will use these funds to pay amounts due to any public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights as described above under “Redemption rights for public shareholders upon consummation of our initial business combination” and to pay the underwriters their deferred underwriting commissions. Funds released from the trust account to us can be used to pay all or a portion of the |
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purchase price of the business or businesses we acquire in our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using stock or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. |
Redemption of public shares and distribution and liquidation if no initial business combination |
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we will have only 21 months from the closing of this offering or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to our initial business combination is executed before the 21 month period ends, to consummate our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months if extended, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs, as further described herein This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to consummate a business combination within the applicable time period. |
Although shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company generally have limited liability, in the event the company enters insolvent liquidation under British Virgin Islands law, there are very limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the British Virgin Islands Insolvency Act, 2003 (the “Insolvency Act”). A voidable transaction would be, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue”. Where a payment was a risk of being a voidable transaction, a liquidator appointed over an insolvent company could apply to the British Virgin Islands courts for an order, inter alia, for the transaction to be set aside as a voidable transaction in whole or in part. |
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We expect that in the event of a voluntary liquidation of the company, after payment of the liquidation costs and any sums then due to creditors, that the liquidator would distribute our assets to the public shareholders on a pari passu basis. |
Our sponsor has waived its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. However, if our sponsor, or any of our officers, directors or affiliates, acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within the required time period. |
The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the trust account in the event we do not consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares. |
Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed that they will be liable to us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. |
Limited payments to insiders |
There will be no finder’s fees, reimbursements or cash payments made to our sponsor, officers, directors, or our or their affiliates for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, other than: |
• Repayment of a $100,000 loan made to us by our sponsor, an affiliate of our sponsor, to cover offering-related and organizational expenses; |
• A payment of an aggregate of $3,000 per month to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, for office space, secretarial and administrative services; |
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• Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and consummating an initial business combination, provided that no proceeds of this offering held in the trust account may be applied to the payment of such expenses prior to the consummation of a business combination, except to the extent paid out of up to $0.8 million (subject to adjustment as described herein) of interest earned on the trust account that may be released to us to fund working capital requirements; and |
• Repayment of loans made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, provided that if we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. |
Our independent directors will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates. |
Risks
We are a newly formed company that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete our initial business combination, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In making your decision whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company. This offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act and has certain terms and conditions that deviate from many blank check offerings. Accordingly, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings or to investors in many other blank check companies. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.” For additional information concerning how many blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Many Blank Check Companies Not Subject to Rule 419.” You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.
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Summary Financial Data
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data is presented.
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January 31, 2011 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||
Working capital (deficiency) | $ | (40,690 | ) | $ | 77,870,000 | |||
Total assets | $ | 135,000 | $ | 80,670,000 | ||||
Total liabilities | $ | 115,000 | $ | 2,800,000 | ||||
Value of ordinary shares that may be redeemed in connection with our initial business combination (approximately $10.00 per share) | $ | — | $ | 72,199,990 | ||||
Shareholder’s equity(1) | $ | 20,000 | $ | 5,020,010 |
(1) | Excludes shares subject to redemption in connection with our initial business combination. |
The “as adjusted” information gives effect to the sale of the units in this offering, the sale of the sponsor warrants, repayment of the $100,000 loan made to us by Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, and the payment of the estimated expenses of this offering. The “as adjusted” total assets amount includes the $80,000,000 held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, which amount, less deferred underwriting commissions, will be available to us only upon the consummation of a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. The “as adjusted” working capital and “as adjusted” total assets include approximately $2.8 million being held in the trust account (approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) representing deferred underwriting commissions.
If no business combination is consummated within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds held in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting commissions and all interest thereon, net of taxes payable, up to $100,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses, any interest income released to us to fund our working capital requirements and any amounts released to purchase up to 15% of our public shares if we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, as described in this prospectus, will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within such applicable time period.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We are a newly formed development stage company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a recently formed development stage company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning a business combination and may be unable to complete a business combination. If we fail to complete a business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, unless such vote is required by law, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
We may not hold a shareholder vote before we consummate our initial business combination unless the business combination would require shareholder approval under applicable state law or if we decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons. Accordingly, we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the business combination we consummate.
Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination will be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash, unless we seek shareholder approval of the business combination.
At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more target businesses. Since our board of directors may consummate a business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder vote. Accordingly, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our business combination.
The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We may enter into a transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we may not be able to meet such closing condition, and as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Our memorandum and articles of association requires us to provide all of our shareholders with an opportunity to redeem all of their shares in connection with the consummation of any initial business combination, although our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and
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the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The ability of a larger number of our shareholders to exercise redemption rights may not allow us to consummate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
If our business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many shareholders may exercise such redemption rights, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such redemption, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of shareholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. If the acquisition involves the issuance of our stock as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our stock to the target or its shareholders to make up for the failure to satisfy a minimum cash requirement. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
The requirement that we complete a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to consummate a business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. Consequently, such target businesses may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete a business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete a business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into a business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We may not be able to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months if extended, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to our initial business combination is executed before the 21-month period ends. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate a business combination within such time period. If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months if extended, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up.
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on our redemption and our warrants will expire worthless.
If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, the amount held in the trust account will initially be less than $10.00 per share. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame and are forced to redeem our public shares, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders at such time may also be less than $10.00 because of the expenses of this offering, our general and administrative expenses and the anticipated costs of seeking our initial business combination.
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For example, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and we were unable to conclude our initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, net of taxes payable and net of up to $0.8 million (subject to adjustment as described herein), in interest income on the trust account balance previously released to us to fund working capital requirements, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders would be $9.97, which is approximately $0.03 less than the per-unit offering price of $10.00. Furthermore, whether or not the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option, our outstanding warrants are not entitled to participate in any redemption and the warrants will therefore expire worthless if we are unable to consummate a business combination within the applicable time period.
Our purchase of ordinary shares in the open market may support the market price of the ordinary shares and/or warrants during the buyback period and, accordingly, the termination of the support provided by such purchases may materially adversely affect the market price of the units, ordinary shares and/or warrants.
Unlike many blank check companies, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, prior to the consummation of a business combination, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering (1,200,000 shares, or 1,380,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at any time commencing after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial business combination and ending on the date of the shareholder meeting to approve the initial business combination. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of material non-public information and will not be made during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Consequently, if the market does not view our initial business combination positively, these purchases may have the effect of counteracting the market’s view of our initial business combination, which would otherwise be reflected in a decline in the market price of our securities. The termination of the support provided by these purchase may materially adversely affect the market price of our securities.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, we, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from shareholders, in which case we or they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, we may enter into privately negotiated transactions to purchase public shares following consummation of the business combination from shareholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules. Our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may also purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Neither we nor our directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will make any such purchases when we or they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that we or our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Although neither we nor they currently anticipate paying any premium purchase price for such public shares, in the event we or they do, the payment of a premium may not be in the best interest of those shareholders not receiving any such additional consideration. In addition, the payment of a premium by us after the consummation of our initial business combination may not be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders who do not redeem their shares. Such shareholders will experience a reduction in book value per share compared to the value received by shareholders that have their shares purchased by us at a premium. In addition, in the event we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering (1,200,000 shares, or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over- allotment option is exercised in full). It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with
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respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18, as in effect at the time we wish to make such purchases, are not satisfied, it is likely that we will not make such purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the per-share amount then held in the trust account (approximately $10.00 per share or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).
The purpose of such purchases would be to (i) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (ii) where the purchases are made by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates, to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of a business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, purchases in the open market would provide liquidity to those public shareholders whose shares are so purchased in advance of the closing of the business combination.
Our purchases of ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions would reduce the funds available to us after the business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, we may privately negotiate transactions to purchase shares effective immediately following the consummation of the business combination from shareholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules with proceeds released to us from the trust account immediately following consummation of the initial business combination. In addition, in the event we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase to 15% of the shares sold in this offering (1,200,000 shares, or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18, as in effect at the time we wish to make such purchases, are not satisfied, it is likely that we will not make such purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the per-share amount then held in the trust account (approximately $10.00 per share or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). As a consequence of such purchases, the funds in our trust account that are so used will not be available to us after the business combination.
Purchases of ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by us or our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to list our ordinary shares on a national securities exchange.
If we or our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, it would reduce the public “float” of our ordinary shares and the number of beneficial holders of our securities, which may make it difficult to obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange if we determine to apply for such quotation or listing in connection with the business combination.
Our purchases of ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions may have negative economic effects on our remaining public shareholders.
If we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and purchase shares in privately negotiated or market transactions from shareholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules for a per-share pro rata portion of the trust account, our remaining public shareholders will bear the economic burden of the taxes payable (as well as, in the case of purchases which occur prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, up to $100,000 of net interest that may be released to us from the trust account to fund our dissolution expenses in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering). In addition, our remaining public shareholders following the consummation
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of a business combination will bear the economic burden of the deferred underwriting commission as well as the amount of any premium we may pay to the per-share pro rata portion of the trust account using funds released to us from the trust account following the consummation of the business combination. This is because the shareholders from whom we purchase shares in open market or in privately negotiated transactions may receive a per share purchase price payable from the trust account that is not reduced by a pro rata share of the taxes payable on the interest earned by the trust account, the up to $100,000 of dissolution expenses or the deferred underwriting commission and, in the case of purchases at a premium, have received such premium.
You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our public shareholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of a redemption to public shareholders prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate a business combination or our liquidation or if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate. In no other circumstances shall a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
We do not intend to establish an audit committee or a compensation committee until the consummation of an initial business combination. Until such time, no formal committee of independent directors will review matters related to our business, and such lack of review could negatively impact our business.
We currently have two independent directors. Upon consummation of an initial business combination, our board of directors intends to establish an audit committee and a compensation committee, and adopt charters for these committees. Prior to such time we do not intend to establish either committee. Accordingly, there will not be a separate committee comprised of some members of our board of directors with specialized accounting and financial knowledge to meet, analyze and discuss solely financial matters concerning prospective target businesses nor will there be a separate formal committee to review the reasonableness of expense reimbursement requests by anyone other than our board of directors, which includes persons who may seek such reimbursements. The absence of such committees to review the matters discussed above until the consummation of our initial business combination could negatively impact our operations and profitability. We are not required to appoint an audit committee under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.
Our securities will be quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board quotation system, which will limit the liquidity and price of our securities more than if our securities were quoted or listed on the NYSE Amex Market or another national securities exchange and result in our shareholders not receiving the benefit of our being subject to the listing standards of a national securities exchange.
Our units, ordinary shares and warrants will be traded in the over-the-counter market and will be quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board quotation system, or the OTCBB, which is a FINRA-sponsored and operated inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities not included in the NYSE Amex Market. Quotation of our securities on the OTCBB will limit the liquidity and price of our securities more than if our securities were quoted or listed on the NYSE Amex Market or another national securities exchange. Lack of liquidity will limit the price at which you may be able to sell our securities or your ability to sell our securities at all.
We do not currently meet the listing standards for the NYSE Amex Market or any other national securities exchange. The OTCBB does not impose listing standards or requirements. If our securities were listed on the NYSE Amex Market or another national securities exchange, we would be subject to a number of listing standards, including requirements relating to our minimum unaffiliated market capitalization and ordinary shares trading price, the independence of a majority of our board of directors, requirements regarding committees of our board and certain other shareholder approval and corporate governance requirements. In addition, we would be subject to any special stock exchange requirements applicable to blank check companies, such as requirements that we obtain shareholder approval of our initial business combination (in
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the event we seek to issue more than 20% of our issued and outstanding shares to the target business) and that we do not enter into an initial business combination that has an acquisition value less than 80% of the funds in the trust account.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete an initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5.0 million upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable and we will have a longer period of time to complete a business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us and, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the release of funds to us to purchase up to 15% of our public shares pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our consummation of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete a business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources, or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, if we are obligated to pay cash for the ordinary shares redeemed and, in the event we seek shareholder approval of our business combination, we make purchases of our ordinary shares in the open market in a manner intended to comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases, using available funds from the trust account, then the resources available to us for a business combination may be reduced. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
If the net proceeds of this offering not being held in the trust account, together with the up to $0.8 million (subject to adjustment as described herein) of interest in the trust account (net of taxes payable) which may be released to us for working capital purposes, are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 21 months (or 24 months, if extended), we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.
The funds available to us outside of the trust account, plus the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be available to us, may not be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next
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21 months (or 24 months, if extended), assuming that our initial business combination is not consummated during that time. We believe that, upon closing of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account, plus the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be available to us, will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 21 months (or 24 months, if extended), assuming that our initial business combination is not consummated during that time. However, we cannot assure you that our estimate will be accurate. We could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
The current low interest rate environment could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination since we will depend on interest earned on the trust account to fund our search, to pay our taxes and to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering, only $650,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $750,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the $650,000 not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $750,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. We will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the trust account to provide us with up to $0.8 million, subject to adjustment in the event the size of the offering changes as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of any portion of the over-allotment option or if we otherwise decide to change the size of this offering, of additional working capital we may need to identify one or more target businesses and to complete our initial business combination, as well as to pay any taxes that we may owe. The current low interest rate environment may make it more difficult for us to have sufficient funds available to structure, negotiate or close our initial business combination. In such event, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor or management team to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor nor our management team is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
Subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination, we may be required to subsequently take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our stock price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will surface all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may
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cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than approximately $10.00 per share.
Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative.
Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete a business combination within the required time frame, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with a business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the approximately $10.00 per share initially held in the trust account (or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), due to claims of such creditors. Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed that they will be liable to us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. However, we have not asked Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure you that Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Our disinterested director may decide not to enforce indemnification obligations against Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per public share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and any member of our sponsor asserts that he is unable to satisfy his obligation or that he has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, Elliot Stein, Jr., our disinterested and independent director would determine whether to take legal action against such member of our sponsor to enforce his indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our disinterested and independent director would take legal action on our behalf against such member of our sponsor to enforce his indemnification obligations to us, it is
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possible that our disinterested and independent director in exercising his business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our disinterested and independent director chooses not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete a business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
• | restrictions on the nature of our investments; and |
• restrictions on the issuance of securities,
each of which may make it difficult for us to complete a business combination.
In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
• | registration as an investment company; |
• | adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and |
• | reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations. |
We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. The proceeds held in the trust account may be invested by the trustee only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. Because the investment of the proceeds will be restricted to these instruments, we believe we will meet the requirements for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to consummate a business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Absence of certain statutory regulation
We are not an entity subject to any regulatory supervision in the British Virgin Islands by the Financial Services Commission. As a result, shareholders are not protected by any regulatory supervision or inspections by any regulatory agency in the British Virgin Islands and the company is not required to observe any restrictions in respect of its conduct save as disclosed in this prospectus or its memorandum and articles of association.
If we are unable to consummate a business combination, our public shareholders may be forced to wait up to 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) before redemption from our trust account.
We have 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to our initial business combination is executed before the
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21-month period ends. If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months if extended, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs, as further described herein. Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association prior to any voluntary winding up. If we are required to wind-up, liquidate the trust account and distribute such amount therein, pro rata, to our public shareholders, as part of any liquidation process, such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond 21 months, or 24 months if extended, before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of our redemption or liquidation unless we consummate a business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their ordinary shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete a business combination.
If we liquidate, distributions, or part of them, may be delayed while the liquidator determines the extent of potential creditor claims.
Pursuant to, among other documents, our memorandum and articles of association, if we do not complete a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, this will trigger an automatic redemption of the trust account pursuant to our constitutional documents, resulting in our redemption of the trust account and may result in our subsequent voluntary liquidation as may be directed by our directors. Our liquidator, if applicable, would give notice to our creditors inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in the British Virgin Islands Official Gazette and a British Virgin Islands newspaper, and taking any other steps he considers appropriate, after which our assets would be distributed.
As soon as our affairs are fully wound-up, if we were to liquidate, the liquidator must complete his final report and accounts and will then notify the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands (the “Registrar”). However, we cannot assure you that the liquidator will not determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). We also cannot assure you that a creditor or shareholder will not file a petition with the British Virgin Islands court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our assets to our public shareholders.
Our sponsor has waived its right to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to its initial shares. If we have not consummated an initial business combination within the required time frames, there will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants which will expire worthless. We will pay the costs of our liquidation and distribution of the trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account and may request the trustee to release to us up to $100,000 of the net interest earned on the trust account to pay dissolution expenses. In addition, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed that they will be liable to us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, for all claims of creditors to the extent that we fail to obtain executed waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust, except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we cannot assure you that the liquidator will not determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). We also cannot assure you that a creditor or shareholder will not file a petition with the BVI court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our assets to our public shareholders.
In any liquidation proceedings of the company under British Virgin Islands law, the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the
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claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them.
We are not registering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or states securities laws at this time, and such registration may not be in place when an investor desires to exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to exercise its warrants and causing such warrants to expire worthless.
We are not registering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securities laws at this time. However, under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such shares and maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and to use our best efforts to take such action as is necessary to register or qualify for sale, in those states in which the warrants were initially offered by us, the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to the extent an exemption is not available. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act, we will be required to permit holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, under certain circumstances specified in the warrant agreement. However, no warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, unless an exemption is available. In no event will we be required to issue cash, securities or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws. If the issuance of the shares upon exercise of the warrants is not so registered or qualified, the holder of such warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired their warrants as part of a purchase of units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the ordinary shares included in the units. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying ordinary shares for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
The grant of registration rights to our sponsor and holders of our sponsor warrants may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, our sponsor and its permitted transferees can demand that we register the founder shares, holders of our sponsor warrants and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the sponsor warrants and the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants and holders of warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans may demand that we register such warrants or the ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of such warrants. The registration rights will be exercisable with respect to the founder shares and the sponsor warrants and the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such sponsor warrants. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares that is expected when the securities owned by our sponsor, holders of our sponsor warrants or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
Because we have not selected a particular business or geographic focus or any specific target businesses with which to pursue a business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region, but may rely upon our management team’s background in Asia, Europe or the United States. Also, while we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we may initially consider those industries or sectors that
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complement our management team’s background, such as media, technology, energy, industrial, retail and consumer products. Our only restriction, under our memorandum and articles of association, is that we will not be permitted to effectuate a business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we consummate our business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.
We may seek investment opportunities outside of our management’s area of expertise.
There is no limitation on the industry or business sector we may consider when contemplating a business combination. We may therefore be presented with a business combination candidate in an industry unfamiliar to our management team, but determine that such candidate offers an attractive investment opportunity for our company. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue an investment outside of our management’s expertise, our management’s experience may not be directly applicable to the target business or their evaluation of its operations.
Although we identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into a business combination with a target does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although we have identified specific criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into a business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we consummate a business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce our initial business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
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Unlike many blank check companies, we are not required to acquire a target with a valuation equal to a certain percentage of the amount held in the trust account. Management’s unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in consummating an initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our shareholders.
Many blank check companies are required to consummate their initial business combination with a target whose value is equal to at least 80% of the amount of money held in the trust account of the blank check company at the time of entry into a definitive agreement for a business combination. Because we do not have the requirement that a target business have a minimum fair market enterprise value equal to a certain percentage of the net assets held in the trust account at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Investors will be relying on management’s ability to identify business combinations, evaluate their merits, conduct or monitor diligence and conduct negotiations. In addition, we may consummate a business combination with a target whose enterprise value is significantly less than the amount of money held in the trust account, thereby resulting in our ability to use the remaining funds in the trust account to make additional acquisitions without seeking shareholder approval or providing redemption rights.
Management’s unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with management’s financial interest in consummating an initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our shareholders, which would be the case if the trading price of our ordinary shares after giving effect to such business combination was less than the per-share trust liquidation value that our shareholders would have received if we had dissolved without consummating a business combination.
We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view.
Unless we consummate a business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
We may issue additional common or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after consummation of our initial business combination, which would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.
Our memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of an unlimited amount of both ordinary shares of no par value and preferred shares of no par value. We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after consummation of our initial business combination. The issuance of additional shares of ordinary or preferred shares:
• | may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering; |
• | may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preferred shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary shares; |
• | could cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares is issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and |
• | may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, ordinary shares and/or warrants. |
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Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents, and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. In addition, in the event we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering, in the open market in a manner intended to comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If such business combination is not consummated, these purchases would have the effect of reducing the funds available in the trust account for future business combinations. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We may qualify as a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder (as defined in the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — General”) of our ordinary shares or warrants, the U.S. Holder may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011 may depend on whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception (see the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”). If we do not complete a business combination by the end of our current taxable year, and we have gross income for our current taxable year, we likely will be a PFIC for our current taxable year unless we complete a business combination in our taxable year ending December 31, 2012 and are not treated as a PFIC for either of our taxable years ending December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2013. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. In addition, we may not provide timely financial information that would be required for U.S. investors to make a potentially favorable “qualified electing fund” election, and such election would be unavailable with respect to our warrants in all cases. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
An investor may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences in the event the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) were to disagree with the U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein.
As described in the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — General,” we have not sought a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein. The IRS may disagree with the descriptions of U.S. federal income tax consequences contained herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Any such determination could
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subject an investor or our company to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences that would be different than those described herein. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares, warrants and units, including the applicability and effect of state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, as well as U.S. federal tax laws.
After a business combination, it is likely that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States and all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights.
It is likely that after a business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States and a majority of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors and officers under United States laws.
We are dependent upon our officers and directors and their loss could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated a business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us. Furthermore, Mr. Smith has contractual obligations which restrict his activities during a portion of the period we are seeking to consummate an initial business combination and may be forced to resign from our management team in certain circumstances. See “Management — Conflicts of Interest.”
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following a business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following a business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and
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selecting a target business. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of a business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect a business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted.
The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of a business combination. The loss of an acquisition target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the consummation of a business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following a business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
Certain of our officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our executive officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business.
