File Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-280356
PROSPECTUS
$50,000,000
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
5,000,000 Units
Future Vision II Acquisition Corp. is a newly incorporated 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 or entities, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not selected any potential business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any potential business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
While we may pursue a target in any industry, section or geography, we intend to focus our search on prospective targets in the technology, media, and telecommunications (“TMT”) industries with operations or prospective operations in the Greater China region. Specifically, we intend to target companies with advanced and highly differentiated solutions for the TMT industry such as intelligent chips, 5G, integrated circuitry and other emerging technologies. Although we are confident as a result of our expertise, experience, and market observations that a business combination with a target in the TMT industry will yield significant value for our investors, our China-focused acquisition strategy may subject us to significantly elevated regulatory, liquidity, and enforcement risks, which may translate to materially adverse consequences to your investment. For a more detailed description of these risks, please see “Risk Factors — Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business in Foreign Countries.”
We intend to source initial business combination opportunities through our management team’s extensive network of TMT and TMT-related sector business owners, public and private company executives and board members, investment bankers, private equity and debt investors, high net worth families and their advisors, commercial bankers, attorneys, management consultants, accountants and other transaction intermediaries. We believe this approach, as well as our management team’s recognized track record of completing acquisitions across a variety of subsectors within the TMT and TMT-related sector will provide meaningful opportunities to drive value creation for shareholders.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share and one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share of upon consummation of our initial business combination, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC (“Kingswood”) is pleased to act as lead underwriter, deal manager and investment banker for the proposed firm commitment initial public offering. The underwriters have a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 750,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 24 months by means of up to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering)), 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $50,000 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. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether the funds have been timely deposited. Public shareholders, in this situation, will not be offered the opportunity to vote on or redeem their shares.
Our Sponsor, HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., a newly-formed business company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 284,000 placement units (or 299,000 placement units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,840,000 ($2,990,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). Each placement unit will be identical to the units sold in this offering, except as described in this prospectus. The placement units will be sold in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our Sponsor owns an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares, up to 187,500 shares of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised.
Our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). In addition, our headquarters is based in China. We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to our significant ties to China even if we do not complete a business combination with a China-based target. We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China. The PRC government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Moreover, PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain.
Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, and our headquarters is based in China, and due to the various legal uncertainties arising in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering. As a result of these risks, a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares may occur. Further, these risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities that we are registering for sale. In addition, these legal and operational risks could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Further, these legal and operational risks cause result in a material adverse change in our operations which could cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless.
We may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of China (including Hong Kong and Macao). In addition, given the risks and uncertainties of doing business in China discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, the location and ties of our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management to China and our headquarters is based in China may make us a less attractive partner to a target company not based in China, which may thus increase the likelihood that we will consummate a business combination with a target company that is located in China or not consummate a business combination at all. Our ties to the PRC may make us less likely to consummate a business combination with any target company outside of the PRC which may result in non-PRC target businesses having increased leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination within a certain timeframe, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. See “Risk Factors — The requirement that we complete an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination 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 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” on page 52 of this prospectus. If we fail to complete an initial business combination in the prescribed timeframe, we will cease all our operations and would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may receive only $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, based on the amount available in our trust account on a per share basis, and our rights will expire worthless. See “Risk Factors — We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may receive only $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless” on page 52 of this prospectus.
Since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company even if we do not pursue a business combination with a PRC-based target company. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business and/or the value of the securities we are offering. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely undermine our ability to search for a target company. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect our operations following our initial public offering and the operations of any post-business combination company, which we may acquire as our initial business combination, assuming we are able to complete our business combination successfully.
Further, our initial shareholders, including our Sponsor, will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares following this offering. As a result, we may be considered a “foreign person” under rules promulgated by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) and may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company since such initial business combination may be subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as CFIUS), or ultimately prohibited. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited. See “Risk Factors — We may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company if such initial business combination is subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), or ultimately prohibited.” on page 83 of this prospectus. However, we will not conduct an initial business combination with any target company that conducts operations through variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which are a series of contractual arrangements used to provide the economic benefits of foreign investment in Chinese-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies.
