MarketWise 10Q 2021 Q2 Quarterly report

MarketWise (MKTW) 10-Q2021 Q2 Quarterly report

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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM

10-Q

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from

Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Cayman Islands	001-39405	N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

667 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor New York, New York		10065
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(212)

209-3126

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, and one-half of one redeemable warrant	ACND.U	The New York Stock Exchange
Class A ordinary shares included as part of the units	ACND	The New York Stock Exchange
Redeemable warrants included as part of the units	ACND WS	The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation

S-T

(§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a

non-accelerated

filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule

12b-2

of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule

12b-2

of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

As of July

, 2021, 41,400,000 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,350,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, were issued and outstanding, respectively.

Table of Contents

ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

Form

10-Q

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Table of Contents


		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Condensed Financial Statements		1
	Condensed Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020		1
	Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021, and for the Period from February 11, 2020 (inception) Through June 30, 2020		2
	Unaudited Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021, and for the Period from February 11, 2020 (inception) Through June 30, 2020		3
	Unaudited Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and for the Period from February 11, 2020 (inception) Through June 30, 2020		4
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements		5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		25
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		26
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		26
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		26
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities		27
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		27
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		27
Item 5.	Other Information		27
Item 6.	Exhibits		27

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Condensed Financial Statements

ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS


	June 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
	(Unaudited)
Assets:
Current assets:

Cash	$	416,780		$	861,754
Prepaid expenses		218,981			328,772

Total current assets		635,761			1,190,526
Investments held in Trust Account		414,268,577			414,209,593

Total Assets	$	414,904,338		$	415,400,119

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	274,570		$	22,120
Accrued expenses		2,777,394			111,146
Due to related party		5,846			9,750

Total current liabilities		3,057,810			143,016
Deferred underwriting commissions		14,490,000			14,490,000
Derivative warrant liabilities		50,497,400			53,801,110

Total liabilities		68,045,210			68,434,126
Commitments and Contingencies		0			0
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 34,185,912 and 34,196,599 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.00 per share as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively		341,859,120			341,965,990
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; NaN issued and outstanding		0—			0—
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 7,214,088 and 7,203,401 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 34,185,912 and 34,196,599 shares subject to possible redemption) as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively		721			720
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 10,350,000 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020		1,035			1,035
Additional paid-in capital		34,734,757			34,627,888
Accumulated deficit		(29,736,505	)		(29,629,640	)

Total shareholders’ equity		5,000,008			5,000,003

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	414,904,338		$	415,400,119

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30,						For the Six Months			For The Period From February 11, 2020 (inception) Through
	2021			2020			Ended June 30, 2021			June 30, 2020
General and administrative expenses	$	2,963,134		$	28,405		$	3,409,559		$	45,779
Administrative expenses - related party		30,000			—			60,000			—

Loss from operations		(2,993,134	)		(28,405	)		(3,469,559	)		(45,779	)
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities		(18,834,160	)	$	—			3,303,710			—
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account		10,329			—			58,984			—

Net loss	$	(21,816,965	)	$	(28,405	)	$	(106,865	)	$	(45,779	)

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding of Class A ordinary shares		41,400,000			—			41,400,000			—

Basic and diluted net income per share, Class A ordinary shares	$	0.00		$	—		$	0.00		$	—

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding of Class B ordinary shares		10,350,000			10,350,000			10,350,000			10,350,000

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B ordinary shares	$	(2.11	)		(0.00	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.00	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)


	For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Ordinary Shares										Additional Paid-in Capital						Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Class A						Class B							Accumulated Deficit
	Shares			Amount			Shares		Amount					Accumulated Deficit
Balance - December 31, 2020		7,203,401		$	720			10,350,000	$	1,035	$	34,627,888		$	(29,629,640	)	$	5,000,003
Shares subject to possible rede m ption		(2,171,010	)		(217	)		—		—		(21,709,883	)		—			(21,710,100	)
Net income		—			—			—		—		—			21,710,100			21,710,100

Balance - March 31, 2021 (unaudited)		5,032,391			503			10,350,000		1,035		12,918,005			(7,919,540	)		5,000,003
Shares subject to possible redemption		2,181,697			218			—		—		21,816,752			—			21,816,970
Net loss		—			—			—		—		—			(21,816,965	)		(21,816,965	)

Balance - June 30, 2021 (unaudited)		7,214,088		$	721			10,350,000	$	1,035	$	34,734,757		$	(29,736,505	)	$	5,000,008


	For The Period From February 11, 2020 (inception) Through June 30, 2020
	Ordinary Shares										Additional						Total
	Class A						Class B				Paid-in			Accumulated			Shareholder’s
	Shares			Amount			Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Equity (Deficit)
Balance - February 11, 2020 (inception)		—		$	—			—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	0
Issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sponsor		—			—			10,350,000		1,035		23,965			—			25,000
Net loss		—			—			—		—		—			(17,374	)		(17,374	)