Our officers may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to our company, although they have agreed not to participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. Our officers may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor or that a potential target business would not be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
Our officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, although we do not intend to do so. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
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We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our executive officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers and directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate a business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our initial business combination — Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm regarding the fairness to our shareholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our executive officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
Since our sponsor will lose its entire investment in us if a business combination is not consummated and our officers and directors have significant financial interests in us, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
In January 2011, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 1,623,529 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.015 per share. The founder shares held by our sponsor include an aggregate of 211,764 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. In addition, members of our sponsor have committed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants, each exercisable for one ordinary share at $11.50 per share, for a purchase price of $3.0 million, or $1.00 per warrant, that will also be worthless if we do not consummate a business combination. In addition, the founder earn out shares (equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of our officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete a business combination. The incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
• | default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations; |
• | acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; |
• | our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; |
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• | our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding; |
• | our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares; |
• | using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
• | limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate; |
• | increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and |
• | limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
The net proceeds from this offering will provide us with approximately $80.65 million (or approximately $92.4 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete a business combination.
We may effectuate an initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously. However, we may not be able to effectuate a business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By consummating an initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
• | solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or |
• | dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services. |
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to an initial business combination.
We may attempt to simultaneously consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
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We may attempt to consummate our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By definition, very little public information exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We may structure a business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the controlling shareholder of the target or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even though we will own a controlling interest in the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.
Unlike many blank check companies, we do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold will make it easier for us to consummate a business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Since we have no specified maximum redemption threshold contained in our memorandum and articles of association, our structure is different in this respect from the structure that has been used by many blank check companies. Many blank check companies would not be able to consummate a business combination if the holders of the company’s public shares voted against a proposed business combination and elected to redeem or convert more than a specified percentage of the shares sold in such company’s initial public offering, which percentage threshold has typically been between 19.99% and 39.99%. As a result, many blank check companies have been unable to complete business combinations because the amount of shares voted by their public shareholders electing conversion exceeded the maximum conversion threshold pursuant to which such company could proceed with a business combination. As a result, we may be able to consummate a business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to us or our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates. However, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
The exercise price for the public warrants is higher than in many similar blank check company offerings in the past, and, accordingly, the warrants are more likely to expire worthless.
The exercise price of the warrants is higher than is typical in many similar blank check companies. Historically, the exercise price of a warrant was generally a fraction of the purchase price of the units in the initial public offering. The exercise price for our public warrants is $11.50 per share. As a result, the warrants are less likely to ever be in the money and more likely to expire worthless.
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In order to effectuate a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and modified governing instruments. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our memorandum and articles of association or governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to consummate a business combination that our shareholders may not support.
In order to effectuate a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and modified governing instruments. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business combination, increased redemption thresholds and changed industry focus. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our charter or governing instruments in order to effectuate our initial business combination.
The provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended with the approval of 65% of our shareholders, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the consummation of an initial business combination that our shareholders may not support.
Many blank check companies have a provision in their charter which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company’s shareholders. Typically, amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s public shareholders. Our memorandum and articles of association provides that any of its provisions, including those related to pre-business combination activity, may be amended if approved by 65% of our shareholders. Our sponsor, which will beneficially own 15.0% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily that many blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to consummate a business combination with which you do not agree.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering, including the interest earned on the proceeds held in the trust account that may be available to us for a business combination, will be sufficient to allow us to consummate our initial business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to seek additional financing. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. The current economic environment has made it especially difficult for companies to obtain acquisition financing. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular initial business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after a business combination.
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Our sponsor controls a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon closing of this offering, our sponsor will own 15.0% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and they are not required to forfeit their founder earn out shares, as described in this prospectus). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. If our sponsor purchases any units in this offering or if we or our sponsor purchase any additional ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our sponsor nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, has any current intention to purchase additional securities, other than as disclosed in this prospectus. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were elected by our sponsor, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of shareholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our sponsor, because of its ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our sponsor will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of our initial business combination.
Our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.015 per founder share and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our ordinary shares.
The difference between the public offering price per share (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the ordinary shares and none to the warrant included in the unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. Our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon closing of this offering, and assuming no value is ascribed to the warrants included in the units, you and the other public shareholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 74.1% or $7.41 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $2.59 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per unit).
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants.
Our warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between [Trust Company], as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the warrants with the consent of at least 65% of the then outstanding warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
We may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
We have the ability to redeem outstanding warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $17.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third business day prior to proper notice of such redemption provided that on the date we give notice of redemption and during the entire period thereafter until the time we redeem the warrants, we have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the
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warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you (i) to exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) to sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your warrants. None of the sponsor warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by members of the sponsor or their permitted transferees.
Our warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination.
We will be issuing warrants to purchase 8,000,000 ordinary shares (or up to 9,200,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised) as part of the units offered by this prospectus and, simultaneously with the closing of this offering, we will be issuing in a private placement an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants, each exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share. In addition, if the sponsor makes any working capital loans, it may convert those loans into up to an additional 425,000 sponsor warrants. To the extent we issue ordinary shares to effectuate a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Such warrants, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the ordinary shares issued to complete the business combination. Therefore, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The sponsor warrants are identical to the warrants sold as part of the units in this offering except that, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) they will not be redeemable by us, (ii) they (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of these warrants) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the sponsor until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and (iii) they may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis.
The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry. You may have less assurance, therefore, that the offering price of our units properly reflects the value of such units than you would have in a typical offering of an operating company.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriters, both prior to our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares and warrants underlying the units, include:
• | the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies; |
• | prior offerings of those companies; |
• | our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values; |
• | a review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions; |
• | our capital structure; |
• | an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies; |
• | general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and |
• | other factors as were deemed relevant. |
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Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
There is currently no market for our securities. Shareholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The United States federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and consummate our initial business combination within our 21 month (or 24 month, if extended) time frame.
If you are not an institutional investor, you may purchase our securities in this offering only if you reside within certain states in which we will apply to have the securities registered. Although resales of our securities are exempt from state registration requirements, state securities commissioners who view blank check offerings unfavorably may attempt to hinder resales in their states.
We have applied to register our securities, or will rely on an exemption from registration, to offer and sell the units to retail customers only in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the states where we have applied to have the units registered for sale, we will not sell the units to retail customers in these states unless and until such registration is effective. If you are not an “institutional investor,” you must be a resident of one of these jurisdictions to purchase our securities in the offering. We may offer and sell the units to institutional investors in every state except Idaho in this offering pursuant to an exemption provided for sales to these investors under the Blue Sky laws of various states. The definition of an “institutional investor” varies from state to state but generally includes financial institutions, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and other qualified entities. Under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, states are pre-empted from regulating transactions in certain categories of securities that are designated as “covered securities.” Since we will file periodic and annual reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our securities will be considered covered securities. Therefore, the resale of the units and, once they become separately transferable, the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units are exempt from state registration requirements. However, each state retains jurisdiction to investigate and bring enforcement actions with respect to fraud or deceit, or unlawful conduct by a broker or dealer, in connection with the sale of securities. Although we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict resales of securities issued by blank check companies generally, certain state securities commissioners view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the resale of securities of blank check companies in their state. For a complete discussion of the Blue Sky state securities laws and registrations affecting this offering, please see the section entitled “Underwriting — State Blue Sky Information” below.
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Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 may make it more difficult for us to effectuate a business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls and requires that we have such system of internal controls audited beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2012. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to all public companies because a target company with which we seek to complete a business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
We may re-incorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with a business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In connection with a business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the British Virgin Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction would likely govern all of our material agreements. We cannot assure you that the system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction would be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Any such reincorporation and the international nature of our business will likely subject us to foreign regulation.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under British Virgin Islands law.
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent governed by the Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the British Virgin Islands is derived from English common law, and whilst the decisions of the English courts are of persuasive authority, they are not binding on a court in the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law may not be as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, while statutory provisions do exist in British Virgin Islands law for derivative actions to be brought in certain circumstances, shareholders in British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. The circumstances in which any such action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect to any such action, may result in the rights of shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company being more limited than those of shareholders of a company organized in the United States. Accordingly, shareholders may have fewer alternatives available to them if they believe that corporate wrongdoing has occurred.
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The British Virgin Islands courts are also unlikely:
• | to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and |
• | to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. |
There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognise such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that the U.S. judgment:
• | the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; |
• | is final and for a liquidated sum; |
• | the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; |
• | in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; |
• | recognition or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and |
• | the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. |
In appropriate circumstances, a British Virgin Islands Court may give effect in the British Virgin Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company. For a discussion of certain differences between the provisions of the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act, remedies available to shareholders and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “British Virgin Islands Company Considerations.”
Our memorandum and articles of association permit the board of directors to create additional classes of securities, including shares with rights, preferences, designations and limitations as they determine which may have an anti-takeover effect.
Our memorandum and articles of association permits the board of directors to designate rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to the preferred shares as they determine in their discretion, without shareholder approval with respect the terms or the issuance. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and limitations of the preferred shares would be set by the board of directors and could operate to the disadvantage of the outstanding ordinary shares. Such terms could include, among others, preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation, or could be used to prevent possible corporate takeovers.
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Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business in Emerging Market Countries
If we effect an initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we effect an initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:
• | rules and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals; |
• | laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected; |
• | exchange listing and/or delisting requirements; |
• | tariffs and trade barriers; |
• | regulations related to customs and import/export matters; |
• | longer payment cycles; |
• | tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States; |
• | currency fluctuations and exchange controls; |
• | rates of inflation; |
• | challenges in collecting accounts receivable; |
• | cultural and language differences; |
• | employment regulations; |
• | crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and |
• | deterioration of political relations with the United States. |
We cannot assure you that we would be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.
Because of the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, our results of operations may be negatively impacted.
Managing a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we may have (whether based abroad or in the U.S.) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant differences in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and much higher than in a purely domestic business) and may negatively impact our financial and operational performance.
If social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, or policy changes or enactments occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect a business combination, it may result in a negative impact on our business.
Political events in another country may significantly affect our business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact our business in a particular country.
Because many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience, it may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience. Our ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to defend ourselves with regard to
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legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could adversely impact our operations, assets or financial condition.
Rules and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at the municipal, state, regional and federal levels. The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to predict and inconsistent.
Delay with respect to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor, could cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact our results.
If relations between the United States and a foreign government deteriorate, it could cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive.
The relationship between the United States and foreign governments could be subject to sudden fluctuation and periodic tension. For instance, the United States may announce its intention to impose quotas on certain imports. Such import quotas may adversely affect political relations between the two countries and result in retaliatory countermeasures by the foreign government in industries that may affect our ultimate target business. Changes in political conditions in foreign countries and changes in the state of U.S. relations with such countries are difficult to predict and could adversely affect our operations or cause potential target businesses or their goods and services to become less attractive. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, there is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible extent of any impact on our ultimate operations if relations are strained between the United States and a foreign country in which we acquire a target business or move our principal manufacturing or service operations.
If we acquire control of a target business through contractual arrangements with one or more operating businesses in, for example, India, such contracts may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership of such business and may be difficult to enforce.
While our efforts in identifying a prospective target business for our initial business combination will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, we may initially focus our search on identifying a prospective target business in Asia, Europe and the United States. Certain governments such as India have restricted or limited foreign ownership of certain kinds of assets and companies operating in certain industries. The industry groups that are restricted are wide ranging, including, for example, certain aspects of telecommunications, food production, and heavy equipment manufacturers. In addition there can be restrictions on the foreign ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in “important industries” that may affect the national economic security or having “famous brand names” or “well-established brand names.” Subject to the review and approval requirements of the relevant agencies for acquisitions of assets and companies in the relevant jurisdictions and subject to the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated using contractual arrangements with permitted local parties. To the extent that such agreements are employed, they may be for control of specific assets such as intellectual property or control of blocks of the equity ownership interests of a company which may provide exceptions to the restrictions mentioned above since these types of arrangements typically do not involve a change of equity ownership in the operating company. The agreements would be designed to provide our company with the economic benefits of and control over the subject assets or equity interests similar to the rights of full ownership, while leaving the technical ownership in the hands of local parties who would be our nominees and, therefore, may exempt the transaction from certain regulations, including the application process required thereunder. However, since there has been limited implementation guidance provided with respect to such regulations, the relevant government agency might apply them to a business combination effected through contractual arrangements. If such an agency determines that such an application should have been made or that our potential future target businesses are otherwise in violation of local laws or regulations, consequences may include confiscating relevant income and levying fines and other penalties, revoking business and other licenses, requiring restructure of ownership or operations, requiring discontinuation or restriction of the operations of any portion or all of the acquired business, restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds of this offering to finance our businesses and operations and imposing conditions or requirements with which we or potential future target businesses may
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not be able to comply. These agreements likely also would provide for increased ownership or full ownership and control by us when and if permitted under local laws and regulations. If we choose to effect a business combination that employs the use of these types of control arrangements, we may have difficulty in enforcing our rights. Therefore, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with the same economic benefits, accounting consolidation or control over a target business as would direct ownership. For example, if the target business or any other entity fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend substantial resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under local law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure will be sufficient to off-set the cost of enforcement and may adversely affect the benefits we expect to receive from the business combination.
If any dividend is declared in the future and paid in a foreign currency, you may be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.
If you are a U.S. holder of our ordinary shares, you will be taxed on the U.S. dollar value of your dividends, if any, at the time you receive them, even if you actually receive a smaller amount of U.S. dollars when the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Specifically, if a dividend is declared and paid in a foreign currency, the amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the payments made in the foreign currency, determined at the spot rate of the foreign currency to the U.S. dollar on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Thus, if the value of the foreign currency decreases before you actually convert the currency into U.S. dollars, you will be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.
If our management following a business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following a business combination, our management will likely resign from their positions as officers of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. We cannot assure you that management of the target business will be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with our laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
After a business combination, substantially all of our assets will likely be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue will be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.
The economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect our business. The economies in Asia differ from the economies of most developed countries in many respects. For the most part, such economies have grown at a rate in excess of the United States; however, (i) such economic growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and (ii) such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate a business combination and if we effect a business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.
Currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
Because our initial objective is to acquire a target business having its primary operating facilities located within Asia and because substantially all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by,
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among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of a business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.
Because foreign law could govern almost all of our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within such jurisdiction or elsewhere, which could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
Foreign law could govern almost all of our material agreements. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available outside of such foreign jurisdiction’s legal system. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws and contracts in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The judiciaries in Asia are relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. As a result, the inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business and business opportunities.
Many of the economies in Asia are experiencing substantial inflationary pressures which may prompt the governments to take action to control the growth of the economy and inflation that could lead to a significant decrease in our profitability following a business combination.
While many of the economies in Asia have experienced rapid growth over the last two decades, they currently are experiencing inflationary pressures. As governments take steps to address the current inflationary pressures, there may be significant changes in the availability of bank credits, interest rates, limitations on loans, restrictions on currency conversions and foreign investment. There may also be imposition of price controls. If prices for the products of our ultimate target business rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on our profitability. If these or other similar restrictions are imposed by a government to influence the economy, it may lead to a slowing of economic growth. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, the ultimate industry that we operate in may be affected more severely by such a slowing of economic growth.
Many industries in Asia are subject to government regulations that limit or prohibit foreign investments in such industries, which may limit the potential number of acquisition candidates.
Governments in many Asian countries have imposed regulations that limit foreign investors’ equity ownership or prohibit foreign investments altogether in companies that operate in certain industries. As a result, the number of potential acquisition candidates available to us may be limited or our ability to grow and sustain the business which we ultimately acquire will be limited.
If a country in Asia enacts regulations in industry segments that forbid or restrict foreign investment, our ability to consummate a business combination could be severely impaired.
Many of the rules and regulations that companies face concerning foreign ownership are not explicitly communicated. If new laws or regulations forbid or limit foreign investment in industries in which we want to complete a business combination, they could severely impair our candidate pool of potential target businesses. Additionally, if the relevant central and local authorities find us or the target business with which we ultimately complete a business combination to be in violation of any existing or future laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:
• | levying fines; |
• | revoking our business and other licenses; |
• | requiring that we restructure our ownership or operations; and |
• | requiring that we discontinue any portion or all of our business. |
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Any of the above could have an adverse effect on our company post-business combination and could materially reduce the value of your investment.
Corporate governance standards in Asia may not be as strict or developed as in the United States and such weakness may hide issues and operational practices that are detrimental to a target business.
General corporate governance standards in some countries are weak in that they do not prevent business practices that cause unfavorable related party transactions, over-leveraging, improper accounting, family company interconnectivity and poor management. Local laws often do not go far enough to prevent improper business practices. Therefore, shareholders may not be treated impartially and equally as a result of poor management practices, asset shifting, conglomerate structures that result in preferential treatment to some parts of the overall company, and cronyism. The lack of transparency and ambiguity in the regulatory process may also result in inadequate credit evaluation and weakness that may precipitate or encourage financial crisis. In our evaluation of a business combination we will have to evaluate the corporate governance of a target and the business environment, and in accordance with United States laws for reporting companies take steps to implement practices that will cause compliance with all applicable rules and accounting practices. Notwithstanding these intended efforts, there may be endemic practices and local laws that could add risk to an investment we ultimately make and that result in an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this prospectus that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
• | our ability to complete our initial business combination; |
• | our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; |
• | our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements; |
• | our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; |
• | our pool of prospective target businesses; |
• | the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities; |
• | our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; |
• | the lack of a market for our securities; |
• | the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; or |
• | our financial performance following this offering. |
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward- looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We are offering 8,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the sponsor warrants (all of which will be deposited into the trust account) will be used as set forth in the following table.
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||
Without Over-Allotment Option | Over-Allotment Option Exercised | |||||||
Gross proceeds | ||||||||
Gross proceeds from units offered to public(1) | $ | 80,000,000 | $ | 92,000,000 | ||||
Gross proceeds from sponsor warrants offered in the private placement | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | ||||||
Total gross proceeds | $ | 83,000,000 | $ | 95,000,000 | ||||
Offering expenses(2) | ||||||||
Underwriting commissions (2% of gross proceeds from units offered to public, excluding deferred portion)(3) | $ | 1,600,000 | $ | 1,840,000 | ||||
Legal fees and expenses | 300,000 | 300,000 | ||||||
Printing and engraving expenses | 35,000 | 35,000 | ||||||
Accounting fees and expenses | 45,000 | 45,000 | ||||||
Blue Sky filing fees | 40,000 | 40,000 | ||||||
SEC Expenses | 10,681 | 10,681 | ||||||
FINRA Expenses | 9,700 | 9,700 | ||||||
Travel and road show | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
Directors’ and officers’ insurance | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
Miscellaneous | 159,619 | 159,619 | ||||||
Total offering expenses | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 2,590,000 | ||||
Proceeds after offering expenses | $ | 80,650,000 | $ | 92,410,000 | ||||
Held in trust account(3) | $ | 80,000,000 | $ | 91,760,000 | ||||
% of public offering size | 100% | 99.7% | ||||||
Not held in trust account | $ | 650,000 | $ | 650,000 |
The following table shows the use of the $650,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account and up to an additional $800,000, subject to proportionate adjustment in the event the size of the offering changes as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of any portion of the over-allotment option or we otherwise decide to make such a change prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, of interest earned on our trust account (net of taxes payable) that may be released to us to cover operating expenses(4).
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||
Use of net proceeds not held in trust(4) | Amount | % of Total | ||||||
Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any business combination(5) | $ | 1,100,000 | 75.9 | % | ||||
Legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations | $ | 160,000 | 11 | % | ||||
Payment for office space, administrative and support services | $ | 63,000 | 4.3 | % | ||||
Printing | $ | 50,000 | 3.4 | % | ||||
Consulting and travel for search for business combination target | $ | 50,000 | 3.4 | % | ||||
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses | $ | 27,000 | 1.9 | % | ||||
Total | $ | 1,450,000 | 100 | % |
(1) | Includes amounts payable to public shareholders who properly redeem their shares in connection with our successful consummation of our initial business combination. |
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(2) | In addition, a portion of the offering expenses have been paid from the proceeds of a $100,000 loan from Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, as described in this prospectus. This loan will be repaid upon consummation of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions. In the event that offering expenses are less than set forth in this table, any such amounts will be used for post-closing working capital expenses. |
(3) | The underwriters have agreed to defer approximately $2.8 million of their underwriting commissions (or approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which equals 3.5% of the gross proceeds from the units offered to the public, until consummation of initial business combination. Upon consummation of our initial business combination, approximately $2.8 million, which constitutes the underwriters’ deferred commissions (or approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be paid to the underwriters from the funds held in the trust account, and the remaining funds will be released to us and can be used to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of the business or businesses with which our initial business combination occurs or for general corporate purposes, including payment of principal or interest on indebtedness incurred in connection with our initial business combination, to fund the purchases of other companies or for working capital. |
(4) | These expenses are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring a business combination based upon the level of complexity of such business combination. In the event we identify an acquisition target in a specific industry subject to specific regulations, we may incur additional expenses associated with legal due diligence and the engagement of special legal counsel. In addition, our staffing needs may vary and as a result, we may engage a number of consultants to assist with legal and financial due diligence. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would not be available for our expenses. The amount of interest available to us from the trust account may be less than $0.8 million as a result of the current interest rate environment. |
(5) | Includes estimated amounts that may also be used in connection with our initial business combination to fund a “no shop” provision and commitment fees for financing. |
A total of approximately $80.0 million (or approximately $91.7 million if the underwriters’ over- allotment option is exercised in full) of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the sponsor warrants described in this prospectus, including approximately $2.8 million (or approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions, will be placed in a trust account with [Trust Company] acting as trustee and will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. Except for a portion of the interest income that may be released to us to pay any taxes and to fund our working capital requirements, as discussed below, and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of our public shares if we seek shareholder approval of our business combination as will be permitted under our memorandum and articles of association, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a business combination within 21 months (24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, (ii) a redemption to public shareholders prior to any voluntary winding-up in the event we do not consummate a business combination within such 21 month period, or (iii) pursuant to any liquidation.
