PROSPECTUS | Filed Pursuant to 424(b)(4) |
$250,000,000
Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.
25,000,000 Units
_________________________
Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial business combination. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one Class A ordinary share and one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus. We refer to the rights included in the units as Eagle Share Rights. Our sponsor, Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The underwriters have a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 3,750,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any. Unlike many other special purpose acquisition company initial public offerings, investors in this offering will not receive warrants that would become exercisable following completion of our initial business combination.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to collectively as our public shares, in connection with the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account described below as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to the limitations described herein) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. As further described in this prospectus, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), will be restricted from redeeming its public shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the public shares, without our prior consent. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, which we refer to as the completion window, we will redeem 100% of 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to the limitations described herein), taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and certain conditions as further described herein. We may seek shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. If we seek shareholder approval for an extension, holders of our public shares will be offered an opportunity to redeem their shares upon approval of such extension.
Our sponsor, Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, has committed to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 Class A ordinary shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at the initial public offering price of our public shares of $10.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. These Class A ordinary shares, which we refer to as the private placement shares, are identical to the Class A ordinary shares included in the units sold in this offering, subject to limited exceptions as described in this prospectus.
Our initial shareholders, which include our sponsor, currently own an aggregate of 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares, up to 937,500 of which will be surrendered to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. In addition, as disclosed above, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 Class B ordinary shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 Class B ordinary shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, respectively, representing 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, after giving effect to the surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to the adjustments described herein. Prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of our Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). On any other matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, holders of the Class B ordinary shares and holders of the Class A ordinary shares will vote together as a single class, except as required by law. See the sections entitled “Summary — Our Sponsor” on page 7, “Summary — The Offering — Founder Shares” on page 15, “Summary — The Offering — Founder Shares Conversion and Anti-Dilution Rights” on page 18, “Summary — The Offering — Voting” on page 19, “Risk Factors — The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares and the amount of the deferred underwriting compensation may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, and may substantially dilute your investment in us” on page 38, “Risk Factors — We may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained therein. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks” on page 49, “Dilution” on page 81 and “Proposed Business — Our Sponsor” on page 92 for more information.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our units. Our units have been approved for listing on The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “BEAGU.” We expect that our shares will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We expect the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights that comprise the units to begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC, the representatives of the underwriters, inform us of their decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our satisfaction of certain conditions as described further herein. Once the securities comprising the units begin separately trading, we expect that the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “BEAG” and “BEAGR” respectively.
_________________
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” under applicable federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 37 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities. Investors will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings.
_________________
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. No offer or invitation, whether directly or indirectly, may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for our securities.
_________________
Per Unit | Total | |||||
Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | $ | 250,000,000 | ||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | 0.50 | $ | 12,500,000 | ||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | 9.50 | $ | 237,500,000 | ||
____________
(1) Includes $0.15 per unit, or $3,750,000 in the aggregate (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable to the underwriters upon the closing of this offering. Also includes $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 in the aggregate (or up to $10,062,500 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions to be placed in a trust account located in the United States and released to the underwriters only upon the completion of an initial business combination. See also “Underwriting” for a description of compensation and other items of value payable to the underwriters.
Of the proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement shares described in this prospectus, $250,000,000, or $287,500,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.00 per share in either case), will be deposited into a trust account located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, after deducting $3,750,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions payable upon the closing of this offering (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and an aggregate of $1,000,000 to pay fees and expenses in connection with the closing of this offering and for working capital following the closing of this offering.
Because our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal aggregate price of $25,000, or approximately $0.0004 per share, our public shareholders will incur an immediate and material dilution upon the closing of this offering. Further, the Class A ordinary shares issuable in connection with the conversion of the founder shares may result in material dilution to our public shareholders due to the anti-dilution rights of our founder shares that may result in an issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion. See the section titled “Risk Factors — The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline” on page 68 and “— We may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained therein. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks” on page 49. We will also pay an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team in an amount equal to $15,000 per month. Our sponsor may loan us up to $1,000,000 under unsecured, non-interest bearing promissory notes for offering-related and organizational expenses. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation. Our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may loan us funds to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares of the post-business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender. The issuance of such shares may result in material dilution to our public shareholders. See the section titled “Prospectus Summary — Our Sponsor” for more information regarding, among other things, the amount of compensation and securities received or to be received by our sponsor, its affiliates and our officers and directors.
The following table illustrates the difference between the public offering price and our net tangible book value per share, as adjusted to reflect various potential redemption levels that may occur in connection with the closing of our initial business combination, which we refer to as Adjusted NTBVPS, on a pro forma basis to give effect to this offering and the issuance of the private placement shares, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option and exercise of the over-allotment option in full. Adjusted NTBVPS excludes the effect of the consummation of our initial business combination or any related transactions or expenses. See the section titled “Dilution” for more information.
As of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offering Price | 25% of Maximum | 50% of Maximum | 75% of Maximum | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted | Adjusted | Difference | Adjusted | Difference | Adjusted | Difference | Adjusted | Difference | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assuming No Exercise of Over-Allotment Option | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 7.63 | $ | 7.05 | $ | 2.95 | $ | 6.08 | $ | 3.92 | $ | 4.18 | $ | 5.82 | $ | (1.34 | ) | $ | 11.34 | ||||||||
| Assuming Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 7.64 | $ | 7.06 | $ | 2.94 | $ | 6.10 | $ | 3.90 | $ | 4.20 | $ | 5.80 | $ | (1.30 | ) | $ | 11.30 | ||||||||
Members of our management team will directly or indirectly own founder shares and/or private placement shares following this offering and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction because of their financial interest in completing an initial business combination within the completion window. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, the founder shares may expire worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, executive officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. Additionally, each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, there may be actual or potential material conflicts of interest between our sponsor, its affiliates or promoters on the one hand, and the investors in this offering on the other hand. See the sections titled “Proposed Business — Sourcing of Potential Business Combination Targets” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest.”
The underwriters are offering the units for sale on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to the purchasers on or about October 25, 2024.
UBS Investment Bank | Jefferies |
_________________
October 23, 2024
Page | ||
1 | ||
36 | ||
37 | ||
76 | ||
77 | ||
80 | ||
81 | ||
83 | ||
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 84 | |
89 | ||
119 | ||
130 | ||
133 | ||
135 | ||
151 | ||
161 | ||
168 | ||
168 | ||
168 | ||
F-1 |
We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or inconsistent with that contained in this prospectus. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.
i
This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing.
Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or the context otherwise requires, references to:
• “we,” “us,” “company” or “our company” are to Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company;
• “Companies Act” are to the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands as the same may be amended from time to time;
• “completion window” are to the period of 24 months from the closing of this offering in which we must complete an initial business combination;
• “Eagle Share Rights” are to the rights which are being sold as part of the units in this offering;
• “founder shares” are to Class B ordinary shares initially purchased by our sponsor in a private placement prior to this offering and the Class A ordinary shares that will be issued upon the automatic conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described herein;
• “initial shareholders” are to holders of our founder shares prior to this offering;
• “management” or our “management team” are to our officers and directors;
• “ordinary shares” are to our Class A ordinary shares and our Class B ordinary shares;
• “permitted withdrawals” are to the amounts eligible to be released to us from interest earned on the funds held in the trust account to fund our working capital requirements, subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000, and to fund our taxes payable;
• “public shares” are to Class A ordinary shares included as part of the units sold in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market);
• “public shareholders” are to the holders of our public shares, including our initial shareholders and management team to the extent our initial shareholders and/or members of our management team purchase public shares, provided that each initial shareholder’s and member of our management team’s status as a “public shareholder” will only exist with respect to such public shares;
• “private placement shares” are to the shares issued to our sponsor in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering; and
• “sponsor” are to Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is controlled by Harry E. Sloan, Jeff Sagansky and Eli Baker
Any conversion of the Class B ordinary shares described in this prospectus will take effect as a redemption of Class B ordinary shares and an issuance of Class A ordinary shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any forfeiture of shares, and all references to forfeiture of shares, described in this prospectus shall take effect as a surrender of shares for no consideration as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any share dividend described in this prospectus will take effect as a share capitalization as a matter of Cayman Islands law.
Unless we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.
General
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
1
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. We believe the potential best use cases for SPACs are “special situations” involving target companies, including consolidations, corporate carve-outs (from public or private businesses), and global companies based internationally that are seeking sponsorship to access the U.S. equity capital markets. We intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. In connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.” Our management team has extensive experience in identifying and executing strategic investments globally and has done so successfully in a number of sectors. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prohibit us from effectuating a business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations.
We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering, the sale of the private placements shares, our equity, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. Generally, the issuance of additional shares in a business combination may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares. We may also issue shares in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) in connection with our initial business combination, for instance in order to provide sufficient liquidity and capital to the post-business combination entity. Such potential dilutive issuances of securities are likely to increase as the pro forma equity value of a prospective combined company increases, and we intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. For more information, see the sections entitled “Summary — Additional Financings,” “Dilution” and the risk factors entitled “We may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained therein. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks” and “The post-business combination company may issue shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price which is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time, which could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders and add costs.”
Our Management Team
The members of our management team, including Harry E. Sloan, our Co-Chairman, Eli Baker, our Chief Executive Officer and director, Jeff Sagansky, our Co-Chairman, and Ryan O’Connor, our Chief Financial Officer, have extensive experience with special purpose acquisition companies and consummating business combinations.
In November 2021, Messrs. Sloan, Baker, Sagansky and O’Connor founded Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Screaming Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sloan served as chairman, Mr. Baker served as chief financial officer and director, Mr. Sagansky served as director and Mr. O’Connor served as vice president of finance. Screaming Eagle completed its initial public offering in January 2022, in which it sold 75,000,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary shares and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $750,000,000. In May 2024, Screaming Eagle completed its initial business combination with the movie and studio business of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), creating Lionsgate Studios Corp., one of the world’s largest standalone pure play, publicly-traded content companies, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4,600,000,000.
2
In October 2020, Messrs. Sloan, Baker and Sagansky founded Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Soaring Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sloan served as chief executive officer and chairman and Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer, director and secretary. Soaring Eagle completed its initial public offering in February 2021, in which it sold 172,500,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-fifth of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $1,725,000,000. In September 2021, Soaring Eagle completed its initial business combination with Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a biotechnology company building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as people can program computers, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $15,000,000,000, which generated proceeds of over $1,600,000,000.
In January 2020, Messrs. Sloan, Baker and Sagansky founded Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Flying Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sloan served as chief executive officer and chairman and Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer and secretary. Flying Eagle completed its initial public offering in March 2020, in which it sold 69,000,000 units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $690,000,000. In December 2020, Flying Eagle completed its initial business combination with Skillz Inc., a technology company that enables game developers to monetize their content through fun and fair multi-player competition, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3,500,000,000.
In April 2019, Messrs. Baker and Sagansky founded Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Diamond Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as chief executive officer and chairman, Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer and secretary and Harry E. Sloan, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, was a founding shareholder. Diamond Eagle completed its initial public offering in May 2019, in which it sold 40,000,000 units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $400,000,000. In April 2020, Diamond Eagle completed its initial business combination with DraftKings, Inc., a digital sports entertainment and gaming company known for its industry-leading daily fantasy sports and mobile sports betting platforms, and SBTech (Global) Limited, an international turnkey provider of cutting-edge sports betting and gaming technologies, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2,700,000,000.
In July 2017, Messrs. Sagansky and Baker founded Platinum Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Platinum Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as chief executive officer and chairman, Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer and secretary and Mr. Sloan was a founding shareholder. Platinum Eagle completed its initial public offering in January 2018, in which it sold 32,500,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $325,000,000. Platinum Eagle completed its initial business combination in March 2019, in which Platinum Eagle, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Topaz Holdings LLC, acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Target Logistics Management, LLC and RL Signor Holdings, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $1,311,000,000. In the transaction, Platinum Eagle changed its name to Target Hospitality Corp., or Target Hospitality. Target Hospitality is a vertically integrated specialty rental and hospitality services company.
In 2015, Messrs. Sagansky and Baker founded Double Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Double Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as president and chief executive officer, Mr. Baker served as vice president, general counsel and secretary and Mr. Sloan was a founding shareholder. Double Eagle completed its initial public offering in September 2015, in which it sold 50,000,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one-half of one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $500,000,000. Double Eagle completed its business combination in November 2017, in which its wholly-owned subsidiary acquired 90% of the shares of Williams Scotsman International, Inc., or Williams Scotsman, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,100,000,000. In the transaction, Double Eagle changed its name to WillScot Corporation and, most recently, following its merger with Mobile Mini, Inc. in July 2020, to WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp., or WSC. WSC is a specialty rental services market leader providing modular space and portable storage solutions to diverse end markets across North America.
In 2013, Messrs. Sagansky and Sloan founded Silver Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Silver Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as president and Mr. Baker served as a director. Silver Eagle completed its initial public offering in July 2013, in which it sold
3
32,500,000 units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant exercisable for one-half of one share of common stock, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $325,000,000. Silver Eagle completed its business combination in March 2015, in which it contributed approximately $273,300,000 to Videocon d2h, after Silver Eagle’s exchange of all of Silver Eagle’s warrants for $32,500,000 and payment of Silver Eagle’s transaction expenses, in exchange for equity shares of Videocon d2h represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, that were listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq GS, under the symbol “VDTH,” upon the closing of the business combination. Videocon d2h was a leading direct-to-home pay-TV service provider in India. In March 2018, Videocon d2h merged with and into Dish TV India Limited (NSE: DISHTV).
In 2011, Messrs. Sagansky and Sloan founded Global Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Global Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as president. Global Eagle completed its initial public offering in May 2011, in which it sold approximately 19,000,000 units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of approximately $190,000,000. Global Eagle completed its business combination in January 2013, acquiring 100% of the shares of Row 44, Inc., or Row 44, and 86% of the shares of Advanced Inflight Alliance AG, or AIA, and changed its name to Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., or GEE. GEE is a worldwide provider of media content, connectivity systems and operational data solutions to the travel industry. In the transaction, all major stockholders of both Row 44 and AIA agreed to receive shares in GEE in exchange for their Row 44 and AIA shares, and GEE entered into backstop agreements with PAR Investment Partners, L.P., and Putnam Capital Spectrum Fund and Equity Fund for aggregate investments in GEE common stock of over $70,000,000.
With respect to the foregoing examples, past performance of Screaming Eagle, Soaring Eagle, Flying Eagle, Diamond Eagle, Platinum Eagle, Double Eagle, Silver Eagle, Global Eagle or our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate or candidates for our initial business combinations. You should not rely on the historical record of our management’s performance as indicative of our future performance.
For additional information regarding our management team’s experience, please see the section entitled “Management.”
Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination (including with the assistance of financial advisors), we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it likely that our board of directors will be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the target’s assets or prospects. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such 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, or the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a
4
transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the aggregate value of all of the target businesses will be taken into account for purposes of the 80% fair market value test.
We believe the following general criteria and guidelines are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, but we may decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
• Targets That Can Benefit from Our Management Team’s Relationships and Experience. Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. We believe the potential best use cases for SPACs are “special situations” involving target companies, including consolidations, corporate carve-outs (from public or private businesses), and global companies based internationally that are seeking sponsorship to access the U.S. equity capital markets. We intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. In connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.”
• Growing Industries and Markets. We will seek out opportunities in sectors and industries that have experienced and continue to experience growth, as well as in faster-growing segments of developed and emerging markets.
• Business with Revenue and/or Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have multiple, diverse potential drivers of revenue and/or earnings growth.
• Companies with Potential for Free Cash Flow Generation. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong and stable free cash flow now or in the future.
• Companies with Potential to Grow through Acquisition. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to grow inorganically through acquisitions of competitors in their markets or expansion into adjacent markets.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we would file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information which will be made available to us.
5
Sourcing of Potential Initial Business Combination Targets
We believe our management team’s significant operating and transaction experience and relationships will provide us with a substantial number of potential initial business combination targets.
Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships around the world. This network has grown through the activities of our management team sourcing, acquiring and financing businesses, the reputation of our management team for integrity and fair dealing with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions. In addition, our management team has developed a significant network of relationships through the core management team’s long-time sponsorship of special purpose acquisition companies. Our management team has further developed contacts from serving on the boards of directors of prominent digital media companies and gaming companies.
This network has provided our management team with a flow of referrals that has resulted in numerous transactions which were proprietary or where a limited group of investors were invited to participate in the sale process. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us important sources of investment opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target business combination candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or completing the business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, executive officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with a target that is affiliated (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating that the consideration to be paid by us in such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.
Members of our management team will directly or indirectly own founder shares and/or private placement shares following this offering and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction because of their financial interest in completing an initial business combination within the completion window. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, the founder shares may expire worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, executive officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders.
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as
6
us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, and because we expect that our company will generally have priority over any other special purpose acquisition companies subsequently formed by our sponsor, officers or directors with respect to acquisition opportunities until we complete our initial business combination or enter into a contractual agreement that would restrict our ability to engage in material discussions regarding a potential initial business combination, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our Sponsor
Our sponsor, Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company, which was formed to invest in us. Although our sponsor is permitted to undertake any activities permitted under the Limited Liability Companies Act (As Revised) and other applicable law, our sponsor’s business is focused on investing in our company. The managing members of our sponsor are Eli Baker, our Chief Executive Officer and director, Harry E. Sloan, our Co-Chairman, and Jeff Sagansky, our Co-Chairman. Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky control the management of our sponsor, including the exercise of voting and investment discretion over the securities of our company held by our sponsor. As of the date of this prospectus, other than Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky, no other person has a direct or indirect material interest in our sponsor, other than Ryan O’Connor, our Chief Financial Officer. Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky own membership interests in our sponsor, which represent approximately 25%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of the economic rights attributable to the assets of our sponsor. In addition, our independent directors will receive for their services as a director an indirect interest in the founder shares through membership interests in our sponsor. Other than our management team, none of the other members of our sponsor will participate in our company’s activities, and there are no other members of our sponsor other than as described above.
7
The following table sets forth the payments to be received by our sponsor and its affiliates from us prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and the securities issued and to be issued by us to our sponsor or its affiliates:
Entity | Amount of Compensation | Consideration Paid or to be Paid | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC | 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares (of which 2,187,500 are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option), representing 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, after giving effect to such forfeiture and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, or concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our business combination or earlier at the option of the holder 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 our initial business combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, 16.67% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after such conversion (excluding the private placement shares and the ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights and 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 | $25,000 (approximately $0.01 per share) |
8
Entity | Amount of Compensation | Consideration Paid or to be Paid | ||
consummation of the initial business combination, 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 shares issued to our 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. As a result of such anti-dilution adjustments, the founder shares held by our sponsor may convert into Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-for-one basis, which may result in material dilution from your purchase of our Class A ordinary shares. As described above under “Summary — General”, in connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.” | ||||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC | 350,000 Class A ordinary shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) | $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) ($10.00 per share) | ||
Eagle Equity Partners, LLC | $15,000 per month | Office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team |
9
Entity | Amount of Compensation | Consideration Paid or to be Paid | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, an affiliate thereof, or our officers and directors | Repayment in cash or in private placement shares of the post-business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender | Loans to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC | Repayment in cash | Up to $1,000,000 under unsecured, non-interest bearing promissory notes for offering-related and organizational expenses. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, our officers or directors, or affiliates thereof | Repayment in cash | Any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating, negotiating and completing an initial business combination |
Because our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, our public shareholders will incur an immediate and material dilution upon the closing of this offering. See the sections titled “Dilution” and “Risk Factors — The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline.”
Pursuant to a letter agreement to be entered with us, each of our sponsor, officers and directors has agreed to restrictions on its ability to transfer, assign, or sell the founder shares and private placement shares, as summarized in the table below. Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors, which contains the below provisions relating to transfer restrictions of our founder shares and private placement shares, may be amended without shareholder approval. Such transfer restrictions have been amended in connection with business combinations for certain other
10
special purpose acquisition companies. While we do not expect our board to approve any amendment to the letter agreement prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to the letter agreement.
Subject | Expiration Date | Persons Subject to | Exceptions to Transfer | |||
Founder Shares | The founder shares are not transferable or salable until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after our initial business combination and (B) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. | Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC Eli Baker Harry E. Sloan Jeff Sagansky Ryan O’Connor Diarmuid Cummins Amy Gershkoff Bolles Jason Park Anna Marie Wagner Simon Watson | Transfers are permitted (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of our officers or directors, any members or partners of our sponsor or their affiliates, any affiliates of our sponsor, or any employees of such affiliates, (b) in the case of an individual, as a gift to such person’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such person’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with any forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased; (f) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or our Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of our sponsor, (g) in the event of our liquidation prior to our consummation of our initial business combination; or (h) in the event that, subsequent to our consummation of an initial business combination, we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities |
11
Subject | Expiration Date | Persons Subject to | Exceptions to Transfer | |||
or other property; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreements. | ||||||
Private Placement Shares | The private placement shares are not transferable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. | Same as above. | Same as above. |
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075, and our telephone number is (310) 209-7280.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies conducting business mainly outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Act. As an exempted company, we have applied for and received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 20 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations will apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable (i) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of any relevant payment as defined in the Tax Concessions Act.
We are 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”). As such, we are eligible to 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 auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1,235,000,000, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” will have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
12
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250,000,000 as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100,000,000 during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30.
Prior to the date of this prospectus, we filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
13
THE OFFERING
In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below entitled “Risk Factors”.
Securities offered: | 25,000,000 units (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of: • one Class A ordinary share; and • one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination (the “Eagle Share Rights”). | |
Nasdaq symbols: | Units: “BEAGU” Class A ordinary shares: “BEAG” Eagle Share Rights: “BEAGR” | |
Trading commencement and separation of Class A ordinary shares and rights |
| |
Separate trading of the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights is prohibited until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K |
|
14
Units: | ||
Number of issued and outstanding before this offering | 0 | |
Number issued and outstanding after this offering | 25,000,000 | |
Ordinary Shares: | ||
Number of issued and outstanding before this offering | 7,187,500 | |
Number to be sold in private placement simultaneously with this offering |
| |
Number issued and outstanding after this offering and private placement |
| |
Eagle Share Rights | ||
Number issued and outstanding after this offering |
| |
Terms of Eagle Share Rights | Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will automatically receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. In the event we will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will be required to affirmatively convert its Eagle Share Rights in order to receive the one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share underlying each Eagle Share Right upon consummation of the business combination. We will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of Eagle Share Rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law. As a result, you must hold Eagle Share Rights in multiples of 20 in order to receive shares for all of your Eagle Share Rights upon closing of a business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we redeem the public shares for the funds held in the trust account, holders of Eagle Share Rights will not receive any of such funds for their Eagle Share Rights and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless. | |
Founder shares: | On March 23, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.0004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in exchange for 57,500,000 founder shares. On June 25, 2024, our sponsor surrendered for no consideration 50,312,500 founder shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares. |
____________
(1) Comprised of 25,000,000 public shares, 5,000,000 founder shares and 350,000 private placement shares. Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, 937,500 founder shares are surrendered to us for no consideration and 1,250,000 founder shares are forfeited in respect of the Eagle Share Rights. Founder shares are currently classified as Class B ordinary shares, which shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described below adjacent to the caption “Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights.” Unlike many other special purpose acquisition company initial public offerings, investors in this offering will not receive warrants that would become exercisable following completion of our initial business combination.