Balance - March 31, 2020 (unaudited)		—			—			10,350,000		1,035		23,965			(17,374	)		7,626
Net loss		—			—			—		—		—			(28,405	)		(28,405	)

Balance - June 30, 2020 (unaudited)		—		$	—			10,350,000	$	1,035	$	23,965		$	(45,779	)	$	(20,779	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(106,865	)	$	(45,779	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
General and administrative expenses paid by related party		—			27,928
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account		(58,984	)		—
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities		(3,303,710	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses		109,791			(294	)
Accounts payable		252,450			13,333
Due to related party		(3,904	)		—
Accrued expenses		2,666,248			4812

Net cash used in operating activities		(444,974	)		—

Net change in cash		(444,974	)		—
Cash - beginning of the period		861,754			—

Cash - end of the period	$	416,780		$	—

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Deferred offering costs included in accounts payable	$	—		$	211,234
Deferred offering costs included in accrued expenses	$	—		$	31,255
Deferred offering costs included in note payable—related party	$	—		$	122,541
Deferred offering costs paid by Sponsor in exchange for issuance of Class B ordinary shares	$	—		$	25,000
Change in value of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption	$	(106,870	)	$	—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations

Organization and General

Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on February 11, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination, the Company intends to focus its search on companies in what it calls the “Attention Economy”, which refers to various converging sectors within interactive (digital) entertainment, film/television, music, print and digital books (including magazine and comics publications),

e-sports,

live events and other forms of consumer entertainment and enabling services and technologies. The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).

At June 30, 2021, the Company had not yet commenced operations. All activity for the period from February 11, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and its preparation for the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and since offering, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenue until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate

non-operating

income in the form of income earned on investments on investments in the Trust Account (as defined below).

The Company’s sponsor is Ascendant Sponsor LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on July 24, 2020. On July 28, 2020, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 41,400,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), including 5,400,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments (the “Over-Allotment Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $414.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $23.4 million, inclusive of approximately $14.5 million in deferred underwriting commissions (Note 5).

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 10,280,000 warrants (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”), at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant with the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of approximately $10.3 million (Note 4).

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, $414.0 million ($10.00 per Unit) of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement were placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and which was invested by the trustee only in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule

2a-7

of the Investment Company Act, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company will provide its holders (the “Public Shareholders”) of its Public Shares with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share). The

per-share

amount to be distributed to Public Shareholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 5). These Public Shares were recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a shareholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the “Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, shareholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain shareholder approval for business or legal reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each Public Shareholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Shareholders (as defined below) have agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined below in Note 4) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination. The Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s Amended and Restated 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the Class A ordinary shares sold in the Initial Public Offering, without the prior consent of the Company.

The Company’s Sponsor, officers and directors (the “Initial Shareholders”) have agreed not to propose an amendment to the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (a) that would modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or July 28, 2022 (the “Combination Period”) or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or

pre-initial

Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A ordinary shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a

per-share

price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law.

The Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor or members of the Company’s management team acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

rights to its deferred underwriting commission (see Note 5) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account. In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public 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, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the C

mpany waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

Proposed Business Combination

On March 1, 2021, the Company (which shall migrate to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation prior to the Closing), entered into a Business Combination Agreement with MarketWise, LLC (formerly known as Beacon Street Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “

MarketWise

”), all of the members of MarketWise party thereto (collectively, the “

Sellers

” and each a “

Seller

”) and Shareholder Representative Services LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, solely in its capacity as the representative of the Sellers thereunder (in such capacity, the “

Seller Representative

”) (the “

Business Combination Agreement

”, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2021, by and among the Company, MarketWise and the Seller Representative (solely in its capacity as the representative of the Sellers thereunder), and by that certain Amendment No. 2 to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2021, by and among the Company, MarketWise, and the Seller Representative (solely in its capacity as the representative of the Sellers thereunder), and as the same may be further amended from time to time, the “

Transaction Agreement

”). Each of the Company, MarketWise, the Sellers and the Seller Representative are individually referred to herein as a “

Party

” and, collectively, the “

Parties

”. The transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement are referred to herein as the “

Business Combination

.” The time of the closing of the Business Combination is referred to herein as the “

Closing

.” The date of the Closing of the Business Combination is referred to herein as the “

Closing Date

.”

The Domestication; Charter of the Company and Bylaws of the Company

At the end of the day immediately prior to the Closing Date, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Transaction Agreement, the Company will migrate to and domesticate as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, and the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) (the “

Domestication

”).

By virtue of the Domestication and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the

Transaction

Agreement, including approval of the Company’s shareholders: (i) each of the then issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (each, a “

Cayman Class

B Share

”), will convert automatically, on a

one-for-one

basis, into a Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (each, a “

Cayman Class

A Share

”); (ii) immediately following the conversion described in clause (i), each of the then issued and outstanding Cayman Class A Shares will convert automatically, on a

one-for-one

basis, into a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Company (after the Domestication) (the “

Class

A Common Stock

”); and (iii) each of the then issued and outstanding warrants representing the right to purchase one Cayman Class A Share will convert automatically into a warrant to acquire 1 share of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the related warrant agreement.