We may increase the initial amount held in the trust account from approximately $10.00 per unit prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In such case, the increase would be funded by an increase in the amount of the deferral of the underwriting commissions payable in connection with this offering, an increase in the number of sponsor warrants to be purchased by our sponsor at a price of $1.00 per warrant and/or a reduction from $650,000 of the amount initially available to us for working capital that is not held in the trust account. Public shareholders would own a smaller percentage of our outstanding ordinary shares on a fully diluted basis to the extent that our sponsor purchases additional warrants. We do not intend to reduce the initial amount to be held in the trust account.
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The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete a business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using stock or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination, we may apply the cash released from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We believe that amounts not held in trust, as well as the interest income of up to $0.8 million, subject to proportionate adjustment in the event the size of the offering changes as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of any portion of the over-allotment option or we otherwise decided to make such a change prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, earned on the trust account balance (net of taxes payable) that may be released to fund our working capital requirements will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective acquisition, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of a business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or the amount of interest available to use from the trust account is less than $0.8 million as a result of the current interest rate environment, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. In this event, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from members of our management team, but such members of our management team are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option or the size of this offering is increased, the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will proportionately increase (for example, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, the size of the offering will increase by 15%, and the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will increase to approximately $1.44 million). In addition, if the size of this offering is decreased, the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will proportionately decrease. We will use any proportionate increase in interest income to cover our working capital expenses. While we currently do not know what our future working capital expenses will be and while they will not necessarily be proportionate to the size of the offering, we believe that any additional interest income released to us would facilitate our ability to finance the exploration and consideration of a greater number of potential acquisition targets.
Commencing on the date that our securities are first quoted on the OTCBB, we have agreed to pay Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, an entity controlled by our officers and directors, a total of $3,000 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support. This arrangement is being agreed to by our sponsor for our benefit and is not intended to provide our sponsor compensation in lieu of salary or other remuneration. We believe that such fees are at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
As of the date of this prospectus, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, has advanced to us a total of $100,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. These advances are non-interest bearing, unsecured and are due at the earlier of December 31, 2011 or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated to the payment of offering expenses.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $425,000 of such loans may be
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convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the sponsor warrants. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans.
Unlike many blank check companies, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, prior to the consummation of a business combination, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account of amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering (1,200,000 shares, or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at any time commencing after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial business combination and ending on the date of the shareholder meeting to approve the initial business combination. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information and may not be made during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18, as in effect at the time we wish to make such purchases, are not satisfied, it is likely that we will not make such purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the per-share amount then held in the trust account (approximately $10.00 per share or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). We can purchase any or all of the 1,200,000 shares (or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase. It will be entirely in our discretion as to how many shares are purchased. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our ordinary shares and the terms of the proposed business combination. All shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. Such open market purchases, if any, would be conducted by us to minimize any disparity between the then current market price of our ordinary shares and the per-share amount held in the trust account. A market price below the per-share trust amount could provide an incentive for purchasers to buy our shares after the filing of our preliminary proxy statement at a discount to the per-share amount held in the trust account for the sole purpose of voting against our initial business combination and exercising redemption rights for the full per share amount held in the trust account. Such trading activity could enable such investors to block a business combination by making it difficult for us to obtain the approval of such business combination by the vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, we may enter into privately negotiated transactions to purchase public shares from shareholders following consummation of the initial business combination with proceeds released to us from the trust account immediately following consummation of the initial business combination. Our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may also purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Neither we nor our directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will make any such purchases when we or they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller. Although we do not currently anticipate paying any premium purchase price for such public shares, in the event we do, the payment of a premium may not be in the best interest of those shareholders not receiving any such additional consideration. In addition, the payment of a premium by us after the consummation of our initial business combination may not be in the best interest of the remaining shareholders who do not redeem their shares. Such shareholders will experience a reduction in book value per share compared to the value received by shareholders that have their shares purchased by us at a premium. Except for the limitations described above on use of trust proceeds released to us prior to consummating our initial business combination, there is no limit on the amount of shares that could be acquired by us or our affiliates, or the price we or they may pay, if we hold a shareholder vote.
In no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) our consummation of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those
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ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein or (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) following the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. However, if our sponsor, or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within the required time period.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of an initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to an initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time and subject to the Companies Act. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our sponsor’s ownership at 15.0% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with a business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
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DILUTION
The difference between the public offering price per ordinary share, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering pursuant to this prospectus or the sponsor warrants, and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with the sale and exercise of warrants, including the sponsor warrants, which would cause the actual dilution to the public shareholders to be higher, particularly where a cashless exercise is utilized. In addition, such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with purchases we may make prior to the consummation of our initial business combination of up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering using the trust proceeds. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding ordinary shares.
At January 31, 2011, our net tangible book value was a deficiency of $(40,690, or approximately $(0.03) per ordinary share. After giving effect to the sale of 8,000,000 ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, the sale of the sponsor warrants and the deduction of underwriting commissions and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value at January 31, 2011 would have been $5,670,010 or $2.59 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book (as decreased by the value of the approximately 7,219,999 ordinary shares that may be redeemed for cash and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) value of $7.44 per share to our sponsor as of the date of this prospectus and an immediate dilution of $10.00 per share or 100.0% to our public shareholders not exercising their redemption rights.
The following table illustrates the dilution to the public shareholders on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units or the sponsor warrants:
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||
Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | ||||||
Net tangible book value before this offering | $ | (0.03 | ) | |||||
Increase attributable to public shareholders | 7.44 | |||||||
Decrease attributable to public shares subject to redemption | (10.00 | ) | ||||||
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering | (2.59 | ) | ||||||
Dilution to new investors | $ | 7.41 |
For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) by $72,199,990 to adjust for the right of holders of our public shares to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account as set forth in our tender offer or proxy materials (initially anticipated to be the aggregate amount held in trust two days prior to the commencement of our tender offer or shareholders meeting, including interest less taxes payable), divided by the number of ordinary shares sold in this offering.
The following table sets forth information with respect to our sponsor and the public shareholders:
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||||||||||||
Total shares | Total consideration | Average price per share | ||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percentage | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||
Sponsor | 1,411,765 | 15 | % | $ | 25,000 | 0.03 | % | $ | 0.0178 | |||||||||||
Public Shareholders | 8,000,000 | 85 | 80,000,000 | 99.97 | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||||||||
Total | 9,411,765 | 100 | % | $ | 80,025,000 | 100.00 | % |
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The pro forma net tangible book value per share after the offering is calculated as follows:
![]() | ![]() | |||
Numerator: | ||||
Net tangible book value before this offering | $ | (40,690 | ) | |
Net proceeds from this offering and sale of insider warrants | 80,650,000 | |||
Offering costs incurred in advance and excluded from net tangible book value before this offering | 60,690 | |||
Less: deferred underwriters’ commissions payable | (2,800,000 | ) | ||
Less: amount of ordinary shares subject to redemption to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001 | (72,199,990 | ) | ||
$ | 5,670,010 | |||
Denominator: | ||||
Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering(1) | 1,623,529 | |||
Shares forfeited if over-allotment is not exercised | (211,764 | ) | ||
Ordinary shares included in the units offered | 8,000,000 | |||
Less: shares subject to redemption to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001 | (7,219,999 | ) | ||
2,191,766 |
(1) | Assumes that the underwriters’ over-allotment option has been exercised in full and no shares have been forfeited by our sponsor. |
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization at January 31, 2011 and as adjusted to give effect to the filing of our memorandum and articles of association, the sale of our units and the sponsor warrants and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||
January 31, 2011 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted(1) | |||||||
Deferred underwriting commissions | $ | — | $ | 2,800,000 | ||||
Notes payable to affiliate(2) | 100,000 | _________ | ||||||
Ordinary shares, subject to redemption(3) | — | 72,199,990 | ||||||
Shareholder’s equity (deficit): | ||||||||
Preferred shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized; none issued or outstanding | — | — | ||||||
Ordinary shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized; 1,623,529 shares issued and outstanding; 9,411,765 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted | ________ | ________(4) | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 25,000 | 5,675,010 | ||||||
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (5,000 | ) | (5,000 | ) | ||||
Total shareholder’s equity | 20,000 | 5,670,010 | ||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 120,000 | $ | 80,670,000 |
(1) | Includes the $3.0 million we will receive from the sale of the sponsor warrants. |
(2) | Note payable to affiliate is a promissory note issued in the amount of $100,000 in the aggregate to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor. The note is non-interest bearing and is payable on the earlier of December 31, 2011 or the consummation of this offering. |
(3) | Upon the consummation of our initial business combination, we will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest less taxes payable, subject to the limitations described herein whereby our net tangible assets will be maintained at a minimum of $5,000,001. |
(4) | Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 211,764 founder shares held by our sponsor has been forfeited, but no forfeiture of the founder earn out shares. |
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated as a British Virgin Islands business company and formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation or contractual control arrangement with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets. We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, research or other measures, directly or indirectly, with respect to identifying any acquisition target. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the sponsor warrants, our shares, debt or a combination of cash, shares and debt.
The issuance of additional shares in a business combination:
• | may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering; |
• | may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preferred shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary shares; |
• | could cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares is issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; |
• | may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights or a person seeking to obtain control of us; and |
• | may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares and/or warrants. |
Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:
• | default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations; |
• | acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; |
• | our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; |
• | our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding; |
• | our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares; |
• | using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
• | limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate; |
• | increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and |
• | limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at January 31, 2011, we had $74,310 in cash and deferred offering costs of $60,690. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of
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our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination will be successful.
Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the founder shares to our sponsor and a loan from our sponsor in the amount of $100,000. We estimate that the net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $750,000, but including deferred underwriting commissions of approximately $2.8 million (or approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), and (ii) the sale of the sponsor warrants for a purchase price of $3.0 million, will be approximately $80.65 million (or approximately $92.4 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). Approximately $80.0 million (or approximately $91.7 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be held in the trust account, which includes approximately $2.8 million (or approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions. The remaining $650,000 will not be held in the trust account. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $750,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the $650,000 not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $750,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (net of taxes payable and deferred underwriting commissions) to consummate our initial business combination. We may use interest earned on the trust account to pay taxes. To the extent that our shares or debt are used, in whole or in part, as consideration to consummate our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
Prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will have available to us the $650,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account and up to $800,000, subject to adjustment as described below, in interest income on the balance of the trust account (net taxes payable) that will be released to us to fund our working capital requirements. We will use these funds to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and consummate a business combination. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option or the size of this offering is increased, the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will proportionately increase. In addition, if the size of this offering is decreased, the maximum amount of interest income we may withdraw from the trust account will proportionately decrease. Assuming a 20% increase in the size of this offering, the per share redemption or liquidation amount could decrease by as much as approximately $0.03.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a
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portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment, other than the interest on such proceeds that may be released to us for working capital purposes. Up to $425,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the sponsor warrants. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans.
We expect our primary liquidity requirements during that period to include approximately $1.1 million for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations; $3,000 per month for up to 21 months for office space, administrative services and support payable to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, an entity controlled by our officers and directors; $160,000 for legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting requirements; $50,000 for printing; $50,000 for consulting and travel for the search for a business combination target; and approximately $27,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves.
These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses. In addition, we could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay commitment fees for financing, fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business or as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into an agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conducting due diligence with respect to, prospective target businesses.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimates of the costs of undertaking in- depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or the amount of interest available to us from the trust account is less than $800,000 as a result of the current interest rate environment, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. In the current economic environment, it has become especially difficult to obtain acquisition financing. Following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Many small and mid-sized target businesses we may consider for a business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
• | staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties; |
• | reconciliation of accounts; |
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• | proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate; |
• | evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions; |
• | documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and |
• | documentation of accounting policies and procedures. |
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent auditors to audit and render an opinion on such report when required by Section 404. The independent auditors may identify additional issues concerning a target business’s internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The net proceeds of this offering, including amounts in the trust account, will be invested in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Related Party Transactions
In January 2011, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 1,623,529 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.015 per share. Messrs. Dunning, Smith, Hassenfeld and Stein, are each members of our sponsor.
As of the date of this prospectus, our sponsor has advanced on our behalf a total of $100,000 for payment of offering expenses. This advance is non-interest bearing, unsecured and is due at the earlier of December 31, 2011 or the closing of this offering. This loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses. We are also obligated, on the date that our securities are first quoted on the OTCBB, to pay Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, an entity controlled by our officers and directors, a monthly fee of $3,000 for office space and general administrative services.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment, other than the interest that may be released to us for working capital purposes. Up to $425,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the sponsor warrants. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans.
Members of our sponsor have committed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($3.0 million in the aggregate) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each sponsor warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share. Members of our sponsor will be permitted to transfer the sponsor warrants held by them to our officers and directors, and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor, but the transferees receiving such securities will be subject to the same agreements with respect to such securities as the members of our sponsor. Otherwise, these warrants will not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferable or salable by the members of our sponsor until 30 days after the completion of our initial business
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combination. The sponsor warrants will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by members of the sponsor or their permitted transferees. The sponsor warrants may also be exercised by the members of our sponsor or their permitted transferees for cash or on a cashless basis. Otherwise, the sponsor warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants being sold as part of the units in this offering.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement we will enter into with our sponsor and holders of the sponsor warrants on or prior to the date of this prospectus, we may be required to register certain securities for sale under the Securities Act. These shareholders are entitled under the registration rights agreement to make up to three demands that we register certain of our securities held by them for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these shareholders have the right to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, upon the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (B) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property and (ii) in the case of the sponsor warrants and the respective ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of January 31, 2011, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have conducted no operations to date.
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PROPOSED BUSINESS
Introduction
We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a British Virgin Islands business company and formed for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation or contractual control arrangement with, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets. We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, research or other measures, directly or indirectly, with respect to identifying any acquisition target.
Business Strategy
We will seek to capitalize on the significant strength of our management team. Our Chief Executive Officer, President and Directors each have over 20 years of experience managing, advising, acquiring, financing and selling private and public companies in a variety of industries. We believe that our extensive contacts and sources, ranging from private and public company contacts, private equity funds, and investment bankers to attorneys, accountants and business brokers, will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities. In addition, our executive officers and the majority of our directors were officers or directors of a blank check company, China Holdings Acquisition Corp., which we refer to as CHAC, which on November 21, 2007 conducted an initial public offering raising total proceeds of $128,000,000. Subsequently, on November 20, 2009 CHAC consummated a business combination with Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics Co., Limited. The merged entity is now called China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market with the symbol “CCCL”. Our executive officers and a majority of our directors played a key role throughout the business combination transaction for CHAC including assisting in identifying numerous suitable acquisition candidates including the ultimate target, and assisting in the proxy solicitation of stockholder approval for such acquisition.
Our management team will focus on creating shareholder value by leveraging its experience, among others, in the management, operation and financing of businesses to improve the efficiency of operations and implement strategies to grow revenue (either organically or through acquisitions). Consistent with this strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
• | Middle-Market Growth Business. We will seek to acquire one or more growth businesses with an enterprise value ranging from $300 million to $500 million. We believe that our focus on businesses in this segment of the middle market will offer us a substantial number of potential business targets that we believe can benefit from improved operations and achieve and maintain significant revenue and earnings growth. Given the backgrounds and deal sourcing capabilities of our management team, we believe likely geographic locations of acquisition opportunities will be primarily in Asia, Europe and the United States, although we may pursue acquisition opportunities in other geographic regions. Also, while we may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business industry or sector, we may initially consider those industries or sectors that complement our management team, directors and sponsor investor’s backgrounds, such as media and publishing, information technology, industrial products, energy, financial services and retail and consumer products. The acquisition target could be part of a private equity portfolio, a family controlled private business or a division from a larger organization. We do not intend to acquire either a start-up company or a company with negative cash flow. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
• | Companies with Opportunity to Strengthen Management and Add Value. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that provide a platform for us to develop the acquired business’ management team and leverage the experience of our officers, directors and sponsor investors. We believe that the operating expertise of our officers and directors is well suited to complement and, if required replace the target’s management team. |
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• | Business with Revenue and Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of brand and new product development, increased production capacity, increased operating leverage, expense reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions. |
• | Companies with Potential for Strong Free Cash Flow Generation. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong, stable, and increasing free cash flow. We will focus on one or more businesses that have predictable revenue streams and definable working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We may also seek to prudently leverage this cash flow in order to enhance shareholder value. |
• | Benefit from being a public company. We intend to only acquire a company that will benefit from being publicly traded and can effectively utilize the broader access to capital and public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company. |
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials that we would file with the SEC.
Competitive Strengths
We believe our specific competitive strengths to be the following:
• | Prior Blank Check Company Experience. Our management team, including our executive officers and certain of our directors, has already been involved in a completed initial public offering and the subsequent consummation of a business combination for a prior blank check company CHAC. Our executive officers and a majority of our directors, played a key role throughout the business combination, including assisting in identifying various suitable acquisition candidates, including the ultimate target, structuring and negotiating the transaction and assisting in the proxy solicitation of stockholder approval for such acquisition. We believe our management’s and board of directors prior acquisition experience with a blank check company represents a significant competitive advantage. |
• | Extensive Public, Private Equity and Mergers and Acquisitions Contacts. Our management team has an extensive base of contacts in the public and private equity markets and in the mergers and acquisitions industry that they have developed through their collective experience. We believe that the members of our management team have strong working relationships with principals as well as intermediaries who constitute our most likely source of identifying prospective business transactions. In addition, our management team, through its present and historical membership on various boards of directors, has developed a network of business relationships with members on the board of directors of other businesses, which greatly extends our access to privately held companies. This network has been developed through our management team’s: |
• | experience in sourcing, acquiring, operating, financing and selling businesses; |
• | reputation for integrity and fair dealing with sellers, financing sources and target management teams; |
• | membership in various industry associations around the world; |
• | extensive experience as advisors of transactions; and |
• | experience in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions. |
This network has provided our management team with a steady flow of referrals that have resulted in numerous transactions. In addition, we anticipate that target business candidates will be
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brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds, accounting firms and large business enterprises.
• | Management’s Operating Experience. Our management team has significant experience in operating, growing, financing, acquiring and selling businesses across numerous business sectors including media and publishing, information technology, industrial products, energy, financial services and retail and consumer products. We believe this experience will be invaluable to us in sourcing, negotiating, structuring and consummating a business combination with a target business that, following the business combination, permits members of our management team to participate in the management of the combined business. In particular: |
• | James D. Dunning, Jr., our chairman and chief executive officer, is currently the Chairman of Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., a company with 82 newspapers, 8 broadcast TV stations and Internet products. He has significant experience in operating companies in the magazine, database information, content, interactive, technology, and hedge fund sectors and has been instrumental in negotiating and structuring mergers and acquisitions, financings, and other business combinations. |
• | Gregory E. Smith, our president and director, founded and operated Cicada Corporation, until its acquisition by Chi-X Global, Inc., at which time he assumed executive management positions with Chi-X Global, Inc. and Chi-X Global Technology, LLC. Mr. Smith also established Indepth Data Inc., which was later sold to Dow Jones Markets, where Mr. Smith also went on to hold executive management positions. Chi-X Global Inc. is a global exchange operator, Cicada Corporation is a leading provider of exchange and dealer information and trading technology in Europe and Asia and Dow Jones Telerate is a global financial information publisher and distributor. |
• | Alan G. Hassenfeld, our director, is currently chairman of the executive committee of Hasbro, Inc. and a director of salesforce.com. He has also previously served as Hasbro’s chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president. Mr. Hassenfeld is experienced in operating one of the largest toy manufacturing companies in the world and has deep connections within the business community through various profit and not for profit board positions. |
• | Elliot Stein, Jr., our director, has been a private investor and executive for more than twenty five years. He has also been a director at Apollo Investment Corporation, a registered investment company and publicly-traded financial services company since its inception. He has been a private investor for over twenty five years and has served on numerous boards of directors in the media, retail and industrial sectors. |
We also believe that this breadth of experience provides us with a competitive advantage in evaluating businesses and acquisition opportunities over managers who have little or no direct operating experience.
• | Extensive International Business Experience and Contacts. Our executive officers and the majority of our directors have managed businesses with international operations and have extensive international business contacts within China, India, Europe, Brazil and Argentina. We believe these international relationships and international business experience will be important in generating acquisition opportunities for us. Certain members of the management team have spent the last few years working with Asia based businesses and have developed an extensive network of business relationships and professional services contacts within that region. |
• | Extensive Advisory and Private Equity Investment Management Experience. Our management team also has extensive expertise in traditional private equity investing across a broad range of sectors including coal, wind, natural gas storage, oil and gas exploration, consumer products in the United States and Europe, industrial products in Spain and Italy and construction materials in China. They have also taken a number of private companies public through the initial public offering process. |
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Our management team has a broad range of experience leading public and private companies as well as acquiring businesses from a wide variety of sellers in different transaction structures, including, the acquisition of divisions from larger companies (acquisition of Ziff-Davis Publishing Inc. from Ziff Davis Inc., and Softbank); the acquisition of family-owned businesses (purchase of Petersen Publishing from its founder, Robert E. Petersen) and the roll-up of certain industries (buy-out of Yellow Book and subsequent acquisitions). The Peterson Companies was a multi-platform marketing solutions company which became one of the largest publishers in the United States and Yellow Book, at the time, was a leading a source for finding local businesses and advertising.
• | Status as a public company. We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination. In this situation, the owners of the target business would exchange their shares of stock in the target business for shares of our stock or for a combination of shares of our stock and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. Although there are various costs and obligations associated with being a public company, we believe target businesses will find this method a more certain and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. In a typical initial public offering, there are additional expenses incurred in marketing, road show and public reporting efforts that may not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us. |
Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is consummated, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions that could prevent the offering from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests. It can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.