We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China and/or Hong Kong. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time including before the consummation of our initial business combination through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China. The Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our and directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant adverse impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely undermine our ability to search for a target company. The Chinese government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect our operations following our initial public offering, before we undertake an initial business combination, if any, and the operations of any post-business combination company, which we may acquire in our initial business combination. Furthermore, the Chinese government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, undertake an initial business combination, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. These risks could result in a material change in our operations, our search for a target company and/or the value of the securities that we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
If we were to complete a business combination with a Chinese entity, we could be subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with or having the majority of post-business combination operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and as a result these risks may result in material changes in the operations of any post-business combination subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer, or continue to offer, our securities to investors, including investors in the United States. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect the operations of any post-business combination company which we may acquire as our initial business combination. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
As a result of our absolute position against doing a business combination with a company that conducts operations through a VIE, it may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, due to the relevant PRC laws and regulations against foreign ownership of and investment in certain assets and industries, known as restricted industries. Furthermore, this may also limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to such restrictions, which could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC relative to such other companies. See “Risk Factors — We will not conduct an initial business combination with any target company that conducts operations through VIEs, which may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC and make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC” on page 85.
The members of our Board of Directors and management team are located in China, they are citizens of China and/or their assets are located in China, and following completion of a business combination, we may conduct most of our operations in China and most of our assets may be located in China. Mr. Xiaodong Wang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Ms. Caihong Chen, our Chief Financial Officer and Director reside in mainland China, as do our three independent directors, Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons residing in mainland China. Even with service of process, there is uncertainty as to whether courts in China would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States or (ii) entertain original actions brought in China against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
The Sponsor’s assets are located in China and, as a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon the Sponsor or those persons owning the Sponsor residing in mainland China. Our significant ties to China, including our headquarters’ location in China, would make us a less attractive partner to a non-China-based target company and such perception may potentially limit or negatively impact our search for an initial business combination; or may therefore make it more likely for us to consummate a business combination with a company being based in or having the majority of the Company’s operations in China (a “PRC Target Company”). Because we have significant ties to China, it is uncertain whether that would make us a less attractive partner to a non-China-based target company and such perception may potentially limit or negatively impact our search for an initial business combination; or may therefore make it more likely for us to consummate a business combination with a PRC Target Company.
PRC laws and regulations are sometimes vague and uncertain. If we complete a business combination with a PRC Target Company governed by PRC laws and regulations, such vagueness and uncertainty would result in significant depreciation of the value of our securities, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Further, the Chinese government may intervene or influence the operations of a PRC Target Company or post-combination entity at any time and may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in a PRC Target Company or post-combination entity, which could result in a material change in the operations of the PRC Target Company or post-combination entity, and/or the value of our securities. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
In addition, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based companies could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under China’s Civil Procedure Law. China’s courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. There are no treaties between China and the United States for the mutual recognition and enforcement of court judgments, thus making the recognition and enforcement of a U.S. court judgment against us or our directors or officers in China difficult. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” under the subheading “You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in China against us or our management and directors named in the prospectus based on foreign laws. It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China” on page 89.
We are also subject to other risks and uncertainties about any future actions of the PRC government, which may result in a material change in operations of a target business. PRC laws and regulations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and therefore, these risks may result in a material change in operations of a target business, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas that use a VIE structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
Since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on a China-based target company’s daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. Additionally, if we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations which may have a material adverse impact on the value of our securities despite whether we complete an initial business combination with a PRC-based or a non-PRC based target company in view of our substantial ties to China including our offices located in the PRC. The substantial ties coupled with the existing and any new PRC law or regulation on cash flows may affect our initial business combination and shareholder redemption adversely. If we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including this offering, may be transferred by us to any future PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. All these risks could result in a material change in our or the target company’s post-combination operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Furthermore, the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. For example, if we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, the combined company may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of the proposed business combination between us and the target, offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, cybersecurity and data privacy. The PRC government may also intervene with or influence the combined company’s operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals.
The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding any industry that could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC, result in material changes in the combined company’s post-combination operations and cause the value of the combined company’s securities to significantly decline, or in extreme cases, become worthless or completely hinder the combined company’s ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. See “Risk Factors” beginning at page 50 and specifically at page 47 under the sub-heading “Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC.”
On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede prior rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership; (4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’ filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing fraud and misrepresentation.
Our company is a blank check company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We currently do not hold any equity interest in any PRC company or operate any business in China. Therefore, we believe we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities, including the CSRC or the Cyberspace Administration of China, or any other government entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with this offering, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. We may also be subject to registration with the CSRC following this Offering pursuant to the Trial Measures. It is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect the interest of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after this offering. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China. See also “Risk Factors — Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business in Foreign Countries.”