15
Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by the sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The per share price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. The number of founder shares outstanding following the surrender on June 25, 2024 was determined based on the expectation that the total size of this offering would be a maximum of 28,750,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and therefore that such founder shares would represent 16.67% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and after taking into account the sponsor’s forfeiture of founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). Up to 937,500 of the founder shares will be surrendered for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised. In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 founder shares, respectively, representing 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, after giving effect to the surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Any conversion of Class B ordinary shares described herein will take effect as a redemption of Class B ordinary shares and an issuance of Class A ordinary shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. | ||
The founder shares are identical to the Class A ordinary shares being sold in this offering, except that: | ||
• prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on certain matters as described below adjacent to the caption “Voting”; | ||
• the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; | ||
• the founder shares are entitled to registration rights; |
16
• our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private placement shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame and to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account; and (iv) vote any founder shares and private placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto). If we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, voting together as a single class. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and private placement shares, we would need 9,825,001, or 39.30%, of the 25,000,000 public shares included in the units sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, are voted, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have an initial business combination approved; and |
17
• the founder shares are automatically convertible into our Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment pursuant to certain anti-dilution rights, as described below adjacent to the caption “Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights.” | ||
Transfer restrictions on founder shares and private placement shares: |
| |
Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights: |
|
18
As described above under “Summary — General”, in connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.” | ||
Voting: | Prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the company in a jurisdiction outside of the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). With respect to any other matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, including any vote in connection with our initial business combination, except as required by law, holders of our founder shares and holders of our public shares will vote together as a single class, with each share entitling the holder to one vote. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than 90% of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at our general meeting. | |
Private placement shares: | Our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 private placement shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at the initial public offering price of our public shares of $10.00 per share, or $3,500,000 in the aggregate (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. A portion of the purchase price of the private placement shares will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account such that at the time of closing of this offering $250,000,000 (or $287,500,000 if the underwriters exercise its over-allotment option in full) will be held in the trust account. | |
Transfer restrictions on private placement shares: |
|
19
Proceeds to be held in trust |
| |
Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to fund our working capital requirements and to pay our taxes, if any, the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement shares will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of (i) in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, subject to applicable law or (iii) the redemption of our public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of our public shareholders. | ||
Ability to extend time to complete business combination: |
|
20
Our initial shareholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed within the completion window unless we extend the amount of time we have to consummate an initial business combination by obtaining shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. While we do not currently intend to seek such an extension, we may elect to do so in the future. There is no limit on the number of extensions that we may seek, subject to our compliance with Nasdaq rules. If we do not or are unable to extend the time period to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor’s investment in our founder shares and our private placement shares may be worthless. | ||
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window and do not hold a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the amount of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination, we will redeem 100% of 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and certain conditions as further described herein. | ||
Anticipated expenses and funding sources: |
| |
• the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares not held in the trust account, which initially will be approximately $250,000 in working capital after the payment of approximately $750,000 in expenses relating to this offering; and | ||
• any loans or additional investments from our sponsor, members of our management team or their affiliates or other third parties, although they are under no obligation to advance funds or invest in us; provided that any such loans will not have any claim on the proceeds held in the trust account unless such proceeds are released to us in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares, at a price of $10.00 per share, at the option of the lender. |
21
Conditions to completing our initial business combination: |
|
22
Permitted purchases of public shares by our affiliates: |
| |
Additionally, in the event our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates were to purchase shares from public shareholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following: | ||
• our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares from public shareholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchase; | ||
• if our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates were to purchase shares from public shareholders, they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process; | ||
• our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would include a representation that any of our securities purchased by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction; | ||
• our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect to our securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and |
23
• we would disclose in a Form 8-K, before our security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material items: (i) the amount of our securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates, along with the purchase price; (ii) the purpose of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates; (iii) the impact, if any, of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates on the likelihood that the business combination transaction will be approved; (iv) the identities of our security holders who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of our security holders (e.g., 5% security holders) who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates; and (v) the number of our securities for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer. | ||
Please see “Proposed Business — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities” for a description of how such persons will determine from which shareholders to seek to acquire securities. | ||
The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the initial business combination or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our Class A ordinary shares may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our Class A ordinary shares on a national securities exchange. | ||
Redemption rights for public shareholders in connection with the completion of our initial business combination: |
|
24
Manner of conducting |
| |
The requirement that we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares by one of the two methods listed above will be contained in provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will apply whether or not we maintain our registration under the Exchange Act or our listing on Nasdaq. Such provisions may be amended if approved by a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. | ||
If we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with a general meeting, we will: | ||
• conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and | ||
• file proxy materials with the SEC. | ||
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. A quorum for such meeting will be present if the holders of one-third of issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are represented in person or by proxy. Our initial shareholders will count toward this quorum and, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto). For purposes of seeking approval of an ordinary resolution, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and private placement shares, we would need 9,825,001, or 39.30%, of the 25,000,000 public shares included in the units sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised and the parties |
25
to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, are voted, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have an initial business combination approved. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial shareholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. | ||
If a shareholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will: | ||
• conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and | ||
• file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies. | ||
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public shareholders not tendering more than the number of shares we are permitted to redeem. If public shareholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete such initial business combination. | ||
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase our Class A ordinary shares in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act. | ||
We intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote, we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. |
26
The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. We believe that this will allow our transfer agent to efficiently process any redemptions without the need for further communication or action from the redeeming public shareholders, which could delay redemptions and result in additional administrative cost. If the proposed initial business combination is not approved and we continue to search for a target company, we will promptly return any certificates or shares delivered by public shareholders who elected to redeem their shares. | ||
Our proposed initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. We may, however, raise funds through the issuance of equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop arrangements we may enter into following consummation of this offering, in order to, among other reasons, satisfy such net tangible assets or minimum cash requirements. | ||
Limitation on redemption rights of shareholders holding 15% or more of the shares included in the units sold in this offering if we hold shareholder vote: |
|
27
Release of funds in trust account on closing of our initial business combination: |
| |
Redemption of public shares and distribution and liquidation if no initial business combination: |
| |
Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. However, if they acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window. | ||
The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the trust account in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares. |
28
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a letter agreement, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described above under “Limitations on redemptions.” For example, our board of directors may propose such an amendment if it determines that additional time is necessary to complete our initial business combination. In such event, we will conduct a proxy solicitation and distribute proxy materials pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act seeking shareholder approval of such proposal, and in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above upon shareholder approval of such amendment. | ||
Redemption rights for public shareholders upon amendment of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association: |
| |
Payments to insiders: | Prior to or in connection with our initial business combination, we expect to make certain payments and reimbursements, to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, including but not limited to the following, which, if made prior to our initial business combination will be made from (i) funds held outside the trust account or (ii) interest earned on the trust account and released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual maximum release of $1,000,000): | |
• Repayment of up to an aggregate of $1,000,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses; | ||
• Payment for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team by an affiliate of our sponsor in an amount equal to $15,000 per month; |
29
• Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating, negotiating and completing an initial business combination; and | ||
• Repayment of loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares of the post-business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. | ||
In addition, we have agreed, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement with our sponsor relating to the monthly payment for office space and administrative services described above, that we will indemnify our sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the company’s operations or conduct of the company’s business or any claim against our sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our sponsor of any of the company’s activities or any express or implied association between our sponsor and the company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in our trust account. | ||
Audit committee: | We have established and will maintain an audit committee, which will be composed entirely of independent directors as and when required by the rules of Nasdaq and Rule 10A of the Exchange Act. Among its responsibilities, the audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, and our or their affiliates and monitor compliance with the other terms relating to this offering. If any noncompliance is identified, then the audit committee will be charged with the responsibility to promptly take all action necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise to cause compliance with the terms of this offering. For more information, see the section entitled “Management — Committees of the Board of Directors — Audit Committee.” | |
Conflicts of Interest: | Each of our officers and directors has, and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to at least one other entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other special purpose acquisition company with which they may become involved. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, |
30
and because we expect that our company will generally have priority over any other special purpose acquisition companies subsequently formed by our sponsor, officers or directors with respect to acquisition opportunities until we complete our initial business combination or enter into a contractual agreement that would restrict our ability to engage in material discussions regarding a potential initial business combination, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. | ||
Our executive officers and our directors may have interests that differ from you in connection with the business combination, including the fact that they may lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, and accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction. Additionally, the personal and financial interests of our directors and executive officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and pursuing an initial business combination or completing our initial business combination. For example, our directors and executive officers may prioritize a prospective initial business combination with a shorter timeline to completion over another acquisition target which may be more difficult or time-intensive to consummate. Consequently, our directors’ and executive officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest, which could negatively impact the timing for a business combination. | ||
In addition to the above, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs, and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including selecting a business combination target and monitoring the related due diligence. | ||
Additionally, our sponsor and executive officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Further, our sponsor and executive officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares held by them if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window. With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until one year after the completion of our initial business combination. | ||
Our sponsor and members of our management team will directly or indirectly own our securities following this offering, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction because of their financial interest in completing an initial business combination within the completion window. Our sponsor paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.0004 per share. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interests in our sponsor, may be more willing to pursue a business combination with a riskier or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares. |
31
In the event our sponsor or members of our management team provide loans to us to finance transaction costs and/or incur expenses on our behalf in connection with an initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction as such loans may not be repaid and/or such expenses may not be reimbursed unless we consummate such business combination. We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or completing an initial business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, executive officers or directors; accordingly, such affiliated person(s) may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction as such affiliated person(s) would have interests different from our public shareholders and would likely not receive any financial benefit unless we consummated such business combination. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with a target that is affiliated (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating that the consideration to be paid by us in such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context. | ||
Indemnity by the sponsor in the event of liquidation without a business combination: |
|
32
Additional Financings: | We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering, the sale of the private placements shares, our equity, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. Generally, the issuance of additional shares in a business combination: | |
• may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares; | ||
• may subordinate the rights of holders of Class A ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Class A ordinary shares; | ||
• could cause a change in control if a substantial number of our Class A ordinary shares are issued; | ||
• may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control; and | ||
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Class A ordinary shares. | ||
We may also issue shares in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) in connection with our initial business combination, for instance in order to provide sufficient liquidity and capital to the post-business combination entity. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no commitments to issue any shares in connection with such a transaction. The price of the shares we may issue in such a transaction may be less, and potentially significantly less, than $10.00 per share or the market price for our shares at such time. Any such issuances of equity securities at a price that is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time could be structured to ensure a return on investment to the investors and could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders in a manner that would not ordinarily occur in a traditional initial public offering and could result in both a reduction in the trading price of our shares to the price at which we issue such equity securities and fluctuations in the net tangible book value per share of the combined company’s securities following the completion of our initial business combination. We may also provide price protection or other incentives, or issue convertible securities such as preferred equity or convertible debt, and the exercise or conversion price of those securities may be fixed or adjustable, and may be less, and potentially significantly less, than $10.00 per share or the market price for our shares at such time. Such issuances could also result in additional transaction costs related to our initial business combination compared to a traditional initial public offering, including the placement fees associated with the engagement of a placement agent in connection with PIPE transactions. | ||
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt, or to otherwise incur debt following this offering, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account. |
33
Risks
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in the section titled “Risk Factors,” alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Such risks include, but are not limited to:
• We are a blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
• Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, and even if we hold a vote, holders of our founder shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
• Your only opportunity to effect your investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
• If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
• The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
• The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares and the amount of deferred underwriting compensation may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, and may substantially dilute your investment in us.
• The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the completion window may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
• If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares.
• If a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for submitting or tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
• You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or Eagle Share Rights, potentially at a loss.
• Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
• You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
• Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we have not completed our initial business combination within the completion window, our public shareholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
34
• If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the duration of the completion window, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination, and we will depend on loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team to fund our search and to complete our initial business combination.
• Past performance by our management team or their respective affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.
• The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination.
• Unlike some other similarly structured special purpose acquisition companies, our initial shareholders will receive additional Class A ordinary shares if we issue certain shares to consummate an initial business combination.
• We may be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
• We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction, which may result in taxes imposed on shareholders.
• Our initial business combination and our structure thereafter may not be tax-efficient to our shareholders. As a result of our business combination, our tax obligations may be more complex, burdensome and uncertain.
• Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited.
• In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially, potentially resulting in more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
• The other risks and uncertainties discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
35
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data is presented.
June 30, 2024 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted(6) | |||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Working capital (deficiency)(1) | $ | (28,031 | ) | $ | (85,531 | ) | ||
Total assets(2) | $ | 649,754 |
| $ | 250,698,734 |
| ||
Total liabilities(3) | $ | 685,966 |
| $ | 9,628,506 |
| ||
Value of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption(4) | $ | — |
| $ | 250,000,000 |
| ||
Shareholder’s equity (deficit)(5) | $ | (36,212 | ) | $ | (8,929,772 | ) | ||
____________
(1) The “as adjusted” calculation includes $250,000 cash held outside the trust account, less over-allotment liability of $307,500, less $28,031 in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
(2) The “as adjusted” calculation equals $250,000,000 cash held in trust from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement ordinary shares, plus $250,000 in cash held outside the trust account plus prepaid expenses of $448,734.
(3) The “as adjusted” calculation includes $307,500 related to the fair value of the over-allotment option, deferred underwriting fee of $8,750,000 and promissory note-related party of $542,975 and $28,031 in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
(4) The “as adjusted” calculation equals calculation equals the 25,000,000 class A ordinary shares included in the units sold in this offering, multiplied by the redemption value of $10.00 per share.
(5) Excludes 25,000,000 class A ordinary shares included in the units sold in this offering that are subject to possible redemption in connection with our initial business combination. The “as adjusted” calculation equals the “as adjusted” total assets, less the “as adjusted” total liabilities, less the value of ordinary shares that may be redeemed in connection with our initial business combination (approximately $10.00 per share).
(6) Assumes the full forfeiture of 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
36
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Search for, and Consummation of or Inability to Consummate, A Business Combination
Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, and even if we hold a vote, holders of our founder shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
We may choose not to hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination unless the business combination would require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements. Except as required by applicable law or stock exchange requirements, the decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. Even if we seek shareholder approval, the holders of our founder shares will participate in the vote on such approval. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our ordinary shares do not approve of the business combination we complete. Please see the section entitled “Proposed Business — Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination” for additional information.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Our initial shareholders will own 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares). After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Our initial shareholders and management team also may from time to time purchase Class A ordinary shares prior to our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we seek shareholder approval of an initial business combination, such initial business combination will be approved if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, including the founder shares. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and private placement shares, we would need 9,825,001, or 39.30%, of the 25,000,000 public shares included in the units sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, are voted, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have an initial business combination approved. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive an ordinary resolution, being the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
37
Your only opportunity to effect your investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of our initial business combination. Since our board of directors may complete a business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder vote. Accordingly, your only opportunity to effect your investment decision regarding our initial business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a minimum cash requirement for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares and the amount of the deferred underwriting compensation may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, and may substantially dilute your investment in us.
At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares are submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for third party financing. Raising additional third party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. Furthermore, this dilution would increase to the extent that the anti-dilution provision of the Class B ordinary shares results in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination. In addition, the amount of the deferred underwriting commissions payable to the underwriters will not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed in connection with an initial business combination. The per share amount we will distribute to shareholders who properly exercise their redemption rights will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commission and after such redemptions, the amount held in trust will continue to reflect our obligation to pay the entire deferred underwriting commissions. There are no redemption rights with respect to the Eagle Share Rights.
The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure and may result in material dilution from your purchase of our units. The effect of this dilution will be greater for shareholders who do not redeem. We may not be able to generate sufficient value from the completion of our initial business combination in order to overcome the dilutive impact of these and other factors, and, accordingly, you may incur a net loss on your investment.
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.
If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of
38
immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with your exercise of redemption rights until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.
The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the completion window may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must complete our initial business combination within the completion window. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, in which case we would redeem our public shares.
We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within the completion window. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or 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 constitute full and complete payment for the public shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and subject to the other requirements of applicable law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law. In either such case, our public shareholders may receive only $10.00 per public share, or less than $10.00 per public share, on the redemption of their shares. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share” and other risk factors herein.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float” of our securities.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may purchase public shares or equity-linked securities in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation or duty to do so. Any such price per share may be different than the amount per share a public shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination. Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgment that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases
39
by sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.
Additionally, at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material non-public information), our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business combination or not redeem their public shares. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares or rights in such transactions.
The purpose of any such transactions could be to increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination, or satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our securities may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. Additionally, in the event our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares from public shareholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
• Our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may purchase public shares from public shareholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases;
• if our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares from public shareholders, they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process;
• our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would include a representation that any of our securities purchased by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction;
• our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect to our securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and
• we would disclose in a Form 8-K, before our security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material items:
• the amount of our securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, along with the purchase price;
• the purpose of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates;
• the impact, if any, of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates on the likelihood that the business combination transaction will be approved;
40
• the identities of our security holders who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of our security holders (e.g., 5% security holders) who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates; and
• the number of our securities for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer.
Please see “Proposed Business — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities” for a description of how such persons will determine from which shareholders to seek to acquire securities.
If a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for submitting or tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We will comply with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder fails to receive our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or submit public shares for redemption. For example, we intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent, or to deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote, we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures disclosed in the proxy or tender offer materials, as applicable, its shares may not be redeemed. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Delivering Share Certificates in Connection with the Exercise of Redemption Rights.”
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of other blank check companies subject to Rule 419 of the Securities Act.
Since the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares are intended to be used to complete one or more initial business combinations with a target business or businesses that has not been selected, our company may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, because we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the completion of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable and we will have a longer period of time to complete our respective initial business combinations than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, if this offering were subject to Rule 419, that rule would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us or in connection with our completion of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such
41
shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares included in the units sold in this offering, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares,” without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window, our public shareholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
We expect to encounter competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess similar or greater technical, human and other resources to ours or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, we are obligated to offer holders of our public shares the right to redeem their shares for cash at the time of our initial business combination in conjunction with a shareholder vote or via a tender offer. Target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window, our public shareholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the duration of the completion window, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and our ability to complete our initial business combination, and we will depend on loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team to fund our search and to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, only $250,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. We believe that, upon the closing of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account, together with permitted withdrawals and funds available from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the duration of the completion window; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate, and our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team are under no obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent or merger agreements designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent or merger agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business.
42
In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $750,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, unless funded by the proceeds of loans available from our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $750,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. The amount held in the trust account will not be impacted as a result of such increase or decrease. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, its affiliates, our management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members of our management team nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Any such advances would be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares of the post-business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. Consequently, our public shareholders may only receive an estimated $10.00 per public share, or possibly less, on our redemption of our public shares.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share.
Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will consider whether competitive alternatives are reasonably available to us and will only enter into an agreement with such third party if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be in the best interests of the company under the circumstances. WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of this offering will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account.
Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes paid or payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters
43
of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case less taxes paid or payable, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy his obligations or that he has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per public share.
The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the interest income available for payment of taxes or 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 public share.
The proceeds held in the trust account will initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination and may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank. 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 (less taxes payable and up to $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 public share.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy or insolvency court may seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our board of directors and us to claims of punitive damages.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. In addition, our board of directors may
44
be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our shareholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
• restrictions on the nature of our investments; and
• restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
• registration as an investment company;
• adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and
• reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
In order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not intend to spend a considerable amount of time actively managing the assets in the trust account for the primary purpose of achieving investment returns. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.
We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust account will initially only be invested in U.S. “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 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination and may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank. Pursuant to the trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. This offering is not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with
45
an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; or (iii) absent an initial business combination within the completion window, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption of the public shares. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act.
Further, under the subjective test of a “investment company” pursuant to Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, even if the funds deposited in the trust account were invested in the assets discussed above (U.S. government securities or money market funds registered under the Investment Company Act), such assets, other than cash, are “securities” for purposes of the Investment Company Act and, therefore, nevertheless, there is a risk that we could be deemed an unregistered investment company and subject to the Investment Company Act at any time.
In the adopting release for the 2024 SPAC Rules (as defined below), the SEC provided guidance that a SPAC’s potential status as an “investment company” depends on a variety of factors, such as a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities and “is a question of facts and circumstances” requiring individualized analysis. If we were deemed to be an unregistered investment company and subject to compliance with and regulation under the Investment Company Act, we would be subject to additional regulatory burdens and expenses for which we have not allotted funds. Unless we are able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we would either register as an investment company or wind down and abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead liquidate the Company. As a result, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders and would be unable to realize the potential benefits of an initial business combination, including the possible appreciation of the combined company’s securities.
To mitigate the risk that we might be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time, instruct the trustee to liquidate the securities held in the trust account and instead to hold the funds in the trust account in cash until the earlier of the consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. As a result, following the liquidation of securities in the trust account, the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account may be materially reduced, which would reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company.
We intend to initially hold the funds in the trust account as cash, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank, or in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. U.S. government treasury obligations are considered “securities” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, while cash is not. As noted above, one of the factors the SEC identified as relevant to the determination of whether a SPAC which holds securities could potentially be deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act is the SPAC’s duration. To mitigate the risk of us being deemed to be an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act) and thus subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time, instruct Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the trust account, to liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the trust account and thereafter to hold all funds in the trust account in cash until the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination or liquidation of the company. Following such liquidation, the rate of interest we receive on the funds held in the trust account may be materially decreased. However, interest previously earned on the funds held in the trust account still may be released to us for permitted withdrawals and certain other expenses as permitted. As a result, any decision to liquidate the securities held in the trust account and thereafter to hold all funds in the trust account in cash would reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the company.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our
46
business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
On January 24, 2024, the SEC issued final rules (the “2024 SPAC Rules”), effective as of July 1, 2024, that formally adopted some of the SEC’s proposed rules for SPACs that were released on March 30, 2022. The 2024 SPAC Rules, among other items, impose additional disclosure requirements in initial public offerings by SPACs and business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amend the financial statement requirements applicable to business combination transactions involving such companies; update and expand guidance regarding the general use of projections in SEC filings, as well as when projections are disclosed in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increase the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and could impact the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The 2024 SPAC Rules may materially adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete, and the costs associated with, our initial business combination, and results of operations.
If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the completion window, our public shareholders may be forced to wait beyond such period before redemption from our trust account.
If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the completion window, the proceeds then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, as further described herein. Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account will be effected automatically by function of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to any voluntary winding up. If we are required to wind-up, liquidate the trust account and distribute such amount therein, pro rata, to our public shareholders, as part of any liquidation process, such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond the duration of the completion window before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of our redemption or liquidation unless we consummate our initial business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their Class A ordinary shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete our initial business combination.
Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable to a fine of $18,293 and to imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
We may not hold an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or general meetings to appoint directors. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity to discuss company affairs with management.
47
Because we are neither limited to evaluating a target business in a particular industry sector nor have we selected any target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations.
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and acquire a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. We believe the potential best use cases for SPACs are “special situations” involving target companies, including consolidations, corporate carve-outs (from public or private businesses), and global companies based internationally that are seeking sponsorship to access the U.S. equity capital markets. We intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. Our management team has extensive experience in identifying and executing strategic investments globally and has done so successfully in a number of sectors. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prohibits us from effectuating a business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. In recent years, a number of target businesses have underperformed financially post-business combination. There are no assurances that the target business with which we consummate our initial business combination will perform as anticipated. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination target. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their units. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
We may seek business combination opportunities in industries or sectors that may be outside of our management’s areas of expertise.
We will consider a business combination outside of our management’s areas of expertise if a business combination candidate is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive business combination opportunity for our company. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue a business combination outside of the areas of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this prospectus regarding the areas of our management’s expertise would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to ascertain or assess adequately all of the relevant risk factors. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
48
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
We may not be required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the consideration we are paying for the business is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Unless we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) entity or our board of directors cannot independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses (including with the assistance of financial advisors), we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the consideration we are paying is fair to our company from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
We may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained therein. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of up to 400,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, 80,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after this offering, there will be 374,650,000 and 75,000,000 (assuming in each case that the underwriters have not exercised their over-allotment option and the forfeiture of 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares) authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, respectively, available for issuance which amount does not take into account shares issuable upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares. The Class B ordinary shares are automatically convertible into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder, initially at a one-for-one ratio but subject to adjustment as set forth herein and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, including in certain circumstances in which we issue Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities related to our initial business combination. Immediately after this offering, there will be no preference shares issued and outstanding.
We may issue a substantial number of additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions as set forth therein. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds
49
from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with a shareholder vote. The issuance of additional ordinary or preference shares:
• may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of Class A ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Class A ordinary shares;
• could cause a change in control if a substantial number of Class A ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
• may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A ordinary shares and/or Eagle Share Rights.
Such potential dilutive issuances of securities are likely to increase as the pro forma equity value of a prospective combined company increases, and we intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater.
Because each unit contains one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and only whole shares will be issued in exchange for Eagle Share Rights, the units may be worth less than units of other special purpose acquisition companies.
Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will automatically receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. In the event we will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will be required to affirmatively convert its Eagle Share Rights in order to receive the one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share underlying each Eagle Share Right upon consummation of the business combination. We will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of Eagle Share Rights.
As a result, you must hold Eagle Share Rights in multiples of 20 in order to receive Class A ordinary shares for all of your Eagle Share Rights upon closing of a business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we redeem the public shares for the funds held in the trust account, holders of Eagle Share Rights will not receive any of such funds for their Eagle Share Rights and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless.
The post-business combination company may issue shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price which is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time, which could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders and add costs.
In connection with our initial business combination, the post-business combination company may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) in order to complete an initial business combination and provide sufficient liquidity and capital to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares so issued in connection with an initial business combination may be less, and potentially significantly less, than $10.00 per share or the market price for our shares at such time. Any such issuances of equity securities at a price that is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time could be structured to ensure a return on investment to the investors and could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders in a manner that would not ordinarily occur in a traditional initial public offering and could result in both a reduction in the trading price of our shares to the price at which the post-business combination company issues such equity securities and fluctuations in the net tangible book value per share of the combined company’s securities following the completion of our initial business combination. The post-business combination company may also provide price protection or other incentives, or issue convertible securities such as preferred equity or convertible debt, and the exercise or conversion price of those securities may be fixed or adjustable, and may be less, and potentially significantly less, than $10.00 per share or the
50
market price for our shares at such time. Such issuances could also result in additional transaction costs related to our initial business combination compared to a traditional initial public offering, including the placement fees associated with the engagement of a placement agent in connection with PIPE transactions.
Unlike some other similarly structured special purpose acquisition companies, our initial shareholders will receive additional Class A ordinary shares if we issue certain shares to consummate an initial business combination.
The founder shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder 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 our initial business combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 16.67% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after such conversion (excluding the private placement shares and the ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights and 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, 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 shares issued to our 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. As described above under “Summary — General”, in connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.”
Resources could be wasted in researching business combinations that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders, and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys, consultants and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders, and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless.
51
In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially, potentially resulting in more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies has increased substantially. Because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In light of the involvement of our sponsor, its managing members, and our officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with or competitive with our sponsor, officers, directors and their respective affiliates or existing holders. Our directors also serve as officers and/or board members for other entities, including, without limitation, those described under “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to complete our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no substantive discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our initial business combination — Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions regarding the fairness to our company from a financial point of view of a business combination with an affiliate (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) of our sponsor, officers or directors, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
Since our sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed (other than with respect to public shares they may acquire during or after this offering), a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On March 23, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.0004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in exchange for 57,500,000 founder shares. On June 25, 2024, our sponsor surrendered for no consideration 50,312,500 founder shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by the sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. The number of founder shares outstanding was determined based on the expectation that the total size of this offering would be a maximum of 28,750,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and therefore that such founder shares would represent 16.67% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and after taking into account the sponsor’s forfeiture of founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). Up to 937,500 of the founder shares will be surrendered for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised. In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 founder shares in respect of
52
the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 founder shares, respectively, or 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 private placement shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), or $10.00 per share. The private placement shares will also be worthless if we do not complete our initial business combination. After taking into account the issuance the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The personal and financial interests of our officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination. This risk may become more acute as the expiration of the completion window nears, which is the deadline for our completion of an initial business combination.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt following this offering, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. The incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
• our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;
• using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
• limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
• increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
• limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
53
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability. The net proceeds from this offering and the private placement of shares will provide us with $241,250,000 (or $277,437,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete our initial business combination (after taking into account the $8,750,000, or up to $10,062,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of deferred underwriting commissions being held in the trust account).
We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously or within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
• solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or
• dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
We may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In pursuing our business combination strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not provide a maximum redemption threshold. Our proposed initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes
54
or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or any of their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
In order to effectuate an initial business combination, special purpose acquisition companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and other governing instruments. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business combination that our shareholders may not support.
In order to effectuate a business combination, special purpose acquisition companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and governing instruments. For example, special purpose acquisition companies have amended the definition of business combination, increased redemption thresholds and extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and. Amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association requires us to provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash if we propose an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. To the extent any of such amendments would be deemed to fundamentally change the nature of the securities offered through this registration statement, we would register, or seek an exemption from registration for, the affected securities. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our charter or governing instruments or extend the time to consummate an initial business combination in order to effectuate our initial business combination.
The provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of holders of not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other special purpose acquisition companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that any of its provisions related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of shares into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein) and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by special resolution, under Cayman Islands law which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. Our initial shareholders, who will collectively beneficially own 16.67% of our Class A ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in
55
full. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other special purpose acquisition companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our shareholders may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, officers and directors for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
We have not selected any specific business combination target but intend to target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares. As a result, if the cash portion of the purchase price exceeds the amount available from the trust account, net of amounts needed to satisfy any redemption by public shareholders, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. Further, we may be required to obtain additional financing in connection with the closing of our initial business combination for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, or to fund the purchase of other companies. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.
Our initial shareholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon closing of this offering, our initial shareholders will own 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised and they do not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares). After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. In addition, prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote to continue the Company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution
56
required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). This provision of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than 90% of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at our general meeting. As a result, you will not have any influence over our continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands prior to our initial business combination.
If our initial shareholders purchase any units in this offering or if our initial shareholders purchase any additional Class A ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our initial shareholders nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, have any current intention to purchase additional securities, other than as disclosed in this prospectus. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were appointed by our sponsor, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term for three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. We may not hold an annual or extraordinary general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual general meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for appointment and our initial shareholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our initial shareholders will continue to exert control at least until the completion of our initial business combination.
We may not be able to complete an initial business combination since such initial business combination may be subject to regulatory review and approval requirement, including foreign investment regulations and review by government entities such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), or may be ultimately prohibited.
Our initial business combination may be subject to regulatory review and approval requirements by governmental entities, or ultimately prohibited. For example, CFIUS has authority to review direct or indirect foreign investments in U.S. companies. Among other things, CFIUS is empowered to require certain foreign investors to make mandatory filings, to charge filing fees related to such filings, and to self-initiate national security reviews of foreign direct and indirect investments in U.S. companies if the parties to that investment choose not to file voluntarily. In the case that CFIUS determines an investment to be a threat to national security, CFIUS has the power to unwind or place restrictions on the investment. Whether CFIUS has jurisdiction to review an acquisition or investment transaction depends on — among other factors — the nature and structure of the transaction, including the level of beneficial ownership interest and the nature of any information or governance rights involved. For example, investments that result in “control” of a U.S. business by a foreign person always are subject to CFIUS jurisdiction. CFIUS’s expanded jurisdiction under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 and implementing regulations that became effective on February 13, 2020 further includes investments that do not result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person but afford certain foreign investors certain information or governance rights in a U.S. business that has a nexus to “critical technologies,” “critical infrastructure” and/or “sensitive personal data.”