• | Financial position. With funds available for a business combination initially in the amount of approximately $77.2 million after payment of approximately $2.8 million of deferred underwriting fees (or $89.43 million after payment of approximately $3.22 million of deferred underwriting fees if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), we offer a target business a variety of options such as creating a liquidity event for its owners, providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to consummate a business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us. |
Effecting our initial business combination
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the sponsor warrants, our shares, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to consummate our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
If our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of purchases of our ordinary shares, we may apply the cash released to us from the trust account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes, including for
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maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, research or other measures, with respect to identifying any acquisition target. From the period prior to our formation through the date of this prospectus, there have been no communications or discussions between any of our officers, directors or our sponsor and any of their potential contacts or relationships regarding a potential initial business combination. Additionally, we have not engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, to conduct any research or take any measures, directly or indirectly, to locate or contact a target business.
Because, unlike many blank check companies, we do not have the limitation that a target business have a minimum fair market enterprise value of the net assets held in the trust account at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. Although our management will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business with which we may combine, we cannot assure you that this assessment will result in our identifying all risks that a target business may encounter. Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of our control, meaning that we can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.
We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, and we may effectuate an initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would consummate such financing only simultaneously with the consummation of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law, we would seek shareholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.
Sources of target businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the track record and business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. In no event, however, will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any entity with which
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they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). None of our sponsor, officers, directors and any of their respective affiliates will be allowed to receive any compensation, finder’s fees or consulting fees from a prospective acquisition target in connection with a contemplated acquisition of such target by us. Although some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the acquired business following our initial business combination, the presence or absence of any such arrangements will not be used as a criteria in our selection process of an acquisition candidate.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA that such an initial business combination is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. Generally, such opinion is rendered to a company’s board of directors and investment banking firms may take the view that shareholders may not rely on the opinion. Such view will not impact our decision on which investment banking firm to hire.
Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination
Because, unlike many blank check companies, we do not have the limitation that a target business have a minimum fair market enterprise value equal to a specified percentage of the net assets held in the trust account at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. In any case, we will only consummate an initial business combination in which we become the controlling shareholder of the target or are otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To the extent we effect a business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which will be made available to us.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination. We will not pay any finders or consulting fees to members of our management team, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to or in connection with a business combination.
Lack of business diversification
For an indefinite period of time after consummation of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
• | subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and |
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• | cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services. |
Limited ability to evaluate the target’s management team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. Although we intend for members of our management team to participate in the management of the target business, the future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. Consequently, there is no assurance that members of our management team will become a part of the target’s management team, or that the future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Further, it is also not certain whether one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following a business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholders may not have the ability to approve a business combination
We intend to conduct redemptions without a shareholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC. Therefore we do not intend to seek shareholder approval before we effect our initial business combination as not all business combinations require shareholder approval under applicable state law.
However, we will seek shareholder approval, if it is required by law, or we may decide to seek shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons. Presented in the table below is a graphic explanation of the types of initial business combinations we may consider and whether shareholder approval would be required under the Companies Act for each such transaction.
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Type of Transaction | Whether Shareholder Approval is Required | |||
Purchase of assets | No | |||
Purchase of stock of target not involving a merger with the company | No | |||
Merger of target with a subsidiary of the company | No | |||
Merger of the company with a target | Yes |
Permitted purchases of our securities
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, prior to the consummation of a business combination, our memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering (1,200,000 shares, or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at any time commencing after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial business combination and ending on the date of the shareholder meeting to approve the initial business combination. Purchases will be made only in open market transactions at times when we are not in possession of any material non-public information and may not be made during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act. It is intended that purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases. If the conditions of Rule 10b-18, as in effect at the time we wish to make such purchases, are not satisfied, it is likely that we will not make such purchases. Any purchases we make will be at prices (inclusive of commissions) not to exceed the per-share amount then held in the trust account (approximately $10.00 per share or approximately
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$9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). We can purchase any or all of the 1,200,000 shares (or 1,380,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) we are entitled to purchase. It will be entirely in our discretion as to how many shares are purchased. Purchasing decisions will be made based on various factors, including the then current market price of our ordinary shares and the terms of the proposed business combination. All shares purchased by us will be immediately cancelled. Such open market purchases, if any, would be conducted by us to minimize any disparity between the then current market price of our ordinary shares and the per-share amount held in the trust account. A market price below the per-share trust amount could provide an incentive for purchasers to buy our shares after the filing of our preliminary proxy statement at a discount to the per-share amount held in the trust account for the sole purpose of voting against our initial business combination and exercising redemption rights for the full per-share amount held in the trust account. Such trading activity could enable such investors to block a business combination by making it difficult for us to obtain the approval of such business combination by the vote of a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares that are voted.
In addition, in the event we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, we may enter into privately negotiated transactions to purchase public shares following the consummation of the business combination from shareholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules for a per-share pro rata portion of the trust account. Our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may also purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Neither we nor our directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will make any such purchases when we or they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that we or our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares.
The purpose of such purchases would be to (i) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (ii) where the purchases are made by our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates, to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of a business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
As a consequence of any such purchases by us:
• | the funds in our trust account that are so used will not be available to us after the business combination; |
• | the public “float” of our ordinary shares may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange; |
• | because the shareholders who sell their shares in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to market transactions as described above may receive a per share purchase price payable from the trust account that is not reduced by a pro rata share of the deferred underwriting commissions or taxes payable, our remaining shareholders may bear the entire payment of such deferred commissions and taxes payable (as well as, in the case of purchases which occur prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, up to $100,000 of net interest that may be released to us from the trust account to fund our dissolution expenses in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering). That is, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the redemption price per share payable to public shareholders who elect to have their shares redeemed will be reduced by a larger percentage of the taxes payable than it would have been in the |
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absence of such privately negotiated or market transactions, and shareholders who do not elect to have their shares redeemed and remain our shareholders after the business combination will bear the economic burden of the deferred commissions and taxes payable because such amounts will be payable by us; and |
• | the payment of any premium would result in a reduction in book value per share for the remaining shareholders compared to the value received by shareholders that have their shares purchased by us at a premium. |
Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates anticipate that they will identify the shareholders with whom our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may pursue privately negotiated purchases by either the shareholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests submitted by shareholders following our mailing of tender offer materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling shareholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against the business combination. Pursuant to the terms of such arrangements, any shares so purchased by our sponsor, officers, advisors, directors and/or their affiliates would then revoke their election to redeem such shares. The terms of such purchases would operate to facilitate our ability to consummate a proposed business combination by potentially reducing the number of shares redeemed for cash.
Redemption rights for public shareholders upon consummation of our initial business combination
We will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per public share, or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and any public shares it may hold in connection with the consummation of a business combination.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
Unlike many blank check companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon consummation of such initial business combinations even if not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association:
• | conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and |
• | file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and we will not be permitted to consummate our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. |
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem shall remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act.
When we conduct a tender offer to redeem our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in order to comply with the tender offer rules, the offer will be made to all of our shareholders, not just our public shareholders. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with any such tender offer.
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If, however, shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will:
• | conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
• | file proxy materials with the SEC. |
In the event that we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above upon consummation of the initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. In such case, our sponsor has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination.
Many blank check companies would not be able to consummate a business combination if the holders of the company’s public shares voted against a proposed business combination and elected to redeem or convert more than a specified maximum percentage of the shares sold in such company’s initial public offering, which percentage threshold has typically been between 19.99% and 39.99%. As a result, many blank check companies have been unable to complete business combinations because the amount of shares voted by their public shareholders electing conversion exceeded the maximum conversion threshold pursuant to which such company could proceed with a business combination. Since we have no such specified maximum redemption threshold, our structure is different in this respect from the structure that has been used by many blank check companies. However, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
Limitation on redemption rights upon consummation of a business combination and voting rights if we seek shareholder approval
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our memorandum and articles of association provides that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 10% of the shares sold in this offering. Moreover, any individual shareholder or “group” will also be restricted from voting public shares in excess of an aggregate of 10% of the public shares sold in this offering, and all additional such shares in excess of 10%, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares”, which would then be voted by our management in favor of all proposals submitted for consideration at such meeting and will not be redeemed for cash. We believe these restrictions will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights or vote against a proposed business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 10% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights or voting rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem or vote no more than 10% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to consummate a business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash.
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Tendering share certificates in connection with a tender offer or redemption rights
We may require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents or proxy materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option. The tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public shareholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two days prior to the vote on the business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. Given the relatively short exercise period, it is advisable for shareholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $35.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.
The foregoing is different from the procedures used by many blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the shareholders’ vote on an initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise his redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for him to deliver his certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the shareholder then had an “option window” after the consummation of the business combination during which he could monitor the price of the company’s stock in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he could sell his shares in the open market before actually delivering his shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which shareholders were aware they needed to commit before the shareholder meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the consummation of the business combination until the redeeming holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the meeting ensures that a redeeming holder’s election to redeem is irrevocable once the business combination is approved.
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date set forth in the tender offer materials or the date of the shareholder meeting set forth in our proxy materials, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of a business combination.
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.
If our initial proposed business combination is not consummated, we may continue to try to consummate a business combination with a different target until 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering.
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Redemption of public shares and liquidation if no initial business combination
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we must complete our initial business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to our initial business combination is executed before the applicable period ends. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate a business combination within such time period. If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months if extended, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the Companies Act.
The redemption will trigger automatic distribution procedures and any subsequent necessary action by us in the discretion of our directors, resulting in our voluntary liquidation and subsequent dissolution. Our liquidator, if applicable, would give notice to creditors inviting them to submit their claims for payment, by notifying known creditors (if any) who have not submitted claims and by placing a public advertisement in the British Virgin Islands Official Gazette and a BVI newspaper, and taking any other steps he considers appropriate to identify the company’s creditors, after which our assets would be distributed. As soon as the affairs of the company are fully wound-up, the liquidator must complete his final report and accounts and make a notificational filing with the Registrar. We will be dissolved once the Registrar issues a Certificate of Dissolution.
We will instruct the trustee to distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within the applicable period from the closing of this offering. However, if our sponsor, or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within the required time period. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless in the event we do not consummate a business combination within the 21month (or 24 month, if extended) time period. We will pay the costs of our liquidation of the trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account or from interest not previously withdrawn from the trust account. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover these costs and expenses, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses. In addition, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed to indemnify us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, for all claims of creditors to the extent that we fail to obtain executed waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we cannot assure you that the liquidator will not determine that he or she requires additional time to evaluate creditors’ claims (particularly if there is uncertainty over the validity or extent of the claims of any creditors). We also cannot assure you that a creditor or shareholder will not file a petition with the BVI court which, if successful, may result in our liquidation being subject to the supervision of that court. Such events might delay distribution of some or all of our assets to our public shareholders.
Additionally, in any liquidation proceedings of the company under British Virgin Islands law, the funds held in our trust account may be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any such claims deplete the trust account we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts payable to them.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.00 (or approximately $9.97 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher
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priority than the claims of our public shareholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by shareholders will not be less than approximately $10.00, plus interest (net of any taxes payable).
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust account, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed that they will be liable to us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share (or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. We cannot assure you, however, that Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per public share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and any member of our sponsor asserts that he is unable to satisfy any applicable obligations or that he has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, Elliot Stein, Jr., our disinterested independent director would determine whether to take legal action against such member of our sponsor to enforce his indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our disinterested independent director would take legal action on our behalf against such member of our sponsor to enforce his indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent director in exercising his business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.00 per public share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).
We will seek to reduce the possibility that Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to $650,000 from the proceeds of this offering, and the up to $800,000, subject to adjustment in the event the size of the offering changes as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of any portion of the over-allotment
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option or if we otherwise decide to change the size of this offering, in interest income on the balance of the trust account (net of taxes payable) with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, shareholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $750,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the $650,000 not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $750,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the trust account is remote. Further, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per public share (or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) less any per-share amounts distributed from our trust account to our public shareholders in the event we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
If the Company is deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act (i.e. (i) it fails to comply with the requirements of a statutory demand that has not been set aside under section 157 of the Insolvency Act; (ii) execution or other process issued on a judgment, decree or order of a British Virgin Islands court in favour of a creditor of the company is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied; or (iii) either the value of the company’s liabilities exceeds its assets, or the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due), then there are very limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the British Virgin Islands Insolvency Act, 2003 (the “Insolvency Act”). A voidable transaction would be, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue”. Where a payment was a risk of being a voidable transaction, a liquidator appointed over an insolvent company could apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order, inter alia, for the transaction to be set aside as a voidable transaction in whole or in part.
Additionally, if the company enters insolvent liquidation under the Insolvency Act, the funds held in our trust account will likely be included in our estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any insolvency claims deplete the trust account we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders the liquidation amounts due them.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of a redemption to public shareholders prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate a business combination or our liquidation or if they redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate. In no other circumstances shall a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above.
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Comparison of redemption or purchase prices in connection with our initial business combination and if we fail to consummate a business combination.
The following table compares the redemptions and other permitted purchases of public shares that may take place in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination and if we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering.
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Redemptions in Connection with our Initial Business Combination | Other Permitted Purchases of Public Shares by us or our Affiliates | Redemptions if we fail to Consummate an Initial Business Combination | ||||
Calculation of redemption price | Redemptions at the time of our initial business combination may be made pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. The redemption price will be the same whether we conduct redemptions pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. In either case, our public shareholders may redeem their public shares for cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per public share, or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), including interest less taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitation that no redemptions will take place if all of the redemptions would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, prior to the consummation of a business combination, there can be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering. Such purchases would be at prices not to exceed the per-share amount then held in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per share or approximately $9.97 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). In addition, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we may enter into privately negotiated transactions to purchase public shares from shareholders following consummation of the initial business combination with proceeds released to us from the trust account immediately following consummation of the initial business combination. There is no limit to the prices that we or our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may pay in these transactions. | If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, we will redeem all public shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount, then on deposit in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per public share, or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), including interest less taxes payable and less up to $100,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. |
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Redemptions in Connection with our Initial Business Combination | Other Permitted Purchases of Public Shares by us or our Affiliates | Redemptions if we fail to Consummate an Initial Business Combination | ||||
Impact to remaining shareholders | The redemptions in connection with our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for our remaining shareholders, who will bear the burden of the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable. | If the permitted purchases described above are made at prices not exceeding the per-share amount then held in the trust account, these purchases will reduce the book value per share for our remaining shareholders following a business combination, who will bear the burden of the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable. If we make these purchases using funds released to us from the trust account following consummation of a business combination at prices that are at a premium to the per-share amount then held in the trust account, our remaining shareholders will also experience a reduction in book value per share to the extent of such premiums. | The redemption of our public shares if we fail to consummate a business combination will reduce the book value per share for the shares held by our sponsor, who will be our only remaining shareholders after such redemptions. |
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Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of an offering by a blank check company subject to the provisions of Rule 419. This comparison assumes that the gross proceeds, underwriting commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Escrow of offering proceeds | Approximately $80.0 million of the net offering proceeds, which includes the $3.0 million net proceeds from the sale of the sponsor warrants and approximately $2.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions (approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over- allotment option is exercised in full), will be deposited into a trust account with [Trust Company] acting as trustee. | Approximately $68.04 million of the offering proceeds, representing the gross proceeds of this offering, would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker- dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account. | ||
Investment of net proceeds | Approximately $80.0 million of the net offering proceeds, which includes the $3.0 million net proceeds from the sale of the sponsor warrants and approximately $2.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions (approximately $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over- allotment option is exercised in full) held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. | Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States. | ||
Receipt of interest on escrowed funds | Interest on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to shareholders is reduced by (i) any taxes paid or payable and then (ii) up to $0.8 million, subject to adjustment as described herein, that can be used for working capital purposes, and (iii) in the event of our liquidation for failure to consummate our initial business combination within the allotted time, up to $100,000 of net interest that may be released to us should we have no or insufficient working capital to fund the costs and expenses of our dissolution and liquidation. | Interest on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our consummation of a business combination. |
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business | We are not required to set a minimum valuation on either the fair market value or net assets of a target business. | The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. | ||
Trading of securities issued | The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. | No trading of the units or the underlying ordinary shares and warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. | ||
Exercise of the warrants | The warrants cannot be exercised until the later of 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination or 12 months from the closing of this offering. | The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account. |
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Election to remain an investor | We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest less taxes payable, upon the consummation of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. We may not be required by law to hold a shareholder vote. If we are not required by law and do not otherwise decide to hold a shareholder vote, we will, pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, we hold a shareholder vote, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. | A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of a post-effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued. | ||
Business combination deadline | If we are unable to complete a business combination by _____, 2012, 21 months from the closing of this offering, or ____, 2013 (if extended), we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up. | If an acquisition has not been consummated within 18 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. |
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Release of funds | Except for up to $0.8 million, subject to adjustment in the event the size of the offering changes as a result of the underwriters’ exercise of any portion of the over-allotment option or if we otherwise decide to change the size of this offering, of the interest income earned on the trust account balance (net of taxes payable) released to us to pay any taxes on such interest and to fund our working capital requirements, and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of our public shares if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination as will be permitted under our memorandum and articles of association and the Investment Trust Management Agreement with [Trust Company], none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a business combination within 21 months (24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, (ii) a redemption to public shareholders prior to any voluntary winding-up in the event we do not consummate a business combination within such 21 month period, or (iii) pursuant to any liquidation. | The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. |
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Comparison of This Offering to Those of Many Blank Check Companies Not Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of many blank check companies that are not subject to Rule 419. Each term of this offering described in the table below is located in our memorandum and articles of association other than “— Warrant terms” which is located in the warrant agreement.
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms of Many Blank Check Offerings | Impact on Whether a Particular Business Combination is Completed | ||||
Requirement to conduct a tender offer or hold a shareholder vote | We will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination on the terms described in this prospectus. We intend to conduct these redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules without filing a proxy statement with the SEC and without conducting a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination, unless shareholder approval is required by law or we decide to seek shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons. | Many blank check companies are required to file a proxy statement with the SEC and hold a shareholder vote to approve their initial business combination regardless of whether such a vote is required by law. These blank check companies may not consummate a business combination if the majority of the company’s public shares voted are voted against a proposed business combination. | Our ability to consummate our initial business combination without conducting a shareholder vote in the event that a shareholder vote is not required by law may increase the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination and decrease the ability of public shareholders to affect whether or not a particular business combination is completed. | |||
Required shareholder vote if we hold a shareholder vote | If we seek shareholder approval in conjunction with the consummation of our initial business combination, a majority of all shares voted that are entitled to vote are required to approve the business combination. | Many blank check companies require that majority of the public shares that are voted and entitled to vote approve the business combination. | Our ability to consummate a business combination by allowing all of our shareholders to vote in connection with our business combination will increase the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination. | |||
Requirement to vote against a business combination in order to redeem | If we seek shareholder approval in conjunction with the consummation of our initial business combination, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. | Many blank check companies require public shareholders to vote against the proposed business combination in order to redeem their shares. | The ability of our public shareholders to vote in favor of a business combination and redeem their shares may increase the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination and decrease the ability of public shareholders to affect whether or not a particular business combination is completed. |
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms of Many Blank Check Offerings | Impact on Whether a Particular Business Combination is Completed | ||||
Redemption threshold | We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold apart from the limitation that we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination. | Many blank check companies are not permitted to consummate a business combination if more than a specified percentage of the shares sold in such company’s initial public offering, which percentage threshold has typically been between 19.99% and 39.99%, elect to redeem or convert their shares in connection with the shareholder vote. | The absence of a redemption threshold in our offering will make it easier for us to consummate our initial business combination even if a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree. | |||
Accelerated deadline to complete business combination | We will only have 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) to complete our initial business combination. | Many blank check companies have between 24 and 36 months to complete their initial business combinations. | The 21 month deadline for us to complete our initial business combination may decrease the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination compared to many blank check companies but should not impact the ability of our public shareholders to affect whether or not a particular business combination is completed. | |||
Permitted purchases of shares by us prior to the consummation of our initial business combination using amounts held in the trust account | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, prior to the consummation of a business combination, there could be released to us from the trust account amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in this offering at any time commencing after the filing of a preliminary proxy statement for our initial business combination and ending on the date of the shareholder meeting to approve the initial business combination. | Many blank check companies are prohibited from utilizing funds from the trust account to purchase shares from public shareholders prior to the consummation of their initial business combination. | Our ability to purchase shares prior to the consummation of our initial business combination using amounts held in the trust account may increase the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination and decrease the ability of public shareholders to affect whether or not a particular business combination is completed. |
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Terms of Our Offering | Terms of Many Blank Check Offerings | Impact on Whether a Particular Business Combination is Completed | ||||
Minimum fair market value of target | We may enter into our initial business combination with a target regardless of its fair market value so long as we acquire a controlling interest in the target. | Many blank check companies are required to consummate their initial business combination with a target whose fair market value is equal to at least 80% of the amount of money held in the trust account of the blank check company at the time of entry into a definitive agreement for a business combination. | The absence of a minimum fair market value requirement in our offering may increase the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination but should not impact the ability of our public shareholders to affect whether or not a particular business combination is completed. | |||
Warrant terms | The warrants issued in this offering (i) have an exercise price that is above the initial public offering price of our units and that is subject to reduction in the event that we pay extraordinary dividends, (ii) do not expire until five years from the closing of our initial business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation, (iii) require the consent of holders of 65% of the public warrants to amend their terms and (iv) may be exercised on a cashless basis if a registration statement covering shares underlying the warrants is not effective within 60 days following our initial business combination (subject to compliance with state blue sky laws). | The warrants issued in many blank check offerings (i) have an exercise price that is lower than the initial public offering price of their units and that is not subject to reduction in the event that they pay extraordinary dividends, (ii) expire five years from the closing of the company’s initial public offering or earlier upon redemption or liquidation, (iii) only require the consent of holders of a majority of the such warrants to amend their terms and (iv) are not exercisable unless a registration statement covering shares underlying the warrants is effective within 60 days following the initial business combination (subject to compliance with state blue sky laws). | The differences in the terms of the warrants issued in our offering may increase the likelihood that we will be able to complete our initial business combination to the extent that potential targets view the fact that the exercise price is above the initial public offering price of our units favorably but should not impact the ability of our public shareholders to affect whether or not a particular business combination is completed. |
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for a business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for an initial business combination and our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
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Facilities
We currently maintain our executive offices at 641 Lexington Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York, 10022. The cost for this space is included in the $3,000 per month fee described above that Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, charges us for general and administrative services. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the New York area that the fee charged by our sponsor is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We currently have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
We will register our units, ordinary shares and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with GAAP. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with GAAP. To the extent that this requirement cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential acquisition candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
We will be required to have our internal control procedures audited for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such, and we and the members of our management team have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 12 months preceding the date of this prospectus.