If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in China, the target company and/or combined company will be required to go through the filing procedure to satisfy the filing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such process and receive clearance from CSRC on time, if at all, which could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. See “Risk Factor — If the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission is required in connection with this offering, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.”
If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a China-based company, the combined company may make capital contributions or extend loans to any future PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations. From our inception to the date of this prospectus, no dividends or distributions have been made. After the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by any future PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made. In addition, a PRC company is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year to fund certain statutory reserve funds (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital). As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of Chinese currency (RMB) into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC and vice versa. Therefore, the post-combination entity may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from its profits, if any; or limit its ability to make loans to or inject capital into its WFOE if it wishes to transfer cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities to the WFOE and then the VIE, if any.
Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. Even if we were to acquire a non-PRC company, in view of our substantial ties to China including our offices located in the PRC. The substantial ties coupled with the existing and any new PRC law or regulation on cash flows may affect our initial business combination and shareholder redemption adversely. If we were to acquire a PRC company, the PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC subsidiary by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may restrict our ability to make loans to or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. These restrictions will restrict our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses, including subsidiaries, to the parent company and U.S. investors. In addition, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us and may reduce the value of, and amount in U.S. Dollar of dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms. For a more detailed description of how cash will be transferred through the post-combination organization if we acquire a PRC Target Company, see “Risk Factors — The cash-flow structure of a post-acquisition company based in China or Hong Kong poses additional risks including, but not limited to, restrictions on foreign exchange and restrictions on our ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, and to U.S. investors”. For more detailed description on any restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash to our U.S. investors that may apply after a business combination with PRC Target Company, see “Risk Factors — Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination”.
A PRC company is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year to fund certain statutory reserve funds (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital). As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company. Furthermore, if certain procedural requirements are satisfied, the payment in foreign currencies on current account items, including profit distributions and trade and service related foreign exchange transactions, can be made without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or “SAFE,” or its local branches. However, where Renminbi (“RMB”), the legal currency of the PRC, is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses, such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies, approval from or registration with competent government authorities or its authorized banks is required. The PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account or capital account transactions.
If the foreign exchange control regulations prevent the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy their foreign currency demands, the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company may not be able to pay dividends or repay loans in foreign currencies to their offshore intermediary holding companies and ultimately to the combined company. We cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the remittance of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from time to time, that the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends outside of the PRC.
For a detailed description of risks associated with the cash transfer through the post combination organization if we acquire a China-based target company, see “Transfers of Cash to and from our Post Business Combination Subsidiaries” on page 136 and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” under the subheadings “Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China” on page 90 and “Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in the PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination” on page 92. To date, we have not pursued an initial business combination and there have not been any capital contribution or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared or made any dividends or distributions.
Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCA Act”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in (1) mainland China of the PRC because of a position taken by one or more authorities in mainland China and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations.
In December 2020, Congress enacted the HFCA Act, and the SEC released interim final amendments that begin to address the components of this Act. In November 2021, the SEC approved PCAOB Rule 6100, which establishes a process for determining which registered public accounting firms the board is unable to inspect or investigate completely. In December 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize its rules under the HFCA Act that set forth submission and disclosure requirements for commission-identified issuers identified under the Act, specify the processes by which the SEC will identify and notify Commission-Identified Issuers, and implement trading prohibitions after three consecutive years of identification.
In December 2022, Congress passed the omnibus spending bill and the President signed it into law. This spending bill included the enactment of provisions to accelerate the timeline for implementation of trading prohibitions from three years to two years. Separately, on December 15, 2022, the PCAOB published its determination that in 2022, the PCAOB was able to inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. This determination reset the now two-year clock for compliance with the trading prohibitions for identified issuers audited by these firms. The amendment had originally been passed by the U.S. Senate in June 2021, as the “Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.”
Our auditor, ZH CPA, LLC, is a United States accounting firm based in Denver, Colorado, and is subject to regular inspection by the PCAOB. ZH CPA, LLC is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and was not identified as a firm subject to the PCAOB’s Determination Report announced on December 16, 2021. As a result, we do not believe that HFCA Act and related regulations will affect us. Nevertheless, trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor, and that as a result an exchange may determine to delist our securities. Moreover, on August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China – the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely, consistent with U.S. law. The Statement of Protocol is intended to grant to the PCAOB complete access to the audit work papers, audit personnel, and other information it needs to inspect and investigate any firm it chooses, with no loopholes and no exceptions.