Our sponsor will own 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares following this offering (excluding the issuance of the private placement shares). After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Our sponsor is exclusively “controlled” for CFIUS purposes by Eli Baker, Harry E. Sloan and Jeff Sagansky, who are US citizens, and thus we do not believe that our sponsor is a “foreign person” as defined in the CFIUS regulations. However, it is possible that non-U.S. persons could be involved in our initial business combination (e.g., as existing shareholders of a target company or as PIPE investors), which may increase the risk that our initial business combination becomes subject to regulatory review, including review by CFIUS. As such, an initial business combination with a U.S. business or foreign business with U.S. subsidiaries that we may wish to pursue may be subject to CFIUS review. If a particular proposed initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, we may determine that we are required to make a mandatory filing or that we will submit to CFIUS review on a voluntary basis, or to proceed with the transaction without submitting to CFIUS and risk CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the transaction. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our proposed initial business combination, impose conditions with respect to
57
such initial business combination or request the President of the United States to order us to divest all or a portion of the U.S. target business of our initial business combination that we acquired without first obtaining CFIUS approval, which may limit the attractiveness of, delay or prevent us from pursuing certain target companies that we believe would otherwise be beneficial to us and our shareholders. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited and we may be adversely affected in terms of competing with other special purpose acquisition companies which do not have any foreign ownership issues. In addition, certain federally licensed businesses may be subject to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership.
The process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because we have only a limited time to complete our initial business combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may require us to abandon our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period required under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, including as a result of extended regulatory review of a potential initial business combination, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, our shareholders will miss the opportunity to benefit from an investment in a target company and the appreciation in value of such investment.
Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The federal proxy rules require that the proxy statement with respect to the vote on an initial business combination include historical and pro forma financial statement disclosure. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”). These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an initial business combination.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2025. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target business with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.
Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by events that are outside of our control, such as increased geopolitical unrest, pandemic outbreaks (such as COVID-19) and volatility in the debt and equity markets.
On February 24, 2022, Russian military forces launched a military action in Ukraine, and sustained conflict and disruption in the region is ongoing. In addition, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a terrorist attack in Israel that has resulted in a significant action by the Israeli military in Gaza. This has been accompanied by additional
58
terrorist activities that have, among other things, disrupted shipping in the Red Sea. Although the length, impact and outcome of these ongoing military conflicts is highly unpredictable, these conflicts could lead to significant market and other disruptions, including significant volatility in the commodity prices and supple of energy resources, instability in financial markets, supply chain interruptions, political and social instability, changes in consumer or purchaser preferences as well as increase in cyberattacks and espionage.
The situation is rapidly evolving as a result of these conflicts. The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries may implement additional sanctions, export controls or other measures against Russia, Belarus and other countries, regions, officials, individuals or industries in the respective territories. Additionally, the evolving conflicts may expand to other countries and markets. Such sanctions and other measures, as well as the potential for expanded military activities, could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and could adversely affect our ability to search for a business combination or finance such business combination, and the business, financial condition and results of operations of any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination may be materially adversely affected.
Similarly other events outside of our control, including natural disasters, climate-related events, pandemics or health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) may arise from time to time, and such events may cause significant volatility and declines in the global markets, disproportionate impacts to certain industries or sectors, disruptions to commerce (including to economic activity, travel and supply chain), loss of life or property damage, and may adversely affect the global economy or capital markets, and the business of any potential target business with which we may consummate a business combination and could be materially adversely affected. In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity or debt financing which may be impacted by these and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable or at all.
Risks Relating to The Post-Business Combination Company
Subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our securities, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even if we conduct due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will identify all material issues that may be present within a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining debt financing to partially finance the initial business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The loss of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
59
Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We may structure our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such 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 us not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target.
In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s shares than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain control of the target business.
We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target business’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target business’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
We may seek business combination opportunities with a high degree of complexity that require significant operational improvements, which could delay or prevent us from achieving our desired results.
We may seek business combination opportunities with large, highly complex companies that we believe would benefit from operational improvements. While we intend to implement such improvements, to the extent that our efforts are delayed or we are unable to achieve the desired improvements, the business combination may not be as successful as we anticipate.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination with a large complex business or entity with a complex operating structure, we may also be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine, which could delay or prevent us from implementing our strategy. Although our management team will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business and its operations, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors until we complete our business combination. If we are not able to achieve our desired operational improvements, or the improvements take longer to implement than anticipated, we may not achieve the gains that we anticipate. Furthermore, some of these risks and complexities may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks and complexities will adversely impact a target business. Such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a smaller, less complex organization.
60
Risks Relating to Acquiring and Operating A Business in Foreign Countries
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may adversely affect us.
If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we pursue a target a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
If we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:
• costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations;
• rules and regulations regarding currency redemption;
• complex corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
• laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
• exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;
• tariffs and trade barriers;
• regulations related to customs and import/export matters;
• local or regional economic policies and market conditions;
• unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
• challenges in managing and staffing international operations;
• longer payment cycles;
• tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
• currency fluctuations and exchange controls;
• rates of inflation;
• challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
• cultural and language differences;
• employment regulations;
• underdeveloped or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems;
• corruption;
• protection of intellectual property;
• social unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances;
• regime changes and political upheaval;
61
• terrorist attacks, natural disasters, widespread health emergencies and wars; and
• deterioration of political relations with the United States.
We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial business combination, or, if we complete such initial business combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction, which may result in taxes imposed on shareholders or holders of Eagle Share Rights.
We may, in connection with our initial business combination or otherwise and, to the extent applicable, subject to requisite shareholder approval by special resolution under the Companies Act (with respect to which only holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote), reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder or holder of Eagle Share Rights to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder or holder of Eagle Share Rights is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders or holder of Eagle Share Rights to pay such taxes. Shareholders or holder of Eagle Share Rights may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of our Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights after the reincorporation.
We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
We are subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
We are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
If our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following our initial business combination, our management may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
62
Exchange rate fluctuations and currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.
After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue will be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.
The economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect our business. Economic growth could be uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate our initial business combination and if we effect our initial business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.
Risks Relating to Our Management Team
We are dependent upon our officers and directors and their loss, or a reduction in the amount of time they can dedicate to our initial business combination, could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial business combination. In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
63
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination, and a particular business combination may be conditioned on the retention or resignation of such key personnel. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with our company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. Such negotiations also could make such key personnel’s retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law.
Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination. For a complete discussion of our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs, please see “Management — Officers and Directors.”
Our officers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including other blank check companies, and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our sponsor, its managing members, and our officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities (such as operating companies or investment vehicles) that are engaged in a similar business. We do not have employment contracts with our officers and directors that will limit their ability to work at other businesses. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to such other blank check companies prior to its presentation to us, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other.
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies with acquisition objectives that are similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, and because we expect that our company will
64
generally have priority over any other special purpose acquisition companies subsequently formed by our sponsor, officers or directors with respect to acquisition opportunities until we complete our initial business combination or enter into a contractual agreement that would restrict our ability to engage in material discussions regarding a potential initial business combination, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
For a complete discussion of our officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest that you should be aware of, please see “Management — Officers and Directors,” “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Our officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, although we do not intend to do so. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of Cayman Islands law and we or our shareholders might have a claim against such individuals for infringing on our shareholders’ rights. See the section titled “Description of Securities — Certain Differences in Corporate Law — Shareholder Suits” for further information on the ability to bring such claims. However, we might not ultimately be successful in any claim we may make against them for such reason.
We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and officers.
We have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account and to not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by us only if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination. Our obligation to indemnify our officers and directors may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Members of our management team and board of directors have significant experience as board members, officers or executives of other companies. As a result, certain of those persons have been, may be, or may become, involved in proceedings, investigations and litigation relating to the business affairs of the companies with which they were, are, or may in the future be, affiliated. This may have an adverse effect on us, which may impede our ability to consummate an initial business combination.
During the course of their careers, members of our management team and board of directors have had significant experience as board members, officers or executives of other companies. As a result of their involvement and positions in these companies, certain persons were, are now, or may in the future become, involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings relating to the business affairs of such companies or transactions entered into by such companies. Any such litigation, investigations or other proceedings may divert our management team’s and board’s attention and resources away from identifying and selecting a target business or businesses for our initial business combination and may negatively affect our reputation, which may impede our ability to complete an initial business combination.
65
Members of our management team and affiliated companies may have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes or governmental investigations unrelated to our business.
Members of our management team have been (and intend to be) involved in a wide variety of businesses. Such involvement has, and may lead to, media coverage and public awareness. As a result, members of our management team and affiliated companies may have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes or governmental investigations unrelated to our business. Any such claims or investigations may be detrimental to our reputation and could negatively affect our ability to identify and complete an initial business combination and may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.
Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors contain provisions relating to transfer restrictions of our founder shares and private placement shares, indemnification of the trust account, waiver of redemption rights participation in liquidating distributions from the trust account and restructuring of the founder shares in connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. The letter agreement may be amended without shareholder approval (although releasing the parties from the restriction not to transfer the founder shares for 185 days following the date of this prospectus will require the prior written consent of the underwriters). While we do not expect our board to approve any amendment to the letter agreement prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to the letter agreement. Any such amendments to the letter agreement would not require approval from our shareholders and may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our securities.
We may approve an amendment or waiver of the letter agreement that would allow our sponsor to directly, or members of our sponsor to indirectly, transfer founder shares and private placement shares or membership interests in our sponsor in a transaction in which the sponsor removes itself as our sponsor before identifying a business combination, which may deprive us of key personnel.
While there is no current intention to do so, and the members of our management team and sponsor have not done so with any previously formed special purpose acquisition companies, we may approve an amendment or waiver of the letter agreement that would allow the sponsor to directly, or members of our sponsor to indirectly, transfer founder shares and private placement shares or membership interests in our sponsor in a transaction in which the sponsor removes itself as our sponsor before identifying a business combination. As a result, there is a risk that our sponsor and our officers and directors may divest their ownership or economic interests in us or in our sponsor, which would likely result in our loss of certain key personnel, including Harry E. Sloan, Eli Baker, Jeff Sagansky and Ryan O’Connor. There can be no assurance that any replacement sponsor or key personnel will successfully identify a business combination target for us, or, even if one is so identified, successfully complete such business combination.
Risks Relating to Our Securities
You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or Eagle Share Rights, potentially at a loss.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those Class A ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the completion window, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder
66
have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. There are no redemption rights with respect to the Eagle Share Rights. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or Eagle Share Rights, potentially at a loss.
Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our securities have been approved for listing on Nasdaq. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Following the date that the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights will be separately listed on Nasdaq. Although after giving effect to this offering we expect to meet, on a pro forma basis, the minimum initial listing standards set forth in Nasdaq listing standards, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be, listed on Nasdaq in the future or prior to our initial business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and share price levels. Generally, we must maintain a minimum market value of our listed securities of $50,000,000 and a minimum number of holders of our securities (300 public holders). Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq. For instance, unless we decide to list on a different Nasdaq tier such as the Nasdaq Capital Market which has different initial listing requirements, our share price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share, the market value of our listed securities would be required to be at least $75,000,000, the market value of our unrestricted publicly held shares would be required to be at least $20,000,000 and we would be required to have a minimum of 400 round lot holders of our securities, with at least 50% of such round lot holders holding securities with a market value of at least $2,500. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
• a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
• reduced liquidity for our securities;
• a determination that our Class A ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class A ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;
• a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
• a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because we expect that our units and eventually our Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights will be listed on Nasdaq, our units, Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights will qualify as covered securities under the statute. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not qualify as covered securities under the statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
67
The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline.
While we are offering our units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit and the amount in our trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share, implying an initial value of $10.00 per public share, our sponsor paid only a nominal aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.01 per share. As a result, the value of your public shares may be significantly diluted in the event we consummate an initial business combination. For example, the following table shows the public shareholders’ and sponsor’s investment per share and how that compares to the implied value of one of our shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination if at that time we were valued at $250,000,000, which is the amount we would have for our initial business combination in the trust account assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised, no interest is earned on the funds held in the trust account, and no public shares are redeemed in connection with our initial business combination. At such valuation, each of our ordinary shares would have an implied value of $8.24 per share, which is a 17.7% decrease as compared to the initial implied value per public share of $10.00.
Public shares |
| 25,000,000 | |
Founder shares |
| 5,000,000 | |
Private placement shares |
| 350,000 | |
Total shares |
| 30,350,000 | |
Total funds in trust available for initial business combination(1) | $ | 250,000,000 | |
Implied value per share(1)(2) | $ | 8.24 | |
Public shareholders’ investment per share(3) | $ | 10.00 | |
Sponsor’s investment per share(4) | $ | 0.66 |
____________
(1) Does not take into account other potential impacts on our valuation at the time of the business combination, such as the trading price of our public shares, the terms of the business combination transaction (including any equity issued to or retained by, or cash or other consideration paid to, the target’s shareholder or other third parties), the business combination transaction costs (including payment of up to $8,750,000 of deferred underwriting commissions), or the target’s business itself, including its assets, liabilities, management and prospects. For instance, the potential dilution experienced by holders of our ordinary shares may be mitigated if the business combination agreement is structured such that the potential dilutive impact of the founder shares is borne by all shareholders in the pro forma company.
(2) Note that redemptions of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination would further reduce the implied value of our ordinary shares. For instance, in this example, if 50% of the public shares were redeemed in connection with our initial business combination, the implied value per ordinary share would be $7.00.
(3) While the public shareholders’ investment is in both the public shares and the Eagle Share Rights, for purposes of this table the full investment amount is ascribed to the public shares only.
(4) The sponsor’s total investment in the equity of the company, inclusive of the founder shares and the sponsor’s $3,500,000 investment in the private placement shares, is $3,525,000.
While the implied value of our public shares may be diluted, the implied value of $8.24 per share in the example above would represent a significant implied profit for our sponsor relative to the initial purchase price of the founder shares. Our sponsor has committed to invest an aggregate of $3,525,000 in us in connection with this offering, comprised of the $25,000 purchase price for the founder shares and the $3,500,000 purchase price for the private placement shares. At $8.24 per share, the 5,000,000 founder shares would have an aggregate implied value of $41,200,000. As a result, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares significantly declines (whether because of a substantial amount of redemptions of our public shares or for any other reason), our sponsor will stand to make significant profit on its investment in us. In addition, our sponsor could potentially recoup its entire investment in us even if the trading price of our ordinary shares were as low as $0.71 per share and even if the private placement shares are worthless. As a result, our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us even if we select and consummate an initial business combination that causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to decline, while our public shareholders who purchased their units in this offering could lose significant value in their public shares. Our sponsor may therefore be economically incentivized to consummate an initial business combination with a riskier, weaker-performing or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares.
68
The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry. You may have less assurance, therefore, that the offering price of our units properly reflects the value of such units than you would have in a typical offering of an operating company.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the Eagle Share Rights were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with the representatives of the underwriters, both prior to our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights underlying the units, include:
• the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
• prior offerings of those companies;
• our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;
• a review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions;
• our capital structure;
• an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;
• general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and
• other factors as were deemed relevant.
Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering size, price and terms of the units is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
There is currently no market for our securities. Shareholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. We will also be subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In
69
particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a Federal court of the United States.
We have been advised by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
After our initial business combination, it is possible that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States and all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore, investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights.
It is possible that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors and officers under United States laws.
Our Eagle Share Rights agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our Eagle Share Rights, which could limit the ability of Eagle Share Rights holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.
Our Eagle Share Rights agreement provides that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the Eagle Share Rights agreement, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We will waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the Eagle Share Rights agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. We note that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions, and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our Eagle Share Rights shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our Eagle Share Rights agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the Eagle Share Rights agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District
70
of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our Eagle Share Rights, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such Eagle Share Rights holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such Eagle Share Rights holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such Eagle Share Rights holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit an Eagle Share Rights holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our Eagle Share Rights agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management team.
Provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Class A ordinary shares and could entrench management.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preference shares, which may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, because there are no authorities that directly address instruments similar to the units we are issuing in this offering, the allocation an investor makes with respect to the purchase price of a unit between the ordinary share and the right included in each unit could be challenged by the IRS or courts. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our Class A ordinary shares suspend the running of a U.S. Holder’s (as defined in section titled “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders”) holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of Class A ordinary shares is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would be considered “qualified dividend income” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See the section titled “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations of an investment in our securities. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these and other tax consequences when acquiring, owning or disposing of our securities.
Our initial business combination and our structure thereafter may not be tax-efficient to our shareholders. As a result of our business combination, our tax obligations may be more complex, burdensome and uncertain.
Although we will attempt to structure our initial business combination in a tax-efficient manner, tax structuring considerations are complex, the relevant facts and law are uncertain and may change, and we may prioritize commercial and other considerations over tax considerations. For example, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to any requisite shareholder approval, we may structure our business combination in a manner that requires shareholders to recognize gain or income for tax purposes, effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction or reincorporate in a different jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located). We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders to pay taxes in connection with our business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, a shareholder may need to satisfy any liability resulting from our initial business combination with cash from its own funds or by selling all or a portion of the shares received. In addition, shareholders may also be subject to additional income, withholding or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after our initial business combination.
In addition, we may effect a business combination with a target company that has business operations outside of the United States, and possibly, business operations in multiple jurisdictions. If we effect such a business combination, we could be subject to significant income, withholding and other tax obligations in a number of jurisdictions with respect to income, operations and subsidiaries related to those jurisdictions. Due to the complexity of tax obligations and filings in
71
other jurisdictions, we may have a heightened risk related to audits or examinations by United States federal, state, local and non-United States taxing authorities. This additional complexity and risk could have an adverse effect on our after-tax profitability and financial condition.
The grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders and holders of our private placement shares may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, our initial shareholders, the holders of our private placement shares, and the holders of shares that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the Class A ordinary shares into which founder shares are convertible, and any other securities of the company acquired by them prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares that is expected when the ordinary shares owned by our initial shareholders, holders of our private placement shares or holders of our working capital loans, or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
Holders of Class A ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote on the appointment of directors and certain other matters prior to our initial business combination.
As holders of our Class A ordinary shares, our public shareholders will not have the right to vote on the appointment of directors until after the consummation of our initial business combination. In addition, prior to our initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. Accordingly, you may not have any say in the management of our company prior to the consummation of an initial business combination. In addition, prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on continuing the company in a jurisdiction outside of the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside of the Cayman Islands).
General Risk Factors
We are a recently incorporated company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a recently incorporated company under the laws of the Cayman Islands with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning a business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Past performance by our management team or their respective affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.
Information regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, our management team or businesses associated with them is presented for informational purposes only. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to locate a suitable candidate for our initial business combination. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team’s or businesses associated with them as indicative of our future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
72
Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.
We depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against, or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.
We may be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder (as defined in the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders”) of our Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights, the U.S. Holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. As described further in the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” we believe is it likely that we will meet the PFIC test for our current taxable year and will not qualify for the so-called “start-up exception” to the PFIC rules described further in the prospectus. However, our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of any taxable year. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, upon written request, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund” election, but there can be no assurance that we will timely provide such required information, and such election would likely be unavailable with respect to our Eagle Share Rights. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules in general, and in particular to the Eagle Share Rights. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
A 1% U.S. federal excise tax on stock buybacks could be imposed on redemptions of our stock if we were to become a “covered corporation” in the future.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, among other things, generally imposes a 1% U.S. federal excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) on certain repurchases of stock by “covered corporations” (which include publicly traded domestic (i.e., U.S.) corporations and certain domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporations). The Excise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its stockholders from which the stock is repurchased. The amount of the Excise Tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the Excise Tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the Excise Tax. The U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) has authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of, the Excise Tax. On December 27, 2022, the Treasury issued a notice that provides interim operating rules for the Excise Tax, including rules governing the calculation and reporting of the Excise Tax. On April 12, 2024, the Treasury issued proposed regulations on which taxpayers may rely until final Treasury regulations addressing the Excise Tax are published, which generally adopt (but in some respects expand or modify) the rules and guidance set forth in the earlier notice. Although such notice and proposed Treasury regulations clarify certain aspects of the Excise Tax, the interpretation and operation of certain other aspects of the Excise Tax remain unclear, and the applicable rules are subject to change in final Treasury regulations.
We are currently not a “covered corporation” for purposes of the Excise Tax. If we were to become a “covered corporation” in the future, whether in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination with a U.S. company (including if we were to redomicile as a U.S. corporation in connection therewith) or otherwise, whether and to what extent we would be subject to the Excise Tax on a redemption of our stock would depend on a
73
number of factors, including (i) whether the redemption is treated as a repurchase of stock for purposes of the Excise Tax, (ii) the fair market value of the redemption treated as a repurchase of stock, (iii) the structure of our initial business combination, (iv) the nature and amount of any “PIPE” or other equity issuances (whether in connection with our initial business combination or otherwise) issued within the same taxable year of a redemption treated as a repurchase of stock and (v) the content of final regulations and other guidance from the Treasury. The imposition of the Excise Tax on us as a result of redemptions by us could, however, reduce the amount of cash available to the target business in connection with our initial business combination, which could cause investors in our securities who do not redeem or the other shareholders of the combined company to economically bear the impact of such Excise Tax. However, we will not use the proceeds placed in the trust account, or the interest earned on the proceeds placed in the trust account, to pay for possible excise tax or any other fees or taxes that may be levied on the Company on any redemptions or stock buybacks by the Company pursuant to any current, pending or further rules or laws, including without limitation any Excise Tax, prior to release of such funds from the trust account following our initial business combination.
We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we 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 auditor internal controls attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
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 a 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. We have 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, we, 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 our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250,000,000 as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100,000,000 during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30.
74
We employ a mail forwarding service, which may delay or disrupt our ability to receive mail in a timely manner
Mail addressed to the company and received at its registered office will be forwarded unopened to the forwarding address supplied by us. None of the company, its directors, officers, advisors or service providers (including the organization which provides registered office services in the Cayman Islands) will bear any responsibility for any delay howsoever caused in mail reaching the forwarding address, which may impair your ability to communicate with us.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that the courts of the Cayman Islands will be the exclusive forums for certain disputes between us and our shareholders, which could limit our shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for complaints against us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or otherwise related in any way to each shareholder’s shareholding in us, including but not limited to (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any of our current or former director, officer or other employee to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America) and that each shareholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes. The forum selection provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not apply to actions or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States of America, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provide that, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum.
This choice of forum provision may increase a shareholder’s cost and limit the shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any of our shares or other securities, whether by transfer, sale, operation of law or otherwise, shall be deemed to have notice of and have irrevocably agreed and consented to these provisions. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions, and the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings. It is possible that a court could find this type of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable, and if a court were to find this provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could have adverse effect on our business and financial performance.
75
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
• our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses;
• our ability to complete our initial business combination;
• our expectations around the performance of the prospective target business or businesses;
• our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
• our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination;
• our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
• our pool of prospective target businesses;
• our ability to consummate an initial business combination due to the uncertainty resulting from geopolitical events like the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, economic impacts such as inflation and rising interest rates and the COVID-19 pandemic;
• the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential business combination opportunities;
• our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
• the lack of a market for our securities;
• the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance;
• the trust account not being subject to claims of third parties; or
• our financial performance following this offering.
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
In addition, statements that contain “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this prospectus. Although we believe that this information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, this information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.
76
We are offering 25,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the private placement shares will be used as set forth in the following table.
Without Over | Over-allotment | |||||||
Gross proceeds |
|
|
|
| ||||
Gross proceeds from units offered to public(1) | $ | 250,000,000 |
| $ | 287,500,000 |
| ||
Gross proceeds from private placement shares offered in the private placement | $ | 3,500,000 |
| $ | 3,875,000 |
| ||
Total gross proceeds | $ | 253,500,000 |
| $ | 291,375,000 |
| ||
Offering expenses(2) |
|
|
|
| ||||
Underwriting commissions (1.5% of gross proceeds from units offered to | $ | 3,750,000 |
| $ | 4,312,500 |
| ||
Legal fees and expenses |
| 300,000 |
|
| 300,000 |
| ||
Printing and engraving expenses |
| 25,000 |
|
| 25,000 |
| ||
Accounting fees and expenses |
| 50,000 |
|
| 50,000 |
| ||
SEC expenses(4) |
| 44,557 |
|
| 44,557 |
| ||
FINRA expenses(5) |
| 43,625 |
|
| 43,625 |
| ||
Nasdaq listing and filing fees |
| 81,000 |
|
| 81,000 |
| ||
Miscellaneous |
| 205,818 |
|
| 205,818 |
| ||
Total offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions) | $ | 750,000 |
| $ | 750,000 |
| ||
Reimbursed expenses(6) | $ | 1,250,000 |
| $ | 1,437,500 |
| ||
Proceeds after offering expenses | $ | 250,250,000 |
| $ | 287,750,000 |
| ||
Held in trust account(3) | $ | 250,000,000 |
| $ | 287,500,000 |
| ||
% of public offering size |
| 100 | % |
| 100 | % | ||
Not held in trust account | $ | 250,000 |
| $ | 250,000 |
| ||
The following table shows the use of the approximately $250,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account, with the remainder to be paid using permitted withdrawals:(7)
Amount | % of Total | |||||
Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any business combination(8) | $ | 1,509,000 | 77 | % | ||
Administrative and support services |
| 360,000 | 11 | % | ||
Nasdaq listing fees |
| 81,000 | 2 | % | ||
Director and officer liability insurance premiums |
| 300,000 | 9 | % | ||
Total | $ | 2,250,000 | 100 | % | ||
____________
(1) Includes amounts payable to public shareholders who properly redeem their shares in connection with our successful completion of our initial business combination.
(2) A portion of the offering expenses will be paid from the proceeds of loans from our sponsor of up to $1,000,000 as described in this prospectus. These loans are non-interest bearing and unsecured. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the earlier of the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation. In the event that offering expenses are less than set forth in this table, any such amounts will be used for post-closing working capital expenses.
(3) The underwriters have agreed to defer underwriting commissions of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering. Upon and concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, up to $8,750,000, which constitutes the underwriters’ deferred commissions (or up to $10,062,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be paid to the underwriters from the funds held in the trust account. See “Underwriting.” The remaining funds, less amounts released to the trustee to pay redeeming shareholders, will be released to us and can be used to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of the business or businesses with which our initial business combination occurs or for general corporate purposes, including
77
payment of principal or interest on indebtedness incurred in connection with our initial business combination, to fund the purchases of other companies or for working capital. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.
(4) We paid a registration fee of $308,643.90 in connection with the registration of up to $2,300,000,000 of units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, and one-fifth of one redeemable warrant, under the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on June 24, 2021 (File No. 333-257341) (the “Prior S-1”). The Prior S-1 was not declared effective by the SEC, and no securities were issued or sold thereunder. The Prior S-1 was withdrawn by filing a Form RW on April 6, 2022. In accordance with Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the total amount of the registration fee due upon the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is expected to be offset by the previously paid registration fee. The registration fee presented in the above table does not take into account such expected offset.
(5) We paid a FINRA filing fee of $225,500 in connection with the filing of the Prior S-1. We expect to offset the FINRA filing fee that was paid in connection with the Prior S-1 against the total amount of the FINRA filing fee due upon the initial filing of this registration statement. The FINRA filing fee presented in the above table does not take into account such expected offset.