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MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors, executive officers and director nominees are as follows:
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Name | Age | Position | ||
James D. Dunning, Jr. | 63 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Gregory E. Smith | 55 | President and Director | ||
Alan G. Hassenfeld | 61 | Director | ||
Elliot Stein, Jr. | 62 | Director |
James D. Dunning, Jr., has been our chairman of the board and chief executive officer since inception, and is the Managing Partner of Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC. Mr. Dunning is the Chairman of Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., a diversified media company with 82 newspapers, including the Orange County Register, 8 broadcast TV stations and internet products. In 2010 Mr. Dunning became a Senior Advisor and Principal at Arc China Holdings, Ltd. a Shanghai, China based private equity and merchant bank. Since 1992 Mr. Dunning has served as Chairman/CEO of the Dunning Group, Inc., a private company specializing in media, energy and other leveraged investments. From 2007 to 2009, he was President and Director of China Holdings Acquisition Corp. (“CHAC”), a SPAC. In November 2009 CHAC merged with Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics, Co., Limited, a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding, interior flooring, and design in residential and commercial buildings in China. The merged entity is now called China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market with the symbol CCCL. From 2006 – 2008, Mr. Dunning was the Chairman of Doubledown Media, LLC, a multimedia platform and database company targeting high net worth individuals. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Dunning was a partner at Michaelson & Co., a hedge fund. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Dunning was Chairman, President and CEO of Ziff Davis Media, Inc., a leading technology and Internet magazine publisher in the United States. Mr. Dunning led the management team that acquired Ziff-Davis Publishing Inc. from Ziff Davis Inc., and Softbank in 1999. Also, in 1999 Mr. Dunning led the purchase of USA Pubs, Inc., a magazine subscription database and business acquisition company, and until 2001 he served as the Chairman and CEO of USA Pubs, Inc. From 1999 to 2000 Mr. Dunning was the Chairman and CEO of EMAP Petersen. From 1996 until it was acquired in December 1999, Mr. Dunning served as Chairman, President and CEO of The Petersen Companies, Inc. He led the management team that purchased Petersen Publishing in September 1996 from its founder, Robert E. Petersen. During Mr. Dunning’s tenure at Petersen it developed from a publisher of special interest magazines into a complete marketing solutions company and one of the largest publishers of special-interest magazines in the U.S. In 1992, Mr. Dunning led the group that purchased Transwestern Publishing Company (a division of US West, Inc.) a yellow pages and database company. From 1992 to 1997 Mr. Dunning served as Chairman and CEO of Transwestern Publishing Company. While at Transwestern Publishing Company, Mr. Dunning led the buyout of SRDS, a media database and directory business and served as the Chairman of the Board from 1994 to 1995. In 1986 he led a buyout of Yellow Book, which went public in 1987 as Multi-Local Media Information Group (Yellow Book), a public yellow pages and directory company and served as Chairman, President and CEO until 1992. From 1985 to 1986, Mr. Dunning served as Executive Vice President of Ziff Davis Communications, Inc. Prior to establishing his buyout businesses, Mr. Dunning was an investment banker from 1982 to 1985 at Thomson McKinnon Securities, Inc., one of the leading investment banking firms during that time. He served as Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Finance and was in charge of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice, corporate finance, venture capital and leveraged leasing groups. Mr. Dunning is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and is currently an Overseer of Athletics at the University. He is also a former member of the Board of Trustees of Deerfield Academy. He is a Director of TeenAIDS Peer Corps. He graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1970 with a B.S. in Economics.
Gregory E. Smith has been our President and a member of our board of directors since inception, and is a Partner at Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC. In October 2010 Mr. Smith became a Principal at Arc China Holdings, Ltd. a Shanghai, China based private equity and merchant bank. Mr. Smith served until October 2010 as Vice Chairman of Chi-X Global Inc. and President and CEO of Chi-X Global Technology LLC which were wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries of Instinet Holdings Inc. itself a wholly owned
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subsidiary of Nomura Holdings. Mr. Smith assumed the positions at Chi-X following the acquisition of Cicada Corporation by Chi-X Global Inc. in November 2008. Chi-X operated MTFs, PTS and other types of alternative securities exchanges in Canada, Japan, Singapore and Australia along with developing and operating the associated technology. Prior to the acquisition of Cicada, Mr. Smith, was the President and CEO of Cicada, which he founded in 1998. Cicada provided data management technology and compliance solutions to financial institutions, exchanges and data vendors. Cicada operates its principal software development operations in Hong Kong and Shenzen, China. From November 2007 until November 2009, Mr. Smith was a director and Chairman of the Audit Committee for CHAC, a SPAC. In November 2009 CHAC merged with Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics, Co., Limited, a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding, interior flooring, and design in residential and commercial buildings in China. The merged entity is now called China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market with the symbol CCCL. Prior to founding Cicada, Mr. Smith served as Senior Vice President for Content at Dow Jones Markets (Telerate) from 1997 until Dow Jones Markets was sold to Bridge Information Systems, Inc. As Senior Vice President for Content, Mr. Smith was responsible for all content created, licensed, contributed to, or otherwise distributed by Dow Jones Markets. Mr. Smith was a member of the Executive Committee of Dow Jones Markets. Before joining Dow Jones, Mr. Smith was President of Indepth Data Inc., from its founding in 1985 until June 1997, when Indepth was sold to Dow Jones & Company. Indepth Data, founded by Mr. Smith, produced and distributed comprehensive coverage of the taxable fixed income markets in the United States and the government and Eurobond markets in Europe. Prior to establishing Indepth Data in 1985, Mr. Smith was an investment banker at Thomson McKinnon, where he was a Vice President covering the financial services sector and technology. Prior to joining Thomson McKinnon in 1983, Mr. Smith was an investment banking associate with E. F. Hutton. Prior to joining E.F. Hutton in 1981 Mr. Smith was in the doctoral program of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Smith is a 1978 graduate of Brown University where he received honors in Economics.
Alan G. Hassenfeld has been a member of our board of directors since inception, and is a Partner at Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC. Since June 2007, Mr. Hassenfeld has been the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Hasbro, Inc. From November 2007 until November 2009, Mr. Hassenfeld was a director of CHAC, a SPAC In November 2009 CHAC merged with Jinjiang Hengda Ceramics, Co., Limited, a leading manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding, interior flooring, and design in residential and commercial buildings in China. The merged entity is now called China Ceramics Co., Ltd. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market with the symbol CCCL. Mr. Hassenfeld served as Chairman of the Board of Hasbro, Inc., one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world from 1989 until May 2007. The substantial majority of Hasbro’s products are manufactured in China. Mr. Hassenfeld also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hasbro until May 2003. In 1984 he was named President of Hasbro. Mr. Hassenfeld is also a director of salesforce.com, a provider of on-demand customer relationship management services, Cue Ball Group LLC and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. He serves on the Board of Overseers of the Harvard School of Public Health, as a member of the Executive Committee of the Dean’s Council at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and as Trustee Emeritus at Brown University. He has served on the Board of Trustees at Bryant University and the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hassenfeld serves as Chairman of the World Scholar Athlete Games, the World Youth Peace Summit, and The Jerusalem Foundation; Co-Chairman of the governing body of the International Council of Toy Industries CARE Process; Chief Advisor of the Chinese Toy Association; and as director of Refugees International. He has received honorary degrees from Bryant University, Roger Williams University, Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island College and Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland), Salve Regina University, FIT — SUNY, and Hartford University. He was inducted into the Toy Manufacturers Association’s Hall of Fame in 1994 and most recently he was inducted into the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) Licensing Hall of Fame. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. Mr. Hassenfeld is a former chair of the College House Advisory Board at the University of Pennsylvania and a former member of the Board of Overseers of the School of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Hassenfeld established the Hassenfeld Undergraduate Education Fund for Urban Studies and created the Hassenfeld Humanities Term Professorship, both in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Elliot Stein, Jr. has been a member of our board of directors since inception, and is a Partner at Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC. Mr. Stein has been a private investor for more than twenty five years. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Apollo Investment Corporation, a registered investment company and publicly-traded financial services company, since its inception and he has been the Chairman of Caribbean International News Corporation, a Puerto Rico based newspaper publishing company, since 1985. Mr Stein is also an investor and member of the Board of Directors of several privately owned companies including Multi-Pack, LLC, a manufacturer of packaging equipment and Cohere Communications LLC, a company which provides enterprise focused telephone and data services. He was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of a number of private companies including PlayPower Inc., a manufacturer of playground equipment, VTG Holdings, Inc., a manufacturer of cable and other wire products, The Bargain! Shop Holdings Inc. and Cloud Solutions LLC, a manufacturer of packaging equipment. Mr. Stein was also a founding partner of the general partnerships which managed Television Station Partners, the owner of four mid-market network affiliated television stations and Commonwealth Capital Partners, a small investment fund which owned several service companies. Mr. Stein is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Claremont Graduate University and the New School University. He was formerly a member of the Board of Councilors of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher. Mr. Stein began his career at Lehman Brothers where he worked both on the trading desks and in corporate finance. He graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 1971.
Officer and Director Qualifications
We have not established a nominating committee and have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by each of our officers or directors or specific qualities or skills that are necessary for one or more of our officers or members of the board of directors to possess. However, we generally evaluate the following qualities: educational background, diversity of professional experience, including whether the person is a current or was a former CEO or CFO of a public company or the head of a division of a prominent international organization, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders.
Our officers and board of directors are composed of a diverse group of leaders in their respective fields. Many of the current officers or directors have senior leadership experience at domestic and international companies. In these positions, they have also gained experience in core management skills, such as strategic and financial planning, public company financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and leadership development. All of our officers and directors also have experience serving on boards of directors and/or board committees of other public companies and private companies, and have an understanding of corporate governance practices and trends, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges, and strategies. Further, our officers and directors also have other experience that makes them valuable, such as prior experience with blank check companies, managing and investing assets or facilitating the consummation of business combinations.
We, along with our officers and directors, believe that the above-mentioned attributes, along with the leadership skills and other experiences of our officers and board members described below, provide us with a diverse range of perspectives and judgment necessary to facilitate our goals of consummating a business combination.
James D. Dunning, Jr.:
We believe Mr. Dunning is well-qualified to serve as our chairman of the board due to his extensive public company experience, business leadership, operational experience, and experience in a prior blank check offering, CHAC. We believe Mr. Dunning’s access to extensive contacts and sources, ranging from private and public company contacts, private equity funds and investment bankers will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities and identify suitable acquisition candidates. We believe Mr. Dunning’s strategic experience and background in negotiating, structuring and consummating numerous business combinations over a 30+ year career, including the business combination of CHAC, will further our purposes of consummating a business transaction.
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Gregory E. Smith:
Mr. Smith is well-qualified to serve as our director due to his prior experience as a director of CHAC, a blank check company, and his extensive international experience in starting, managing, growing and selling businesses. We believe that this international operating background will assist us in our transaction structuring and due diligence effort. He has developed international contacts and sources, ranging from private and public contacts, investment bankers, and accounting firms which, we believe, will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities.
Alan G. Hassenfeld:
Mr. Hassenfeld is well-qualified to serve as our director due to his global operating experience as the Chairman and CEO of one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world, deep connections within the business community through various profit and not for profit board positions, and experience in a prior blank check offering, CHAC. We believe Mr. Hassenfeld’s access to extensive contacts and sources, ranging from private and public company contacts, private equity funds, membership in various industry associations throughout the world and investment bankers will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities and identify suitable acquisition candidates. We believe Mr. Hassenfeld’s strategic operating experience and background in negotiating, structuring and consummating the business combinations will further our purpose of consummating a business combination.
Elliot Stein, Jr.:
We believe Mr. Stein is well-qualified to serve as our director due to his 25+ years as a private investor and member of various boards within the media, manufacturing, retail and finance sectors. We believe Mr. Stein’s access to extensive contacts and sources, ranging from private and public company contacts, private equity funds and investment bankers will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities and identify suitable acquisition candidates.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of shareholders) serving a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of , will expire at our first annual meeting of shareholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of , will expire at the second annual meeting of shareholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of , will expire at the third annual meeting of shareholders. We do not currently intend to hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate our initial business combination. Therefore, if our shareholders want us to hold a meeting prior to such consummation, they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of members entitled to exercise at least 30 percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above 30 percent.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our articles of association as it deems appropriate. Our articles of association provide that our officers may consist of a chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Collectively, through their positions described above, our officers and directors have extensive experience in operating, growing, financing, acquiring and selling businesses across numerous business sectors including media and publishing, information technology, industrial products, energy, financial services and retail and consumer products. These individuals will play a key role in identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target businesses, and structuring, negotiating and consummating their acquisition.
Director Independence
Although we are not required to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors, we have elected to have a majority of independent directors. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a
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relationship, which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Hassenfeld and Stein, members of our board of directors, will be independent directors as such term is defined under the rules of the NYSE Amex and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act upon consummation of this offering. Although our company will not be listed on the NYSE Amex upon consummation of this offering, we have voluntarily applied the definition of director independence used by the NYSE Amex Company Guide in making the determinations with respect to Messrs. Hassenfeld and Stein. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Executive Officer and Director Compensation
None of our executive officers or directors received any cash compensation for services rendered. Commencing on the date that our securities are first quoted on the OTCBB through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will pay Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, an entity controlled by our officers and directors, a total of $3,000 per month for office space and administrative services, including secretarial support. This arrangement is being agreed to by our sponsor for our benefit and is not intended to provide our sponsor compensation in lieu of a salary. We believe that such fees are at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party for such services. Other than this $3,000 per month fee, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination. However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our independent directors will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us, may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with a proposed business combination. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our executive officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after the initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of an initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Board Committees
Our board of directors intends to establish an audit committee and a compensation committee upon consummation of a business combination. At that time our board of directors intends to adopt charters for these committees. Prior to such time we do not intend to establish either committee. Accordingly, there will not be a separate committee comprised of some members of our board of directors with specialized accounting and financial knowledge to meet, analyze and discuss solely financial matters concerning prospective target businesses. We do not believe a compensation committee is necessary prior to a business combination as there will be no salary, fees or other compensation being paid to our officers or directors prior to a business combination other than as disclosed in this prospectus.
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Code of Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws.
Conflicts of Interest
Under British Virgin Islands law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to the company’s best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a responsible director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation the nature of the company; the nature of the decision; and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors shall exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act.
In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the British Virgin Islands Court may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the Companies Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.
Subject to those fiduciary duties or contractual obligations, each of our officers and directors (other than our independent directors) has agreed that until the earliest of our initial business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to us for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity with an enterprise value of $100 million or more.
Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us or, in the case of a non-compete obligation, possibly prohibited from referring such opportunity to us. Other than Mr. Hassenfeld, none of our officers or directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Below is a table summarizing the companies to which Mr. Hassenfeld owes fiduciary and contractual obligations that would conflict with his fiduciary obligation to us, all of which would have to (i) be presented appropriate potential target businesses, and (ii) reject the opportunity to acquire such potential target business, prior to their presentation of such target business to us:
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Individual | Entity | Affiliation | ||
Alan G. Hassenfeld | Hasbro, Inc. salesforce.com | Chairman of the Executive Committee Director |
Additionally, through October 15, 2011, Mr. Smith is subject to a non-competition and non-solicitation agreement that could require him to resign from our management team and divest some or all of the shares he owns in us, or membership interests in our sponsor, in the event that we consummate an initial business combination with a company providing specified technology services or products for the securities industry.
We do not believe that any of the foregoing pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations will materially undermine our ability to consummate a business combination in our target areas. For example, the foregoing entities or limitations imposed may have specific industry focuses and there may be constraints on the size or type of acquisitions they would consider.
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Each of our executive officers and directors may become involved with subsequent blank check companies similar to our company, although they have agreed not to participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any blank check company until we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination or we have failed to complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
• | None of our officers or directors are required to commit his or her full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating his or her time among various business activities. |
• | In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. For a complete description of our management’s other affiliations, see “— Directors and Executive Officers.” |
• | Our sponsor purchased founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and our sponsor will purchase sponsor warrants in a transaction that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination. Additionally, our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the proceeds of the sale of the sponsor warrants will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the sponsor warrants will expire worthless. With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares and sponsor warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable (i) in the case of the founder shares, by our sponsor until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (B) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, and (ii) in the case of the sponsor warrants and the respective ordinary shares underlying such warrants, by the members of our sponsor until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since each of Messrs. Dunning, Smith, Hassenfeld and Stein will indirectly own ordinary shares or warrants through our sponsor, our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate a business combination. |
• | Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to a business combination. |
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA that such an initial business combination is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in no event will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination.
We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
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In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our sponsor has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our memorandum and articles of association provide that, subject to certain limitations, the company shall indemnify its directors and officers against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings. Such indemnity only applies if the person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The decision of the directors as to whether the person acted honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company and as to whether the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful is, in the absence of fraud, sufficient for the purposes of the memorandum and articles of association, unless a question of law is involved. The termination of any proceedings by any judgment, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the company or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our memorandum and articles of association. Our memorandum and articles of association also will permit us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer or director for whom at the request of the Company is or was serving as a director or officer of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not the company has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability as provided in the memorandum and articles of association. We will purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
These provisions may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in this offering, by:
• | each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares; |
• | each of our officers, directors and director nominees that beneficially owns ordinary shares; and |
• | all our officers and directors as a group. |
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the sponsor warrants as these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
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Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary shares | ||||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Before Offering | After Offering(2) | |||||||||
Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC (our sponsor) | 1,623,529 | (3) | 100.0 | % | 15 | % | ||||||
James D. Dunning, Jr | 1,623,529 | (3) | 100.0 | % | 15 | % | ||||||
Gregory E. Smith | 1,623,529 | (3) | 100.0 | % | 15 | % | ||||||
Alan G. Hassenfeld | 1,623,529 | (3) | 100.0 | % | 15 | % | ||||||
Elliot Stein, Jr. | 1,623,529 | (3) | 100.0 | % | 15 | % | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (four individuals) | 1,623,529 | 100.0 | % | 15.0 | % |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following is 641 Lexington Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10022. |
(2) | Assumes full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and no resulting forfeiture of an aggregate of 211,764 founder shares held by our sponsor and includes a portion of the founder shares in an amount equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option that are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. |
(3) | These shares represent one hundred percent of our ordinary shares held by our sponsor. Messrs. Dunning, Smith, Hassenfeld and Stein are members of our sponsor. Each of Messrs. Dunning, Smith, Hassenfeld and Stein disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein. |
In January 2011, our sponsor purchased 1,623,529 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.015 per share.
Immediately after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), our sponsor will beneficially own 15.0% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and they are not required to forfeit their founder earn out shares, as described in this prospectus). Because of this ownership block, our sponsor may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors, amendments to our memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of our initial business combination.
To the extent the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option, up to an aggregate of 211,764 founder shares held by our sponsor will be subject to forfeiture. Our sponsor will be required to forfeit only a number of founder shares necessary to maintain our sponsor’s 15.0% ownership interest in our ordinary shares on a fully-diluted basis after giving effect to the offering and the exercise, if any, of the
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underwriters’ over-allotment option. In addition, the founder earn out shares (equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. The founder earn out shares are subject to transfer restrictions described below.
Members of our sponsor have committed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($3.0 million in the aggregate) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each sponsor warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share. The purchase price of the sponsor warrants will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account pending our completion of our initial business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, the proceeds of the sale of the sponsor warrants will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, and the sponsor warrants will expire worthless. The sponsor warrants are subject to the transfer restrictions described below. The sponsor warrants will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by members of our sponsor or their permitted transferees. If the sponsor warrants are held by holders other than our sponsor or its permitted transferees, the sponsor warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. The sponsor warrants may also be exercised by our sponsor or its permitted transferees on a cashless basis. Otherwise, the sponsor warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants being sold as part of the units in this offering.
Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, and our executive officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Transfers of Founder Shares and Sponsor Warrants
The founder shares, sponsor warrants and any ordinary shares and warrants purchased in this offering or issued upon exercise of the sponsor warrants are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lockup provisions in the letter agreements with us and the underwriters to be entered into by our sponsor and holders of our sponsor warrants. Those lockup provisions (excluding the founder earn out shares) provide that such securities are not transferable or salable (i) in the case of the founder shares, until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (B) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, and (ii) in the case of the sponsor warrants and the respective ordinary shares underlying such warrants, until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, except in each case (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of our officers or directors, any members of our sponsor, or any affiliates of our sponsor, (b) by gift to a member of one of the members of our sponsor’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of one of the members of our sponsor’s immediate family, an affiliate of our sponsor or to a charitable organization; (c) by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of one of the members of our sponsor; (d) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by virtue of the laws of the state of Delaware or our sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of our sponsor; (f) in the event of our liquidation prior to our completion of our initial business combination; or (g) in the event of our consummation of a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to our consummation of our initial business combination; provided, however, that these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions. In addition, notwithstanding our sponsor’s ability to transfer, assign or sell its founder shares to permitted transferees during the lock up periods described above, our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the founder earn out shares (whether to a permitted transferee or otherwise) before they are earned.
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Registration Rights
The holders of the founder shares, sponsor warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any of our securities held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. These shareholders will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that we register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these shareholders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, upon the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (B) the date on which when we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, and (ii) in the case of the sponsor warrants and the respective ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In January 2011, we issued an aggregate of 1,623,529 founder shares to our sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash, or approximately $0.015 per share. If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased, a share dividend would be effectuated in order to maintain the ownership represented by the founder shares at the same percentage, as was the case before the share dividend.