Currently, there is no public market for our units, ordinary shares or rights. Our units have been approved for listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “FVNNU” on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We expect the ordinary share and rights comprising 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 the underwriter, informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares and rights will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “FVN,” and “FVNNR” 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 50 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 blank check offerings by Rule 419 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
No offer or invitation to subscribe for securities is being made to the public in the Cayman Islands.
| Per Unit | Total | |||||||
| Public offering price | $ | 10.00 | $ | 50,000,000 | ||||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | 0.25 | $ | 1,250,000 | ||||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to Future Vision II Acquisition Corp. | $ | 9.75 | $ | 48,750,000 | ||||
| (1) | Includes $0.1 per unit, or $500,000 (or $575,000 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 representative of the underwriters only upon completion of an initial business combination, as described in this prospectus, which does not include certain fees and expenses payable to the underwriters in connection with this offering. In addition, designees of the representative of the underwriters will receive an aggregate of 75,000 ordinary shares (or up to 86,250 ordinary shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), as compensation in connection with this offering and initial business combination. Of these shares, 50,000 representative shares (or up to 57,500 representative shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be issued at the closing of this offering, which we refer to herein as the “representative shares”, and 25,000 deferred compensation shares (or up to 28,750 deferred compensation shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be issued upon the closing of an initial business combination of the Company. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Underwriting” beginning on page 203 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 placement units described in this prospectus, $50,250,000 or $57,787,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.05 per unit in either case), will be deposited into a segregated trust account located in the United States with Wilmington Trust, National Association acting as trustee.
Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement units, will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of (a) the completion of our initial business combination; and (b) the redemption of all of our public shares if we have not completed our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering). 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.
The underwriters expect to deliver the units to the purchasers on or about September 12, 2024.
Sole Bookrunner
Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC
The date of this prospectus is September 12, 2024
We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information others may give to you. 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.
Trademarks
This prospectus contains references to trademarks and service marks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the applicable licensor will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements.” 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,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
| ● | our ability to complete our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our pool of prospective target businesses; | |
| ● | the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities; | |
| ● | our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; | |
| ● | the lack of a market for our securities; | |
| ● | negative interest rate for securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account; | |
| ● | 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 section of this prospectus entitled “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.
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This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. 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:
| ● | “amended and restated memorandum and articles of association” are to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; |
| ● | “Companies Act” are to the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as the same may be amended from to time; | |
| ● | “company” are to Future Vision II Acquisition Corp.; | |
| ● | “directors” are to our current directors and our independent directors named in this prospectus; | |
| ● | “equity-linked securities” are to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for our ordinary shares issued in connection with our initial business combination including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt; | |
| ● | “founder shares” are to the 1,437,500 ordinary shares initially issued to our sponsor in a private placement prior to this offering, which include up to an aggregate of 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by our sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or only in part (for the avoidance of doubt, the founder shares will not be “public shares”); | |
| ● | “initial shareholders” are to our sponsor and any other holders of our founder shares prior to this offering (or their permitted transferees); | |
| ● | “insiders” refer to our officers, directors, our sponsor and any future holder of our founder shares; | |
| ● | “letter agreement” refer to the letter agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part; | |
| ● | “management” or “management team” are to our executive officers, directors, and to our advisors unless otherwise specified; | |
| ● | “ordinary shares” are to our ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; | |
| ● | “period to consummate the initial business combination” are to the period of within 18 months from the closing of this offering subject to extension to a maximum of 24 months by means of up to six one-month extensions as specifically set forth in our proxy statement; | |
| ● | “placement rights” are to our rights which are included within the placement units being purchased by our sponsor in the private placement; | |
| ● | “placement shares” are to our ordinary shares included within the placement units being purchased by our sponsor in the private placement; |
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| ● | “placement units” are to the units being purchased by our sponsor, with each placement unit consisting of one placement share and one placement right to acquire 1/10th of one ordinary share; |
| ● | “private placement” are to the private placement of 284,000 placement units at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,840,000 (or up to 299,000 units for an aggregate purchase price of up to $2,990,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), which will occur simultaneously with the completion of this offering; | |