(6) The underwriters have agreed to make a payment to us at the closing of this offering to reimburse certain of our expenses and fees in connection with this offering, which may include certain expenses and fees incurred following this offering.
(7) These expenses are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring our initial business combination based upon the level of complexity of such business combination. In the event we identify a business combination target in a specific industry subject to specific regulations, we may incur additional expenses associated with legal due diligence and the engagement of special legal counsel. In addition, our staffing needs may vary and as a result, we may engage a number of consultants to assist with legal and financial due diligence. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would not be available for our expenses.
(8) Includes estimated amounts that may also be used in connection with our initial business combination to fund a “no shop” provision and commitment fees for financing.
Nasdaq rules provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement shares be deposited in a trust account. Of the $253,500,000 in gross proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement shares described in this prospectus, or $291,375,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, $250,000,000 ($10.00 per unit), or $287,500,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.00 per unit), will be deposited into a trust account in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, after taking into account reimbursements from the underwriters of this offering and after deducting $3,750,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions payable upon the closing of this offering (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and an aggregate of $1,000,000 to pay fees and expenses in connection with the closing of this offering and for working capital following the closing of this offering. The proceeds held in the trust account will initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination. and, may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank. We will disclose in each quarterly and annual report filed with the SEC prior to our initial business combination whether the proceeds deposited in the trust account are invested in U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds or a combination thereof or as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts. We expect that the interest earned on the trust account will be sufficient to pay income taxes, if any, and our working capital requirements. We will not be permitted to withdraw any of the principal or interest held in the trust account, except for permitted withdrawals and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, as applicable, if any, until the earliest of (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, subject to applicable law, or (iii) the redemption of our public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity.
78
The net proceeds released to us from the trust account upon the closing of our initial business combination may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination, we may use the balance of the cash released from the trust account following the closing for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop arrangements we may enter into following consummation of this offering. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, following this offering and prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will be prohibited from issuing additional securities that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination.
We believe that amounts not held in trust, together with permitted withdrawals, will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated that are payable prior to the closing of our initial business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. If we are required to seek additional capital, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their affiliates, but such persons are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.
We will pay an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team, in an amount equal to $15,000 per month. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $1,000,000 to be used for offering-related and organizational expenses. These loans are non-interest bearing and unsecured. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the earlier of the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation. In the event that offering expenses are less than set forth in this table, any such amounts will be used for post-closing working capital expenses.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares of the post business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender. Except as set forth above, the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
79
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination even if we have substantial assets outside the trust account. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that, prior to the completion of our initial business combination, no dividends or other distributions will be payable on our Class A ordinary shares from assets held outside the trust account, and no additional sums will be deposited into the trust account following the completion of this offering, unless approved by the written consent of the holders of not less than two-thirds of our Class B ordinary shares. The payment of cash dividends following the completion of our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time and will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition at such time. There is no certainty we will be in a position to, or decide to, pay cash dividends after completing any business combination. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends following completion of our initial business combination may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
80
The difference between the public offering price per Class A ordinary share, assuming no value is attributed to the Eagle Share Rights included in the units we are offering pursuant to this prospectus, and Adjusted NTBVPS, on a pro forma basis to give effect to this offering and the issuance of the private placement shares, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option and exercise of the over-allotment option in full, constitutes dilution to investors in this offering. Adjusted NTBVPS is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of Class A ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash), as adjusted to reflect various potential redemption levels that may occur in connection with the closing of our initial business combination, by the number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares.
Adjusted NTBVPS excludes the effect of the consummation of our initial business combination or any related transactions or expenses. The calculation of Adjusted NTBVPS assumes that no ordinary shares are issued to shareholders of our potential initial business combination target as consideration or issuable by the post-business combination company (for example, under an incentive plan or employee share purchase plan), no ordinary shares or convertible equity, equity-linked or debt securities are issued in connection with additional financing that we may seek in connection with our initial business combination, and no working capital loans are converted into private placement shares. The issuance of additional ordinary or preference shares may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would even further increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares.
At June 30, 2024, our net tangible book deficit was $(151,172), or approximately $(0.02) per Class B ordinary share. The following table illustrates what the Adjusted NTBVPS at June 30, 2024 would have been to the public shareholders on a pro forma basis to give effect to this offering and the issuance of the private placement shares, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option and exercise of the over-allotment option in full:
No Redemptions | 25% of Maximum | 50% of Maximum | 75% of Maximum | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Without | With | Without | With | Without | With | Without | With | Without | With | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Net tangible book deficit before this offering | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | $ | (151,172 | ) | ||||||||||
Net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, net of reimbursed underwriters fees(1) |
| 250,250,000 |
|
| 287,750,000 |
|
| 250,250,000 |
|
| 287,750,000 |
|
| 250,250,000 |
|
| 287,750,000 |
|
| 250,250,000 |
|
| 287,750,000 |
|
| 250,250,000 |
|
| 287,750,000 |
| ||||||||||
Plus: Offering costs accrued for or paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value |
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
|
| 114,960 |
| ||||||||||
Less: Deferred underwriting commissions |
| (8,750,000 | ) |
| (10,062,500 | ) |
| (8,750,000 | ) |
| (10,062,500 | ) |
| (8,750,000 | ) |
| (10,062,500 | ) |
| (8,750,000 | ) |
| (10,062,500 | ) |
| (8,750,000 | ) |
| (10,062,500 | ) | ||||||||||
Less: overallotment liability |
| (307,500 | ) |
|
|
| (307,500 | ) |
|
|
| (307,500 | ) |
|
|
| (307,500 | ) |
|
|
| (307,500 | ) |
|
| |||||||||||||||
Less: Amounts paid for redemptions(2) |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| (62,500,000 | ) |
| (71,875,000 | ) |
| (125,000,000 | ) |
| (143,750,000 | ) |
| (187,500,000 | ) |
| (215,625,000 | ) |
| (250,000,000 | ) |
| (287,500,000 | ) | ||||||||||
| 241,156,288 |
|
| 277,651,288 |
|
| 178,656,288 |
|
| 205,776,288 |
|
| 116,156,288 |
|
| 133,901,288 |
|
| 53,656,288 |
|
| 62,026,288 |
|
| (8,843,712 | ) |
| (9,848,712 | ) | |||||||||||
81
No Redemptions | 25% of Maximum | 50% of Maximum | 75% of Maximum | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Without | With | Without | With | Without | With | Without | With | Without | With | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering |
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
|
| 7,187,500 |
| ||||||||||
Less: Ordinary shares forfeited if over-allotment is not exercised |
| (937,500 | ) |
| — |
|
| (937,500 | ) |
| — |
|
| (937,500 | ) |
| — |
|
| (937,500 | ) |
| — |
|
| (937,500 | ) |
| — |
| ||||||||||
Less: Ordinary shares forfeited in respect of the Eagle Share Rights |
| (1,250,000 | ) |
| (1,437,500 | ) |
| (1,250,000 | ) |
| (1,437,500 | ) |
| (1,250,000 | ) |
| (1,437,500 | ) |
| (1,250,000 | ) |
| (1,437,500 | ) |
| (1,250,000 | ) |
| (1,437,500 | ) | ||||||||||
Plus: Ordinary shares offered |
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 28,750,000 |
|
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 28,750,000 |
|
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 28,750,000 |
|
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 28,750,000 |
|
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 28,750,000 |
| ||||||||||
Plus: Private placement shares |
| 350,000 |
|
| 387,500 |
|
| 350,000 |
|
| 387,500 |
|
| 350,000 |
|
| 387,500 |
|
| 350,000 |
|
| 387,500 |
|
| 350,000 |
|
| 387,500 |
| ||||||||||
Plus: Ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights |
| 1,250,000 |
|
| 1,437,500 |
|
| 1,250,000 |
|
| 1,437,500 |
|
| 1,250,000 |
|
| 1,437,500 |
|
| 1,250,000 |
|
| 1,437,500 |
|
| 1,250,000 |
|
| 1,437,500 |
| ||||||||||
Less: Ordinary shares redeemed |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| (6,250,000 | ) |
| (7,187,500 | ) |
| (12,500,000 | ) |
| (14,375,000 | ) |
| (18,750,000 | ) |
| (21,562,500 | ) |
| (25,000,000 | ) |
| (28,750,000 | ) | ||||||||||
| 31,600,000 |
|
| 36,325,000 |
|
| 25,350,000 |
|
| 29,137,500 |
|
| 19,100,000 |
|
| 21,950,000 |
|
| 12,850,000 |
|
| 14,762,500 |
|
| 6,600,000 |
|
| 7,575,000 |
| |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted NTBVPS | $ | 7.63 |
| $ | 7.64 |
| $ | 7.05 |
| $ | 7.06 |
| $ | 6.08 |
| $ | 6.10 |
| $ | 4.18 |
| $ | 4.20 |
| $ | (1.34 | ) | $ | (1.30 | ) | ||||||||||
____________
(1) Expenses applied against gross proceeds include offering expenses of approximately $750,000 and underwriting commissions of $3,750,000 (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). See “Use of Proceeds.”
(2) If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. In the event of any such purchases of our shares prior to the completion of our initial business combination, the number of ordinary shares subject to redemption will be reduced by the amount of any such purchases, increasing the pro forma NTBV. See “Proposed Business — Effecting Our Initial Business Combination — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities.”
(3) For purposes of presenting the maximum redemption scenario, we have reduced our pro forma Adjusted NTBVPS by $250,000,000 because holders of up to approximately 100% of our public shares may redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account at a per share redemption price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein.
The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial shareholders and the public shareholders:
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price | ||||||||||||
Number | Percentage | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||
Initial Shareholders(1)(2) | 5,000,000 | 16.47 | % | $ | 25,000 | 0.01 | % | $ | 0.005 | |||||
Private Placement Shares | 350,000 | 1.15 | % | $ | 3,500,000 | 1.38 | % | $ | 10.000 | |||||
Public Shareholders | 25,000,000 | 82.37 | % | $ | 250,000,000 | 98.61 | % | $ | 10.000 | |||||
30,350,000 | 100.00 | % | $ | 253,525,000 | 100.00 | % |
| |||||||
____________
(1) Assumes the full forfeiture of 2,187,500 shares that are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) Assumes conversion of Class B ordinary shares into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. The dilution to public shareholders would increase to the extent that the anti-dilution provisions of the Class B ordinary shares result in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon such conversion.
82
The following table sets forth our capitalization at June 30, 2024 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our 25,000,000 Class A ordinary shares in this offering for $250,000,000 (or $10.00 per share) and the sale of 350,000 private placement shares for $3,500,000 (or $10.00 per share) and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:
June 30, 2024 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
Promissory notes – related party(1) | $ | 542,975 |
| $ | 542,975 |
| ||
Deferred underwriting discounts and commissions |
| — |
|
| 8,750,000 |
| ||
Over-allotment liability |
| — |
|
| 307,500 |
| ||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| 142,991 |
|
| 28,031 |
| ||
Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized; -0- and 25,000,000 shares subject to possible redemption, actual and adjusted, respectively(2) |
| — |
|
| 250,000,000 |
| ||
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding (actual and as adjusted) |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized; none and 25,350,000 shares issued and outstanding (excluding -0- and 25,000,000 shares subject to redemption) actual and adjusted, respectively |
| — |
|
| 35 |
| ||
Class B ordinary share, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized (actual and as adjusted); 7,187,500 and 5,000,000 shares issued and outstanding (actual and as adjusted, respectively)(3) |
| 719 |
|
| 500 |
| ||
Additional paid-in capital(4) |
| 24,281 |
|
| — |
| ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (61,212 | ) |
| (8,930,307 | ) | ||
Total shareholders’ deficit |
| (36,212 | ) |
| (8,929,772 | ) | ||
Total capitalization | $ | 649,754 |
| $ | 250,698,734 |
| ||
____________
(1) Our sponsor may loan us up to $1,000,000 under unsecured, non-interest bearing promissory notes for offering-related and organizational expenses. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation. As of June 30, 2024, we had borrowed $542,975 under this promissory note.
(2) The “as adjusted” amount of Class A ordinary shares, subject to redemption equals the “as adjusted” total assets of $250,698,734 less the “as adjusted” total liabilities of $9,628,506 less “as adjusted” total shareholder’s deficit of $8,929,772. The value of Class A ordinary shares that may be redeemed is equal to $10.00 per share (which is the assumed redemption price) multiplied by 25,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, which is the maximum number of Class A ordinary shares that may be redeemed for a $10.00 purchase price per share.
(3) Actual share amount is prior to any forfeiture of founder shares by our sponsor and the “as adjusted” share amount assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and the forfeiture of 2,187,500 founder shares by our sponsor.
(4) The “as adjusted” additional paid-in capital calculation is equal to the “as adjusted” total shareholders’ deficit of $8,929,772, less Class A ordinary shares (par value) of $35, less Class B ordinary shares (par value) of $500 less the accumulated deficit of $8,930,307.
83
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on February 22, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private placement shares, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of this offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, other securities issuances, or a combination of the foregoing.
The issuance of additional shares in connection with a business combination to the owners of the target or other investors:
• may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of Class A ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Class A ordinary shares;
• could cause a change in control if a substantial number of our Class A ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
• may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A ordinary shares and/or Eagle Share Rights.
Similarly, if we issue debt securities or otherwise incur significant debt to bank or other lenders or the owners of a target, it could result in:
• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
• our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding;
• using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
• limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
84
• increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
• limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at June 30, 2024, we had no cash and deferred offering costs of $114,960. Further, we expect to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete our initial business combination will be successful.
Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied prior to the completion of this offering through receipt of a $25,000 capital contribution from our sponsor in exchange for the issuance of the founder shares to our sponsor and up to $1,000,000 in available loans from our sponsor. These loans are non-interest bearing and unsecured. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the earlier of the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation.
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the units in this offering and the sale of the private placement shares for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting offering expenses of approximately $750,000 and underwriting commissions of $3,750,000 (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (excluding deferred underwriting commissions of $8,750,000, or $10,062,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be $250,250,000 (or $287,750,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). $250,000,000 (or $287,500,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account, which includes the deferred underwriting commissions described above. The proceeds held in the trust account will initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination. and, may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank. We will disclose in each quarterly and annual report filed with the SEC prior to our initial business combination whether the proceeds deposited in the trust account are invested in U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds or a combination thereof or as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts. The remaining approximately $250,000 will not be held in the trust account. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $750,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $750,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest for permitted withdrawals. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. We expect the interest earned
85
on the amount in the trust account, plus permitted withdrawals, will be sufficient to pay our income taxes, if any, and our working capital requirements. To the extent that our equity or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we will have available to us the approximately $250,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account plus permitted withdrawals. We will use these funds to primarily identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business prior to our initial business combination. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares of the post business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender. The terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
We expect our primary liquidity requirements during that period to include approximately $2,509,000 for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations, and approximately $81,000 for Nasdaq fees and approximately $300,000 for director and officer liability insurance premiums. We will also pay an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team in an amount equal to $15,000 per month.
These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses. In addition, we could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay commitment fees for financing, fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business or as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into an agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conducting due diligence with respect to, prospective target businesses.
Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination, either because the transaction requires more cash than is available from the proceeds held in our trust account or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of the business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. In addition, we intend to target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, and, as a result, if the cash portion of the purchase price exceeds the amount available from the trust account, net of amounts needed to satisfy any redemptions by public shareholders, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. We may also obtain financing prior to the closing of our initial business combination to fund our working capital needs and transaction costs in connection with our search for and completion of our initial business combination. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other
86
indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following consummation of this offering. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Only in the event that we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer and no longer an emerging growth company would we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to 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 requirement.
Prior to the closing of this offering, we have not completed an assessment, nor has our independent registered public accounting firm tested our systems, of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Many small and mid-sized target businesses we may consider for our initial business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
• staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties;
• reconciliation of accounts;
• proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate;
• evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions;
• documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and
• documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expenses in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent registered public accounting firm to audit and render an opinion on such report when required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The independent registered public accounting firm may identify additional issues concerning a target business’s internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The proceeds held in the trust account will initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination. and, may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank. We will disclose in each quarterly and annual report filed with the SEC prior to our initial business combination whether the proceeds deposited in the trust account are invested in U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds or a combination thereof or as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
87
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of June 30, 2024, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have not conducted any operations to date.
JOBS Act
The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be 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, our 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 independent registered public accounting firm’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 report of the independent registered public accounting firm 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 this offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
88
Introduction
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
Business Strategy
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. We believe the potential best use cases for SPACs are “special situations” involving target companies, including consolidations, corporate carve-outs (from public or private businesses), and global companies based internationally that are seeking sponsorship to access the U.S. equity capital markets. We intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. In connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.” Our management team has extensive experience in identifying and executing strategic investments globally and has done so successfully in a number of sectors. We believe our management team is well positioned to create value for our shareholders, and that our contacts and sources, ranging from owners of private and public companies, private equity funds, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and business brokers in these sectors will allow us to generate attractive acquisition opportunities. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prohibit us from effectuating a business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations.
We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering, the sale of the private placements shares, our equity, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. Generally, the issuance of additional shares in a business combination may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares. We may also issue shares in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) in connection with our initial business combination, for instance in order to provide sufficient liquidity and capital to the post-business combination entity. Such potential dilutive issuances of securities are likely to increase as the pro forma equity value of a prospective combined company increases, and we intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. For more information, see the sections entitled “Summary — Additional Financings,” “Dilution” and the risk factors entitled “We may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained therein. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks” and “The post-business combination company may issue shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price which is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time, which could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders and add costs.”
89
Our Management Team
The members of our management team, including Harry E. Sloan, our Co-Chairman, Eli Baker, our Chief Executive Officer and director, Jeff Sagansky, our Co-Chairman, and Ryan O’Connor, our Chief Financial Officer, have extensive experience with special purpose acquisition companies and consummating business combinations.
In November 2021, Messrs. Sloan, Baker, Sagansky and O’Connor founded Screaming Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sloan served as chairman, Mr. Baker served as chief financial officer and director, Mr. Sagansky served as director and Mr. O’Connor served as vice president of finance. Screaming Eagle completed its initial public offering in January 2022, in which it sold 75,000,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary shares and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $750,000,000. At the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Screaming Eagle held on April 9, 2024, shareholders approved a proposal to extend the date by which Screaming Eagle must consummate a business combination from April 10, 2024 to June 15, 2024, and holders of 57,824,777 Class A Ordinary Shares exercised their right to redeem their shares. At the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Screaming Eagle held on May 7, 2024, in connection with its initial business combination, shareholders holding 10,147,350 Class A ordinary shares exercised their right to redeem their shares. In May 2024, Screaming Eagle completed its initial business combination with the movie and studio business of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., creating Lionsgate Studios Corp. (NYSE: LION), one of the world’s largest standalone pure play, publicly-traded content companies, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4,600,000,000. As of October 8, 2024, the trading price of LION was $6.95.
In October 2020, Messrs. Sloan, Baker and Sagansky founded Soaring Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sloan served as chief executive officer and chairman and Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer, director and secretary. Soaring Eagle completed its initial public offering in February 2021, in which it sold 172,500,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-fifth of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $1,725,000,000. In September 2021, Soaring Eagle completed its initial business combination with Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (NYSE: DNA), a biotechnology company building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as people can program computers, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $15,000,000,000, which generated proceeds of over $1,600,000,000. There was no vote held to extend the date by which Soaring Eagle must consummate a business combination because it consummated its initial business combination within 24 months of its initial public offering. At the special meeting of shareholders of Soaring Eagle held on September 14, 2021, in connection with its initial business combination, shareholders holding 86,725,312 Class A ordinary shares exercised their right to redeem their shares. As of October 8, 2024, the trading price of DNA was $8.34 (as adjusted for a one-for-forty (1:40) reverse stock split on August 20, 2024).
In January 2020, Messrs. Sloan, Baker and Sagansky founded Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Flying Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sloan served as chief executive officer and chairman and Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer and secretary. Flying Eagle completed its initial public offering in March 2020, in which it sold 69,000,000 units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $690,000,000. In December 2020, Flying Eagle completed its initial business combination with Skillz Inc. (NYSE: SKLZ), a technology company that enables game developers to monetize their content through fun and fair multi-player competition, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3,500,000,000. There was no vote held to extend the date by which Flying Eagle must consummate a business combination because it consummated its initial business combination within 24 months of its initial public offering. At the special meeting of Flying Eagle stockholders held on December 16, 2020, in connection with its initial business combination, holders of 2,140 shares of Flying Eagle’s Class A common stock exercised their right to redeem such shares. As of October 8, 2024, the trading price of SKLZ was $5.39 (as adjusted for a 1-for-20 reverse stock split on June 23, 2023).
In April 2019, Messrs. Baker and Sagansky founded Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Diamond Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky serves as chief executive officer and chairman, Mr. Baker serves as president, chief financial officer and secretary and Harry E. Sloan, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, was a founding shareholder. Diamond Eagle completed its initial public offering in May 2019, in which it sold 40,000,000 units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant to purchase one share of Class A common stock, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $400,000,000. In April 2020, Diamond Eagle completed its initial
90
business combination with DraftKings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG), a digital sports entertainment and gaming company known for its industry-leading daily fantasy sports and mobile sports betting platforms, and SBTech (Global) Limited, an international turnkey provider of cutting-edge sports betting and gaming technologies, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2,700,000,000. There was no vote held to extend the date by which Diamond Eagle must consummate a business combination it consummated its initial business combination within 24 months of its initial public offering. At the special meeting of the Diamond Eagle stockholders held on April 23, 2020, in connection with its business combination, holders of 8,928 shares of Diamond Eagle’s Class A common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares. As of October 8, 2024, the trading price of DKNG was $37.50.
In July 2017, Messrs. Sagansky and Baker founded Platinum Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Platinum Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as chief executive officer and chairman, Mr. Baker served as president, chief financial officer and secretary and Mr. Sloan was a founding shareholder. Platinum Eagle completed its initial public offering in January 2018, in which it sold 32,500,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $325,000,000. Platinum Eagle completed its initial business combination in March 2019, in which Platinum Eagle, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Topaz Holdings LLC, acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Target Logistics Management, LLC and RL Signor Holdings, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $1,311,000,000. In the transaction, Platinum Eagle changed its name to Target Hospitality (Nasdaq: TH). Target Hospitality is a vertically integrated specialty rental and hospitality services company. There was no vote held to extend the date by which Platinum Eagle must consummate a business combination because it consummated its initial business combination within 24 months of its initial public offering. In connection with its business combination, holders of 18,178,394 shares exercised their right to redeem their shares. As of October 8, 2024, the trading price of TH was $7.62.
In 2015, Messrs. Sagansky and Baker founded Double Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Double Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as president and chief executive officer, Mr. Baker served as vice president, general counsel and secretary and Mr. Sloan was a founding shareholder. Double Eagle completed its initial public offering in September 2015, in which it sold 50,000,000 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one-half of one Class A ordinary share, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $500,000,000. Double Eagle completed its business combination in November 2017, in which its wholly-owned subsidiary acquired 90% of the shares of Williams Scotsman for an aggregate purchase price of $1,100,000,000. In the transaction, Double Eagle changed its name to WillScot Corporation and, most recently, following its merger with Mobile Mini, Inc. in July 2020, to WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp., or WSC (Nasdaq: WSC). WSC is a specialty rental services market leader providing modular space and portable storage solutions to diverse end markets across North America. At the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Double Eagle held on September 15, 2017, shareholders approved a proposal to extend the date by which Double Eagle must consummate its initial business combination from September 16, 2017 to December 31, 2017. Also at the September 15, 2017 extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, shareholders holding 295,671 Class A ordinary shares exercised their right to redeem such shares. At the extraordinary general meeting of the Double Eagle shareholders held on November 16, 2017, in connection with its business combination, holders of 21,128,456 shares exercised their right to redeem their shares. As of October 8, 2024, the trading price of WSC was $36.49.
In 2013, Messrs. Sagansky and Sloan founded Silver Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Silver Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as president and Mr. Baker served as a director. Silver Eagle completed its initial public offering in July 2013, in which it sold 32,500,000 units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant exercisable for one-half of one share of common stock, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of $325,000,000. Silver Eagle completed its business combination in March 2015, in which it contributed approximately $273,300,000 to Videocon d2h, after Silver Eagle’s exchange of all of Silver Eagle’s warrants for $32,500,000 and payment of Silver Eagle’s transaction expenses, in exchange for equity shares of Videocon d2h represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, that were listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq GS, under the symbol “VDTH,” upon the closing of the business combination. Videocon d2h was a leading direct-to-home pay-TV service provider in India. There was no vote held to extend the date by which Silver Eagle must consummate its initial business combination because it consummated its initial business combination within 24 months of its initial public offering. At the special meeting of Silver Eagle stockholders held on March 30, 2015, one Silver Eagle stockholder holding 100 shares exercised its right to redeem such shares. In March 2018, Videocon d2h merged with and into Dish TV India Limited (NSE: DISHTV).
91
In 2011, Messrs. Sagansky and Sloan founded Global Eagle Acquisition Corp., or Global Eagle, a blank check company formed for substantially similar purposes as our company, in which Mr. Sagansky served as president. Global Eagle completed its initial public offering in May 2011, in which it sold approximately 19,000,000 units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant, for an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating aggregate proceeds of approximately $190,000,000. Global Eagle completed its business combination in January 2013, acquiring 100% of the shares of Row 44, Inc., or Row 44, and 86% of the shares of Advanced Inflight Alliance AG, or AIA, and changed its name to Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., or GEE (Nasdaq: ENT). GEE is a worldwide provider of media content, connectivity systems and operational data solutions to the travel industry. In the transaction, all major stockholders of both Row 44 and AIA agreed to receive shares in GEE in exchange for their Row 44 and AIA shares, and GEE entered into backstop agreements with PAR Investment Partners, L.P., and Putnam Capital Spectrum Fund and Equity Fund for aggregate investments in GEE common stock of over $70,000,000. There was no vote held to extend the date by which Global Eagle must consummate a business combination because it consummated its initial business combination within 24 months of its initial public offering. At the special meeting of Global Eagle stockholders held on January 31, 2013, stockholders holding an aggregate of 8,828,419 shares of common stock did not redeem their shares, thereby satisfying the closing condition in the Row 44 merger agreement which required that at least 3,955,833 public shares not be redeemed. Global Eagle filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in July 2020 and ENT ceased trading on August 4, 2020.
With respect to the foregoing examples, past performance of Screaming Eagle, Soaring Eagle, Flying Eagle, Diamond Eagle, Platinum Eagle, Double Eagle, Silver Eagle, Global Eagle or our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate or candidates for our initial business combinations. You should not rely on the historical record of our management’s performance as indicative of our future performance.
For additional information regarding our management team’s experience, please see the section entitled “Management.”
Our Sponsor
Our sponsor, Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company, which was formed to invest in us. Although our sponsor is permitted to undertake any activities permitted under the Limited Liability Companies Act (As Revised) and other applicable law, our sponsor’s business is focused on investing in our company. The managing members of our sponsor are Eli Baker, our Chief Executive Officer and director, Harry E. Sloan, our Co-Chairman, and Jeff Sagansky, our Co-Chairman. Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky control the management of our sponsor, including the exercise of voting and investment discretion over the securities of our company held by our sponsor. As of the date of this prospectus, other than Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky, no other person has a direct or indirect material interest in our sponsor, other than Ryan O’Connor, our Chief Financial Officer. Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky own membership interests in our sponsor, which represent approximately 25%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of the economic rights attributable to the assets of our sponsor. In addition, our independent directors will receive for their services as a director an indirect interest in the founder shares through membership interests in our sponsor. Other than our management team, none of the other members of our sponsor will participate in our company’s activities, and there are no other members of our sponsor other than as described above.