Substantially simultaneously with or immediately following the Domestication and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Transaction Agreement, the Company will also file (a) a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware in the form attached to the Transaction Agreement (the “

Company Domesticated Charter

”) and (b) adopt bylaws in the form attached to the Transaction Agreement (the “

Company Domesticated Bylaws

”), to (among other things) establish a capital structure for the Company containing Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of Company (after the Domestication) (the “

Class

B Common Stock

”). The shares of Class B Common Stock will have the same voting rights as the shares of Class A Common Stock but the shares of Class B Common Stock will have no economic rights, in each case as set forth in the Company Domesticated Charter and Company Domesticated Bylaws.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, substantially concurrently with the Closing, MarketWise will distribute all of its cash and cash equivalents to the Sellers in accordance with its then in effect operating agreement. Following such distribution, MarketWise will effectuate a recapitalization, pursuant to which, among other things, all Class A and Class B units of MarketWise (including the unvested Class B units of MarketWise) held by the Sellers will convert or exchange into a new class of common units of MarketWise with such terms and conditions as set forth in the MarketWise’s amended and restated operating agreement, which will be entered into pursuant to the Transaction Agreement (the “MarketWise Third A&R Operating Agreement”). Following such recapitalization, the Sellers will collectively hold a single class of common units of MarketWise.

Subject to the satisfaction

waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Transaction Agreement, at the Closing, the Company will contribute a subscription amount (the “

Subscription Amount

”) to MarketWise in exchange for units and warrants in MarketWise. Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the Subscription Amount will be an amount of cash determined by MarketWise and will be not less than

$85,000,000 nor more than $150,000,000;

provided

, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Subscription Amount determined by MarketWise will be greater than the Available Distributable Cash (as defined below), the Subscription Amount will automatically be deemed to be an amount equal to the Available Distributable Cash.

Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the “

Available Distributable Cash

” will be an aggregate amount equal to, as of immediately prior to the Closing, the sum of (without duplication): (a) all amounts in the Company’s trust

account

, less amounts required for the redemptions of Cayman Class A Shares by the Company’s current shareholders,

plus

(b) the aggregate proceeds, if any, actually received by the Company from the Subscriptions (as defined and discussed below)

plus

minus

(d) the aggregate amount of unpaid transaction costs incurred by the parties to the Transa

tion Agreement.

At the Closing, the Company will also purchase certain units of MarketWise from the Sellers for cash consideration (the “

Cash Consideration

”) in an amount equal to (i) the Available Acquiror Closing Cash (as defined below),

less

(ii) the aggregate amount of unpaid transaction costs incurred by the parties to the Transaction Agreement as of the Closing,

provided

, that, under no circumstances will the Cash Consideration be more than $374,000,000 or less than $0. Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the “

Available Acquiror Closing Cash

” will be an aggregate amount equal to, as of immediately prior to the Closing, the sum of (without duplication): (a) all amounts in the Company’s trust account, less amounts required for the redemptions of Cayman Class A Shares by the Company’s current shareholders

plus

(b) the aggregate proceeds, if any, actually received by the Company from the Subscriptions

plus

minus

(d) the Subscription Amount.

Additionally, at the Closing, the Company will issue to the

Seller

s, for nominal consideration, a certain number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the aggregate number of units of the Company retained by the Sellers at the Closing (collectively, the “

Retained Units

”), with each Seller receiving its pro rata share of

such

shares of Class B Common Stock and Retained Units. Pursuant to the

Transaction

Agreement, the Retained Units will be a number of common units of the Company equal to the quotient of (a) $

2,910,923,000

(being the agreed equity value to the Sellers)

minus

the Cash Consideration, divided by (b) $

10.00

Following the Closing, the combined Company will be organized in an

“Up-C”

structure in which substantially all of the assets and the business of the combined Company will be held by MarketWise and its subsidiaries, and the Company’s only direct assets will consist of units and warrants of MarketWise. Assuming that none of the Company’s current shareholders exercise their right to redeem their Cayman Class A Shares, and subject to adjustment for cash on hand and working capital, as of immediately following the Closing and without giving effect to the Sponsor Earn Out Shares (as defined and discussed below) or outstanding warrants to purchase Cayman Class A Shares, the Company is expected to own, directly or indirectly, approximately 20.1% of the issued and outstanding units of MarketWise at the Closing and will control MarketWise as the sole manager of MarketWise in accordance with the terms of the MarketWise Third A&R Operating Agreement and all remaining units of the Company will be owned by the Sellers.

Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company will change its name to “MarketWise, Inc.”