If the underwriters do not exercise all or a portion of their over-allotment option, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that it will forfeit up to an aggregate of 211,764 founder shares in proportion to the portion of the underwriters’ over-allotment option that was not exercised. In addition, the founder earn out shares (equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. If such shares are forfeited, we would record the aggregate fair value of the shares forfeited and reacquired to treasury stock and a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital based on the difference between the fair market value of the forfeited shares and the price paid to us for such forfeited shares of approximately $3,176.46. Upon receipt, such forfeited shares would then be immediately cancelled, which would result in the retirement of the treasury stock and a corresponding charge to additional paid-in capital.
Members of our sponsor have committed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each sponsor warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share. The sponsor warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by it until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
Each of Messrs. Dunning, Smith, Hassenfeld and Stein is a member of Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC. Each of our officers and directors (other than our disinterested independent director) has agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that until the earliest of our initial business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to us for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity with an enterprise value of $100 million or more, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have. As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors (other than our disinterested independent director) becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. With the exception of Messrs. Smith and Hassenfeld, our president and our director, respectively, none of our officers or directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, an entity controlled by our officers and directors, has agreed to, from the date that our securities are first quoted on the OTCBB through the earlier of our consummation of a business combination or our liquidation, make available to us office space and certain office and secretarial services, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay our sponsor $3,000 per month for these services. However, this arrangement is solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide our sponsor with compensation in lieu of salary. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the New York metropolitan area, that the fee charged by our sponsor is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person.
Other than the $3,000 per-month administrative fee paid to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, and reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to our sponsor, officers or directors, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect
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to our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). Our independent directors will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates.
As of the date of this prospectus, our sponsor has also advanced to us an aggregate of $100,000 to cover expenses related to this offering. This loan will be payable without interest on the earlier of December 31, 2011 or the closing of this offering. We intend to repay this loan from the proceeds of this offering not placed in the trust account.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment, other than the interest on such proceeds that may be released to us for working capital purposes. Up to $425,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the sponsor warrants. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our shareholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a shareholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any member of our management team or his respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us at that time, based upon other similar arrangements known to us, to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. It is our intention to obtain estimates from unaffiliated third parties for similar goods or services to ascertain whether such transactions with affiliates are on terms that are no less favorable to us than are otherwise available from such unaffiliated third parties. If a transaction with an affiliated third party were found to be on terms less favorable to us than with an unaffiliated third party, we would not engage in such transaction.
We have entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the founder shares and sponsor warrants, which is described under the heading “Principal Shareholders — Registration Rights.”
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
We are a British Virgin Islands business company (company number 1626500) and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of both ordinary shares of no par value and preferred shares of no par value. The following description summarizes the material terms of our shares as set out more particularly in our memorandum and articles of association. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.
Units
Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one ordinary share. The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin.
In no event will the ordinary shares and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days after the date of this prospectus. The audited balance sheet will include proceeds we received from the exercise of the over- allotment option if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Current Report on Form 8-K. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Ordinary Shares
As of the date of this prospectus, there were 1,623,529 ordinary shares outstanding, all of which were held of record by our sponsor. This includes an aggregate of 211,764 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over- allotment option is not exercised in full so that our sponsor will own 15.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and they are not required to forfeit their founder earn out shares, as described in this prospectus). Each of our officers and directors are members of our sponsor. Upon closing of this offering, 9,411,765 ordinary shares will be outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’
over-allotment option).
Ordinary shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. The rights attaching to ordinary shares may only be amended by a resolution of a majority of ordinary shareholders. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
We do not currently intend to hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate our initial business combination. Therefore, if our shareholders want us to hold a meeting prior to such consummation, they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of members entitled to exercise at least 30 percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above 30 percent.
We will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.00 per public share, or approximately $9.97 per public share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption
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rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination. Unlike many blank check companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon consummation of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination. Our memorandum and articles of association requires these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in this prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of a business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding ordinary shares, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of a business combination once a quorum is obtained. We intend to give approximately 30 days (but not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve a business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval in connection with a business combination, our sponsor has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Pursuant to our memorandum and articles of association, if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up. Our sponsor has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering. However, if our sponsor or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such public shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within the required time period.
Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of a liquidation or winding up of the company after a business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our shareholders with the redemption rights set forth above.
We do not currently intend to hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate our initial business combination. Therefore, if our shareholders want us to hold a meeting prior to such consummation, they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of members entitled to exercise at least 30 percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above 30 percent.
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Founder Shares
The founder shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (i) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, and (ii) our sponsor has agreed (A) to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares and public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and (B) to waive its redemption rights with respect to its founder shares if we fail to consummate a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, although they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to consummate a business combination within such time period. If we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our sponsor has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination.
With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. In addition, the founder earn out shares (equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. In addition, notwithstanding our sponsor’s ability to transfer, assign or sell its founder shares to permitted transferees during the lock up periods described above, our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the founder earn out shares (whether to a permitted transferee or otherwise) before they are earned.
Preferred Shares
Our memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of preferred shares divided into five classes, Class A through Class E each with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined by our board of directors. We have five classes of preferred shares to give us flexibility as to the terms on which each Class is issued. Unlike Delaware law, all shares of a single class must be issued with the same rights and obligations. Accordingly, starting with five classes of preference shares will allow us to issue shares at different times on different terms. No preferred shares are currently issued or outstanding. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preferred shares with dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of ordinary shares. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a business combination, from issuing preferred shares which participate in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a business combination. We may issue some or all of the preferred shares to effect a business combination. In addition, the preferred shares could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preferred shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
The rights of preferred shareholders, once the preferred shares are in issue, may only be amended by a resolution of a majority of preferred shareholders of the relevant preferred class (or by a resolution of directors if there are no preferred shares of the relevant class in issue). If our preferred shareholders want us to hold a meeting of preferred shareholders (or of a class of preferred shareholders), they may requisition the directors to hold one upon the written request of preferred shareholders entitled to exercise at least 30 percent of the voting rights in respect of the matter (or class) for which the meeting is requested. Under British Virgin Islands law, we may not increase the required percentage to call a meeting above 30 percent.
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Warrants
Public Shareholders’ Warrants
Each warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of one year from the closing of this offering or 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We will not be obligated to deliver any ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares upon exercise of a warrant unless ordinary shares issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentence are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the ordinary share underlying such unit.
We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) business days, after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our best efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or a new registration statement, for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and we will use our best efforts to take such action as is necessary to register or qualify for sale, in those states in which the warrants were initially offered by us, the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to the extent an exemption is not available. We will use our best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. In addition, we agree to use our best efforts to register the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant under the blue sky laws of the states of residence of the exercising warrant holder to the extent an exemption is not available.
If any such post-effective amendment or registration statement has not been declared effective by the 60th business day following the closing of our initial business combination, holders of the warrants will have the right, during the period beginning on the 61st business day after the closing of our initial business combination and ending upon such post-effective amendment or registration statement being declared effective by the SEC, and during any other period when we will fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis,” by exchanging the warrants (in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption) for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the warrant exercise price and the fair market value” by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes, fair market value will mean the volume weighted average price of ordinary shares as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date that notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent from the holder of such warrants or our securities broker or intermediary.
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may call the warrants for redemption:
• | in whole and not in part; |
• | at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
• | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period” to each warrant holder; and |
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• | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $17.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before we send to the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
We will not redeem the warrants unless an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and available throughout the 30-day redemption period.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the ordinary shares may fall below the $17.50 redemption trigger price as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his, her or its warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of ordinary shares to be received upon exercise of the warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the warrants after a business combination. If we call our warrants for redemption and our management does not take advantage of this option, members of our sponsor and their permitted transferees would still be entitled to exercise their sponsor warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the same formula described above that other warrant holders would have been required to use had all warrant holders been required to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, as described in more detail below.
A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
If the number of outstanding ordinary shares is increased by a share dividend payable in ordinary shares, or by a split-up of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such share dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding ordinary shares. A rights offering to holders of ordinary shares entitling holders to purchase ordinary shares at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a share dividend of a number of ordinary shares equal to the product of (i) the number of ordinary shares actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares) multiplied by (ii) the quotient of (x) the price per ordinary share paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares, in determining the price payable for ordinary shares, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of ordinary shares as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the ordinary shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of ordinary shares on account of such ordinary
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shares (or other shares of our shares into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of ordinary shares in connection with a proposed initial business combination, or (d) in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to consummate our initial business combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each ordinary share in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding ordinary shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding ordinary shares.
Whenever the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of ordinary shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding ordinary shares (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such ordinary shares), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding ordinary shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the ordinary shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. The warrant agreement provides for certain modifications to what holders of warrants will have the right to purchase and receive upon the occurrence of certain events, and that if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of ordinary shares in the applicable event is payable in the form of ordinary shares in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or on the OTC Bulletin Board, or is to be so listed for trading immediately following such event, then the warrant exercise price will be reduced in accordance with a formula specified in the warrant agreement.
The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between [Trust Company], as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.
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Sponsor Warrants
The sponsor warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except, among other limited exceptions as described under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Sponsor Warrants,” to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the sponsor) and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by members of the sponsor or their permitted transferees. Otherwise, the sponsor warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants being sold as part of the units in this offering, except that such warrants may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis. If the sponsor warrants are held by holders other than members of the sponsor or their permitted transferees, the sponsor warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering.
If holders of the sponsor warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our sponsor or their affiliates and permitted transferees is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following a business combination. If they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that prohibit insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public shareholders who could exercise their warrants and sell the ordinary shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
Members of our sponsor have agreed (except with respect to permitted transferees) not to transfer, assign or sell any of the sponsor warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of any of these warrants) until the date that is 30 days after the date we complete our initial business combination, except that, among other limited exceptions as described under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Sponsor Warrants,” transfers can be made to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the sponsor. In addition, notwithstanding the members of our sponsor’s ability to transfer, assign or sell its founder shares to permitted transferees during the lock up periods described in this prospectus, our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the founder earn out shares (whether to a permitted transferee or otherwise) before they are earned.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our sponsor’s ownership at 15.0% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
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Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our ordinary shares and warrant agent for our warrants is [Trust Company]. We have agreed to indemnify [Trust Company] in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its shareholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our memorandum and articles of association became effective under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on January 13, 2011. As set forth in the preamble to the memorandum and articles of association, the objects for which are established are unrestricted and we shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Act or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the British Virgin Islands.
Article of our amended memorandum and articles of association contains provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections to our shareholders prior to the consummation of a business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of 65% of our shareholders. Our sponsor, who will beneficially own 15.0% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our memorandum and articles of association provides, among other things, that:
• | if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months from the closing of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to our initial business combination is executed before the 21-month period ends. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate a business combination within such time period. If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 21 months from the closing of this offering, or 24 months if extended, we (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to our public shareholders by way of redemption and (ii) intend to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of our affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up.; and |
• | prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination; |
• | although we do not intend to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA that such a business combination is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view; |
• | if a shareholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act; and |
• | we will not effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
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In addition, our memorandum and articles of association provides that under no circumstances will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.
Changes in Authorized Shares
We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares which will be subject to the same provisions with reference to the payment of calls, lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the shares in issue. We may by resolution:
• | consolidate and divide all or any of our unissued authorized shares into shares of larger amount than our existing shares; |
• | sub-divide our existing ordinary shares, or any of them into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by our memorandum of association, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the Companies Act; |
• | cancel any ordinary shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person; or |
• | create new classes of shares with preferences to be determined by the board of directors at the time of authorization, although any such new classes of shares, with the exception of the preferred shares, may only be created with prior shareholder approval. |
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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS
Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act and, to the extent relevant, common law. The Companies differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders. A brief discussion of the procedure for mergers and similar arrangements in the British Virgin Islands also follows.
There have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the Companies Act in the British Virgin Islands, and we can not predict whether British Virgin Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as U.S. courts. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the Companies Act (which can be subject to the provisions of a company’s memorandum and articles of association) and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights.
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British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
Shareholder Meetings | ||
• Held at a time and place as determined by the directors | • May be held at such time or place as designated in the charter or the by-laws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors | |
• May be held within or without the British Virgin Islands | • May be held within or without Delaware | |
• Notice: | • Notice: | |
• Subject to a requirement in the memorandum and articles of association to give longer notice, a copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given not fewer than seven (7) days before the date of the proposed meeting to those persons whose names appear in the register of members on the date the notice is given and are entitled to vote at the meeting | • Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any | |
Shareholders’ Voting Rights | ||
• Any person authorized to vote may be represented at a meeting by a proxy who may speak and vote on behalf of the member | • Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy | |
• Quorum is fixed by the memorandum and articles of association, but where no such quorum is fixed, shall consist of the holder or holders present in person or by proxy entitled to exercise at least 50 percent of the voting rights of the shares of each class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class or series thereon and the same proportion of the votes of the remaining shares entitled to vote thereon | • For stock corporations, the charter or by-laws may specify the number to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares shall constitute a quorum | |
• For non-stock companies, the charter or by-laws may specify the number of shareholders to constitute a quorum. In the absence of this, one-third of the shareholders shall constitute a quorum |
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British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
• Changes in the rights attaching to shares as set forth in the memorandum and articles of association require approval of at least such majority of the affected Shareholders as specified in the memorandum and articles of association | • Except as provided in the charter documents, changes in the rights of shareholders as set forth in the charter documents require approval of a majority of its shareholders | |
• The memorandum and articles of association may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors | • The memorandum and articles of association may provide for cumulative voting | |
• Approval of a business combination may be by a majority of shares voted at the meeting |
Approval of a business combination may be by a majority of outstanding shares if such transaction involves the merger of such entity | |
Directors | ||
• Board must consist of at least one member | • Board must consist of at least one member | |
• Maximum number of directors can be changed by an amendment to the articles of association | • Number of board members shall be fixed by the by-laws, unless the charter fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by amendment of the charter | |
• If the board is authorized to change the number of directors actually appointed, provided that the number still falls within the maximum and the minimum number of directors as set out in the articles of association (currently a minimum of one and no maximum), it can do so by a board resolution | ||
• Directors do not have to be independent | • Directors do not have to be independent | |
Fiduciary Duties | ||
• Directors and officers owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute as follows: | • Directors and officers must act in good faith, with the care of a prudent person, and in the best interest of the corporation. | |
• Duty to act honestly and in good faith in what the directors believe to be in the best interests of the company; | • Directors and officers must refrain from self-dealing, usurping corporate opportunities and receiving improper personal benefits. | |
• Duty to exercise powers for a proper purpose and shall not act, or agree to act, in a matter that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum and articles of association; | • Decisions made by directors and officers on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action was taken in the best interest of the corporation will be protected by the “business judgment rule.” | |
• Duty to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a responsible director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation: | ||
(a) the nature of the company; | ||
(b) the nature of the decision; and | ||
(c) the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. |
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British Virgin Islands | Delaware | |
The Companies Act provides that, a director of a company shall, immediately after becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction entered into, or to be entered into, by the company, discloses the interest to the board of the Company. However, in some instances a breach of this duty can be forgiven. | ||
• Pursuant to Section 125(4) of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (the “Act”) and in pursuant to the company’s memorandum and articles of association, so long as a director has disclosed any interests in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the company to the board he/she may: |
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Shareholders’ Derivative Actions | ||
Generally speaking, the company is the proper plaintiff in any action. A shareholder may, with the permission of the British Virgin Islands Court, bring an action or intervene in a matter in the name of the company, in certain circumstances. Such actions are known as derivative actions. The British Virgin Islands Court may only grant permission to bring a derivative action where the following circumstances apply: • the company does not intend to bring, diligently continue or defend or discontinue proceedings; and • it is in the interests of the company that the conduct of the proceedings not be left to the directors or to the detriment of the shareholders as a whole. When considering whether to grant leave, the British Virgin Islands Court is also required to have regard to the following matters: • whether the shareholder is acting in good faith; • whether a derivative action is in the company’s best interests, taking into account the directors’ views on commercial matters; • whether the action is likely to proceed; • the costs of the proceedings; and • whether there is another alternative remedy available. | • Directors may vote on a matter in which they have an interest so long as the director has disclosed any interests in the transaction. • In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder of a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such shareholder’s stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law. • Complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to obtain the action by the board or the reasons for not making such effort. • Such action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Chancery Court. • A shareholder whose shares were canceled in connection with the corporation’s dissolution, would not be able to bring a derivative action against the corporation after the ordinary shares have been canceled. |
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Certain Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of some significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. BVI law provides for mergers as that expression is understood under United States corporate law. The procedure for a merger between the company and another company (which need not be a BVI company, and which may be the company’s parent, but need not be) is set out in the Companies Act. The directors of the company must approve a written plan of merger which must also be approved by a resolution of a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote and actually vote at a quorate meeting of shareholders. The company must then execute articles of merger, containing certain prescribed details. The plan and articles of merger are then filed with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands. Provided that the Registrar is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act in respect of the merger have been complied with and the company is in “good standing,” that is to say that it has paid all fees and penalties (if any) due to the BVI Financial Services Commission, the Registrar shall register the articles of merger and any amendment to the memorandum and articles of the surviving company and issue a certificate of merger (which is conclusive evidence of compliance with all requirements of the Companies Act in respect of the merger). The merger is effective on the date that the articles of merger are registered with the Registrar or on such subsequent date, not exceeding thirty days, as is stated in the articles of merger. Therefore, the whole transaction can take place in a day.
As soon as a merger becomes effective: (a) the surviving company (so far as is consistent with its amended memorandum and articles, as amended or established by the articles of merger) has all rights, privileges, immunities, powers, objects and purposes of each of the constituent companies; (b) the amended memorandum and articles of the surviving company are automatically amended to the extent, if any, that changes to its amended memorandum and articles are contained in the articles of merger; (c) assets of every description, including choses-in-action and the business of each of the constituent companies, immediately vest in the surviving company; (d) the surviving company is liable for all claims, debts, liabilities and obligations of each of the constituent companies; (e) no conviction, judgement, ruling, order, claim, debt, liability or obligation due or to become due, and no cause existing, against a constituent company or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, is released or impaired by the merger; and (f) no proceedings, whether civil or criminal, pending at the time of a merger by or against a constituent company, or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, are abated or discontinued by the merger; but: (i) the proceedings may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised by or against the surviving company or against the member, director, officer or agent thereof; as the case may be; or (ii) the surviving company may be substituted in the proceedings for a constituent company. The Registrar shall strike off the register of companies the constituent company that is not the surviving company of the merger.
In addition, there are statutory provisions in the Companies Act that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, which may be tantamount to a merger, but we do not anticipate the use of such statutory provisions because a business combination can be achieved through other means, such as a merger (as described above), a share exchange, asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of an operating business. However, in the event that a business combination was sought pursuant to these statutory provisions, a consolidation of companies would be effectively approved in the same way as a merger (as described above). If the directors determine it to be in the best interests of the company, it is also possible for it to be approved as a Court approved plan of arrangement or scheme or arrangement in accordance with the Companies Act. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the British Virgin Islands Court.
If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, a shareholder would have rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations or under a BVI merger, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the ordinary shares.
Poison Pill Defenses. Under the Companies Act there are no provisions which prevent the issuance of preferred shares or any such other ‘poison pill’ measures. The memorandum and articles of association of the
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company also do not contain any express prohibitions on the issuance of any preferred shares. Therefore, the directors without the approval of the holders of ordinary shares may issue preferred shares that have characteristics that may be deemed to be anti-takeover. Additionally, such a designation of shares may be used in connection with plans that are poison pill plans.
Directors and Conflicts of Interest. Pursuant to the Companies Act and the company’s memorandum and articles of association, a director of a company who has an interest in a transaction and who has declared such interest to the other directors, may:
(a) | vote on a matter relating to the transaction; |
(b) | attend a meeting of directors at which a matter relating to the transaction arises and be included among the directors present at the meeting for the purposes of a quorum; and |
(c) | sign a document on behalf of the company, or do any other thing in his capacity as a director, that relates to the transaction. |
Shareholders’ Suits. Our British Virgin Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a British Virgin Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder.
The Companies Act provides for a series of remedies available to shareholders. Where a company incorporated under the Companies Act conducts some activity which breaches the Act or the company’s memorandum and articles of association, the court can issue a restraining or compliance order. A shareholder may, with the permission of the British Virgin Islands Court, bring an action or intervene in a matter in the name of the company, in certain circumstances. Such actions are known as derivative actions. The British Virgin Islands Court may only grant permission to bring a derivative action where the following circumstances apply:
• | the company does not intend to bring, diligently continue or defend or discontinue proceedings; and |
• | it is in the interests of the company that the conduct of the proceedings not be left to the directors or to the detriment of the shareholders as a whole. |
When considering whether to grant leave, the British Virgin Islands Court is also required to have regard to the following matters:
• | whether the shareholder is acting in good faith; |
• | whether a derivative action is in the company’s best interests, taking into account the directors’ views on commercial matters; |
• | whether the action is likely to proceed; |
• | the costs of the proceedings; and |
• | whether there is another alternative remedy available. |
Any member of a company may apply to BVI court for the appointment of a liquidator for the company and the court may appoint a liquidator for the company if it is of the opinion that it is just and equitable to do so.
The Companies Act provides that any shareholder of a company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares upon dissenting from any of the following: (a) a merger if the company is a constituent company, unless the company is the surviving company and the member continues to hold the same or similar shares; (b) a consolidation if the company is a constituent company; (c) any sale, transfer, lease, exchange or other disposition of more than 50 per cent in value of the assets or business of the company if not made in the usual or regular course of the business carried on by the company but not including: (i) a disposition pursuant to an order of the court having jurisdiction in the matter, (ii) a disposition for money on terms requiring all or substantially all net proceeds to be distributed to the members in accordance with their respective interest within one year after the date of disposition, or (iii) a transfer pursuant to the power of the directors to transfer assets for the protection thereof; (d) a redemption of 10 per cent, or fewer of the issued
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shares of the company required by the holders of 90 percent, or more of the shares of the company pursuant to the terms of the Act; and (e) an arrangement, if permitted by the BVI court.