92
The following table sets forth the payments to be received by our sponsor and its affiliates from us prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and the securities issued and to be issued by us to our sponsor or its affiliates:
Entity | Amount of Compensation | Consideration Paid or to be Paid | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC | 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares (of which 2,187,500 are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option), representing 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, after giving effect to such forfeiture and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, or concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our business combination or earlier at the option of the holder 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 our initial business combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, 16.67% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after such conversion (excluding the private placement shares and the ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights and after giving effect to any redemptions of Class A ordinary shares by public shareholders), including the total number of Class A ordinary shares | $25,000 (approximately $0.01 per share) |
93
Entity | Amount of Compensation | Consideration Paid or to be Paid | ||
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, 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 shares issued to our 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. As a result of such anti-dilution adjustments, the founder shares held by our sponsor may convert into Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-for-one basis, which may result in material dilution from your purchase of our Class A ordinary shares. As described above under “Summary — General”, in connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the |
94
Entity | Amount of Compensation | Consideration Paid or to be Paid | ||
anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.” | ||||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC | 350,000 Class A ordinary shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) | $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) | ||
Eagle Equity Partners, LLC | $15,000 per month | Office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, an affiliate thereof, or our officers and directors | Repayment in cash or in private placement shares of the post-business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender | Loans to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC | Repayment in cash | Up to $1,000,000 under unsecured, non-interest bearing promissory notes for offering-related and organizational expenses. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation | ||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, our officers or directors, or affiliates thereof | Repayment in cash | Any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating, negotiating and completing an initial business combination |
Because our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, our public shareholders will incur an immediate and material dilution upon the closing of this offering. See the sections titled “Dilution” and “Risk Factors — The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline.”
Pursuant to a letter agreement to be entered with us, each of our sponsor, officers and directors has agreed to restrictions on its ability to transfer, assign, or sell the founder shares and private placement shares, as summarized in the table below. Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors, which contains the below provisions relating to transfer restrictions of our founder shares and private placement shares, may be amended without shareholder approval. Such transfer restrictions have been amended in connection with business combinations for certain other special purpose acquisition companies. While we do not expect our board to approve any amendment to the letter agreement prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to the letter agreement.
95
Subject Securities | Expiration Date | Persons Subject to | Exceptions to Transfer | |||
Founder Shares | The founder shares are not transferable or salable until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after our initial business combination and (B) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. | Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC Eli Baker Harry E. Sloan Jeff Sagansky Ryan O’Connor Diarmuid Cummins Amy Gershkoff Bolles Jason Park Anna Marie Wagner Simon Watson | Transfers are permitted (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of our officers or directors, any members or partners of our sponsor or their affiliates, any affiliates of our sponsor, or any employees of such affiliates, (b) in the case of an individual, as a gift to such person’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such person’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with any forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased; (f) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or our Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of our sponsor, (g) in the event of our liquidation prior to our consummation of our initial business combination; or (h) in the event that, subsequent to our consummation of an initial business combination, we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreements. | |||
Private Placement Shares | The private placement shares are not transferable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. | Same as above. | Same as above. |
96
Pursuant to such letter agreement, for the benefit of UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC, we, our sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class A ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, Class A ordinary shares; provided, however, that we may (1) issue and sell the private placement shares, (2) issue and sell the additional Class A ordinary shares to cover our underwriters’ over-allotment option (if any), (3) register with the SEC pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, the resale of the founder shares and the private placement shares and (4) issue securities in connection with a business combination, including any forward purchase shares. UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.
The securities held by the sponsor are expected to only be distributed directly to the members of the sponsor in connection with or following the consummation of our initial business combination, provided that such members agree to become subject to the applicable transfer restrictions with respect to such securities. Indirect transfers of the securities held by the sponsor, such as to another member of the sponsor or their affiliate or a new member of the sponsor, may be permitted with the consent of Messrs. Baker, Sloan and Sagansky, the managing members of our sponsor, so long as such transfer complies with the applicable transfer restrictions with respect to such securities described in the table above to the same extent as the party originally subject to such restrictions. For example, our independent directors will receive membership interests in our sponsor as compensation for their service as directors to the company. Each of Diarmuid Cummins, Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Jason Park, Anna Marie Wagner, and Simon Watson will receive membership interests in our sponsor representing 25,000 founder shares for their service as a director. Each of the members of our sponsor, due to being members of our management team, are parties to the letter agreement and the lock-up provisions contained therein.
In order to facilitate our initial business combination or for any other reason determined by our sponsor in its sole discretion, our sponsor, pursuant to clause (e) in the table above in accordance with the terms of the letter agreement, may (i) surrender or forfeit, transfer or exchange, directly or indirectly, our founder shares, private placement shares or any of our other securities held by it, including for no consideration in connection with a PIPE financing or otherwise, (ii) subject any such securities to earn-outs or other restrictions, and (iii) enter into any other arrangements with respect to any such securities.
While there is no current intention to do so, and the members of our management team and sponsor have not done so with any previously formed special purpose acquisition companies, we may approve an amendment or waiver of the letter agreement that would allow the sponsor to directly, or members of our sponsor to indirectly, transfer founder shares and private placement shares or membership interests in our sponsor in a transaction in which the sponsor removes itself as our sponsor before identifying a business combination. As a result, there is a risk that our sponsor and our officers and directors may divest their ownership or economic interests in us or in our sponsor, which would likely result in our loss of certain key personnel, including Harry E. Sloan, Eli Baker, Jeff Sagansky and Ryan O’Connor. There can be no assurance that any replacement sponsor or key personnel will successfully identify a business combination target for us, or, even if one is so identified, successfully complete such business combination.
Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination (including with the assistance of financial advisors), we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it likely that our board of directors will be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the target’s assets or prospects. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
97
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such 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, or the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of the 80% of net assets test described above. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the aggregate value of all of the target businesses will be taken into account for purposes of the 80% fair market value test.
We believe the following general criteria and guidelines are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, but we may decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
• Targets That Can Benefit from Our Management Team’s Relationships and Experience. Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. We believe the potential best use cases for SPACs are “special situations” involving target companies, including consolidations, corporate carve-outs (from public or private businesses), and global companies based internationally that are seeking sponsorship to access the U.S. equity capital markets. We intend to target a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater. In connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.”
• Growing Industries and Markets. We will seek out opportunities in sectors and industries that have experienced and continue to experience growth, as well as in faster-growing segments of developed and emerging markets.
• Business with Revenue and/or Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have multiple, diverse potential drivers of revenue and/or earnings growth.
• Companies with Potential for Free Cash Flow Generation. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong and stable free cash flow now or in the future.
• Companies with Potential to Grow through Acquisition. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to grow inorganically through acquisitions of competitors in their markets or expansion into adjacent markets.
98
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we would file with the SEC. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information which will be made available to us.
Sourcing of Potential Initial Business Combination Targets
We believe our management team’s significant operating and transaction experience and relationships will provide us with a substantial number of potential initial business combination targets.
Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships around the world. This network has grown through the activities of our management team sourcing, acquiring and financing businesses, the reputation of our management team for integrity and fair dealing with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions under varying economic and financial market conditions. In addition, our management team has developed a significant network of relationships through the core management team’s long-time sponsorship of special purpose acquisition companies. Our management team has further developed contacts from serving on the boards of directors of prominent digital media companies and gaming companies.
This network has provided our management team with a flow of referrals that has resulted in numerous transactions which were proprietary or where a limited group of investors were invited to participate in the sale process. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us important sources of investment opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target business combination candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or completing the business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, executive officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with a target that is affiliated (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating that the consideration to be paid by us in such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Members of our management team will directly or indirectly own founder shares and/or private placement shares following this offering and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction because of their financial interest in completing an initial business combination within the completion window. The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, the founder shares may expire worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, executive officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of
99
a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, and because we expect that our company will generally have priority over any other special purpose acquisition companies subsequently formed by our sponsor, officers or directors with respect to acquisition opportunities until we complete our initial business combination or enter into a contractual agreement that would restrict our ability to engage in material discussions regarding a potential initial business combination, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Prior to the date of this prospectus, we filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
Status as a Public Company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination with us. In a business combination transaction with us, the owners of the target business may, for example, exchange their shares of stock or shares or other equity interests in the target business for our Class A ordinary shares (or shares of a new holding company) or for a combination of our Class A ordinary shares and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. We believe target businesses will find this method a more expeditious and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. The typical initial public offering process takes a significantly longer period of time than the typical business combination transaction process, and there are significant expenses and market and other uncertainties in the initial public offering process, including underwriting discounts and commissions, marketing and road show efforts that may not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us.
Furthermore, once a proposed initial business combination is completed, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions, which could delay or prevent the offering from occurring or could have negative valuation consequences. Following an initial business combination, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital, an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests and the ability to use its shares as currency for acquisitions. Being a public company can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.
While we believe that our structure and our management team’s backgrounds will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our ability to seek shareholder approval of any proposed initial business combination, negatively.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1,235,000,000, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
100
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250,000,000 as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100,000,000 during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30.
Financial Position
With funds available for a business combination initially in the amount of $241,250,000 (assuming no redemptions), after payment of $8,750,000 of deferred underwriting fees (or $277,437,500 (assuming no redemptions) after payment of $10,062,500 of deferred underwriting fees if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), we offer a target business a variety of options such as creating a liquidity event for its owners, providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to complete our initial business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.
Effecting Our Initial Business Combination
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private placement shares, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of this offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, other securities issuances, or a combination of the foregoing. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or used for redemptions of our Class A ordinary shares, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. Although our management will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business with which we may combine, we cannot assure you that this assessment will result in our identifying all risks that a target business may encounter. Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of our control, meaning that we can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely affect a target business.
We may need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination, either because the transaction requires more cash than is available from the proceeds held in our trust account or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares in connection with the completion of the business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. In addition, we intend to target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, and, as a result, if the cash portion of the purchase price exceeds the amount available from the trust account, net of amounts needed to satisfy any redemptions by public shareholders, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. We may also obtain financing prior to the closing of our initial business combination
101
to fund our working capital needs and transaction costs in connection with our search for and completion of our initial business combination. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following consummation of this offering. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations. None of our sponsor, officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.
Sources of Target Businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, private investment funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates of which they become aware through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the track record and business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of a finder’s fee is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. In addition, commencing on the date of this prospectus, we will pay an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team in an amount equal to $15,000 per month. Any such payments prior to our initial business combination will be made from (i) funds held outside the trust account or (ii) interest earned on the trust account and released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual maximum release of $1,000,000). In addition, we have agreed, pursuant to the administrative and indemnification services agreement with our sponsor relating to the monthly payment for office space and administrative services described above, that we will indemnify our sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the company’s operations or conduct of the company’s business or any claim against our sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our sponsor of any of the company’s activities or any express or implied association between our sponsor and the company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in our trust account.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, or from completing the business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that the consideration to be paid by us in such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.
Evaluation of a Target Business and Structuring of Our Initial Business Combination
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as applicable, as well as a review of financial, operational, legal and other information which will be made available to us. If we determine to move forward with a particular target, we will proceed to structure and negotiate the terms of the business combination transaction.
102
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of, and negotiation with, a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination.
Lack of Business Diversification
For an indefinite period of time after the completion of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
• subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and
• cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’s management may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. The determination as to whether any of the members of our management team will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
We may conduct redemptions without a shareholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC subject to the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. However, we will seek shareholder approval if it is required by law or applicable stock exchange rule, or we may decide to seek shareholder approval for business or other reasons.
Under Nasdaq’s listing rules, shareholder approval would be required for our initial business combination if, for example:
• We issue ordinary shares that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of our ordinary shares then outstanding (other than in a public offering);
• Any of our directors, officers or substantial shareholders (as defined by Nasdaq rules) has a 5% or greater interest earned on the trust account (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the target business or assets to be acquired or otherwise and the present or potential issuance of ordinary shares could result in an increase in outstanding
103
• ordinary shares or voting power of 5% or more; or
• The issuance or potential issuance of ordinary shares will result in our undergoing a change of control.
The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination in those instances in which shareholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on business and legal reasons, which include a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the timing of the transaction, including in the event we determine shareholder approval would require additional time and there is either not enough time to seek shareholder approval or doing so would place the company at a disadvantage in the transaction or result in other additional burdens on the company; (ii) the expected cost of holding a shareholder vote; (iii) the risk that the shareholders would fail to approve the proposed business combination; (iv) other time and budget constraints of the company; and (v) additional legal complexities of a proposed business combination that would be time-consuming and burdensome to present to shareholders.
Permitted Purchases of Our Securities
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may purchase public shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation or duty to do so. Any such price per share may be different than the amount per share a public shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination. Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgment that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases by sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.
Additionally, at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material non-public information), our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business combination or not redeem their public shares. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares in such transactions.
The purpose of any such transactions could be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our securities may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
Our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the shareholders with whom our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may pursue privately negotiated transactions by either the shareholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests submitted by shareholders (in the case of Class A ordinary shares) following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates enter into a private transaction, they would identify and contact only potential selling or redeeming shareholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such shareholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination but only if such shares have not already been voted at the general meeting related to our initial business combination. Our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers,
104
advisors and their affiliates will select which shareholders to purchase shares from based on the negotiated price and number of shares and any other factors that they may deem relevant, and will be restricted from purchasing shares if such purchases do not comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws.
Our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates will be restricted from making purchases of shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. Additionally, in the event our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares from public shareholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
• our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may purchase public shares from public shareholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases;
• if our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares from public shareholders, they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process;
• our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would include a representation that any of our securities purchased by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction;
• our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect to our securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and
• we would disclose in a Form 8-K, before our security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material items:
• the amount of our securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, along with the purchase price;
• the purpose of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates;
• the impact, if any, of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates on the likelihood that the business combination transaction will be approved;
• the identities of our security holders who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of our security holders (e.g., 5% security holders) who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates; and
• the number of our securities for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer.
Redemption Rights for Public Shareholders in Connection with the Completion of
Our Initial Business Combination
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. There are no redemption rights with respect
105
to the Eagle Share Rights. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination.
Limitations on Redemptions
Our proposed initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. We may, however, raise funds through the issuance of equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop arrangements we may enter into following consummation of this offering, in order to, among other reasons, satisfy such net tangible assets or minimum cash requirements.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement or whether we were deemed to be a foreign private issuer (which would require a tender offer rather than seeking shareholder approval under SEC rules), as described above under the heading “Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination.” Asset acquisitions and share purchases would not typically require shareholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares or seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association would require shareholder approval. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with Nasdaq’s shareholder approval rules.
The requirement that we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares by one of the two methods listed above will be contained in provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will apply whether or not we maintain our registration under the Exchange Act or our listing on Nasdaq. Such provisions may be amended if approved by a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, so long as we offer redemption in connection with such amendment.
If we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with a general meeting, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association:
• conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and
• file proxy materials with the SEC.
In the event that we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above in connection with the completion of the initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. A quorum
106
for such meeting will be present if the holders of one-third of issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are represented in person or by proxy. Our sponsor, officers and directors will count toward this quorum and, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto). For purposes of seeking approval of an ordinary resolution, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and private placement shares, we would need 9,825,001, or 39.30%, of the 25,000,000 public shares included in the units sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, are voted, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have an initial business combination approved. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreement of our sponsor, officers and directors, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction.
If a shareholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will:
• conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and
• file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies.
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public shareholders not tendering more than the number of public shares we are permitted to redeem. If public shareholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete the initial business combination.
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemption pursuant to the tender offer rules, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase our Class A ordinary shares in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
We intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote, we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether
107
we are requiring public shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. We believe that this will allow our transfer agent to efficiently process any redemptions without the need for further communication or action from the redeeming public shareholders, which could delay redemptions and result in additional administrative cost. If the proposed initial business combination is not approved and we continue to search for a target company, we will promptly return any certificates or shares delivered by public shareholders who elected to redeem their shares.
Our proposed initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. We may, however, raise funds through the issuance of equity or equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop arrangements we may enter into following consummation of this offering, in order to, among other reasons, satisfy such net tangible assets or minimum cash requirements.
Limitation on Redemption In Connection with the Completion of Our Initial Business Combination
If We Seek Shareholder Approval
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to Excess Shares without our prior consent. We believe this restriction will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares included in the units sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us, our sponsor or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem no more than 15% of the shares included in the units sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash.
However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination.
Delivering Share Certificates in Connection with the Exercise of Redemption Rights
As described above, we intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) to our transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote, we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public shareholder would have up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the initial business combination if we distribute proxy materials, or from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, as applicable, to submit or tender its shares if it wishes to
108
seek to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures disclosed in the proxy or tender offer materials, as applicable, its shares may not be redeemed. Given the relatively short exercise period, it is advisable for shareholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the broker submitting or tendering shares a fee of approximately $80.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to deliver or tender their shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms). The need to deliver or tender shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of our initial business combination.
If our initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.
If our initial proposed business combination is not completed, we may continue to try to complete a business combination with a different target until the expiration of the completion window.
Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if No Initial Business Combination
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we will have only the duration of the completion window to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within such period, we will 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or 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 constitute full and complete payment for the public shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and subject to the other requirements of applicable law.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and private placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. However, if our sponsor or management team acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares.
109
We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $250,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account and permitted withdrawals, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required to pay income taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public shareholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by shareholders will not be substantially less than $10.00. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will consider whether competitive alternatives are reasonably available to us and will only enter into an agreement with such third party if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be in the best interests of the company under the circumstances. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of this offering will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust account, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes paid or payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
110
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case less taxes paid or payable, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.00 per share.
We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $250,000 from the proceeds of this offering plus permitted withdrawals with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, shareholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $750,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $750,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
If we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.00 per share to our public shareholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of the redemption of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window, (ii) in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity or (iii) if they redeem their respective shares for cash in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with a shareholder vote.
111
Comparison of Redemption or Purchase Prices in Connection with Our Initial Business Combination and if We Fail to Complete Our Initial Business Combination.
The following table compares the redemptions and other permitted purchases of public shares that may take place in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window.
Redemption in Connection | Other Permitted Purchases | Redemptions if we fail to | ||||
Calculation of redemption price | Redemptions at the time of our initial business combination may be made pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. The redemption price will be the same whether we conduct redemptions pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. In either case, our public shareholders may redeem their public shares for cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination (which is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per share), including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of a proposed business combination. | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following completion of our initial business combination. There is no limit to the prices that our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may pay in these transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules | If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will redeem all public shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount, then on deposit in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per share), including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. |
112
Redemption in Connection | Other Permitted Purchases | Redemptions if we fail to | ||||
Impact to remaining shareholders | The redemptions in connection with our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for our remaining shareholders, who will bear the burden of the deferred underwriting commissions and underwriting commissions and interest withdrawn in order to pay our taxes (to the extent not paid from amounts accrued as interest on the funds held in the trust account). | If the permitted purchases described above are made, there would be no impact to our remaining shareholders because the purchase price would not be paid by us. | The redemption of our public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for the shares held by our initial shareholders, who will be our only remaining shareholders after such redemptions. |
Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of an offering by a blank check company subject to the provisions of Rule 419. This comparison assumes that the gross proceeds, underwriting commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Escrow of offering proceeds | $250,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement shares will be deposited into a trust account located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. | Approximately $214,875,000 of the offering proceeds, representing the gross proceeds of this offering, would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account. | ||
Investment of net proceeds | $250,000,000 of the proceeds held in the trust account will initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination. and, may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank. | Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States. | ||
Receipt of interest on escrowed funds | Interest on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to shareholders is reduced by (i) any taxes paid or payable and (ii) in the event of our liquidation for failure to complete our initial business combination within the allotted time, up to $100,000 of net interest that may be released to us should we have no or insufficient working capital to fund the costs and expenses of our dissolution and liquidation. | Interest on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our completion of a business combination. |
113
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business | We must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of our assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. | The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. | ||
Trading of securities issued | The units are expected to begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC inform us of their decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which closing is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. | No trading of the units or the underlying Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. | ||
Election to remain an investor | We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. We may not be required by law to hold a shareholder vote. If we are not required by law and do not otherwise decide to hold a shareholder vote, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, we hold a shareholder vote, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, | A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of a post-effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued. |
114
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. | ||||
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the completion window, we will as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or 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 or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and subject to the other requirements of applicable law. | If an acquisition has not been completed within 18 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. | |||
Release of funds | Except for the withdrawal of interest to pay our taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earliest of (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, subject to applicable law or (iii) the redemption of our public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. | The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. |
115
Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
Delivering share certificates in connection with the exercise of redemption rights | We intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote, we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a public shareholder would have up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the initial business combination if we distribute proxy materials, or from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, as applicable, to submit or tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. | Many blank check companies provide that a shareholder can vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating that such shareholder is seeking to exercise its redemption rights. After the business combination is approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for delivery of its share certificates to verify ownership. | ||
Limitation on redemption rights of shareholders holding more than 15% of the shares included in the units sold in this offering if we hold a shareholder vote | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to Excess Shares without our prior consent. However, we would not restrict our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. | Many blank check companies provide no restrictions on the ability of shareholders to redeem shares based on the number of shares held by such shareholders in connection with an initial business combination. |
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other special purpose acquisition companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, public companies and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess similar or greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the
116
acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our Eagle Share Rights, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Facilities
We currently sub-lease our executive offices at 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10075 from Eagle Equity Partners, LLC, an entity affiliated with our sponsor and the members of our management team. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees and Human Capital Resources
We currently have four executive officers: Harry E. Sloan, our Co-Chairman; Eli Baker, our Chief Executive Officer; Jeff Sagansky, our Co-Chairman; and Ryan O’Connor, our Chief Financial Officer. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
We have registered our units, Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with, or reconciled to, GAAP or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may conduct an initial business combination with because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential business combination candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with the requirements outlined above, or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with the requirements outlined above. To the extent that these requirements cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential business combination candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
We will be required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to have our internal control procedures audited. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.
Prior to the date of this prospectus, we filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies conducting business mainly outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Act. As an exempted company, we have applied for and received a tax exemption undertaking from
117
the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 20 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations will apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable (i) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of any relevant payment as defined in the Tax Concessions Act.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to 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 auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1,235,000,000, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250,000,000 as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100,000,000 during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $700,000,000 as of the prior June 30.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacities as such.
118
Officers and Directors
Our officers and directors are as follows:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Harry E. Sloan | 74 | Co-Chairman | ||
Eli Baker | 49 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
Ryan O’Connor | 28 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Jeff Sagansky | 72 | Co-Chairman | ||
Diarmuid Cummins | 56 | Director | ||
Amy Gershkoff Bolles | 44 | Director | ||
Jason Park | 47 | Director | ||
Anna Marie Wagner | 35 | Director | ||
Simon Watson | 48 | Director |
Harry E. Sloan has been our Co-Chairman since June 2024. Mr. Sloan was previously our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from March 2021 through June 2024. Mr. Sloan served as Screaming Eagle’s Chairman from November 2021 through May 2024, until Screaming Eagle consummated its business combination with Lionsgate Studios Corp. Mr. Sloan remains a director of Lionsgate Studios Corp. Since December 2021, Mr. Sloan has served as a member of the board of directors of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) (“Lions Gate Parent”), an independent motion picture and television production company. Mr. Sloan has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Soaring Eagle, which in September 2021 completed its initial business combination with Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) (“Ginkgo”). Mr. Sloan remains a director of Ginkgo. Prior to Soaring Eagle, Mr. Sloan was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Flying Eagle, which raised $690,000,000 in its initial public offering in March 2020 and in December 2020 completed its initial business combination with Skillz Inc. (NYSE: SKLZ) (“Skillz”), a technology company that enables game developers to monetize their content through fun and fair multi-player competition. Prior to Flying Eagle, Mr. Sloan was a founding investor of Diamond Eagle, which raised $400,000,000 in its initial public offering in May 2019 and in April 2020 completed its initial business combination with DraftKings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) (“DraftKings”), a digital sports entertainment and gaming company known for its industry-leading daily fantasy sports and mobile sports betting platforms, and SBTech (Global) Limited, an international turnkey provider of cutting-edge sports betting and gaming technologies. Mr. Sloan now serves as the Vice Chairman of DraftKings, Inc. Prior to Diamond Eagle, Mr. Sloan was a founding investor of Platinum Eagle, which raised $325,000,000 in its initial public offering in January 2018, completed its initial business combination in March 2019 with Target Logistics Management, LLC and RL Signor Holdings, LLC and changed its name to Target Hospitality Corp. Target Hospitality Corp. (Nasdaq: TH) (“Target Hospitality”) is a vertically integrated specialty rental and hospitality services company. Prior to Platinum Eagle, Mr. Sloan was a founding investor of Double Eagle, which raised $500,000,000 in its initial public offering in September 2015. Double Eagle completed its business combination in November 2017, in which its wholly-owned subsidiary acquired 90% of the shares of Williams Scotsman. In the transaction, Double Eagle changed its name to WillScot Corporation (“WSC”). WSC is a specialty rental services market leader providing modular space and portable storage solutions to diverse end markets across North America. Mr. Sloan previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of Silver Eagle from April 2013 until the consummation of its initial business combination in March 2015 with Videocon d2h Limited (“Videocon”). From May 2016 to April 2018 Mr. Sloan served on the board of directors of Videocon, where he was a member of its Nomination, Remuneration and Compensation Committee. Mr. Sloan also served as chairman and chief executive officer of Global Eagle Acquisition Corp. from February 2011 until the consummation of its business combination in January 2013, and he remains a director of the combined company, Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. From October 2005 to August 2009, Mr. Sloan served as chairman and chief executive officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (“MGM”), a motion picture, television, home entertainment, and theatrical production and distribution company, and thereafter continued as non-executive chairman until December 2010. MGM filed for bankruptcy protection in 2010. From 1990 to 2002, Mr. Sloan was chairman and chief executive officer of SBS Broadcasting, S.A. (“SBS”), a European broadcasting group, operating commercial television, premium pay channels, radio stations and related print businesses in Western and Central and Eastern Europe, which he founded in 1990 and continued as executive chairman until 2005. In 1999, SBS became the largest shareholder of Lions Gate Parent. Mr. Sloan served as chairman of the board of Lions Gate Parent from April 2004 to March 2005. From 1983 to 1989, Mr. Sloan was co-chairman of New World Entertainment Ltd., an independent motion picture and television production company.
119
He previously served on the boards of Promotora de Informaciones, S.A. (OTCMKTS: PRISY), Spain’s largest media conglomerate, and ZeniMax Media Inc., an independent producer of interactive gaming and web content. He currently serves on the UCLA Anderson School of Management Board of Visitors and the Executive Board of UCLA Theatre, Film and Television. Mr. Sloan received his B.A. degree from UCLA and J.D. Degree from Loyola Law School.
We believe Mr. Sloan is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to his extensive experience as a founder of special purpose acquisition companies and as an international media investor, entrepreneur and studio executive.