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Closing is subject to c

ertain

conditions, including, among other things, (i) the approval and adoption of the Transaction Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby and certain other matters by requisite vote of the Company’s shareholders; (ii) if required, the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended; (iii) the absence of a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) since the date of the Transaction Agreement; and (iv) material compliance by the parties with their respective

pre-Closing

and Closing obligations and the accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties in the Transaction Agreement, in each case subject to certain materiality standards contained in the Transaction Agreement. In addition, MarketWise’s obligation to consummate the Business Combination is subject to the condition that the sum of (x) the funds remaining in the Company’s trust account (after giving effect to redemptions of Cayman Class A Shares by the Company’s current shareholders) and (y) the aggregate amount the Company actually receives from the Subscriptions, but in each case before giving effect to the consummation of the Closing and the payment of the aggregate amount of unpaid transaction costs incurred by the parties to the Transaction Agreement, be equal to or exceed $150,000,000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $0.4 million in its operating bank account and a working capital deficit of approximately $2.4 million.

The Company’s liquidity needs up to June 30, 2021 had been satisfied through the payment of $25,000 from the Sponsor to cover for certain expenses on behalf of the Company in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares, the loan of approximately $160,000 from the Sponsor pursuant to the Note (see Note 4), and the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. The Company fully repaid the Note on July 28, 2020. Additionally, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Working Capital Loans (see Note 4). As of June 30, 2021, there were 0 amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loan.

Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will have sufficient borrowing capacity to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the periods presented. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected through December 31, 2021.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K/A filed with the SEC on May 10, 2021.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to

non-emerging

growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000. As of June 30, 2021, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had 0 cash equivalents in its operating account as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Investments Held in the Trust Account

The Company’s portfolio of investments held in the Trust Account is comprised of U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or investments in money market funds that invest in U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof. The investments are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the condensed balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities is included in interest earned on Investments Held in Trust Account in the accompanying statement of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined using available market information.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the condensed balance sheets.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

•

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;

•

Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

•

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

As of June 30, 2021, the carrying values of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The Company’s marketable securities held in Trust Account is comprised of investments in U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of 185 days or less and are recognized at fair value. The fair value of marketable securities held in Trust Account is determined using quoted prices in active markets

Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering

Offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the Initial Public Offering that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs are allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the Initial Public Offering based on a relative fair value basis, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs associated with derivative warrant liabilities were expensed as incurred, presented as

non-operating

expenses in the condensed statements of operations. Offering costs associated with the Class A ordinary shares issued were charged to shareholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company will keep deferred underwriting commissions are classified as

non-current

liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”). Shares of Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including shares of Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 34,185,912 and 34,196,599 shares of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s condensed balance sheets, respectively.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Taxes

FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be

more-likely-than-not

to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company’s management determined that the Cayman Islands is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were 0 unrecognized tax benefits and 0 amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

The Company is considered an exempted Cayman Islands company and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the Cayman Islands or the United States. As such, the Company’s tax provision was 0 for the periods presented. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.

Net income (loss) per ordinary shares

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement to purchase an aggregate of 30,980,000 shares of Class A ordinary shares in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As a result, diluted income per share is the same as basic income per share for the periods presented.

The Company’s unaudited condensed statements of operations includes a presentation of income (loss) per share for ordinary shares subject to redemption in a manner similar to the

two-class

method of income per share. Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted for Class A ordinary shares for three and six months ended June 30, 2021, is calculated by dividing the investment income earned on the Trust Account of approximately $10,000 and $59,000, respectively, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted for Class B ordinary shares is calculated by dividing the net income (loss), less income attributable to Class A ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of shares of Class B ordinary shares outstanding for the period.

For three months ended June 30, 2020 and for the period February 11, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2020, 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, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the periods presented.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)

No. 2020-06,

“Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic

470-20)

and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic

815-40):

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU

2020-06”),

which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU

2020-06

also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The Company adopted ASU

2020-06

on January 1, 2021. Adoption of the ASU

2020-06

did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards update, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements.

Note 3 — Initial Public Offering

On July 28, 2020, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 41,400,000 Units, including the 5,400,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of its over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $414.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $23.4 million, inclusive of approximately $14.5 million in deferred underwriting commissions.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Each Unit consists of one share of Class A ordinary share, and

one-half

of one redeemable warrant (each, a “Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary shares at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 6).

Note 4 — Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

On March 2, 2020, the Sponsor paid $25,000 to cover certain offering costs of the Company in consideration of 8,625,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, (the “Founder Shares”), for an aggregate price of $25,000. On May 29, 2020, the Sponsor surrendered 1,437,500 Founder Shares to the Company for cancellation for no consideration. On June 26, 2020, the Company effected a share capitalization of 1,437,500 Founder Shares, resulting in the Sponsor holding 8,625,000 Founder Shares. In July 2020, the Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 180,000 Founder Shares to members of the Company’s board of directors and advisory board, resulting in the Sponsor holding 8,445,000 Founder Shares. On July 23, 2020, the Company effected another share capitalization of 1,725,000 Founder Shares, resulting in an aggregate of 10,350,000 Founder Shares outstanding, of which the Sponsor holds 10,170,000 shares. All shares and the associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the aforementioned share surrender and capitalization.