Generally any other claims against a company by its shareholders must be based on the general laws of contract or tort applicable in the British Virgin Islands or their individual rights as shareholders as established by the company’s memorandum and articles of association. There are common law rights for the protection of shareholders that may be invoked, largely dependent on English common law, since the common law of the British Virgin Islands for BVI business corporations is limited. Under the general rule pursuant to English company law known as the rule in Foss v. Harbottle, a court will generally refuse to interfere with the management of a company at the insistence of a minority of its shareholders who express dissatisfaction with the conduct of the company’s affairs by the majority or the board of directors. However, every shareholder is entitled to have the affairs of the company conducted properly according to law and the constituent documents of the corporation. As such, if those who control the company have persistently disregarded the requirements of company law or the provisions of the company’s memorandum and articles of association, then the courts may grant relief. Generally, the areas in which the courts will intervene are the following:
• | a company is acting or proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of its authority; |
• | the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could only be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; |
• | the individual rights of the plaintiff shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed; or |
• | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
Under the law of Delaware, the rights of minority shareholders are similar to that which will be applicable to the shareholders of the company.
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SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Immediately after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 211,764 founder shares held by our sponsor) we will have 9,411,765 ordinary shares outstanding. Of these shares, the 8,000,000 shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining 1,623,529 shares and all 3,000,000 sponsor warrants are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares or warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
• | 1% of the total number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 94,118 shares immediately after this offering (or 108,235 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option); or |
• | the average weekly reported trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
• | the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; |
• | the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; |
• | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and |
• | at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. |
As a result, our sponsor will be able to sell its founder shares and sponsor warrants, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
Registration Rights
The holders of the founder shares, sponsor warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (and any ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the sponsor warrant and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the
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majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of an initial business combination. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, upon the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (B) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, and (ii) in the case of the sponsor warrants and the respective ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Anti-Money Laundering — British Virgin Islands
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.
If any person resident in the British Virgin Islands knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business the person will be required to report his belief or suspicion to the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act 1997 (as amended). Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
Quotation of Securities
We will apply to have our units, ordinary shares and warrants quoted on the OTCBB under the symbols “ ,” “ ,” and “ ,” respectively. We anticipate that our units will be quoted on the OTCBB on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the ordinary shares and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the ordinary shares and warrants will be quoted separately and as a unit on the OTCBB.
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TAXATION
The following summary of the material British Virgin Islands and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our units, ordinary shares and warrants to acquire our ordinary shares, sometimes referred to collectively in the summary as our “securities,” is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our securities, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
British Virgin Islands Taxation
The Government of the British Virgin Islands will not, under existing legislation, impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax upon the company or its securityholders (who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands).
The company and all distributions, interest and other amounts paid by the company to persons who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands will not be subject to any income, withholding or capital gains taxes in the British Virgin Islands, with respect to the shares in the company owned by them and dividends received on such shares, nor will they be subject to any estate or inheritance taxes in the British Virgin Islands.
No estate, inheritance, succession or gift tax, rate, duty, levy or other charge is payable by persons who are not tax resident in the British Virgin Islands with respect to any shares, debt obligations or other securities of the company.
All instruments relating to transactions in respect of the shares, debt obligations or other securities of the company and all instruments relating to other transactions relating to the business of the company are exempt from the payment of stamp duty in the British Virgin Islands.
There are currently no withholding taxes or exchange control regulations in the British Virgin Islands applicable to the company or its securityholders.
United States Federal Income Taxation
General
The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to an investor of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities covered by this prospectus. Because the components of a unit are separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying ordinary share and warrant components of the unit, as the case may be. As a result, the discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to actual holders of ordinary shares and warrants should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying ordinary shares and warrants that comprise the units).
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to a beneficial owner of our securities that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
• | an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a beneficial owner of our securities is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a
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“Non-U.S. Holder.” The material U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable specifically to Non-U.S. Holders are described below under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders.”
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This discussion assumes that the ordinary shares and warrants will trade separately and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion considers only holders that own our securities as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax. In addition, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:
• | financial institutions or financial services entities; |
• | broker-dealers; |
• | taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules under Section 475 of the Code; |
• | tax-exempt entities; |
• | governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
• | insurance companies; |
• | regulated investment companies; |
• | real estate investment trusts; |
• | expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; |
• | persons that actually or constructively own 5 percent or more of our voting shares; |
• | persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation; |
• | persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction; or |
• | persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or, except as discussed herein, any tax reporting obligations of a holder of our securities. Additionally, this discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. This discussion also assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars.
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the descriptions herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
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SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.
Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit
There is no authority addressing the treatment, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of securities with terms substantially the same as the units, and, therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. Each unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of one ordinary share and one warrant to acquire one ordinary share. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit generally must allocate the purchase price of a unit between the ordinary share and the warrant that comprise the unit based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. The price allocated to each ordinary share and the warrant generally will be the holder’s tax basis in such share or warrant, as the case may be.
The foregoing treatment of our ordinary shares and warrants and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. Accordingly, each holder is advised to consult its own tax advisor regarding the risks associated with an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit) and regarding an allocation of the purchase price between the ordinary share and the warrant that comprise a unit. The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
Tax Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return of a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult with its own tax advisor regarding this reporting obligation.
Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any cash dividend paid on our ordinary shares. A cash distribution on such shares generally will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. Such distribution in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, under tax law currently in effect, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, dividends will be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “—Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants” below) only if our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and certain other requirements are met. Under published IRS authority, the term “established securities market in the United States” presently does not include the OTC Bulletin Board. Therefore, the availability of the lower tax rates for dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares is in substantial doubt, and U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares. For taxable years beginning after January 1, 2013, the regular U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to dividends currently is scheduled to return to the regular U.S. federal income tax rate generally applicable to ordinary income.
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Possible Constructive Distributions
The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events. An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. However, the U.S. Holders of the warrants would be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment increases the warrant holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of ordinary shares that would be obtained upon exercise) as a result of a distribution of cash to the holders of our ordinary shares which is taxable to the U.S. Holders of such ordinary shares as described under “— Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares” above. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under that section in the same manner as if the U.S. Holders of the warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.
Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants, and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, as well as the discussion in “— Possible Ordinary Income Treatment in Respect of Additional Amounts Following a Vote in Favor of a Proposed Business combination” below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or warrants. See “— Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant” below for a discussion regarding a U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant.
The regular U.S. federal income tax rate on capital gains recognized by U.S. Holders generally is the same as the regular U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary income, except that under tax law currently in effect long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum regular rate of 15%. Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or warrants exceeds one year. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the ordinary shares described in this prospectus may prevent a U.S. Holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations that are not described herein because a discussion of such limitations depends on each U.S. Holder’s particular facts and circumstances. Among such limitations is the deduction for losses upon a taxable disposition by a U.S. Holder of a warrant (whether or not held as part of a unit) if, within a period beginning 30 days before the date of such disposition and ending 30 days after such date, such U.S. Holder has acquired (by purchase or by an exchange on which the entire amount of gain or loss was recognized by law), or has entered into a contract or option so to acquire, substantially identical stock or securities. U.S. Holders who recognize losses with respect to a disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of such losses.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares
If a U.S. Holder redeems ordinary shares for the right to receive cash pursuant to the exercise of a shareholder redemption right or if we purchase a U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares in an open market transaction, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such redemption will be subject to the following rules. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of the ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code, then the tax treatment of such redemption will be as described under “— Taxation on the Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Warrants” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code, a U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a distribution with the tax consequences described below. Whether that redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of our ordinary shares treated as held by such U.S. Holder (including any shares constructively owned as a result of, among other things, owning warrants). The redemption of ordinary shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the ordinary shares (rather than as a distribution) if the receipt of cash upon the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to a U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of such holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to such holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
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In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder must take into account not only our ordinary shares actually owned by such holder, but also our ordinary shares that are constructively owned by such holder. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to our ordinary shares owned directly, ordinary shares owned by related individuals and entities in which such holder has an interest or that have an interest in such holder, as well as any ordinary shares such holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include ordinary shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the warrants. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by a U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of our ordinary shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting and common shares actually and constructively owned by such holder immediately before the redemption. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of our ordinary shares actually and constructively owned by such U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our ordinary shares actually owned by such U.S. Holder are redeemed and such holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives, in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by family members and such holder does not constructively own any other shares. The redemption of the ordinary shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of an exercise of the redemption right.
If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption may be treated as a distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “— Taxation of Distributions Paid on Ordinary Shares,” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis a U.S. Holder has in the redeemed ordinary shares will be added to the adjusted tax basis in such holder’s remaining ordinary shares. If there are no remaining ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors as to the allocation of any remaining basis.
U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own one percent or more of our stock (by vote or value) may be subject to special reporting requirements with respect to a redemption of ordinary shares, and such holders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their reporting requirements.
Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant
Subject to the PFIC rules and cashless warrants as discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of an ordinary share on the exercise of a warrant for cash. An ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant for cash generally will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant, increased by the amount paid to exercise the warrant. The holding period of such ordinary share generally would begin on the day after the date of exercise of the warrant and will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the warrant. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the warrant.
Upon redemption of the public warrants, we have a unilateral right to require an exercise of warrants to be a cashless exercise. The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a gain realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. Holder’s basis in the common stock received would equal the holder’s basis in the warrant. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a gain realization event, a U.S. Holder’s holding period in the ordinary shares would be treated as commencing on the date following the date of exercise of the warrant. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the ordinary shares would include the holding period of the warrant. It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. Holder could be deemed to have surrendered warrants equal to the number of common shares having a value equal to the exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. The U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the ordinary shares represented by the
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warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrants deemed surrendered. In this case, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the fair market value of the common stock represented by the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrants exercised. A U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares would commence on the date following the date of exercise of the warrant. Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.
Additional Taxes After 2012
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income, including, among other things, dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, our securities, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of such tax on their ownership and disposition of our securities.
Possible Ordinary Income Treatment in Respect of Additional Amounts Following a Vote in Favor of a Proposed Business Combination
In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with a proposed business combination, a U.S. Holder that votes in favor of such proposed business combination and receives redemption proceeds may receive more per ordinary share than a similar U.S. Holder that does not vote in favor of the proposed business combination. Any such additional amount will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as either (1) ordinary income, and not as a payment in consideration for the redemption of our ordinary shares, or (2) as additional consideration in redemption of our ordinary shares, which redemption proceeds will be taxed as described above under “— Redemption of Ordinary Shares”. A U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any such amount.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be a PFIC if at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year, including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income, if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the start-up exception to us will not be known until after the close of our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011. After the acquisition of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC, then we will likely not qualify for the start-up exception and will be a PFIC for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2011 or any future taxable year.
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If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our ordinary shares or warrants and, in the case of our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares, or a mark-to-market election, as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to:
• | any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its ordinary shares or warrants; and |
• | any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares). |
Under these rules,
• | the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or warrants; |
• | the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income; |
• | the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and |
• | the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder. |
In general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our ordinary shares by making a timely QEF election to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
A U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its warrants to acquire our ordinary shares. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of such warrants (other than upon exercise of such warrants), any gain recognized generally will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above, if we were a PFIC at any time during the period the U.S. Holder held the warrants. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such warrants properly makes a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired ordinary shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares), the QEF election will apply to the newly acquired ordinary shares, but the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired ordinary shares (which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held the warrants), unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election. The purging election creates a deemed sale of such shares at their fair market value. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will have a new basis and holding period in the ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the warrants for purposes of the PFIC rules.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal
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income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular circumstances.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from us. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares, and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale of our ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed. As discussed above, U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of its earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable as a dividend to such U.S. Holders. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held ordinary shares or warrants while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. A U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, however, will not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest charge rules discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to such shares for any taxable year of us that ends within or with a taxable year of the U.S. Holder and in which we are not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is not effective for each of our taxable years in which we are a PFIC and the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder makes a purging election, as described above, and pays the tax and interest charge with respect to the gain inherent in such shares attributable to the pre-QEF election period.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) ordinary shares in us and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect to its ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted basis in its ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to warrants.
The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Nasdaq Capital Market, or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the
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market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. Because we expect that our ordinary shares will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, they should not currently qualify as marketable stock for purposes of the election. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC. We will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower- tier PFIC. However, there is no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC. In addition, we may not hold a controlling interest in any such lower-tier PFIC and thus there can be no assurance we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide the required information. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621(whether or not a QEF or market-to-market election is made) and such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares and warrants should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our ordinary shares and warrants under their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends (including constructive dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect to its ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or warrants unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case, such gain from United States sources generally is subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (but not the Medicare contribution tax) at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holder’s exercise of a warrant, or the lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. Holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a warrant by a U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant,” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described in the preceding paragraphs above for a Non-U.S. Holders gain on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares and warrants. In addition, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any additional amount payable to a Non-U.S. Holder that votes in favor of a business combination generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of such additional amount to a
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U.S. Holder, as described under “U.S. Holders — Possible Ordinary Income Treatment in Respect of Additional Amounts Following a Vote in Favor of a Proposed Business combination,” above. However, a Non-U.S. Holder generally should be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any such additional amount only if such amount is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our ordinary shares within the United States to a U.S. Holder, subject to certain exceptions, and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our ordinary shares or warrants by a U.S. Holder to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales and other dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.
In addition, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax, currently at a rate of 28%, generally will apply to dividends paid on our ordinary shares to a U.S. Holder and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of shares or warrants by a U.S. Holder, in each case who:
• | fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
• | is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or |
• | fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
A Non-U.S. Holder generally will eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
We will withhold all taxes required to be withheld by law from any amounts otherwise payable to any holder of our ordinary shares or securities, including tax withholding required by the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s or a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the requisite information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
Subject to specified exceptions and future guidance, recently enacted U.S. tax legislation generally requires a U.S. Holder that is an individual (or, to the extent provided in future guidance, a domestic entity) to report to the IRS certain interests of such U.S. Holder in stock or securities issued by a non-U.S. person (such as the Issuer) for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. This reporting requirement should not apply to an interest held through a U.S. financial institution. Failure to report information required under this legislation could result in substantial penalties. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the information reporting obligation that may arise from their ownership of the Issuer’s notes.
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NOTES REGARDING OUR CHOICE OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
Reasons for our Choice of Incorporating in the British Virgin Islands
We are incorporated in the British Virgin Islands because of the following benefits found there:
• | political and economic stability; |
• | an effective and sophisticated judicial system with a dedicated Commercial Court; |
• | tax neutral treatment, with no tax levied against companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands by the local tax authorities ; |
• | the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and |
• | the availability of professional and support services. |
In addition to the benefits listed above, incorporation in the British Virgin Islands offers investors the following benefits:
• | commitment of the BVI to implement best international practice and to comply with the requirements of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF); |
• | the adoption of the English law concept of corporate separateness to mitigate the risk of the assets of a shareholder being used to satisfy the liabilities of the company; and |
• | confidentiality for shareholders. |
However, there are certain disadvantages accompanying incorporation in the British Virgin Islands. These disadvantages include:
• | the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides significantly less protection to investors; and |
• | British Virgin Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States. |
We believe the disadvantages of incorporating in the British Virgin Islands are outweighed by the benefits to us and our investors of such incorporation.
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities
We are a British Virgin Islands business company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and therefore, located outside of the United States. The proceeds we receive from this offering will be held in U.S. Dollars and deposited in a trust account maintained by [Trust Company], as trustee, initially at [name of bank]; however, we may change the location or depository institution. The trust account will be governed by an Investment Management Trust Agreement between us and [Trust Company].
There is substantial doubt that the courts of the British Virgin Islands would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state securities laws. Additionally, there is no statutory enforcement in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, however, the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that the U.S. judgment:
provided that:
• | the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; |
• | is final and for a liquidated sum; |
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• | the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; |
• | in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favour judgment was given or on the part of the court; |
• | recognition or enforcement of the judgment in the BVI would not be contrary to public policy; and |
• | the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. |
In appropriate circumstances, the British Virgin Islands Court may give effect in the British Virgin Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
Although shareholders of a British Virgin Islands company generally have limited liability, in the event the company enters insolvent liquidation under British Virgin Islands law, there are very limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the British Virgin Islands Insolvency Act, 2003 (the “Insolvency Act”). A voidable transaction would be, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue”. Where a payment was a risk of being a voidable transaction, a liquidator appointed over an insolvent company could apply to the British Virgin Islands courts for an order, inter alia, for the transaction to be set aside as a voidable transaction in whole or in part.
We expect that in the event of a voluntary liquidation of the company, after payment of the liquidation costs and any sums then due to creditors, that the liquidator would distribute our assets to the public shareholders on a pari passu basis.
Although we will seek to have all third parties such as vendors and prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any interest to any assets held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed that they will be liable to us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share (or $9.97 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, such persons will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims.
Our sponsor has waived its rights to participate in any redemption with respect to its initial ordinary shares if we fail to consummate an initial business combination. However, if our sponsor or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquire public ordinary shares in or after this offering they will be entitled to a pro rata share of the trust account with respect to such ordinary shares if we do not complete a business combination within the 21 month period (or 24 months, if extended) and we distribute the trust account by way of redemption.
We will pay the costs of our liquidation of the trust account from our remaining assets outside of the trust account or from interest not previously withdrawn from the trust account. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover these costs and expenses, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses. In addition, Messrs. Dunning, Hassenfeld and Smith have agreed to indemnify us, pro-rata on a 40%, 40% and 20% basis, respectively, for all claims of creditors to the extent that we fail to obtain executed waivers from such entities in order to protect the amounts held in trust and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Under British Virgin Islands law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director shall exercise the care, diligence and skill
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that a responsible director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation the nature of the company; the nature of the decision; and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors shall exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our memorandum and articles of association or the Companies Act.
In certain limited circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, or proposes to engage in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the courts of the British Virgin Islands may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the Companies Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to section 184I(1) of the Companies Act a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the courts of the British Virgin Islands for an order which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.
If the we are deemed insolvent for the purposes of the Insolvency Act (i.e. (i) it fails to comply with the requirements of a statutory demand that has not been set aside under section 157 of the Insolvency Act; (ii) the execution or other process issued on a judgment, decree or order of a British Virgin Islands court in favour of a creditor of the company is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied; or (iii) either the value of the company’s liabilities exceeds its assets, or the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due), there are very limited circumstances where prior payments made to shareholders or other parties may be deemed to be a “voidable transaction” for the purposes of the British Virgin Islands Insolvency Act, 2003 (the “Insolvency Act”). A voidable transaction would be, for these purposes, payments made as “unfair preferences” or “transactions at an undervalue”. Where a payment was a risk of being a voidable transaction, a liquidator appointed over an insolvent company could apply to the British Virgin Islands Court for an order, inter alia, for the transaction to be set aside as a voidable transaction in whole or in part.
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UNDERWRITING
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as sole book-running manager of this offering and as representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of units set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
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Underwriter | Number of Units | |||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | ||||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. | ||||
Total | 8,000,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the units included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the units (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the units.
Units sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any units sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $ per unit. If all of the units are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts.
If the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional units approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any units issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other units that are the subject of this offering.
We, our sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any units, warrants, ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, ordinary shares. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.
Our sponsor has agreed not to, subject to certain limited exceptions, transfer, assign or sell any of the founder shares until the earlier of (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our business combination, the last sales price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (ii) the date on which we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. In addition, members of our sponsor have agreed not to, subject to certain limited exceptions, transfer, assign or sell any of the sponsor warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants) until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, notwithstanding our sponsor’s ability to transfer, assign or sell its founder shares to permitted transferees during the lock up periods described above, our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell the founder earn out shares (whether to a permitted transferee or otherwise) before they are earned.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our securities. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the units was determined by negotiations between us and the representative. The determination of our per unit offering price was more arbitrary than would typically be the case if we were an
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operating company. Among the factors considered in determining initial public offering price were the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies, prior offerings of those companies, our management, our capital structure, and currently prevailing general conditions in equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, ordinary shares or warrants will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our units, ordinary shares or warrants will develop and continue after this offering.
We will apply to have our units quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) under the symbol and, once the ordinary shares and warrants begin separate trading, to have our ordinary shares and warrants quoted on the OTCBB under the symbols and , respectively.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
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Paid by Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited | ||||||||
No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||||
Per Unit | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.55 | ||||
Total (1) | $ | 4,400,000 | $ | 5,060,000 |
(1) | The underwriters have agreed to defer $2.8 million, or $3.22 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, of the underwriting discounts and commissions, equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the units being offered to the public, until the consummation of a business combination. Upon the consummation of a business combination, deferred underwriting discounts and commissions shall be released to the underwriters out of the gross proceeds of this offering held in a trust account with [Trust Company] acting as trustee. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. |
If we do not complete our initial business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of this offering, the trustee and the underwriters have agreed that (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account, and (ii) that the deferred underwriters’ discounts and commissions will be distributed on a pro rata basis, together with any accrued interest thereon and net of taxes payable income taxes on such interest, to the public shareholders.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell units in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, and stabilizing purchases.
• | Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. |
• | “Covered” short sales are sales of units in an amount up to the number of units represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
• | “Naked” short sales are sales of units in an amount in excess of the number of units represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
• | Covering transactions involve purchases of units either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. |
• | To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. |
• | To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the |
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source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the over-allotment option. |
• | Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase units so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. |
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchase, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the units. They may also cause the price of the units to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering payable by us will be $750,000, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
We are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so. However, any of the underwriters may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with any of the underwriters and no fees for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters prior to the date that is 90 days from the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriters of this offering or any entity with which they are affiliated a finder’s fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the consummation of a business combination.
State Blue Sky Information
We will offer and sell the units to retail customers only in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In New York and Hawaii, we have relied on exemptions from the state registration requirements. In the other states listed above, we will apply to have the units registered for sale and will not sell the units to retail customers in these states unless and until such registration is effected.