Eli Baker has been our Chief Executive Officer since June 2024 and has been our Director since March 2021. Mr. Baker was previously our Chief Financial Officer and President from March 2021 through June 2024. Mr. Baker served as Screaming Eagle’s Chief Executive Officer and Director from November 2021 through May 2024. Mr. Baker is a Partner in Eagle Equity Partners (and its related companies). Most recently, Mr. Baker has served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Soaring Eagle through the business combination with Ginkgo. Prior to Soaring Eagle, Mr. Baker served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Flying Eagle through the business combination with Skillz. Mr. Baker also served as president, chief financial officer and secretary of Diamond Eagle from March 2019 until the consummation of its business combination with DraftKings, in April 2020. Mr. Baker served as the president, chief financial officer and secretary of Platinum Eagle from July 2017 until the consummation of its business combination with Target Hospitality in March 2019, and served as a member of Target Hospitality’s board of directors from March 2019 through December 2021. Mr. Baker served as Double Eagle’s vice president, general counsel and secretary from June 2015 through its business combination in November 2017. Mr. Baker was also a director of Silver Eagle from July 2014 through Silver Eagle’s business combination in March 2015. Mr. Baker is a co-founder and partner of Manifest Investment Partners, LLC, a growth equity/venture fund that focuses on early stage technology-enabled business where he has served since June 2016. Mr. Baker continues to be co-managing director and a partner in Hemisphere Capital Management LLC, a private finance company that specializes in special opportunity equity and credit investments in the media and entertainment industry. Mr. Baker is a former lawyer and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctor from the University of California at Hastings Law School.
We believe Mr. Baker is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to his extensive experience as a founder of special purpose acquisition companies and as an investor in the technology, media and entertainment sectors.
Ryan O’Connor has been our Chief Financial Officer since June 2024. Mr. O’Connor served as Screaming Eagle’s Vice President of Finance from November 2021 through May 2024. Mr. O’Connor has been an employee of Eagle Equity Partners since February 2021. Prior to joining Eagle Equity Partners, Mr. O’Connor worked as an associate in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs from July 2018 to December 2020. Mr. O’Connor graduated with a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in May 2018.
Jeff Sagansky has been our Co-Chairman since June 2024. Mr. Sagansky served as a Director of Screaming Eagle from December 2021 through May 2024. Mr. Sagansky served as the Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Eagle from January 2018 until the consummation of its business combination with Target Hospitality and served as a member of Target Hospitality’s board of directors until November 2023. Mr. Sagansky has been a director of WillScot Corporation since Double Eagle was formed in June 26, 2015 and served as Double Eagle’s President and Chief Executive Officer from August 6, 2015 until the consummation of its business combination in November 2017. He also co-founded, together with Mr. Sloan, Silver Eagle, which invested approximately $273,300,000 in Videocon d2h in exchange for equity shares of Videocon d2h represented by ADSs in March 2015. In March 2018, Videocon d2h merged with and into Dish TV India Limited (NSE: DISHTV). Mr. Sagansky served as Silver Eagle’s president from April 2013 through March 2015. Mr. Sagansky also co-founded with Mr. Sloan and Eli Baker Soaring Eagle which completed a merger with Gingko Bioworks in September of 2021, Diamond Eagle which merged with Draft Kings in April of 2020, and Flying Eagle which merged with Skillz in December of 2020. Mr. Sagansky was formerly chief executive officer and then vice chairman of Paxson Communications Corporation (“PAX”) from 1998 to 2003, where he launched the PAX TV program network in 1998. In addition, Mr. Sagansky drove substantial improvement in the network’s financial performance. Prior to joining Pax, Mr. Sagansky was co-president of Sony Pictures Entertainment (“SPE”), from 1996 to 1998 where he was responsible for SPE’s strategic planning and worldwide television operations. While at SPE, he spearheaded SPE’s acquisition, in partnership with Liberty Media Corporation and other investors, of Telemundo Network Group, LLC, (“Telemundo”). Previously, as executive vice president of Sony Corporation of America
120
(“SCA”), Mr. Sagansky oversaw the 1997 merger of SCA’s Loews Theaters unit with the Cineplex Odeon Corporation to create one of the world’s largest movie theater companies, and the highly successful U.S. launch of the Sony PlayStation video game console. Prior to joining SCA, Mr. Sagansky was president of CBS Entertainment (“CBS”) from 1990 to 1994, where he engineered CBS’s ratings rise from third to first place in eighteen months. Mr. Sagansky previously served as president of production and then president of TriStar Pictures, where he developed and oversaw production of a wide variety of successful films. Mr. Sagansky graduated with a BA from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also serves on the boards of Omio, the leading European travel ticketing company, Sharecare, the Nasdaq listed health and wellness company and the National Parks Conservancy Association.
We believe Mr. Sagansky is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive background and experience as a founder of special purpose acquisition companies and as an executive in the media and entertainment industries and his substantial mergers and acquisitions experience.
Diarmuid Cummins has served on our board of directors since October 2024. Mr. Cummins currently serves as an advisor to Target Hospitality and Guardian Fall. Mr. Cummins served as the Chief Executive Officer of Algeco Scotsman, Inc. (now Modulaire Group) from September 2016 to September 2018, and as a senior advisor from September 2018 to December 2021. Previously, Mr. Cummins was a Partner at TDR Capital LLP from January 2011 to August 2016. Prior to TDR, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Phoenix Group Holdings Plc from September 2008 to December 2010, a Partner at MidOcean Partners from April 2003 to August 2008, and European Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Bank AG from August 2000 to February 2003. Mr. Cummins currently serves on the non-profit board of RIVET. He is a qualified Chartered Secretary of the U.K. Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators and studied Political Science at Arizona State University.
We believe Mr. Cummins is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to his extensive experience in both public and private companies.
Amy Gershkoff Bolles has served on our board of directors since October 2024. Dr. Bolles currently serves as an independent consultant to public and private companies. Previously, she served as Global Head of Digital & Emerging Technology Strategy at Levi Strauss & Co. (Nasdaq: LEVI) from March 2022 until September 2023. Prior to joining Levi Strauss & Co., she served as Chief Operating Officer at Tradesy, Inc., an ecommerce company, from May 2021 until March 2022. Prior to joining Tradesy, Inc. in May 2021, she served as Chief Data Officer and General Manager at Bitly, Inc., an enterprise SaaS company, from September 2018 until April 2021. Prior to Bitly, Inc., she worked as an independent consultant from October 2017 until September 2018. Previously, she served as Chief Data Officer at Ancestry.com LLC, a genealogy and consumer genomics company, from November 2016 until September 2017. From March 2015 until November 2016, Dr. Bolles served as General Manager of Advertising and Chief Data Officer for Zynga Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNGA), a social online and mobile gaming company. From July 2013 until March 2015, Dr. Bolles served as Head of Customer Analytics & Insights and Head of Global Data Science for eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY), a multinational ecommerce corporation. Dr. Bolles also served on the board of Screaming Eagle from January 2022 until May 2024. She received her B.A. from Cornell University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University.
We believe Dr. Bolles is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to her leadership experience in both public and private companies.
Jason Park has served on our board of directors since October 2024. Mr. Park is the Chief Transformation Officer at DraftKings. Mr. Park joined DraftKings as Chief Financial Officer and served in that capacity from June 2019 to May 2024, and was responsible for the accounting, tax, treasury, financial planning and analysis and investor relations departments. Mr. Park also serves as a member of the board of directors of Pine Street Inn, a non-profit organization that partners with homeless individuals to help them find and retain housing, and Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. 2 (Nasdaq: TRON) and Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: COOL) (since December 2020), which are special purpose acquisition companies formed for the purpose of effecting a merger or similar business combination with one or more businesses primarily within technology industries. Previously, Mr. Park served as a member of the board of directors of Belong Acquisition Corp., which was a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger or similar business combination with one or more businesses primarily within technology industries from July 2021 to July 2023. Prior to joining DraftKings, from January 2009 to June 2019, Mr. Park worked at Bain Capital Private Equity where he was an Operating Partner and focused on technology investments. For more than 10 years, Mr. Park worked collaboratively with chief executive officers, chief financial officers and management teams to develop and achieve value creation plans. Before Bain Capital Private Equity, Mr. Park was an Associate Partner at
121
McKinsey & Company. Mr. Park has previously served as a director of Central Square Technologies. Mr. Park received his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a MAcc (Master of Accountancy) and a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
We believe Mr. Park is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to his extensive leadership experience in public companies and special purpose acquisition companies.
Anna Marie Wagner has served on our board of directors since October 2024. Ms. Wagner is the owner and managing partner of AutoSci Advisory, LLC, which provides consulting services on commercial development and AI/ML strategies. Prior to starting her own advisory practice, Ms. Wagner was a Senior Vice President and the Head of AI and Head of Corporate Development at Ginkgo. She also served as Ginkgo’s interim Chief Financial Officer in 2020 and was instrumental in taking Ginkgo public via its merger with Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. Prior to Ginkgo, Ms. Wagner was an investor at Bain Capital Private Equity, focusing on technology, media, and telecommunications. Ms. Wagner also serves as an Independent Director of Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies Ltd., a UK company applying machine learning to target identification and therapeutic development, sits on the Board of Advisors for the Boston Museum of Science, and serves on the AI Governance Alliance for the World Economic Forum.
We believe Ms. Wagner is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to her extensive experience in consummating business combinations with special purpose acquisition companies and her experience as both an investor and operator of public and private companies.
Simon Watson has served on our board of directors since October 2024. He is a retired Partner of Goldman Sachs. He worked for Goldman Sachs for 23 years in London and New York within Equity Capital Markets. Mr. Watson’s final role was running Equity Capital Markets in New York. He was educated at the London School of Economics and currently resides in the UK with his wife and two sons.
We believe Mr. Watson is qualified to serve on our board of directors due, among other things, to his extensive experience in equity capital markets in both the U.S. and the UK.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors consists of seven members and is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year, and with each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term. In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Diarmuid Cummins and Amy Gershkoff Bolles, will expire at our first annual general meeting. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Jason Park, Anna Marie Wagner and Simon Watson, will expire at the second annual general meeting. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Harry E. Sloan, Eli Baker and Jeff Sagansky, will expire at the third annual general meeting.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint officers as it deems appropriate pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Director Independence
The rules of Nasdaq require that a majority of our board of directors be independent within one year of our initial public offering. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person who, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). Our board of directors has determined that Diarmuid Cummins, Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Jason Park, Anna Marie Wagner and Simon Watson are “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
122
Executive Officer and Director Compensation
As of the date of this prospectus, none of our executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, we will pay an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team in an amount equal to $15,000 per month. In addition, our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. In addition, we have agreed, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement with our sponsor relating to the monthly payment for office space and administrative services described above, that we will indemnify our sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the company’s operations or conduct of the company’s business or any claim against our sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our sponsor of any of the company’s activities or any express or implied association between our sponsor and the company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in our trust account. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made from (i) funds held outside the trust account or (ii) interest earned on the trust account and released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000). Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination. Furthermore, our independent directors will receive membership interests in our sponsor as compensation for their service as directors to the company. Each of Diarmuid Cummins, Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Jason Park, Anna Marie Wagner and Simon Watson will receive membership interests in our sponsor representing 25,000 founder shares for their service as a director.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with a proposed business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our executive officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our executive officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Subject to phase-in rules, the rules of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Each committee will operate under a charter that will be approved by our board and will have the composition and responsibilities described below.
123
Audit Committee
We established an audit committee of the board of directors. Jason Park, Simon Watson and Amy Gershkoff Bolles serve as the members of our audit committee.
Jason Park serves as the chairman of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Jason Park qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
We adopted an audit committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
• assisting board oversight of (1) the integrity of our financial statements, (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm; the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;
• pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures; reviewing and discussing with the independent auditors all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their continued independence;
• setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (1) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures and (2) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;
• meeting to review and discuss our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, including reviewing our specific disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”; reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and
• reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
Compensation Committee
We established a compensation committee of our board of directors. The members of our compensation committee are Diarmuid Cummins and Anna Marie Wagner, and Diarmuid Cummins serves as chairman of the compensation committee. We adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
• reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our chief executive officer’s compensation, evaluating our chief executive officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our chief executive officer’s based on such evaluation;
• reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors with respect to the compensation, and any incentive compensation and equity based plans that are subject to board approval of all of our other officers;
124
• reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
• implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
• assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
• approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;
• producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
• reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Director Nominations
We do not have a standing nominating committee though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2) of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by our board of directors. Our board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who will participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Diarmuid Cummins, Amy Gershkoff Bolles, Jason Park, Anna Marie Wagner and Simon Watson. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our shareholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for appointment at the next annual general meeting (or, if applicable, an extraordinary general meeting). Our shareholders that wish to nominate a director for appointment to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, our board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders. Prior to our initial business combination, holders of our public shares will not have the right to recommend director candidates for nomination to our board of directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, and in the past year has not served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
Clawback Policy
We have adopted a compensation recovery policy that is compliant with Nasdaq listing rules as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We have filed a copy of our Code of Ethics as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You are able to review this document by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics and the charters of the committees of our board of directors will be provided without charge upon request from us. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” If we make any
125
amendments to our Code of Ethics other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions requiring disclosure under applicable SEC or Nasdaq rules, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website. The information included on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form S-1 or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Conflicts of Interest
Under Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:
(i) duty to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole;
(ii) duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose;
(iii) directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion;
(iv) duty to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders;
(v) duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and
(vi) duty to exercise independent judgment.
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience of that director.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to at least one other entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then — current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations.
126
Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations:
Individual | Entity | Entity’s Business | Affiliation | |||
Eli Baker | Hemisphere Capital Management | Special opportunity investments | Principal | |||
Manifest Investment Partner | Venture/growth equity | Principal | ||||
Harry E. Sloan | Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. | Motion picture and television | Director | |||
Lionsgate Studios Corp. | Motion picture and television | Director | ||||
Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. | Biotechnology | Director | ||||
Draftkings, Inc. | Digital sports entertainment and gaming | Vice Chairman | ||||
Jeff Sagansky | WillScot Corporation | Modular space and portable storage | Director | |||
Sharecare, Inc. | Health and wellness | Director | ||||
Omio | Travel and ticketing | Director | ||||
Imagine Entertainment | Entertainment production | Director | ||||
Kapital Entertainment | Entertainment production | Director | ||||
Diarmuid Cummins | RIVET | Non-profit organization | Director | |||
Jason Park | DraftKings, Inc. | Digital sports entertainment and gaming | Officer | |||
Pine Street Inn | Non-profit organization | Director | ||||
Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. 2 | Special purpose acquisition company | Director | ||||
Corner Growth Acquisition Corp. | Special purpose acquisition company | Director | ||||
Anna Marie Wagner | AutoSci Advisory, LLC | Consulting services | Owner and Managing Partner |
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, and because we expect that our company will generally have priority over any other special purpose acquisition companies subsequently formed by our sponsor, officers or directors with respect to acquisition opportunities until we complete our initial business combination or enter into a contractual agreement that would restrict our ability to engage in material discussions regarding a potential initial business combination, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
There may be actual or potential material conflicts of interest between our sponsor, its affiliates or promoters on the one hand, and the investors in this offering on the other hand. In addition to the above, potential investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
• Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs.
• Our initial shareholders purchased founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and our sponsor will purchase private placement shares in a transaction that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. Additionally, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder
127
shares and private placement shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. Furthermore, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion thereof until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (ii) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property and our sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of its private placement shares until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after our initial business combination, the founder shares and private placement shares will be released from the lockup. Because our sponsor and members of our management team will directly or indirectly own our securities following this offering, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination and in negotiating or accepting the terms of the transaction because of their financial interest in completing an initial business combination within the completion window. Our sponsor paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.0004 per share. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interest in our sponsor, may be more willing to pursue a business combination with a riskier or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares. The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, the founder shares may expire worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, executive officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders.
• In the event our sponsor or members of our management team provide loans to us to finance transaction costs and/or incur expenses on our behalf in connection with an initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such loans may not be repaid and/or such expenses may not be reimbursed unless we consummate such business combination.
• Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors or completing the business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors; accordingly, such affiliated person(s) may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such affiliated person(s) would have interests different from our public shareholders and would likely not receive any financial benefit unless we consummated such business combination. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated (as defined in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating that the consideration to be paid by us in such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context. Further, commencing on the date our securities are first listed on Nasdaq, we will also pay an affiliate of our sponsor, for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team in an amount equal to $15,000 per month. In addition, we have agreed, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement with our sponsor relating to the monthly
128
payment for office space and administrative services described above, that we will indemnify our sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the company’s operations or conduct of the company’s business or any claim against our sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our sponsor of any of the company’s activities or any express or implied association between our sponsor and the company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in our trust account.
We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto).
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We expect to purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.
Our indemnification obligations may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
129
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our Class A ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in this offering, by:
• each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares;
• each of our officers and directors; and
• all our officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by them.
On March 23, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.0004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in exchange for 57,500,000 founder shares. On June 25, 2024, our sponsor surrendered for no consideration 50,312,500 founder shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by the sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. The number of founder shares outstanding following the surrender on June 25, 2024 was determined based on the expectation that the total size of this offering would be a maximum of 28,750,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and therefore that such founder shares would represent 16.67% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and after taking into account the sponsor’s forfeiture of founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). Up to 937,500 of the founder shares will be surrendered for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised. In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 founder shares, respectively, or 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The post-offering
130
percentages in the following table assume that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option, that 937,500 founder shares have been surrendered to us for no consideration and 1,250,000 founder shares are forfeited in respect of the Eagle Share Rights, and that there are 25,000,000 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding after this offering.
Number of |
| Number of |
| |||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial | Before | After | Before | After | ||||||||||
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC (our sponsor)(3) | — | — | * | 7,187,500 | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Harry E. Sloan | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Eli Baker | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Ryan O’Connor | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Jeff Sagansky | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Diarmuid Cummins | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Amy Gershkoff Bolles | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Jason Park | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Anna Marie Wagner | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
Simon Watson | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
All officers and directors as a group (9 individuals) | — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| ||||||
____________
* Less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following is 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10075.
(2) Interests shown consist solely of founder shares, classified as Class B ordinary shares. Such shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, as described in the section entitled “Description of Securities.”
(3) Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC is the record holder of the shares reported herein. There are three managing members of Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, Harry E. Sloan. Eli Baker and Jeff Sagansky. Each managing member has one vote, and the approval of a majority is required to approve an action. Under the so-called “rule of three,” if voting and dispositive decisions regarding an entity’s securities are made by three or more individuals, and voting or dispositive decisions require the approval of a majority of those individuals, then none of the individuals is deemed a beneficial owner of the entity’s securities. Based on the foregoing, no individual managing member of Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC exercises voting or dispositive control over any of the securities held by the entity, even those in which he holds a pecuniary interest. Accordingly, none of them will be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of such shares. See the section titled “Proposed Business — Our Sponsor”. Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC has committed to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 Class A ordinary shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at the initial public offering price of our public shares of $10.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering.
(4) Includes up to 937,500 founder shares that will be surrendered for no consideration and up to 1,437,500 founder shares that will be forfeited in respect of the Eagle Share Rights, each depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised.
Immediately after this offering, our initial shareholders will beneficially own 16.67% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares). After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands).
131
Because of this ownership block, our initial shareholders may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all other matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions including our initial business combination.
Our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 private placement shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at the initial public offering price of our public shares of $10.00 per share, or $3,500,000 in the aggregate (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. The private placement shares may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder. A portion of the purchase price of the private placement shares will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account such that at the time of closing of this offering $250,000,000 (or $287,500,000 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) will be held in the trust account. Our sponsor has entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which it has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to private placement shares. Otherwise the private placement shares have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the shares being sold in this offering.
Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC, our sponsor and our executive officers are deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares
The founder shares, private placement shares and any Class A ordinary shares issued upon conversion or exercise thereof are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in the agreement entered into by our sponsor and management team. Those lock-up provisions provide that (i) the founder shares are not transferable or salable until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after our initial business combination and (B) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property and (ii) the private placement shares are not transferable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination except in each case (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of our officers or directors, any members or partners of our sponsor or their affiliates, any affiliates of our sponsor, or any employees of such affiliates, (b) in the case of an individual, as a gift to such person’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such person’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with any forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased; (f) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or our Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of our Sponsor, (g) in the event of our liquidation prior to our consummation of our initial business combination; or (h) in the event that, subsequent to our consummation of an initial business combination, we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreements.
Registration Rights
The holders of the (i) founder shares, which were issued in a private placement prior to the closing of this offering, (ii) private placement shares, which will be issued in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering and (iii) private placement shares that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering, requiring us to register such securities and any of our other securities they hold or acquire prior to the consummation of our initial business combination for resale. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
132
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
On March 23, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.0004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in exchange for 57,500,000 founder shares. On June 25, 2024, our sponsor surrendered for no consideration 50,312,500 founder shares, resulting in our sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares. The number of founder shares outstanding following the surrender on June 25, 2024 was determined based on the expectation that the total size of this offering would be a maximum of 28,750,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and therefore that such founder shares would represent 16.67% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares and after taking into account the sponsor’s forfeiture of founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). Up to 937,500 of the founder shares will be forfeited depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised. In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 founder shares, respectively, or 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares described below, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full.
Our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 private placement shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at the initial public offering price of our public shares of $10.00 per share, or $3,500,000 in the aggregate (or $3,875,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. The private placement shares may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
Our sponsor, officers or directors, or any of their affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates.
We currently sub-lease our executive offices at 955 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10075 from Eagle Equity Partners, LLC, an affiliate of our sponsor. Commencing on the date of this prospectus, we will pay Eagle Equity Partners, LLC for office space and administrative services provided to members of our management team in an amount equal to $15,000 per month. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
We have agreed, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement with our sponsor relating to the monthly payment for office space and administrative services described above, that we will indemnify our sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the company’s operations or conduct of the company’s business or any claim against our sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our sponsor of any of the company’s activities or any express or implied association between our sponsor and the company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in our trust account.
Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $1,000,000 to be used for offering-related and organizational expenses. These loans are non-interest bearing and unsecured. Up to $400,000 of these loans are due at the earlier of December 31, 2024 or the closing of this offering and are anticipated to be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the $750,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses other than underwriting commissions, and up to $600,000 is payable by no later than the earlier of the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation.
133
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Such loans may be convertible into private placement shares of the post business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per share at the option of the lender. Except as set forth above, the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
Any of the foregoing payments to Eagle Equity Partners, LLC, repayments of loans from our sponsor or repayments of working capital loans prior to our initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account and may be made from interest earned on the trust account and released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000).
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a general meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
We have entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the founder shares and private placement shares, which is described under the heading “Principal Shareholders — Registration Rights.”
Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions
The audit committee of our board of directors will adopt a policy setting forth the policies and procedures for its review and approval or ratification of “related party transactions.” A “related party transaction” is any consummated or proposed transaction or series of transactions: (i) in which the company was or is to be a participant; (ii) the amount of which exceeds (or is reasonably expected to exceed) the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of the company’s total assets at year end for the prior two completed fiscal years in the aggregate over the duration of the transaction (without regard to profit or loss); and (iii) in which a “related party” had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related parties” under this policy will include: (i) our directors, nominees for director or officers; (ii) any record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities; (iii) any immediate family member of any of the foregoing if the foregoing person is a natural person; and (iv) any other person who maybe a “related person” pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the policy, the audit committee will consider (i) the relevant facts and circumstances of each related party transaction, including if the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s-length dealings with an unrelated third party, (ii) the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction, (iii) whether the transaction contravenes our code of ethics or other policies, (iv) whether the audit committee believes the relationship underlying the transaction to be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders and (v) the effect that the transaction may have on a director’s status as an independent member of the board and on his or her eligibility to serve on the board’s committees. Management will present to the audit committee each proposed related party transaction, including all relevant facts and circumstances relating thereto. Under the policy, we may consummate related party transactions only if our audit committee approves or ratifies the transaction in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the policy. The policy will not permit any director or officer to participate in the discussion of, or decision concerning, a related person transaction in which he or she is the related party.
134
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company (company number 367289) and our affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands. Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which will be adopted upon the consummation of this offering, we will be authorized to issue 480,000,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value each, including 400,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 80,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, as well as 1,000,000 preference shares, $0.0001 par value each. The following description summarizes certain terms of our shares as set out more particularly in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.
Units
Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one Class A ordinary share and one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, as described in more detail below. We will not issue fractional shares. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law. As a result, you must hold rights in multiples of 20 in order to receive shares for all of your rights upon closing of a business combination.
The Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights constituting the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus (or, if such date is not a business day, the following business day) unless UBS Securities and Jefferies LLC inform us of their decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component securities. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights. Additionally, the units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination.
In no event will the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet of the company reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering which will include this audited balance sheet. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Ordinary Shares
Prior to the date of this prospectus, there were 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares outstanding, all of which were held of record by our initial shareholders, so that our initial shareholders will own 16.67% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the private placement shares, assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering and after taking into account the sponsor’s forfeiture of founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). Up to 937,500 of the founder shares will be surrendered for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised. In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 founder shares, respectively, or 16.67% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, excluding the issuance of the private placement shares. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full.
135
Upon the closing of this offering, 30,350,000 of our ordinary shares will be outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the corresponding surrender for no consideration of 937,500 founder shares and forfeiture of 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights) including:
• 25,000,000 Class A ordinary shares issued as part of this offering;
• 350,000 Class A ordinary shares issued in a private placement to our sponsor; and
• 5,000,000 Class B ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders.
Ordinary shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders except as required by law. Unless otherwise specified in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or as required by applicable provisions of the Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares that are represented in person or by proxy and are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our shareholders. Approval of certain actions will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, and pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; such actions include amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approving a statutory merger or consolidation with another company. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the appointment of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the appointment of directors can appoint all of the directors. However, prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Because our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 400,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, if we were to enter into a business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a business combination) be required to increase the number of Class A ordinary shares which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our shareholders vote on the business combination to the extent we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or general meetings or appoint directors. We may not hold an annual general meeting to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. There are no redemption rights with respect to the Eagle Share Rights. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the
136
substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. Unlike many special purpose acquisition companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash in connection with the completion of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, like many special purpose acquisition companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in this prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of an ordinary resolution, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require that at least five days’ notice will be given of any general meeting.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to Excess Shares without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Our shareholders’ inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination, and such shareholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such shareholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And, as a result, such shareholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
If we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto). As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and private placement shares, we would need 9,825,001, or 39.30%, of the 25,000,000 public shares included in the units sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, are voted, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have an initial business combination approved. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction.
137
Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will as promptly as reasonably possible but no 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or 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 constitute full and complete payment for the public shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and subject to the other requirements of applicable law. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private placement shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. However, if our sponsor or management team acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time period.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company after a business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein.
Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares
The founder shares are designated as Class B ordinary shares and, except as described below, are identical to the Class A ordinary shares being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares and private placement shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (i) the founder shares and private placement shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, (ii) the founder shares are entitled to registration rights; (iii) our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (A) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (B) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (x) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (y) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, (C) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private placement shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within such time period and to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account and (D) vote any founder shares held by them, any private placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto), (iv) the founder shares are automatically convertible into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described herein and in our amended and
138
restated memorandum and articles of association, and (v) prior to the closing of our initial business combination, only holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands).