The Initial Shareholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (ii) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction after the initial Business Combination that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property; except to certain permitted transferees and under certain circumstances. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of the initial Shareholders with respect to any Founder Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share

sub-divisions,

share capitalizations, 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 (2) if the Company consummates a transaction after the initial Business Combination which results in the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Founder Shares will be released from the

lock-up.

Private Placement Warrants

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the Private Placement of 10,280,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant with the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of approximately $10.3 million.

Each whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one whole Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. Certain proceeds from the Private Placement Warrants were added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be

non-redeemable

(except as set forth below under “– Redemption of Warrants When the Price Per Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $10.00”) and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Private Placement Warrants until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

Related Party Loans

On March 2, 2020, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan was

non-interest

bearing and payable on the earlier of December 31, 2020 or the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company borrowed approximately $160,000 under the Note, and then fully repaid the Note on July 28, 2020.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1.5 million of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. To date, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.

Administrative Support Agreement

The Company agreed to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month, commencing on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services provided to members of the management team. Upon completion of the initial Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. The Company incurred approximately $30,000 and $60,000 in administrative expenses under the agreement, which is recognized in the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 within general and administrative expenses – related party, respectively. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was 0 outstanding balance in accounts payable – related party, as reflected in the accompanying unaudited condensed balance sheets.

Note 5 — Commitments and Contingencies

Registration and Shareholder Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants, Forward Purchase Securities and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, if any, are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. These holders will be entitled to certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until the termination of the applicable

lock-up

period for the securities to be registered. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

The Company granted the underwriters a

45-day

option from the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 5,400,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On July 28, 2020, the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option.

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or approximately $8.9 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, $0.35 per unit, or approximately $14.5 million in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Forward Purchase Agreement

In connection with the consummation of the Offering, the Company entered into a forward purchase agreement with NEXON Co. Ltd. (“Nexon”), pursuant to which Nexon has subscribed to purchase from us

, upon request,

up to 25,000,000 forward purchase units (the “Forward Purchase Units”), consisting of one Class A ordinary share (the “Forward Purchase Shares”), and

one-half

of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share (the “Forward Purchase Warrants”), for $10.00 per unit, or an aggregate amount of up to $250,000,000, in a private placement that will close concurrently with the closing of our initial business combination. Nexon’s commitment under the forward purchase agreement is subject to, among other conditions, the approval of its investment committee

in its sole and absolute discretion.

The Forward Purchase Shares and Forward Purchase Warrants will be identical to the Class A ordinary shares and warrants, respectively, included in the units being sold in the Public Offering, except that they will be subject to certain transfer restrictions and registration rights, as described herein.

Risks and Uncertainties

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the

COVID-19

pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statement. The financial statement does not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Note 6 — Shareholders’ Equity

Preference Shares —

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 preference shares with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of June 30, 2021

and December 31, 2020,

there were 0 preference shares issued or outstanding.

Class

A Ordinary Shares —

The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were 41,400,000 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, including 34,185,912 and 34,196,599 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, respectively.

Class

B Ordinary Shares —

The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On March 2, 2020, the Company issued 8,625,000 Class B ordinary shares to the Sponsor. On May 29, 2020, the Sponsor surrendered 1,437,500 Founder Shares to the Company for cancellation for 0 consideration. On June 26, 2020, the Company effected a share capitalization of 1,437,500 Founder Shares and as a result the Sponsor held 8,625,000 Class B ordinary shares. On July 23, 2020, the Company effected another share capitalization of 1,725,000 Founder Shares, resulting in an aggregate of 10,350,000 Founder Shares outstanding, of which the Sponsor holding 10,170,000 shares. All shares and the associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the aforementioned share surrender and capitalization. As of June 30,

2021,

there were 10,350,000 Class B ordinary shares outstanding.

Holders of record of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders, except as required by law; provided, that, prior to the Company’s initial Business Combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the election of directors prior to or in connection with the completion of the initial Business Combination.

The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of the consummation of the initial Business Combination on a

one-for-one

basis, subject to adjustment for share

sub-divisions,

share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial Business Combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, 20% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after such conversion (after giving effect to any redemptions of Class A ordinary shares by Public Shareholders), including the total number of Class A ordinary shares issued, or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial Business Combination (including the forward purchase shares but not the forward purchase warrants), excluding any Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A ordinary shares issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial Business Combination and any Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor, officers or directors upon conversion of Working Capital Loans; provided that such conversion of Founder Shares will never occur on a less than

one-for-one

basis.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 7—

Warrants

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 20,700,000 Public Warrants and 10,280,000 Private Warrants outstanding. Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional Public Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (b) one year from the closing of the Initial Public Offering; provided in each case that the Company has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Class A 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, or blue sky, laws of the state of residence of the holder (or the Company permits holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the warrant agreement). If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, it may exercise its redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and have an effective registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elect, it will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event the Company does not so elect, it will use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

The Public Warrants have an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustments as described below, and will expire

five

years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per Class A ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Initial Shareholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Initial Shareholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of our initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of our Class A ordinary shares during the

10-trading

day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates the initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price (See”—Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” and “—Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00”), and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price (See”—Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00”).