If you are not an institutional investor, you may purchase our securities in this offering only in the jurisdictions described directly above. Institutional investors in every state except Idaho may purchase the units in this offering pursuant to exemptions under the Blue Sky laws of various states. The definition of an “institutional investor” varies from state to state but generally includes financial institutions, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and other qualified entities.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, pre-empts the states from regulating transactions in certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” The resale of the units, from and after the effective date, and the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, are exempt from state registration requirements under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act because we will file periodic and annual reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However, states are permitted to require notice filings and collect fees with regard to these transactions and a state may suspend the offer and sale of securities within such state if any such required filing is not made or fee is not paid. As of the date of this prospectus, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and
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Wyoming either do not presently require any notice filings or fee payments or have not yet issued rules or regulations indicating whether notice filings or fee payments will be required. The District of Columbia, Illinois, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont currently permit the resale of the units, and the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, if we have registered the securities in the state or the proper notice filings and fees have been submitted. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not determined in which, if any, of these states we will submit the required notice filings or pay the required fee. Additionally, if any of these states that has not yet adopted a statute relating to the National Securities Markets Improvement Act adopts such a statute in the future requiring a filing or fee or if any state amends its existing statutes with respect to its requirements, we would need to comply with those new requirements in order for our securities to continue to be eligible for resale in those jurisdictions.
Under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act, the states retain the jurisdiction to investigate and bring enforcement actions with respect to fraud or deceit, or unlawful conduct by a broker or dealer, in connection with the sale of securities. Although we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict resales of securities issued by blank check companies generally, certain state securities commissioners view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the resale of securities of blank check companies in their states. The state of Idaho deems blank check companies inherently fraudulent and such offerings may not be registered or qualify for an exemption from registration in that state.
Aside from the exemption from registration provided by the National Securities Markets Improvement Act, we believe that the units, from and after the effective date, and the ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, will be eligible for sale on a secondary market basis in various states based on the availability of another applicable exemption from state registration requirements, in certain instances subject to waiting periods, notice filings or fee payments.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the “relevant implementation date”), an offer of units described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of our units may be made to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
• | to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities; |
• | to any legal entity that has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; |
• | to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined below) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or |
• | in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive. |
Each purchaser of units described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purpose of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the units, as the
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expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.
We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of units through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the units as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the units, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the units on behalf of us or the underwriters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
Notice to Prospective Investors in France
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The units have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units has been or will be:
• | released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or |
• | used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the units to the public in France. |
Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:
• | to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Article L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier; |
• | to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or |
• | in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne). |
The units may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus is being passed upon for us by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York with respect to the units and warrants and Ogier, British Virgin Islands, with respect to the ordinary shares and matters of British Virgin Islands law. In connection with this offering Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel to the underwriters.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited (a development stage company) as of January 31, 2011 and for the period January 13, 2011 (inception) through January 31, 2011, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C. as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.
Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
137
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Page | ||||
Audited Financial Statements of Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited (a corporation in the development stage): | ||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 | |||
Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2011 | F-3 | |||
Statement of Operations for the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011 | F-4 | |||
Statement of Shareholder’s Equity for the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011 | F-5 | |||
Statement of Cash Flows for the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011 | F-6 | |||
Notes to Financial Statements | F-7 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of
Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited (a corporation in the development stage)
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited (a corporation in the development stage) (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2011, and the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited (a corporation in the development stage) as of January 31, 2011, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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/s/ ROTHSTEIN, KASS & COMPANY, P.C. |
Roseland, New Jersey
February 7, 2011
F-2
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
BALANCE SHEET
January 31, 2011
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ASSETS: | |||||
Current assets: | |||||
Cash | $ | 74,310 | |||
Non-current assets: | |||||
Deferred offering costs (Note 2) | 60,690 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 135,000 | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||||
Current liabilities: | |||||
Note payable to affiliates (Note 5) | $ | 100,000 | |||
Accrued expenses – other | 5,000 | ||||
Accrued offering costs | 10,000 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 115,000 | ||||
Commitment and contingencies (Notes 1, 3, 4, 5) | |||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||
Preferred shares, no par value; five classes of unlimited shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | $ | — | |||
Ordinary shares, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; 1,623,529 issued and outstanding | 25,000 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | — | ||||
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (5,000 | ) | |||
Total shareholders' equity, net | 20,000 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 135,000 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements
F-3
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011
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Formation and operating costs | $ | 5,000 | ||
Net loss applicable to ordinary shareholders | $ | (5,000 | ) | |
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 1,623,529 | |||
Net loss per ordinary share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.00 | ) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements
F-4
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011
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Ordinary Shares | Additional Paid-In Capital | Deficit Accumulated During the Development Stage | Total Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
Sale of ordinary shares to Sponsor at $0.015 per share (Note 4) | 1,623,529 | $ | 25,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 25,000 | |||||||||||
Net loss | (5,000 | ) | (5,000 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 31, 2011 | 1,623,529 | $ | 25,000 | $ | — | $ | (5,000 | ) | $ | 20,000 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements
F-5
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the period from January 13, 2011 (date of inception) to January 31, 2011
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||
Net loss | $ | (5,000 | ) | |
Change in operating assets: | ||||
Deferred offering costs (Note 2) | (60,690 | ) | ||
Change in operating liabilities: | ||||
Accrued expenses – other | 5,000 | |||
Accrued offering cost | 10,000 | |||
Net cash used in operating activities | (50,690 | ) | ||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | ||||
Proceeds from sale of ordinary shares to Sponsor | 25,000 | |||
Proceeds from note payable to affiliate | 100,000 | |||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 125,000 | |||
Increase in cash | 74,310 | |||
Cash at beginning of period | — | |||
Cash at end of period | $ | 74,310 | ||
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Financing Activities Deferred offering costs included in accrued expenses | $ | 60,690 |
See accompanying notes to financial statements
F-6
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Operations
Incorporation
Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on January 13, 2010.
Sponsor
The company’s sponsor is Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”).
Fiscal Year End
The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
Business Purpose
The Company was formed to effect a merger, capital share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (an “Initial Business Combination”).
Financing
The Sponsor intends to finance an Initial Business Combination in part with proceeds from a $80,000,000 public offering (the “Public Offering” — Note 3), and a $3,000,000 private placement (Note 4).
Upon the closing of the Public Offering and the private placement, $80,000,000 (or $91,760,000 if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full — Note 3) will be held in the Trust Account (discussed below).
Trust Account
The trust account (the “Trust Account”) will be invested in permitted United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”), having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act. The funds in the Trust Account will be held in the name of Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited.
Except for a portion of the interest income that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes and to fund the Company’s working capital requirements, and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the Company’s Public Shares if the Company seeks shareholder approval of its business combination, as discussed below, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a business combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of the Public Offering, (ii) a redemption to public shareholders prior to any voluntary winding-up in the event the Company does not consummate a business combination within the applicable period, or (iii) pursuant to any liquidation.
Business Combination
An Initial Business Combination is subject to the following size, focus and shareholder approval provisions:
Size — The prospective target business will not have a limitation to size; however, the Company will not consummate an Initial Business Combination unless it acquires a controlling interest in a target company or is otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
F-7
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Operations – (continued)
Focus — The Company’s efforts in identifying prospective target businesses will initially not be focused on any particular business sector.
Tender Offer/Shareholder Approval — The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination, will either (i) provide shareholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest but less taxes payable plus amounts released to fund working capital requirements and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the Public Shares sold in the Public Offering, or (ii) seek shareholder approval of the Initial Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Initial Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest but less taxes payable plus amounts released to fund working capital requirements and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the Public Shares sold in the Public Offering. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of the Initial Business Combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares in a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek shareholder approval. If the Company seeks shareholder approval, it will consummate its initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the Initial Business Combination. However, in no event will the Company redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its Public Shares and the related Initial Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Initial Business Combination.
Regardless of whether the Company holds a shareholder vote or a tender offer in connection with an Initial Business Combination, a public shareholder will have the right to redeem their shares for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest but less taxes payable plus amounts released to fund working capital requirements and any amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the Public Shares sold in the Public Offering. As a result, such ordinary shares will be recorded at conversion/tender value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Public Offering, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”
Permitted Purchase of Public Shares — If the Company seeks shareholder approval prior to the Initial Business Combination and does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, prior to the Initial Business Combination, the Company’s memorandum and articles of association will permit the release to the Company from the Trust Account, amounts necessary to purchase up to 15% of the shares sold in the Public Offering. All shares so purchased by the Company will be immediately cancelled.
Liquidation
If the Company does not consummate an Initial Business Combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of the Public Offering, the Company (i) will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (less up to $100,000 of the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), pro rata, to holders of Public Shares by way of redemption and (ii) intends to cease all operations except for the purposes of any winding up of its affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be done automatically by function of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 of the British Virgin Islands.
F-8
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Operations – (continued)
In the event of liquidation, it is likely that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per share in the Public Offering (assuming no value is attributed to the warrants contained in the units to be offered in the Public Offering discussed in Note 3).
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements of the Company are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Development Stage Company
The Company is considered to be in the development stage as defined by FASB ASC 915, “Development Stage Entities,” and is subject to the risks associated with activities of development stage companies. The Company has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any income to date. All activity through the date the financial statements were issued relates to the Company’s formation and the Public Offering. Following such offering, the Company will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of an Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on the designated Trust Account after the Public Offering.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss per share by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, plus to the extent dilutive, the incremental number of shares of ordinary shares to settle warrants held by the Sponsor (see Note 4), as calculated using the treasury stock method. During the period from inception through January 31, 2011, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, dilutive loss per ordinary share is equal to basic loss per ordinary share.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company is required to determine whether its tax positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant taxing authority. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in the Company recording a tax liability that reduces ending retained earnings. Based on its analysis, the Company has determined that it has not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of January 31, 2011. The Company’s conclusions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.
F-9
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. Significant Accounting Policies – (continued)
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and other expenses, respectively. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the period ended January 31, 2011. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
The Company may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. states or foreign jurisdiction authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist principally of legal and accounting fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Public Offering and that will be charged to capital upon the receipt of the capital raised or charged to operations if the Public Offering is not completed.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments, including cash and the note payable to related party, approximate their carrying amount due primarily to their short-term nature.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
3. Public Offering
Public Units
The Public Offering calls for the Company to offer for sale 8,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit (the “Public Units”). Each unit consists of one ordinary share of the Company, no par value (the “Public Shares”), and one warrant to purchase one ordinary share (the “Public Warrants”). The Company intends to grant the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional Public Units solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
Public Warrant Terms and Conditions:
Exercise Conditions — Each Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share commencing on the later of: (i) 30 days after the consummation of an Initial Business Combination, or (ii) 12 months from the date of the prospectus for the offering, provided that the Company has an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and such shares are registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder. The Public Warrants expire five years from the date of the Public Company prospectus, unless earlier redeemed. The Public Warrants will be redeemable in whole and not in part at a price of $0.01 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ notice after the warrants become exercisable, only in the event that the last sale price of the Company’s ordinary shares exceeds $17.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period. If the Public Warrants are redeemed by the Company, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a cashless basis.
Registration Risk — In accordance with a warrant agreement relating to the Public Warrants, the Company will be required to use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement relating to the ordinary shares which would be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The
F-10
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. Public Offering – (continued)
Company will not be obligated to deliver securities, and there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities, if a registration statement is not effective at the time of exercise. Additionally, in the event that a registration is not effective at the time of exercise, the holders of such Public Warrants shall not be entitled to exercise such Public Warrants (except on a cashless basis under certain circumstances) and in no event (whether in the case of a registration statement not being effective or otherwise) will the Company be required to net cash settle or cash settle the Public Warrants. Consequently, the Public Warrants may expire unexercised, unredeemed and worthless, and an investor in the Public Offering may effectively pay the full unit price solely for the ordinary shares included in the Public Units.
Accounting — Since the Company is not required to net cash settle the Public Warrants, management has determined that the Public Warrants will be recorded at fair value and classified within shareholders’ equity as “Additional paid-in capital” upon their issuance in accordance with FASB ASC 815-40.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company is committed to pay an underwriting discount of 2.0% of the public unit offering price to the underwriters at the closing of the Public Offering, with an additional fee of 3.5% of the gross offering proceeds payable upon the Company’s consummation of an Initial Business Combination. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred discount.
4. Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares — In January 2011, the Sponsor purchased 1,623,529 ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”) for $25,000, or $0.015 per share.
Forfeiture — The Founder Shares include 211,764 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if and to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised, so that the Sponsor will own 15.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Public Offering.
Earnout Shares — In addition, a portion of the Founder Shares in an amount equal to 2.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Public Offering and the exercise of the over-allotment option, if applicable (“Earnout Shares”), will be subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor in the event the last sales price of the Company’s shares does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of the Company’s Initial Business Combination.
Rights — The Founder Shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in the Public Offering except that (i) the Founder Shares will be subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, and (ii) the Sponsor will agree to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares it purchases in connection with the Initial Business Combination and will also waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to consummate an Initial Business Combination within 21 months (or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of the Public Offering.
Voting — If the Company seeks shareholder approval of its Initial Business Combination, the Sponsor will agree to vote the Founder Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Public Offering in favor of the Initial Business Combination.
Liquidation — Although the Sponsor and its permitted transferees will waive their redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to consummate an Initial Business Combination within 21 months(or 24 months, if extended) from the closing of the Public Offering, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any Public Shares they may own.
F-11
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. Related Party Transactions – (continued)
Sponsor Warrants — Members of the Sponsor have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 warrants (the “Sponsor Warrants”) at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $3,000,000) from the Company on a private placement basis simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering.
Exercise Conditions — Each Sponsor Warrant is exercisable into one ordinary share at $11.50 per share. The proceeds from the Sponsor Warrant will be added to the proceeds from the Public Offering held in the Trust Account. The Sponsor Warrants will be identical to the warrants included in the units sold in the Public Offering except that the Sponsor Warrants (i) will not be redeemable by the Company as long as they are held by members of the Sponsor or any of their permitted transferees, (ii) will be subject to certain transfer restrictions described in more detail below and (iii) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis.
Accounting — Since the Company is not required to net-cash settle the Sponsor Warrants, management has determined that the Sponsor Warrants will be recorded at fair value and classified within shareholders’ equity as “Additional paid-in capital” upon their issuance in accordance with FASB ASC 815-40.
Disposition Restrictions
The Sponsor will agree not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares (except in limited circumstances to permitted assigns) until one year after the completion of its Initial Business Combination or earlier if the last sales price of the Company’s ordinary shares exceeds $12.00 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days from the date of consummation of an Initial Business Combination. In addition, notwithstanding the above, the Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, sell or assign the Founder Earnout Shares (whether to a permitted transferee or otherwise) before they are earned. The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Sponsor Warrants including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the sponsor warrants until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination.
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Sponsor Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will hold registration rights to require the Company to register a sale of any of the securities held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. These shareholders will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these shareholders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the Founder Shares, (A) one year after the completion of the initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to the initial business combination, the last sales price of the Company’s ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial business combination or (B) when the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction after the Company’s Initial Business Combination which results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, and (ii) in the case of the sponsor warrants and the respective ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. The Company will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements.
F-12
GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(A Corporation in the Development Stage)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. Other Related Party Transactions
Administrative Services
The Company has agreed to pay up to $3,000 a month in total for office space and general and administrative services to the Sponsor. Services will commence promptly after the date the Company’s securities are first quoted on the OTCBB and will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the consummation of an Initial Business Combination or (ii) the liquidation of the Company.
Note Payable
On January 24, 2011, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note for $100,000 to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, proceeds from the loan were used to fund a portion of the organizational and offering expenses owed by the Company to third parties. The principal balance of the loan is repayable on the earlier of (i) the date of the consummation of the Public Offering and (ii) December 31, 2011. The principal balance is pre-payable without penalty at any time in whole or in part. No interest accrues on the unpaid principal balance of the loan. Due to the short-term nature of the note, the fair value of the note approximates its carrying amount.
6. Shareholders’ Equity
Ordinary Shares — The Company has unlimited ordinary shares authorizes. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each ordinary share. At January 31, 2011, there were 1,623,529 ordinary shares outstanding.
Preferred Shares — The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares in five different classes with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
F-13
$80,000,000
Global Cornerstone Holdings Limited
8,000,000 Units
P R O S P E C T U S
, 2011
Citi
Deutsche Bank Securities
Until , 2011 (90 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our ordinary shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:
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SEC Expenses | $ | 10,681 | ||
FINRA Expenses | 9,700 | |||
Accounting fees and expenses | 45,000 | |||
Blue sky services and expenses | 40,000 | |||
Printing and engraving expenses | 35,000 | |||
Travel and road show expenses | 75,000 | |||
Directors & Officers liability insurance premiums (1) | 75,000 | |||
Legal fees and expenses | 300,000 | |||
Miscellaneous (2) | 159,619 | |||
Total | $ | 750,000 |
(1) | This amount represents the approximate amount of annual director and officer liability insurance premiums the registrant anticipates paying following the consummation of its initial public offering and until it consummates a business combination. |
(2) | This amount represents additional expenses that may be incurred by the Company in connection with the offering over and above those specifically listed above, including distribution and mailing costs. |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
British Virgin Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the British Virgin Islands Court to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association provide for indemnification of our officers and directors for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own fraud or willful default.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is theretofore unenforceable.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
On January 31, 2011, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, purchased 1,623,529 ordinary shares for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.015 per share. The founder shares held by our sponsor include an aggregate of 211,764 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full. Such shares (equal to 2.0% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering and the expiration of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor in the event the last sales price of our stock does not equal or exceed $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period within 24 months following the closing of our initial business combination. Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Each of our officers and directors are members of our sponsor. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D. Each of the equity holders in our sponsor is an accredited investor under Rule 501 of Regulation D. The sole business of our sponsor is to act as the company’s sponsor in connection with this offering.
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In addition, members of our sponsor have committed to purchase from us an aggregate of 3,000,000 sponsor warrants at $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $3.0 million). These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of our initial public offering. These issuances will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
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Exhibit No. | Description | |
1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement.** | |
3.1 | Memorandum and articles of association* | |
3.2 | Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and articles of association.** | |
4.1 | Specimen Unit Certificate.** | |
4.2 | Specimen Ordinary shares Certificate.** | |
4.3 | Specimen Warrant Certificate.** | |
4.4 | Form of Warrant Agreement between [Trust Company] and the Registrant.** | |
5.1 | Opinion of Ogier** | |
5.2 | Opinion of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP.** | |
10.1 | Promissory Note, dated January 24, 2011, issued to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC* | |
10.2 | Letter Agreement, dated as of , 2011, among the Registrant, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, and each of the members of Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC.** | |
10.3 | Letter Agreement, dated as of , 2011, between the Registrant and each of James D. Dunning, Jr., Gregory E. Smith and Alan G. Hassenfeld.** | |
10.4 | Letter Agreement, dated as of , 2011, between the Registrant and Elliot Stein, Jr.** | |
10.5 | Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between [Trust Company] and the Registrant.** | |
10.6 | Letter Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, and Registrant regarding administrative support.* | |
10.7 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC** | |
10.8 | Securities Purchase Agreement, effective as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC.* | |
10.9 | Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, among the Registrant and Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC.* | |
10.10 | Form of Indemnity Agreement.** | |
14 | Form of Code of Ethics.** | |
23.1 | Consent of Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C.* | |
23.2 | Consent of Ogier (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
23.3 | Consent of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (included on Exhibit 5.2). | |
24 | Power of Attorney. (included in signature page) |
* | Filed herewith. |
** | To be filed by amendment. |
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Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
i. To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
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incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 8th day of February, 2011.
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GLOBAL CORNERSTONE HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||
By: /s/ James D. Dunning, Jr. |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints James D. Dunning, Jr. his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments including post-effective amendments (including any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) and otherwise) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute, each acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
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Name | Position | Date | ||
/s/ James D. Dunning, Jr.![]() James D. Dunning, Jr. | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | February 8, 2011 | ||
/s/ Gregory E. Smith![]() Gregory E. Smith | President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | February 8, 2011 | ||
/s/ Alan Hassenfeld![]() Alan Hassenfeld | Director | February 8, 2011 | ||
/s/ Elliot Stein, Jr.![]() Elliot Stein, Jr. | Director | February 8, 2011 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. | Description | |
1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement.** | |
3.1 | Memorandum and articles of association* | |
3.2 | Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and articles of association.** | |
4.1 | Specimen Unit Certificate.** | |
4.2 | Specimen Ordinary shares Certificate.** | |
4.3 | Specimen Warrant Certificate.** | |
4.4 | Form of Warrant Agreement between [Trust Company] and the Registrant.** | |
5.1 | Opinion of Ogier** | |
5.2 | Opinion of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP.** | |
10.1 | Promissory Note, dated January 24, 2011, issued to Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC* | |
10.2 | Letter Agreement, dated as of , 2011, among the Registrant, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, and each of the members of Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC.** | |
10.3 | Letter Agreement, dated as of , 2011, between the Registrant and each of James D. Dunning, Jr., Gregory E. Smith and Alan G. Hassenfeld.** | |
10.4 | Letter Agreement, dated as of , 2011, between the Registrant and Elliot Stein, Jr.** | |
10.5 | Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between [Trust Company] and the Registrant.** | |
10.6 | Letter Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC, our sponsor, and Registrant regarding administrative support.* | |
10.7 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant, Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC** | |
10.8 | Securities Purchase Agreement, effective as of January 31, 2011, between the Registrant and Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC.* | |
10.9 | Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, among the Registrant and Global Cornerstone Holdings LLC.* | |
10.10 | Form of Indemnity Agreement.** | |
14 | Form of Code of Ethics.** | |
23.1 | Consent of Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C.* | |
23.2 | Consent of Ogier (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
23.3 | Consent of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (included on Exhibit 5.2). | |
24 | Power of Attorney. (included in signature page) |
* | Filed herewith. |
** | To be filed by amendment. |