The founder shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holder 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 our initial business combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all founder shares will equal, in the aggregate, 16.67% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding (excluding the private placement shares and the ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights) 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, 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 shares issued to our 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. As described above under “Summary — General”, in connection with a business combination with a combined company that has a pro forma equity value of $3 billion or greater, our sponsor has agreed, pursuant to the letter agreement described herein, to restructure the founder shares, and any shares issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions in the founder shares, such that the fully vested shares in the surviving company in such business combination held by our sponsor immediately upon the consummation of such business combination will represent approximately 1% of such pro forma equity value of the pro forma combined company (not including any earnout or unvested shares which may be issued, granted, held, converted or otherwise provided in connection with the consummation of the business combination) to limit the founder shares’ dilutive impact. The foregoing represents the extent of the sponsor’s commitment to restructure such shares and because this agreement to restructure the founder shares is in the letter agreement, as opposed to the anti-dilution adjustment which is in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, it may be amended at any time without shareholder approval. See “Risk Factors — Our letter agreement with our sponsor, officers and directors may be amended without shareholder approval.”
With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after our initial business combination, and (B) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Up to 937,500 founder shares will be surrendered to us for no consideration depending on the exercise of the over-allotment option. In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 founder shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving our sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 founder shares, respectively. With certain limited exceptions, the private placement shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
139
Register of Members
Under the Companies Act, we must keep a register of members and there will be entered therein:
• the names and addresses of the members, together with a statement of the shares held by each member, and such statement shall confirm: (i) the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member; (ii) the number and category of shares held by each member; and (iii) whether each relevant category of shares held by a shareholder carries voting rights under amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, and, if so, whether such voting rights are conditional;
• the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and
• the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
Under the Companies Act, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. that is register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members will be deemed as a matter of the Companies Act to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the closing of this public offering, the register of members will be immediately updated to reflect the issue of shares by us. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.
If the name of any person is incorrectly entered in or omitted from our register of members, or if there is any default or unnecessary delay in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member of our company, the person or member aggrieved (or any member of our company or our company itself) may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for an order that the register be rectified, and such court may either refuse such application or it may, if satisfied of the justice of the case, make an order for the rectification of the register.
Preference shares
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize 1,000,000 preference shares and provide that preference shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without shareholder approval, issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preference shares without shareholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preference shares outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preference shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No preference shares are being issued or registered in this offering.
Eagle Share Rights
Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will automatically receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination, even if the holder of an Eagle Share Right redeemed all Class A ordinary shares held by it in connection with the initial business combination or an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association with respect to our pre-business combination activities. In the event we will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will be required to affirmatively convert its Eagle Share Rights in order to receive the one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share underlying each Eagle Share Right upon consummation of the business combination. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of Eagle Share Rights in order to receive its additional Class A ordinary shares upon consummation of an initial business combination. The shares issuable upon exchange of the Eagle Share Rights will be freely tradable (except to the extent held by affiliates of ours). If we enter into a definitive agreement for a business combination in which we will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of Eagle Share Rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of the Class A ordinary shares will receive in the transaction on an as-converted-into ordinary share basis.
140
We will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law. As a result, you must hold Eagle Share Rights in multiples of 20 in order to receive shares for all of your Eagle Share Rights upon closing of a business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, holders of Eagle Share Rights will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Eagle Share Rights, nor will they receive any distribution from our assets held outside of the trust account with respect to such Eagle Share Rights, and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless. Further, there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities to the holders of the Eagle Share Rights upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, in no event will we be required to net cash settle the Eagle Share Rights. Accordingly, the Eagle Share Rights may expire worthless.
We have agreed that, subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the Eagle Share Rights agreement will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. See “Risk Factors — Our Eagle Share Rights agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our Eagle Share Rights, which could limit the ability of Eagle Share Rights holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. We note that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provision, and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination even if we have substantial assets outside the trust account. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that, prior to the completion of our initial business combination, no dividends or other distributions will be payable on our Class A ordinary shares from assets held outside the trust account, and no additional sums will be deposited into the trust account following the completion of this offering, unless approved by the written consent of the holders of not less than two-thirds of our Class B ordinary shares. The payment of cash dividends following the completion of our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time and will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition at such time. There is no certainty we will be in a position to, or decide to, pay cash dividends after completing any business combination. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends following completion of our initial business combination may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Our Transfer Agent and Eagle Share Rights Agent
The transfer agent for our ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and rights agent, its agents and each of its shareholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company has agreed that it has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind to, or to any monies in, the trust account, and has irrevocably waived any right, title, interest or claim of any kind to, or to any monies in, the trust account that it may have now or in the future. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied, or a claim will only be able to be pursued, solely against us and our assets outside the trust account and not against the any monies in the trust account or interest earned thereon.
141
Certain Differences in Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Act. The Companies Act is modeled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. In certain circumstances, the Companies Act allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands exempted company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction).
Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution (usually two-thirds of the voting shares represented in person or by proxy and voted at a general meeting) of the shareholders of each company; or (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted.
Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands exempted company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidated is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
Where the above procedures are adopted, the Companies Act provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid a payment of the fair value of his shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, that procedure is as follows (a) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for his shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (b) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (c) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares; (d) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period
142
set out in paragraph (b) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; and (e) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company (and any dissenting shareholder) must file a petition with the Cayman Islands Grand Court to determine the fair value and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenters holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date or where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
Moreover, Cayman Islands law has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement” which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedures for which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at an annual general meeting, or extraordinary general meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
• we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;
• the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
• the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and
• the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.”
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights (providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares), which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations.
Squeeze-out Provisions. When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares to whom the offer relates is made within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements, of an operating business.
Shareholders’ Suits. Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases,
143
we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based both on Cayman Islands authorities and on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
• a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;
• the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or
• those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities. The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.
We have been advised by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands counsel that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company.
The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
• an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
• an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection;
• an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
• an exempted company may issue shares with no par value;
• an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);
• an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
• an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and
• an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.
144
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
The Business Combination Article of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contains provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections relating to this offering that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without a special resolution. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a resolution is deemed to be a special resolution where it has been approved by either (i) at least two-thirds (or any higher threshold specified in a company’s articles of association) of a company’s shareholders in attendance at a general meeting for which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been given; or (ii) if so authorized by a company’s articles of association, by a unanimous written resolution of all of the company’s shareholders. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that special resolutions must be approved either by at least two-thirds of our shareholders who attend a general meeting (i.e., the lowest threshold permissible under Cayman Islands law), or by a unanimous written resolution of all of our shareholders.
Our initial shareholders, who will collectively beneficially own 16.67% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the issuance of the private placement shares), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. After taking into account the issuance of the private placement shares, our sponsor will own an aggregate of 5,350,000 ordinary shares, or 17.63% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, or an aggregate of 6,137,500 ordinary shares, or 17.59% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that:
• If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will as promptly as reasonably possible but no 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 earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000), taxes paid or 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 constitute full and complete payment for the public shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and subject to the other requirements of applicable law;
• Prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional securities that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on our initial business combination;
• Although we do not intend to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the consideration to be paid by us in such a business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view;
• If a shareholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act;
145
• If our shareholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein;
• We will not effectuate our initial business combination solely with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations; and
• Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or otherwise related in any way to each shareholder’s shareholding in us, including but not limited to (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any of our current or former director, officer or other employee to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America) and that each shareholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provide that, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum. The forum selection provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not apply to actions or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States of America, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim. This choice of forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions (including exclusive federal forum provisions for actions, suits or proceedings asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act) in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and there is uncertainty as to whether courts would enforce the exclusive forum provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Additionally, our shareholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
The Companies Act permits a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands to amend its memorandum and articles of association with the approval of a special resolution. A company’s articles of association may specify that the approval of a higher majority is required but, provided the approval of the required majority is obtained, any Cayman Islands exempted company may amend its memorandum and articles of association regardless of whether its memorandum and articles of association provides otherwise. Accordingly, although we could amend any of the provisions relating to our proposed offering, structure and business plan which are contained in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we view all of these provisions as binding obligations to our shareholders and neither we, nor our officers or directors, will take any action to amend or waive any of these provisions unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
146
Economic Substance — Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has recently enacted the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act (As Revised) (the “Substance Act”). The Substance Act is supplemented by the issuance of related Guidance on Economic Substance for Geographically Mobile Activities. The Substance Act generally requires legal entities domiciled or registered in the Cayman Islands to have demonstrable substance in the Cayman Islands. The Substance Act was introduced by the Cayman Islands to ensure that it meets its commitments to the European Union, as well as its obligations under the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s global Base Erosion and Profit Shifting initiatives. We are required to comply with the Substance Act. As we are a Cayman Islands company, compliance obligations include filing annual notifications for the Company, which need to state whether we are carrying out any relevant activities and if so, whether we have satisfied economic substance tests to the extent required under the Substance Act. As it is a relatively new regime, it is anticipated that the Substance Act will evolve and be subject to further clarification and amendments. We may need to allocate additional resources to keep updated with these developments, and may have to make changes to our operations in order to comply with all requirements under the Substance Act. Failure to satisfy these requirements may subject us to penalties under the Substance Act. Failure to satisfy these requirements may subject us to penalties under the Cayman Economic Substance Act. The Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority shall impose a penalty of CI$10,000 (or US$12,500) on a relevant entity for failing to satisfy the economic substance test or CI$100,000 (or US$125,000) if it is not satisfied in the subsequent financial year after the initial notice of failure. Following two consecutive years of failing the economic substance test, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands may make an order requiring the relevant entity to take specified action to satisfy the economic substance test or order that the entity become defunct or struck off.
Anti-Money Laundering — Cayman Islands
If any person in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist financing and property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector, or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering, or (ii) a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, the Company may be required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, the Company may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
The Company reserves the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.
The Company also reserves the right to refuse to make any redemption payment to a shareholder if directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of redemption proceeds to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
147
Cayman Islands Data Protection
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “DPA”) based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Privacy Notice
This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment in the company you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA (“personal data”).
In the following discussion, the “company” refers to us and our affiliates and/or delegates, except where the context requires otherwise.
Investor Data
We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities of on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.
In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a “data controller” for the purposes of the DPA, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our “data processors” for the purposes of the DPA or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.
We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder’s investment activity.
Who this Affects
If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation your investment in the company, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transmit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.
How the Company May Use Your Personal Data
The company, as the data controller, may collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular:
(i) where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any purchase agreements;
(ii) where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or
(iii) where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.
Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.
148
Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data
In certain circumstances, we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.
We anticipates disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the US, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.
The Data Protection Measures We Take
Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA.
We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. We expect that these provisions, which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual general meetings.
Our authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and preference shares are available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved Class A ordinary shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
Immediately after this offering we will have 30,350,000 (or 34,887,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) ordinary shares outstanding. Of these shares, the Class A ordinary shares included in the units sold in this offering (25,000,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 28,750,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any Class A ordinary shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the outstanding founder shares (5,000,000 founder shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 5,750,000 founder shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and all of the outstanding private placement shares (350,000 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
149
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
• 1% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 253,500 shares immediately after this offering (or 291,375 if the underwriters exercise in full their over-allotment option); or
• the average weekly reported trading volume of the Class A ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
• the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;
• the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
• the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K; and
• at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
As a result, our initial shareholders will be able to sell their founder shares and private placement shares, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
Registration Rights
The holders of the (i) founder shares, which were issued in a private placement prior to the closing of this offering, (ii) private placement shares, which will be issued in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering and (iii) private placement shares that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering, requiring us to register such securities and any of our other securities they hold or acquire prior to the consummation of our initial business combination for resale. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Listing of Securities
We have been approved for listing our units, Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share rights listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “BEAGU,” “BEAG” and “BEAGR,” respectively. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq promptly on or after the effective date of this prospectus. Following the date our Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq.
150
The following summary of certain Cayman Islands and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, which we refer to collectively as our securities, is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our securities, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
Prospective investors should consult their advisors on the possible tax consequences of investing in our Class A ordinary shares under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile.
Cayman Islands Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in our securities. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.
Under Existing Cayman Islands Laws:
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our securities will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the securities nor will gains derived from the disposal of the securities be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporate tax. The Cayman Islands currently has no income, corporate or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of the Eagle Share Rights. An instrument of transfer in respect of a right is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our Class A ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of such shares.
The company has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and, as such, has applied for and received an undertaking from the Financial Secretary of the Cayman Islands in the following form:
The Tax Concessions Act (As Revised) Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the provision of Section 6 of The Tax Concessions Act (As Revised), the Financial Secretary undertakes with Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.:
1. That no law which is hereafter enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to the company or its operations; and
2. In addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable:
2.1 On or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of the company; or
2.2 by way of the withholding in whole or part, of any relevant payment as defined in the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised).
These concessions shall be for a period of twenty years from the date hereof.
151
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
General
The following discussion summarizes certain United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units (each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination) that are purchased in this offering by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below).
Because the components of a unit are generally separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for United States federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying Class A ordinary share or Eagle Share Right components of the unit. As a result, the discussion below with respect to holders of Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share rights should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights that constitute the units).
This discussion is limited to certain United States federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of our securities who are initial purchasers of such a unit pursuant to this offering and hold the unit and each component of the unit as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion assumes that the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights will trade separately and that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our Class A ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars.
This discussion does not address the United States federal income tax consequences to our founders, sponsors, officers or directors, or to holders of our founder shares. This discussion is a summary only and does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a unit by a prospective investor in light of its particular circumstances, including but not limited to, the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income and the different consequences that may apply to investors that are subject to special rules under U.S. federal income tax laws, including but not limited to:
• banks, financial institutions or financial services entities;
• broker-dealers;
• taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market tax accounting rules;
• tax-exempt entities;
• governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
• insurance companies;
• regulated investment companies;
• real estate investment trusts;
• expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
• persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more (by vote or value) of our shares;
• persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;
• persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedge, wash sale, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction;
• U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
• controlled foreign corporations;
• passive foreign investment companies; and
• partnerships (or entities or arrangements classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and any beneficial owners of such partnerships.
152
Moreover, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and such provisions may be repealed, revoked, modified or subject to differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, which may result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of United States federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-United States tax laws.
We have not sought, and do not expect to seek, a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to any United States federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner, member or beneficial owner in such partnership or other pass-through entity generally will depend on the status of the partner, member or other beneficial owner and the activities of the partnership or other pass-through entity. Partners, member or other beneficial owners of a partnership or other pass-through entity holding our securities are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL NON-INCOME, STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-UNITED STATES TAX LAWS.
Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of a unit or instruments similar to a unit for United States federal income tax purposes, and therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one Class A ordinary share and one right to receive one twentieth (1/20) of a Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, with twenty (20) rights entitling the holder thereof to receive one Class A ordinary share upon consummation of an initial business combination, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. We intend to treat the acquisition of a unit in this manner and, by purchasing a unit, you must adopt such treatment for United States federal income tax purposes. For United States federal income and other applicable tax purposes, each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the one Class A ordinary share and the one Eagle Share Right based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. Under United States federal income tax law, each investor must make its own determination of such value based on all the facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each investor to consult its own tax advisor regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each Class A ordinary share and each Eagle Share Right should be the shareholder’s tax basis in such Class A ordinary share or Eagle Share Right. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a disposition of one Class A ordinary share and one Eagle Share Right comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between one Class A ordinary share and one Eagle Share Right based on their relative fair market values at the time of disposition (as determined by each such unit holder based on all the facts and circumstances).
The foregoing treatment of the units, Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. If the IRS or a court were to determine that, contrary to the characterization described above, a unit is a single instrument for United States federal income tax purposes, the tax consequences to an investor could be materially different than those described below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units (and the components thereof) and any allocation of purchase price of a unit as described above is respected for United States federal income tax purposes.
153
U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. Holder.” A U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our units, Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights who or that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:
• an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
• a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
• an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or
• a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as dividends in the year actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder the amount of any distribution of cash or other property (other than certain distributions of our shares or rights to acquire our shares) paid on our Class A ordinary shares to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such Class A ordinary shares (the treatment of which is described under “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Eagle Share Rights” below).
Dividends paid by us will be taxable to a corporate U.S. Holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders dividends generally will be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Eagle Share Rights” below) only if our Class A ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, we are not a PFIC in the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or in the previous year, and certain other requirements, including certain holding period requirements, are met. It is not clear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period of the Class A ordinary shares for this purpose. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of such lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our Class A ordinary shares.
Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A
Ordinary Shares and Eagle Share Rights
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights (including a redemption of our Class A ordinary shares (as described below) or Eagle Share Rights that is treated as a taxable disposition, including pursuant to our dissolution and liquidation if we do not consummate an initial business combination within the completion window). Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder may be taxed at reduced rates of taxation. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period of the Class A ordinary shares for this purpose. If the running of the holding period for the Class A ordinary shares is suspended, then non-corporate U.S. Holders may not be able to satisfy the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, in which case any gain on a sale or other taxable disposition of the Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
154
The amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other taxable disposition of its Class A ordinary shares generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights based upon the then fair market values of the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a Class A ordinary share or an Eagle Share Right, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) reduced by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.
Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, in the event that a U.S. Holder’s Class A ordinary shares are redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Ordinary Shares” or if we purchase a U.S. Holder’s Class A ordinary shares in an open market transaction (such open market purchase of Class A ordinary shares by us is referred to as a “redemption” for the remainder of this discussion), the treatment of the transaction for United States federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Class A ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as described under “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares or Eagle Share Rights” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described above under “— Taxation of Distributions.” Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of our shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder as described in the following paragraph) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption. A redemption of Class A ordinary shares generally will be treated as a sale of the Class A ordinary shares (rather than as a corporate distribution) if such redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only our shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder, but also our shares that are constructively owned by such holder. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to shares owned directly, shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any shares the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include Class A ordinary shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Eagle Share Rights. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our issued and outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of Class A ordinary shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of our issued and outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption. Prior to our initial business combination the Class A ordinary shares may not be treated as voting shares for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially disproportionate test may not be applicable. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of our shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed and the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by certain family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other shares of ours. The redemption of the Class A ordinary shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption of any Class A ordinary shares.
If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption of any Class A ordinary shares will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “— Taxation of Distributions” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed Class A ordinary shares will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining shares, or, if it has none, to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in other shares constructively owned by it.
155
U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own five percent (or, if our Class A ordinary shares are not then publicly traded, one percent) or more of our shares (by vote or value) may be subject to special reporting requirements with respect to a redemption of Class A ordinary shares, and such holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their reporting requirements.
Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to Eagle Share Rights
The treatment of the Eagle Share Rights to acquire Class A ordinary shares is uncertain. The Eagle Share Right may be viewed as a forward contract, derivative security or similar interest in our company (analogous to an option with no exercise price), and thus the holder of the Eagle Share Right would not be viewed as owning the Class A ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the Eagle Share Rights until such Class A ordinary shares are actually issued. There may be other alternative characterizations of the Eagle Share Rights that the IRS may successfully assert, including that the Eagle Share Rights are treated as equity in our company at the time the Eagle Share Rights are issued.
The tax consequences of an acquisition of our Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Eagle Share Rights are unclear and will depend on the treatment of any initial business combination. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an acquisition of Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Eagle Share Rights and the consequences of any initial business combination.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year (ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year), including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of assets giving rise to passive income.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. Pursuant to a startup exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year in which the corporation has gross income (the “startup year”), if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the startup year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. Because our company was formed in 2021 and likely had gross income prior to 2024, it is not expected that the start-up exception will apply. After the acquisition of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC, then we will likely not qualify for the startup exception and will be a PFIC for our current taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year (and, in the case of the startup exception to our current taxable year, perhaps until after the end of our two taxable years following our startup year). Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. In addition, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status for our current or future taxable years.
Although our PFIC status is determined annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC generally will apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held Class A ordinary shares while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our Class A ordinary shares and, in the case of our Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely mark-to-market election or a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election (as discussed below) for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Class A ordinary shares, as described below, such U.S. Holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to (i) any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its Class A ordinary shares (which may include gain realized by reason of transfers of Class A ordinary shares that would otherwise qualify as nonrecognition transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (ii) any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are
156
greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the Class A ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, the portion of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary shares that preceded the taxable year of the distribution) (together, the “excess distribution rules”).
Under these excess distribution rules:
• the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary shares;
• the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income;
• the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder without regard to the U.S. Holder’s other items of income and loss for such year; and
• an additional amount equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the U.S. Holder with respect to the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder.
In general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may be able to avoid the excess distribution rules described above in respect to our Class A ordinary shares (but not our Eagle Share Rights) by making a timely and valid QEF election (if eligible to do so) to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder generally may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to its Class A ordinary shares in a year after our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Class A ordinary shares, then notwithstanding such QEF election, the excess distribution rules discussed above, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such U.S. Holder’s Class A ordinary shares, unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election under the PFIC rules. Under one type of purging election, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold such Class A ordinary shares at their fair market value and any gain recognized on such deemed sale will be treated as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of such purging election, the U.S. Holder will have additional basis (to the extent of any gain recognized on the deemed sale) and, solely for purposes of the PFIC rules, a new holding period in the Class A ordinary shares. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the application of the rules governing purging elections to their particular circumstances.
The treatment of the Eagle Share Rights to acquire our Class A ordinary shares is unclear. For example, the Eagle Share Rights may be viewed as a forward contract, derivative security or similar interest in our company (analogous to an option with no exercise price), and thus the holder of the Eagle Share Right would not be viewed as owning the Class A ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the Eagle Share Rights until such Class A ordinary shares are actually issued. There may be other alternative characterizations of the Eagle Share Rights that the IRS may successfully assert, including that the Eagle Share Rights are treated as equity in our company at the time the Eagle Share Rights are issued, that would reach different conclusions regarding the tax treatment of the Eagle Share Rights under the PFIC rules. In any case, depending on which characterization is successfully applied to the Eagle Share Rights, different PFIC consequences may result for U.S. Holders of the Eagle Share Rights. It is also likely that a U.S. Holder of Eagle Share Rights would not be able to make a QEF or mark-to-market election (discussed below) with respect to such U.S. Holder’s rights. Due to the uncertainty of the application of the PFIC rules to the Eagle Share Rights, all potential investors are strongly urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding an investment in the Eagle Share Rights offered hereunder as part of the units offering and the subsequent consequences to holders of such rights in any initial business combination.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including
157
the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular circumstances. A QEF election will likely not be able to be made with respect to our Eagle Share Rights.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from us. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, upon written request, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election, but there is no assurance that we will timely provide such required information. There is also no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our Class A ordinary shares, and the excess distribution rules discussed above do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale of our Class A ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no additional interest charge will be imposed under the PFIC rules. As discussed above, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder of our Class A ordinary shares that has made a QEF election will be currently taxed on its pro rata share of our earnings and profits, whether or not distributed for such year. A subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable when distributed to such U.S. Holder. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. In addition, if we are not a PFIC for any taxable year, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to our Class A ordinary shares for such a taxable year.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) Class A ordinary shares in us and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to the excess distribution rules described above with respect to its Class A ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its Class A ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year over its adjusted basis in its Class A ordinary shares. These amounts of ordinary income would not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. The U.S. Holder also generally will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis in its Class A ordinary shares over the fair market value of its Class A ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its Class A ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income and any further loss will be treated as ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of a mark-to-market election, and any loss in excess of such prior inclusions generally would be treated as capital loss). Currently, a mark-to-market election will likely not be able to be made with respect to the Eagle Share Rights.
The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Nasdaq (on which we intend to list the Class A ordinary shares), or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years unless the Class A ordinary shares ceased to qualify as “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consented to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our Class A ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge under the excess distribution rules described above if we receive a distribution from,
158
or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC. Upon written request, we will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. There can be no assurance, however, that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC.
In addition, we may not hold a controlling interest in any such lower-tier PFIC and thus there can be no assurance we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide such required information. A mark-to-market election generally would not be available with respect to such lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is made) and such other information as may be required by the Treasury. Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations until such required information is furnished to the IRS.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF, purging, and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our securities under their particular circumstances.
Tax Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of United States federal income taxes will be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Furthermore, certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities will be required to report information with respect to such U.S. Holder’s investment in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets), subject to certain exceptions. Specified foreign financial assets generally include any financial account maintained with a non-U.S. financial institution and should also include our Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights if they are not held in an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of United States federal income taxes may be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the foreign financial asset and other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in our Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder.” As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our units, Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights who or that is for United States federal income tax purposes:
• a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates);
• a foreign corporation; or
• an estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder;
But generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition of our units, Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights. These individuals should consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities.
Dividends paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of our Class A ordinary shares generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the
159
United States). In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States).
Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at the same regular United States federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
As described under “U.S. Holders — Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to Eagle Share Rights,” the tax consequences of an acquisition of our Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Eagle Share Rights are unclear and will depend on the tax treatment of any initial business combination. In addition, the tax treatment of an Eagle Share Right that expires worthless is unclear. Accordingly, Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an acquisition of Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Eagle Share Rights and the consequences of any initial business combination and the tax treatment of any losses that result if the rights expire worthless.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our Class A ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder’s United States federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.
160
Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, through their representatives, UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to those underwriters, the following respective number of units at a public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus:
Underwriter | Number of | |
UBS Securities LLC | 15,000,000 | |
Jefferies LLC | 10,000,000 | |
Total | 25,000,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the units included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the units (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below).
Units sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. If all of the units are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC have advised us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts. The offering of the unit by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.
If the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional units approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any units issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other units that are the subject of this offering.
We, our sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any units, Eagle Share Rights, Class A ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, Class A ordinary shares; provided, however, that we may (1) issue and sell the private placement shares, (2) issue and sell the additional units to cover our underwriters’ over-allotment option (if any), (3) register with the SEC pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, the resale of the founder shares and the private placement shares and (4) issue securities in connection with a business combination, including any forward purchase shares. UBS Securities LLC and Jefferies LLC in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.
Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the last sale price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares”). The private placement shares and the shares that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our sponsor (as applicable) or their permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Placement Shares”).
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our securities. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the units was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives.
161
The determination of our per unit offering price was more arbitrary than would typically be the case if we were an operating company. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies, prior offerings of those companies, our management, our capital structure, and currently prevailing general conditions in equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our units, Class A ordinary shares or Eagle Share Rights will develop and continue after this offering.
We have been approved to have our units be listed on Nasdaq, under the symbol “BEAGU” and, once the Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights begin separate trading, to have our Class A ordinary shares and Eagle Share Rights listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “BEAG” and “BEAGR,” respectively.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Per Unit(1) | Total | |||||||||||
Without | With | Without | With | |||||||||
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid by us | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 12,500,000 | $ | 14,375,000 | ||||
____________
(1) Includes $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 (or $10,062,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in the aggregate, payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions to be placed in a trust account located in the United States as described herein. The deferred commissions will be released to the underwriters only on completion of an initial business combination.
If we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window, the underwriters have agreed that (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account, and (ii) that the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions will be distributed on a pro rata basis, together with any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (net of amounts released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable), to the public shareholders.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell units in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, and stabilizing purchases.
• Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.
• “Covered” short sales are sales of units in an amount up to the number of units represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
• “Naked” short sales are sales of units in an amount in excess of the number of units represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
• Covering transactions involve purchases of units either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions.
• To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
162
• To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the source of units to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the over-allotment option.
• Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase units so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the units. They may also cause the price of the units to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us will be $750,000, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for counsel fees related to the review by FINRA up to a maximum aggregate total of $25,000. In addition, the underwriters have agreed to make a payment to us at the closing of this offering to reimburse certain of our expenses and fees in connection with this offering, which may include certain expenses and fees incurred following this offering, in an aggregate amount of $1,250,000 (or $1,437,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). See the section of this prospectus entitled “Use of Proceeds” for more information.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
We are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so. However, any of the underwriters may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with any of the underwriters and no fees for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters prior to the date that is 90 days from the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriters of this offering or any entity with which they are affiliated a finder’s fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the completion of a business combination.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no units have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where
163
appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of units may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;
(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or
(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,
provided that no such offer of units shall require the Company or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any Offer Shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the Underwriters and their affiliates and the Company that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any Offer Shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the Offer Shares acquired by it in the Offering have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any Offer Shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Underwriters have been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to units in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any units, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
No Offer Shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the Offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Offer Shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the Offer Shares may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:
(i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;
(ii) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or
(iii) in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the FSMA.
provided that no such offer of the Offer Shares shall require the Company and/or any Underwriters or any of their affiliates to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the Offer Shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Offer Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Offer Shares and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are
164
high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the Offer Shares in the United Kingdom.
Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons.
Notice to Prospective Investors in France
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The units have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units has been or will be:
• released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or
• used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the units to the public in France.
Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:
• to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;
• to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
• in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1- or -2- or 3 of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).
The units may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The units may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the units may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to units which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
165
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any units or caused the units to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any units or cause the units to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the units, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than:
(a) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;
(b) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or
(c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the units are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the units pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
(i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 276(4)(c)(ii) of the SFA;
(ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
(iii) where the transfer is by operation of law;
(iv) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or
(v) as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The units have not been and will not be registered under pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the units nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.
166
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Cayman Islands
No offer or invitation, whether directly or indirectly, may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for our units.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The units may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the units must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
167
White & Case LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act, and as such, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus with respect to the units and Eagle Share Rights. Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, Cayman Islands, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus with respect to the ordinary shares and matters of Cayman Islands law. In connection with this offering, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel to the underwriters.
The financial statements of Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Where you can Find Additional Information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.
Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
168
Index to Financial Statements
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
Page | ||
Unaudited Financial Statements of Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.: | ||
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023 | F-2 | |
Unaudited Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 | F-3 | |
F-4 | ||
Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 | F-5 | |
F-6 | ||
Financial Statements of Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.: | ||
F-15 | ||
F-16 | ||
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 | F-17 | |
Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 | F-18 | |
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 | F-19 | |
F-20 |
F-1
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JUNE 30, 2024
(UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
Unaudited | December 31, | |||||||
ASSETS: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Deferred offering costs | $ | 114,960 |
| $ | — |
| ||
Prepaid expenses |
| 534,794 |
|
| 534,794 |
| ||
Total assets | $ | 649,754 |
| $ | 534,794 |
| ||
|
|
|
| |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S DEFICIT: |
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Accounts payable | $ | — |
| $ | 21,218 |
| ||
Accrued expenses |
| 142,991 |
|
| 5,316 |
| ||
Total current liabilities |
| 142,991 |
|
| 26,534 |
| ||
Promissory note – related party |
| 542,975 |
|
| 542,975 |
| ||
Total liabilities |
| 685,966 |
|
| 569,509 |
| ||
|
|
|
| |||||
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Shareholder’s Deficit: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 7,187,500 shares issued and outstanding(1)(2) |
| 719 |
|
| 719 |
| ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 24,281 |
|
| 24,281 |
| ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (61,212 | ) |
| (59,715 | ) | ||
Total shareholder’s deficit |
| (36,212 | ) |
| (34,715 | ) | ||
Total liabilities and shareholder’s deficit | $ | 649,754 |
| $ | 534,794 |
| ||
____________
(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered 50,312,500 founder shares for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding 7,187,500 founder shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-2
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2024 AND 2023
For The Three Months Ended | For The Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ | 27,630 |
| $ | 2,804 |
| $ | 28,031 |
| $ | 2,804 |
| ||||
Loss from operations |
| (27,630 | ) |
| (2,804 | ) |
| (28,031 | ) |
| (2,804 | ) | ||||
Other income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Cancelation of indebtedness |
| 21,218 |
|
| — |
|
| 26,534 |
|
| — |
| ||||
Net loss | $ | (6,412 | ) | $ | (2,804 | ) | $ | (1,497 | ) | $ | (2,804 | ) | ||||
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)(2) |
| 5,000,000 |
|
| 5,000,000 |
|
| 5,000,000 |
|
| 5,000,000 |
| ||||
Basic and fully diluted net loss per ordinary share | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.00 | ) | ||||
____________
(1) This number excludes an aggregate of up to 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered 50,312,500 founder shares for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding 7,187,500 founder shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-3
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER’S DEFICIT FOR THE
THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND 2023
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Ordinary Shares | Additional | Accumulated | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares(1)(2) | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2024(1)(2) | — | $ | — | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (59,715 | ) | $ | (34,715 | ) | |||||||
Net income | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| 4,915 |
|
| 4,915 |
| |||||||
Balance, March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | — | $ | — | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (54,800 | ) | $ | (29,800 | ) | |||||||
Net loss | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| (6,412 | ) |
| (6,412 | ) | |||||||
Balance, June 30, 2024 (unaudited) | — | $ | — | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (61,212 | ) | $ | (36,212 | ) | |||||||
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023
Ordinary Shares | Additional | Accumulated | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares(1)(2) | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2023(1)(2) | — | $ | — | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (488,034 | ) | $ | (463,034 | ) | |||||||
Net loss | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| (2,804 | ) |
| (2,804 | ) | |||||||
Balance, March 31, 2023 (unaudited) | — | $ | — | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (490,838 | ) | $ | (465,838 | ) | |||||||
Net loss | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
| |||||||
Balance, June 30, 2023 (unaudited) | — | $ | — | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (490,838 | ) | $ | (465,838 | ) | |||||||
____________
(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered 50,312,500 founder shares for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding 7,187,500 founder shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-4
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2024 AND 2023
For the Six Months Ended | ||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Net loss | $ | (1,497 | ) | $ | (2,804 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Cancellation of indebtedness |
| (26,534 | ) |
| — |
| ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Increase in accrued expenses |
| 28,031 |
|
| 2,804 |
| ||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Net change in cash |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Cash at beginning of the period |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Cash at end of the period | $ | — |
| $ | — |
| ||
|
|
|
| |||||
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Deferred offering costs included in accrued expenses | $ | 114,960 |
| $ | — |
| ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-5
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Plan of Business Operations
Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp. (formerly Spinning Eagle Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 22, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”).
Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of completing a Business Combination, the Company intends to capitalize on the ability of its management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from its management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from February 22, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2024 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering (“Proposed Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a Proposed Offering of 25,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Class A ordinary shares” or “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per unit (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3, and the sale of 350,000 shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Private Placement Shares”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share in a private placement to Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC (the “Sponsor”), that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Offering.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Shares, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward completing a Business Combination. The Company must complete one or more Business Combinations with having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes paid or payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business 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”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Offering, management has agreed that $10.00 per unit sold in the Proposed Offering, including proceeds of the sale of the Private Placement Shares, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended Business Combination and, may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Company’s shareholders, as described below.
The Company will provide its shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote 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. The shareholders will be entitled to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the amount held in the Trust Account (initially $10.00 per share), calculated as of two business days prior
F-6
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Plan of Business Operations (cont.)
to the completion of a Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of amounts released to the Company to fund its working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable). The Class A ordinary shares will be recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”
If the Company seeks shareholder approval, the Company will complete a Business Combination only if it receives an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law approving a Business Combination, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the Company. If a shareholder vote is not required under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased in or after the Proposed Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination and to waive its redemption rights with respect to any such shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a Business Combination. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its Public Shares, without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against a proposed Business Combination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks shareholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, 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 Public Shares without the Company’s prior written consent.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window (as defined below) or (ii) 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 Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment and (iii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination.
The Company will have within 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Offering (the “Completion Window”) to complete a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window, the Company will as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned (less taxes paid or 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 constitute full and complete payment for the Public Shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
F-7
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Plan of Business Operations (cont.)
The Sponsor has agreed to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window. However, if the Sponsor acquires Public Shares in or after the Proposed Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Proposed Offering price per share ($10.00).
The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company, if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or by a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or Business Combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (1) $10.00 per Public Share and (2) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share due to reductions in the value of trust assets, less taxes paid or payable. This liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented. The interim results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024 or for any future periods.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” as of June 30, 2024, the Company does not have sufficient liquidity to meet its current obligations. However, management has determined that the Company has access to funds from the Sponsor entity, and the Sponsor entity has the financial wherewithal to fund the Company, that are sufficient to fund the working capital needs of the Company until the earlier of the consummation of the Proposed Offering or a minimum one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
F-8
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
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 auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 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 shareholder 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 a 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 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 financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
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 expenses during the reporting periods.
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.
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 did not have any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Offering. Offering costs will be 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 allocated to Class A ordinary shares will be charged against the carrying value of Class A ordinary shares upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses incurred, will be charged to operations.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be
F-9
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. 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 subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands. In accordance with Cayman income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company. Consequently, income taxes are not reflected in the Company’s financial statements. 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 Share
Net income (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the periods, excluding ordinary shares subject to forfeiture.
Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 2,187,500 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 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 income (loss) per ordinary share is the same as basic income (loss) per ordinary share for the periods presented.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3 — Proposed Offering
Pursuant to the Proposed Offering, the Company will offer for sale up to 25,000,000 units (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit will consist of one Class A ordinary share and one right (“Eagle Share Right”), with each Eagle Share Right entitling the holder to receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination.
Note 4 — Private Placement
The Sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 Private Placement Shares (or 387,500 Private Placement Shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), from the Company in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Offering. The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Shares will be added to the net proceeds from the Proposed Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Shares held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law).
F-10
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
On March 23, 2021, the Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 to cover certain offering and formation costs of the Company in consideration for 57,500,000 of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”). On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered for no consideration 50,312,500 Founder Shares, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares. The share recapitalization is disclosed as a retroactive adjustment. The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will collectively represent 16.67% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares upon the completion of the Proposed Offering (excluding the Private Placement Shares and after taking into account the Sponsor’s forfeiture of Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). In addition, our sponsor will surrender to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering a number of Class B ordinary shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the units sold in this offering. The Sponsor will surrender 1,250,000 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will surrender up to 1,437,500 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving the Sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 Founder Shares, respectively.
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination; and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, amalgamation, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction 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.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On March 12, 2021, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. On June 26, 2024, the Company and the Sponsor amended and restated such promissory note (the “Amended and Restated Formation and Regulatory Expenses Promissory Note”), increasing the amount that the Company may borrow thereunder to $600,000. The Amended and Restated Formation and Regulatory Expenses Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of the completion of the Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there was $542,975 outstanding under the Promissory Note.
On June 26, 2024, the Company issued a second promissory note (the “Initial Public Offering Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $400,000. The Initial Public Offering Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2024 or (ii) the completion of the Proposed Offering. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there was no outstanding under the Initial Public Offering Promissory Note.
Administrative Services Agreement
Commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering, the Company will enter into an agreement pursuant to which it will pay an affiliate of the Sponsor $15,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services. Upon completion of a Business Combination or its liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. In addition, the Company has agreed that it will indemnify the Sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the Company’s operations or conduct of the Company’s business or any claim against the Sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by the Sponsor of any of the Company’s activities or any express or implied association between the Sponsor and the Company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in the Trust Account.
F-11
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions (cont.)
Related Party Loans
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”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. 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. There have been no borrowings under this arrangement to date.
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and shares that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Proposed Offering requiring the Company to register a sale of any of the securities held by them, including any other securities of the Company acquired by them prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Risks and Uncertainties
United States and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the geopolitical instability resulting from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) deployed additional military forces to eastern Europe, and the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries have announced various sanctions and restrictive actions against Russia, Belarus and related individuals and entities, including the removal of certain financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment system. Certain countries, including the United States, have also provided and may continue to provide military aid or other assistance to Ukraine and to Israel, increasing geopolitical tensions among a number of nations. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resulting measures that have been taken, and could be taken in the future, by NATO, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Israel and its neighboring states and other countries have created global security concerns that could have a lasting impact on regional and global economies. Although the length and impact of the ongoing conflicts are highly unpredictable, they could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions and increased cyberattacks against U.S. companies. Additionally, any resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets.
Any of the above mentioned factors, or any other negative impact on the global economy, capital markets or other geopolitical conditions resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and subsequent sanctions or related actions, could adversely affect the Company’s search for an initial Business Combination and any target business with which the Company may ultimately consummate an initial Business Combination.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional units to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
F-12
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies (cont.)
The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of $0.15 per unit, or $3,750,000 in the aggregate (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 in the aggregate (or $10,062,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full). 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. In addition, the underwriters have agreed to make a payment to the Company at the closing of the Proposed Offering to reimburse certain of the Company’s expenses and fees in connection with the Proposed Offering.
Note 7 — Shareholder’s Deficit
Preference Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 preference shares with a par value of $0.0001. The Company’s board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. The board of directors will be able to, without shareholder approval, issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares and could have anti-takeover effects. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no preference shares issued or outstanding.
Class A Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 400,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no Class A ordinary shares issued or outstanding.
Class B Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 80,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Class B ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2024, there were 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part so that the number of Founder Shares will equal 16.67% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares after the Proposed Offering (excluding the Private Placement Shares and after taking into account the Sponsor’s forfeiture of Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). In addition, the Sponsor will forfeit a number of Founder Shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the Units sold in the Proposed Offering. The Sponsor will forfeit 1,250,000 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will forfeit up to 1,437,500 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving the Sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 Founder Shares, respectively.
Prior to the closing of the initial Business Combination, only holders of the Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the Company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). On any other matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of the initial Business Combination, holders of the Class B ordinary shares and holders of the Class A ordinary shares will vote together as a single class, except as required by law.
The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the completion of a Business Combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, 16.67% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after such conversion (excluding the Private Placement Shares and the ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights and 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
F-13
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7 — Shareholder’s Deficit (cont.)
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 a Business Combination, 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 a Business Combination and any Private Placement Shares 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.
Eagle Share Rights — Except in cases where the Company is not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will automatically receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon consummation of the initial Business Combination. The Company will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman law. In the event the Company is not the surviving company upon completion of the initial business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share underlying each Eagle Share Right upon consummation of the Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete the initial Business Combination within the required time period and the Company will redeem the public shares for the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Eagle Share Rights will not receive any of such funds for their Eagle Share Rights and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless.
Note 8 — Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurred after the balance sheet date up to September 20, 2024, the date the financial statements were available for issuance. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-14
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholder and the Board of Directors of
Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp. (formerly known as Spinning Eagle Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholder’s deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
New York, New York
September 20, 2024
F-15
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
ASSETS: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Prepaid expenses | $ | 534,794 |
| $ | 534,794 |
| ||
Total assets | $ | 534,794 |
| $ | 534,794 |
| ||
|
|
|
| |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S DEFICIT: |
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Accounts payable | $ | 21,218 |
| $ | 21,218 |
| ||
Accrued expenses |
| 5,316 |
|
| 4,241 |
| ||
Accrued offering costs |
| — |
|
| 429,395 |
| ||
Total current liabilities |
| 26,534 |
|
| 454,854 |
| ||
Promissory note – related party |
| 542,975 |
|
| 542,975 |
| ||
Total liabilities |
| 569,509 |
|
| 997,829 |
| ||
|
|
|
| |||||
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Shareholder’s Deficit: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 7,187,500 shares issued and outstanding(1)(2) |
| 719 |
|
| 719 |
| ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 24,281 |
|
| 24,281 |
| ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (59,715 | ) |
| (488,035 | ) | ||
Total shareholder’s deficit |
| (34,715 | ) |
| (463,035 | ) | ||
Total liabilities and shareholder’s deficit | $ | 534,794 |
| $ | 534,794 |
| ||
____________
(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered 50,312,500 founder shares for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding 7,187,500 founder shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-16
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
For the Years Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ | 1,075 |
| $ | 455,317 |
| ||
Loss from operations |
| (1,075 | ) |
| (455,317 | ) | ||
Other income: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Cancellation of indebtedness |
| 429,395 |
|
| — |
| ||
Net income (loss) | $ | 428,320 |
| $ | (455,317 | ) | ||
|
|
|
| |||||
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)(2) |
| 5,000,000 |
|
| 5,000,000 |
| ||
Basic and fully diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share | $ | 0.09 |
| $ | (0.09 | ) | ||
____________
(1) This number excludes an aggregate of up to 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered 50,312,500 founder shares for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding 7,187,500 founder shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-17
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER’S DEFICIT
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
Ordinary Shares | Additional | Accumulated | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Class A | Class B | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares(1)(2) | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2022 | — | $ | — |
| 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (32,718 | ) | $ | (7,718 | ) | |||||||
Net loss | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (455,317 | ) |
| (455,317 | ) | |||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | — | $ | — | $ | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (488,035 | ) | $ | (463,035 | ) | |||||||
Net income | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 428,320 |
|
| 428,320 |
| |||||||
Balance, December 31, 2023 | — | $ | — | $ | 7,187,500 | $ | 719 | $ | 24,281 | $ | (59,715 | ) | $ | (34,715 | ) | |||||||
____________
(1) This number includes an aggregate of up to 2,187,500 Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters.
(2) On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered 50,312,500 founder shares for no consideration, resulting in the Sponsor holding 7,187,500 founder shares. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-18
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
For the Years Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 428,320 |
| $ | (455,317 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
General and administrative expenses paid by Sponsor under promissory |
| — |
|
| 455,317 |
| ||
note – related party |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Cancellation of indebtedness |
| (429,395 | ) |
| — |
| ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Increase in accrued expenses |
| 1,075 |
|
| — |
| ||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Net change in cash |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Cash at beginning of the year |
| — |
|
| — |
| ||
Cash at end of the year | $ | — |
| $ | — |
| ||
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
| ||||
Prepaid expenses paid by Sponsor under promissory note | $ | — |
| $ | 534,794 |
| ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-19
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Plan of Business Operations
Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp. (formerly Spinning Eagle Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 22, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”).
Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of completing a Business Combination, the Company intends to capitalize on the ability of its management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from its management team’s established global relationships and operating experience. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from February 22, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering (“Proposed Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a Proposed Offering of 25,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Class A ordinary shares” or “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per unit (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3, and the sale of 350,000 shares (or 387,500 shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Private Placement Shares”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share in a private placement to Eagle Equity Partners IV, LLC (the “Sponsor”), that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Offering.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Shares, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward completing a Business Combination. The Company must complete one or more Business Combinations with having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes paid or payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business 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”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Offering, management has agreed that $10.00 per unit sold in the Proposed Offering, including proceeds of the sale of the Private Placement Shares, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and initially 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; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended Business Combination and, may at any time be held as cash or cash items, including in demand deposit accounts at a bank, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Company’s shareholders, as described below.
The Company will provide its shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote 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. The shareholders will be entitled to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion
F-20
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Plan of Business Operations (cont.)
of the amount held in the Trust Account (initially $10.00 per share), calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of a Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of amounts released to the Company to fund its working capital requirements (subject to an annual limit of $1,000,000) and taxes paid or payable). The Class A ordinary shares will be recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”
If the Company seeks shareholder approval, the Company will complete a Business Combination only if it receives an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law approving a Business Combination, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the Company. If a shareholder vote is not required under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased in or after the Proposed Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination and to waive its redemption rights with respect to any such shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a Business Combination. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its Public Shares, without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against a proposed Business Combination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks shareholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, 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 Public Shares without the Company’s prior written consent.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window (as defined below) or (ii) 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 Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment and (iii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination.
The Company will have within 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Offering (the “Completion Window”) to complete a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window, the Company will as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned (less taxes paid or 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 constitute full and complete payment for the Public Shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
F-21
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Plan of Business Operations (cont.)
The Sponsor has agreed to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window. However, if the Sponsor acquires Public Shares in or after the Proposed Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Proposed Offering price per share ($10.00).
The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company, if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or by a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or Business Combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (1) $10.00 per Public Share and (2) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share due to reductions in the value of trust assets, less taxes paid or payable. This liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements of the Company are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company does not have sufficient liquidity to meet its current obligations. However, management has determined that the Company has access to funds from the Sponsor entity, and the Sponsor entity has the financial wherewithal to fund the Company, that are sufficient to fund the working capital needs of the Company until the earlier of the consummation of the Proposed Offering or a minimum one year from the date of issuance of these 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 auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 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 shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
F-22
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
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 a 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 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 financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
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 expenses during the reporting periods.
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.
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 did not have any cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Offering. Offering costs will be 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 allocated to Class A ordinary shares will be charged against the carrying value of Class A ordinary shares upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses incurred, will be charged to operations.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position 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 recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. 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 subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
F-23
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands. In accordance with Cayman income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company. Consequently, income taxes are not reflected in the Company’s financial statements. 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 Share
Net income (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the periods, excluding ordinary shares subject to forfeiture.
Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 2,187,500 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 income (loss) per ordinary share is the same as basic loss per ordinary share for the periods presented.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 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)” (“ASU 2020-06”), to simplify certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 as of January 1, 2022. There was no effect to the Company’s presented financial statements.
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3 — Proposed Offering
Pursuant to the Proposed Offering, the Company will offer for sale up to 25,000,000 units (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit will consist of one Class A ordinary share and one right (“Eagle Share Right”), with each Eagle Share Right entitling the holder to receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination.
Note 4 — Private Placement
The Sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 350,000 Private Placement Shares (or 387,500 Private Placement Shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500,000 (or $3,875,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), from the Company in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Offering.
F-24
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 4 — Private Placement (cont.)
The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Shares will be added to the net proceeds from the Proposed Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Completion Window, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Shares held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law).
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
On March 23, 2021, the Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 to cover certain offering and formation costs of the Company in consideration for 57,500,000 of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”). On June 25, 2024, the Sponsor surrendered for no consideration 50,312,500 Founder Shares, resulting in the Sponsor holding an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares. The share recapitalization is disclosed as a retroactive adjustment. The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will collectively represent 16.67% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares upon the completion of the Proposed Offering (excluding the Private Placement Shares and after taking into account the Sponsor’s forfeiture of Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). In addition, the Sponsor will forfeit a number of Founder Shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the Units sold in the Proposed Offering. The Sponsor will forfeit 1,250,000 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will forfeit up to 1,437,500 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving the Sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 Founder Shares, respectively.
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination; and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if 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, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 180 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, amalgamation, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction 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.
Promissory Notes — Related Party
On March 12, 2021, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company could borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. On June 26, 2024, the Company and the Sponsor amended and restated such promissory note (the “Amended and Restated Formation and Regulatory Expenses Promissory Note”), increasing the amount that the Company may borrow thereunder to $600,000. The Amended and Restated Formation and Regulatory Expenses Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of the completion of the Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there was $542,975 outstanding under the Promissory Note.
On June 26, 2024, the Company issued a second promissory note (the “Initial Public Offering Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $400,000. The Initial Public Offering Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2024 or (ii) the completion of the Proposed Offering. As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, there was no amount outstanding under the Initial Public Offering Promissory Note.
F-25
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions (cont.)
Administrative Services Agreement
Commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering, the Company will enter into an agreement pursuant to which it will pay Eagle Equity Partners, LLC, an affiliate of the Sponsor $15,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services. Upon completion of a Business Combination or its liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. In addition, the Company has agreed that it will indemnify the Sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to this offering or the Company’s operations or conduct of the Company’s business or any claim against the Sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by the Sponsor of any of the Company’s activities or any express or implied association between the Sponsor and the Company or any of its affiliates, which agreement will provide that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in the Trust Account.
Related Party Loans
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”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. 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. There have been no borrowings under this arrangement to date.
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and shares that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Proposed Offering requiring the Company to register a sale of any of the securities held by them, including any other securities of the Company acquired by them prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Risks and Uncertainties
United States and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the geopolitical instability resulting from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) deployed additional military forces to eastern Europe, and the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries have announced various sanctions and restrictive actions against Russia, Belarus and related individuals and entities, including the removal of certain financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment system. Certain countries, including the United States, have also provided and may continue to provide military aid or other assistance to Ukraine and to Israel, increasing geopolitical tensions among a number of nations. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resulting measures that have been taken, and could be taken in the future, by NATO, the United States,
F-26
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies (cont.)
the United Kingdom, the European Union, Israel and its neighboring states and other countries have created global security concerns that could have a lasting impact on regional and global economies. Although the length and impact of the ongoing conflicts are highly unpredictable, they could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions and increased cyberattacks against U.S. companies. Additionally, any resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets.
Any of the above mentioned factors, or any other negative impact on the global economy, capital markets or other geopolitical conditions resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and subsequent sanctions or related actions, could adversely affect the Company’s search for an initial Business Combination and any target business with which the Company may ultimately consummate an initial Business Combination.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional units to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of $0.15 per unit, or $3,750,000 in the aggregate (or $4,312,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $8,750,000 in the aggregate (or $10,062,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full). 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. In addition, the underwriters have agreed to make a payment to the Company at the closing of the Proposed Offering to reimburse certain of the Company’s expenses and fees in connection with the Proposed Offering.
Note 7 — Shareholder’s Deficit
Preference Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 preference shares with a par value of $0.0001. The Company’s board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. The board of directors will be able to, without shareholder approval, issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares and could have anti-takeover effects. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no preference shares issued or outstanding.
Class A Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 400,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no Class A ordinary shares issued or outstanding.
Class B Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 80,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Class B ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part so that the number of Founder Shares will equal 16.67% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares after the Proposed Offering (excluding the Private Placement Shares and after taking into account the Sponsor’s forfeiture of Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights). In addition, the Sponsor will forfeit a number of Founder Shares equal to the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights included in the Units sold in the Proposed Offering. The Sponsor will forfeit 1,250,000 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised and will forfeit up to 1,437,500 Founder Shares in respect of the Eagle Share Rights if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, leaving the Sponsor with an aggregate of 5,000,000 or 5,750,000 Founder Shares, respectively.
F-27
BOLD EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.
(F/K/A SPINNING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7 — Shareholder’s Deficit (cont.)
Prior to the closing of the initial Business Combination, only holders of the Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to vote on the appointment and removal of directors or continuing the Company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including any special resolution required to amend the constitutional documents of the Company or to adopt new constitutional documents of the Company, in each case, as a result of the Company approving a transfer by way of continuation in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands). On any other matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of the initial Business Combination, holders of the Class B ordinary shares and holders of the Class A ordinary shares will vote together as a single class, except as required by law.
The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately following the completion of a Business Combination or earlier at the option of the holder on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, 16.67% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after such conversion (excluding the Private Placement Shares and the ordinary shares underlying the Eagle Share Rights and 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 a Business Combination, 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 a Business Combination and any Private Placement Shares 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.
Eagle Share Rights — Except in cases where the Company is not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will automatically receive one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share upon consummation of the initial Business Combination. The Company will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman law. In the event the Company is not the surviving company upon completion of the initial business combination, each holder of an Eagle Share Right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one twentieth (1/20) of one Class A ordinary share underlying each Eagle Share Right upon consummation of the Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete the initial Business Combination within the required time period and the Company will redeem the public shares for the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Eagle Share Rights will not receive any of such funds for their Eagle Share Rights and the Eagle Share Rights will expire worthless.
Note 8 — Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurred after the balance sheet date up to September 20, 2024, the date the financial statements were available for issuance. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-28
25,000,000 Units
Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
PROSPECTUS
October 23, 2024
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
UBS Investment Bank | Jefferies |
Until November 17, 2024 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our securities whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.