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be

non-redeemable

(except as set forth below under “ – Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00”) so long as they are held by the Sponsor, members of the Sponsor or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company for cash and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants for Class A ordinary shares:

•

in whole and not in part;

•

at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of Class A ordinary shares to be determined by reference to an agreed table based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of the Class A ordinary shares;

•

if, and only if, the last reported sale price (the “closing price”) of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $

10.00

per share (as adjusted) for any 20 trading days within the

30-trading

day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and

•

if the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for any 20 trading days within a

30-trading

day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted), the Private Placement Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding Public Warrants, as described above.

The “fair market value” of the Class A ordinary shares shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Class A ordinary shares during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. The Company will provide warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the

10-trading

day period described above ends. In no event will the warrants be exercisable in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment).

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants for cash (except as described herein with respect to the Private Placement 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; and

•

if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted) for any 20 trading days within a

30-trading

day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

The Company will not redeem the warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares is available throughout the

30-day

redemption period. If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

If the Company is unable to complete the initial Business Combination within the combination period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire

worthless

Note 8 — Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques that the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

As of June 30, 2021:


Description	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
U. S. Treasury Securities	$	414,268,577	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Derivative warrant liabilities—Public Warrants		33,741,000		—		—
Derivative warrant liabilities—Private Warrants		—		—		16,756,400

Total fair value	$	448,009,577	$	—	$	16,756,400

As of December 31, 2020:


Description	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
U. S. Treasury Securities	$	414,209,593	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Derivative warrant liabilities—Public Warrants		35,386,050		—		—
Derivative warrant liabilities—Private Warrants		—		—		18,415,060

Total fair value	$	449,595,643	$	—	$	18,415,060

Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2, and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between levels for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants has been estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model each measurement date. The fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the Public Offering were initially measured at fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model and subsequently measured based on the listed market price of such warrants. The Company estimates the fair value of the warrants at each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the condensed statements of operations.

The estimated fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities – Public Warrants is determined using Level 1 inputs. The estimated fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities – Private Placement Warrants is determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a Monte-Carlo simulation are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, expected life and risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the volatility of its ordinary shares based on historical volatility of select peer companies that matches the expected remaining life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury

zero-coupon

yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term.

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ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table provides quantitative information regarding Level 3 fair value measurements inputs at their measurement dates:


	June 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
Volatility		23.5	%		25.3	%
Stock price	$	9.95		$	10.26
Expected life of the options to convert		5.05			5.42
Risk-free rate		0.88	%		0.42	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%

The change in the fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities, measured using Level 3 inputs, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 is summarized as follows:


Warrant liabilities at January 1, 2021	$	18,415,060
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities		(7,761,500	)

Derivative warrant liabilities at March 31, 2021		10,653,560
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities		6,102,840

Derivative warrant liabilities at June 30, 2021	$	16,756,400

Note 9 — Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred up to the date unaudited condensed financial statements were available to be issued. Based upon this review, the Company determined that, there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to the disclosures in the unaudited condensed financial statements.

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Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

References to the “Company,” “Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp.,” “Ascendant Digital,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim condensed financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form

10-Q

includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other SEC filings.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 11, 2020. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). We are an emerging growth company and, as such, we are subject to all of the risks associated with emerging growth companies.

Our sponsor is Ascendant Sponsor LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Sponsor”). The registration statement for our Initial Public Offering was declared effective on July 24, 2020. On July 28, 2020, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 41,400,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), including 5,400,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments (the “Over-Allotment Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $414.0 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $23.4 million, inclusive of approximately $14.5 million in deferred underwriting commissions (Note 5).

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 10,280,000 warrants (each, a “Private Placement Warrant” and collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”), at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant with the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of approximately $10.3 million.

2a-7

of the Investment Company Act, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that we will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. We must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the

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agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, we will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

If we are unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a

per-share

price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law.

Proposed Business Combination

MarketWise

”), all of the members of MarketWise party thereto (collectively, the “

Sellers

” and each a “

Seller

”) and Shareholder Representative Services LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, solely in its capacity as the representative of the Sellers thereunder (in such capacity, the “

Seller Representative

”) (the “

Business Combination Agreement

Transaction Agreement

”). Each of the Company, MarketWise, the Sellers and the Seller Representative are individually referred to herein as a “

Party

” and, collectively, the “

Parties

”. The transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement are referred to herein as the “

Business Combination

.” The time of the closing of the Business Combination is referred to herein as the “

Closing

.” The date of the Closing of the Business Combination is referred to herein as the “

Closing Date

.”

