FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(4)
REGISTRATION NOS. 333-260891 and 333-261456
$180,000,000
ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.
180,000,000 Units
ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Although there is no restriction or limitation on what industry or geographic region our target operates in, it is our intention to pursue prospective targets in the non-operated, upstream oil and gas sector.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit that we are offering has a price of $10.00 and consists of one share of common stock and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of a share of common stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus.
We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,700,000 units (over and above the 18,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
We will have 12 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination (or up to 18 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus). We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of common stock upon 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding shares of common stock that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to collectively as our public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 18 months from the closing of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and certain conditions as further described herein. Our public stockholders will not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our extension of time to consummate an initial business combination from 12 months to 18 months described above or redeem their shares in connection with such extensions.
Our sponsor, ROC Energy Holdings, LLC, an entity affiliated with our officers and directors, has committed to purchase from us 715,000 units (or 796,000 units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), or “private units,” at $10.00 per private unit for a total purchase price of $7,150,000 (or $7,960,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). The private units will be sold in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private unit will be identical to the units sold in this offering, except as described in this prospectus.
There is presently no public market for our units, common stock or rights. Our units have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “ROCAU.” We expect that the common stock and rights comprising the units to begin separate trading on the 90th day following the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., the representative of the underwriters, determines that an earlier date is acceptable, subject to our filing a current report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading as described in this prospectus, we expect that the common stock and rights will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “ROC” and “ROCAR,” respectively. We cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after this offering.
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risks Factors” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus 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.
| | | Price to Public | | | Underwriting Discounts and Commissions(1) | | | Proceeds, before expenses, to us | |
Per Unit | | | | $ | 10.00 | | | | | $ | 0.20 | | | | | $ | 9.80 | | |
Total | | | | $ | 180,000,000 | | | | | $ | 3,600,000 | | | | | $ | 176,400,000 | | |
(1)
The underwriters have received and will receive compensation in addition to the underwriting discount, including 180,000 shares of common stock issued to EarlyBirdCapital and/or its designees, which we refer to herein as the “representative founder shares.” See “Underwriting” for further information relating to the underwriters’ compensation.
Of the proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement units described in this prospectus, $181,800,000, or $209,070,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.10 per unit sold to the public in the offering in either case), will be deposited into a United States-based trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. Except as described in this prospectus, these funds will not be released until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our redemption of the shares of common stock sold in this offering upon our failure to consummate a business combination within the required period. 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 stockholders.
The underwriters are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. EarlyBirdCapital, acting as the sole book-running manager and representative of the underwriters, expects to deliver the units to purchasers on or about December 6, 2021.
Sole Book-Running Manager
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
Co-Manager
Revere Securities
The date of this prospectus is December 1, 2021