The Domestication

;

Charter of the Company and Bylaws of the Company

Domestication

”).

By virtue of the Domestication and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Transaction Agreement, including approval of the Company’s shareholders: (i) each of the then issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (each, a “

Cayman Class

B Share

”), will convert automatically, on a

one-for-one

basis, into a Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (each, a “

Cayman Class

A Share

”); (ii) immediately following the conversion described in clause (i), each of the then issued and outstanding Cayman Class A Shares will convert automatically, on a

one-for-one

basis, into a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Company (after the Domestication) (the “

Class

A Common Stock

”); and (iii) each of the then issued and outstanding warrants representing the right to purchase one Cayman Class A Share will convert automatically into a warrant to acquire one share of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the related warrant agreement.

Company Domesticated Charter

”) and (b) adopt bylaws in the form attached to the Transaction Agreement (the “

Company Domesticated Bylaws

Class

B Common Stock

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Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, substantially concurrently with the Closing, MarketWise will distribute all of its cash and cash equivalents to the Sellers in accordance with its then in effect operating agreement. Following such distribution, MarketWise will effectuate a recapitalization, pursuant to which, among other things, all Class A and Class B units of MarketWise (including the unvested Class B units of MarketWise) held by the Sellers will convert or exchange into a new class of common units of MarketWise’s amended and restated operating agreement, which will be entered into pursuant to the Transaction Agreement (the “MarketWise Third A&R Operating Agreement). Following such recapitalization, the Sellers will collectively hold a single class of common units of MarketWise.

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, at the Closing, the Company will contribute a subscription amount (the “

Subscription Amount

”) to MarketWise in exchange for units and warrants in MarketWise. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Subscription Amount will be an amount of cash determined by MarketWise and will be not less than $85,000,000 nor more than $150,000,000; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Subscription Amount determined by MarketWise will be greater than the Available Distributable Cash (as defined below), the Subscription Amount will automatically be deemed to be an amount equal to the Available Distributable Cash.

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the “

Available Distributable Cash

plus

(b) the aggregate proceeds, if any, actually received by the Company from the Subscriptions (as defined and discussed below)

plus

minus

(d) the aggregate amount of unpaid transaction costs incurred by the parties to the Business Combination Agreement.

At the Closing, the Company will also purchase certain units of MarketWise from the Sellers for cash consideration (the “

Cash Consideration

”) in an amount equal to (i) the Available Acquiror Closing Cash (as defined below),

less

(ii) the aggregate amount of unpaid transaction costs incurred by the parties to the Business Combination Agreement as of the Closing,

provided

, that, under no circumstances will the Cash Consideration be more than $374,000,000 or less than $0. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the “

Available Acquiror Closing Cash

plus

(b) the aggregate proceeds, if any, actually received by the Company from the Subscriptions

plus

minus

(d) the Subscription Amount.

Additionally, at the Closing, the Company will issue to the Sellers, for nominal consideration, a certain number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the aggregate number of units of the Company retained by the Sellers at the Closing (collectively, the “

Retained Units

”), with each Seller receiving its pro rata share of such shares of Class B Common Stock and Retained Units. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Retained Units will be a number of common units of the Company equal to the quotient of (a) $2,910,923,000 (being the agreed equity value to the Sellers)

minus

the Cash Consideration, divided by (b) $10.00.

Following the Closing, the combined Company will be organized in an

“Up-C”

Upon consummation of the Transactions, the Company will change its name to “MarketWise, Inc.”

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The Closing is subject to certain conditions, including, among other things, (i) the approval and adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby and certain other matters by requisite vote of the Company’s shareholders; (ii) if required, the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended; (iii) the absence of a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) since the date of the Business Combination Agreement; and (iv) material compliance by the parties with their respective

pre-Closing

and Closing obligations and the accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties in the Business Combination Agreement, in each case subject to certain materiality standards contained in the Business Combination Agreement. In addition, MarketWise’s obligation to consummate the Business Combination is subject to the condition that the sum of (x) the funds remaining in the Company’s trust account (after giving effect to redemptions of Cayman Class A Shares by the Company’s current shareholders) and (y) the aggregate amount the Company actually receives from the Subscriptions, but in each case before giving effect to the consummation of the Closing and the payment of the aggregate amount of unpaid transaction costs incurred by the parties to the Business Combination Agreement, be equal to or exceed $150,000,000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2021, we had approximately $0.4 million in our operating bank account, and a working capital deficit of approximately $2.4 million.

Our liquidity needs up to June 30, 2021 had been satisfied through the payment of $25,000 from the Sponsor to cover for certain expenses on our behalf in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares, the loan of approximately $160,000 from the Sponsor pursuant to a promissory note, and the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. We fully repaid the Note on July 28, 2020. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide us Working Capital Loans (see Note 4). As of June 30, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loan.

Based on the foregoing, management believes that we will have sufficient borrowing capacity from our Sponsor or an affiliate of our Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the

COVID-19

pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on our financial position, results of our operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Results of Operations

Our entire activity since inception up to June 30, 2021 was in preparation for our formation and the Initial Public Offering. We will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial Business Combination.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we had a net loss of approximately $21.8 million, which consisted of approximately $18.8 million

non-operating

loss resulting from the change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities, approximately $3.0 million in general and administrative expenses, which was partially offset by approximately of $10,000 gain on investment (net), dividends and interest held in Trust Account.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we had a net loss of approximately $107,000, which consisted of approximately $3.3 million

non-operating

gain resulting from the change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities, approximately of $59,000 gain on investment (net), dividends and interest held in Trust Account, which was offset by approximately $3.5 million in general and administrative expenses.

For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and for the period from February 11, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2020, we had a net loss of approximately $28,000 and approximately $46,000, respectively, which consisted solely of general and administrative expenses.

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Contractual Obligations

Administrative Support Agreement

We agreed to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month, commencing on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering, for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services provided to members of the management team. Upon completion of the initial Business Combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.

We incurred approximately $30,000 and $60,000 in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.

Registration Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants, Forward Purchase Securities and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, if any, are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. These holders will be entitled to certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until the termination of the applicable

lock-up

period for the securities to be registered. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriting Agreement

We granted the underwriters a

45-day

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or approximately $8.9 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, $0.35 per unit, or approximately $14.5 million in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that we complete a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies

Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption

We account for our Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Our Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2021, 34,185,912 shares of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of our balance sheets.

Net income per ordinary shares

We comply with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. We have not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement to purchase an aggregate of 30,980,000 shares of Class A ordinary shares in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted per share is the same as basic income per share for the periods presented.

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Our statements of operations include a presentation of income per share for ordinary shares subject to redemption in a manner similar to the

two-class

method of income per share. Net income per share, basic and diluted for Class A ordinary shares is calculated by dividing the investment income earned on the Trust Account, net of applicable franchise and income taxes, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A ordinary shares outstanding since the initial issuance. Net income per share, basic and diluted for Class B ordinary shares is calculated by dividing the net income, less income attributable to Class A ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of shares of Class B ordinary shares outstanding for the period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements.

Off-Balance

Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2021, we did not have any

off-balance

sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation

S-K.

JOBS Act

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for

non-emerging

growth companies. As a result, the financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of

non-emerging

growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our Initial Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule

12b-2

of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item. As of June 30, 2021, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. The net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, including amounts in the Trust Account, will be invested in U.S. government securities with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds that meet certain conditions under Rule

2a-7

under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.

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We have not engaged in any hedging activities since our inception and we do not expect to engage in any hedging activities with respect to the market risk to which we are exposed.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, as such term is defined in Rules

13a-15(e)

and

15d-15(e)

under the Exchange Act. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules

13a-15

(e) and

15d-15

(e) under the Exchange Act) were not effective as of June 30, 2021, due solely to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described in “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” included in our Annual Report on Form 10K/A as filed with the SEC on May 10, 2021. In light of this material weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form

10-Q

present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2021, covered by this Quarterly Report on Form

10-Q

that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, as the circumstances that led to the restatement of our financial statements had not yet been identified. Management has implemented remediation steps to address the material weakness and to improve our internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, we expanded and improved our review process for complex securities and related accounting standards. We plan to further improve this process by enhancing access to accounting literature, identification of third-party professionals with whom to consult regarding complex accounting applications and consideration of additional staff with the requisite experience and training to supplement existing accounting professionals.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form

10-Q,

there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Form

10-K/A

filed with the SEC on May 10, 2021, except for the below risk factor. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.

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The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the

per-share

redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule

2a-7

under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our public shareholders are entitled to receive their

pro-rata

share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of income taxes paid or payable (less, in the case we are unable to complete our initial business combination, $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses). Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the

per-share

redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5.

Other Information.

None.

Item 6.

Exhibits.


Exhibit Number		Description
2.1		Amendment No. 1 to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2021, by and among the Company, Beacon Street Group, LLC, and Shareholder Representative Services LLC (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2021)

2.2		Amendment No. 2 to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2021, by and among Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp., MarketWise, LLC, and Shareholder Representative Services LLC (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on June 30, 2021)

31.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer (Chief Financial Officer) Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*		Certification of Chief Operating Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

These certifications are furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: July

, 2021


ASCENDANT DIGITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

By:		/s/ Mark Gerhard
Name:		Mark Gerhard
Title:		Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

Positive
Negative
Uncertain
Constraining
Legalese
Litigous
Readability	H.S. senior Bad

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company