| ● | “public rights” are to the rights sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are subscribed for in this offering or acquired in the open market; | |
| ● | “public shares” are to our ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market); | |
| ● | “public shareholders” are to the holders of our public shares, including our sponsor and management team to the extent our sponsor and/or members of our management team purchase public shares, provided that our sponsor’s and each member of our management team’s status as a “public shareholder” will only exist with respect to such public shares; | |
| ● | “representative” or “underwriter” are to Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC, which is the representative of the underwriters in this offering; | |
| ● | “representative shares” are to the 50,000 ordinary shares to be issued (or 57,500 ordinary shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) to the representative and/or its designees in connection with this offering; | |
| ● | “rights” are to our rights, which include the public rights as well as the placement rights to the extent they are no longer held by the initial purchasers of the placement units or their permitted transferee; | |
| ● | “sponsor” are to HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., a British Virgin Island business company; | |
| ● | “transfer agent” are to Transhare Corporation, a full service stock transfer agency and registrar, formed in the State of Delaware; | |
| ● | “trust account” are to the segregated trust account located in the United States with Wilmington Trust, National Association acting as trustee, into which we will deposit certain proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement units; and | |
| ● | “we,” “us,” “Company” or “our company” are to Future Vision II Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company. |
Any forfeiture of shares described in this prospectus will take effect as a surrender of shares for no consideration of such shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any conversion of the founder shares described in this prospectus will take effect as a compulsory redemption of founder shares and an issuance of ordinary shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any share dividends described in this prospectus will take effect as share capitalizations 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 and that our sponsor will forfeit 187,500 founder shares following the closing of this offering.
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GENERAL
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on January 30, 2024, as a Cayman Islands exempted company formed 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 throughout this prospectus 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.
While we may pursue an acquisition or a business combination target in any business, industry or geography, we intend to focus our search on prospective targets in the technology, media, and telecommunications (“TMT”) industries with operations or prospective operations in the Greater China region. The TMT sector is an industry grouping that includes the majority of companies focused on new technologies. Specifically, we intend to target companies with advanced and highly differentiated solutions for the TMT industry such as intelligent chips, 5G, integrated circuitry and other emerging technologies.
Our management team combines global industry knowledge with significant hands-on experience in operating and investing in the TMT industries in Asia, including the Greater China region. We believe the team’s complementary capabilities in financing, and growing and operating technology growth companies, as well as our broad network of contacts in various technology related sectors affords us with differentiated access to a wide range of investment opportunities in this space. We expect that we will further enhance our selected target’s business as we intend to share best practices gathered from our management team’s operating and investing experiences, as well as insights and strong relationships in TMT industries. Furthermore, we intend to add value through strategic and board level advice, add-on acquisitions, capital structure optimization, and operational improvements.
Our management team has operated and invested in leading global TMT companies across their corporate life cycles and have developed strong relationships with large multi-national organizations and investors. These relationships represent industry leaders ranging from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, family offices, commercial and investment bankers and other financial sector service providers and participants. We believe that these unique relationships and our management team’s industry expertise and proven deal-sourcing capabilities will provide us with a strong pipeline of potential targets.
Market Opportunity
TMT companies have an important—and growing—impact on the world, and many have seen great success in the last decade. The TMT landscape has undergone significant transformation, with deal drivers pointing towards trends such as the AI boom, hybrid cloud computing, and cybersecurity. In 2023, generative AI surged to prominence as the power of AI to create images, videos, code, and text leading TMT companies to upgrade their software and services with generative AI. A study released in 2024 by Deloitte predicts that almost all enterprise software companies will embed generative AI in at least some of their products this year and that, as a result, the revenue uplift for enterprise software companies will be at a US$10 billion by the end of 2024.1
Deloitte predicts further that the market for specialized chips in the TMT section optimized for generative AI will be valued at more than US$50 billion in 2024, up from close to nothing in 2022 and that companies will likely need AI chips, including generative AI chips, as they often regard secure and reliable supply chains to be important for innovation, economic success, and national security. Generative AI chip revenue could reach US$400 billion in 2027, and along with other AI-enabling chips, it could represent half of the value of all semiconductors sold, but more supply and new entrants make that unlikely. Of the five advanced AI technologies, generative AI is the fastest growing and will account for 10.2% of the overall AI market in 2027. GlobalData estimates the total AI market will be worth $908.7 billion in 2030.2
| 1 | TMT industry trends | Deloitte Insights |
| 2 | Tech Media and Telecom Market Analysis Predictions 2023 - TMT Industry (globaldata.com) |
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At the same time, the semiconductor industry, which has powered every generation of microchip for the past fifty years, is gearing up for the next evolution in TMT. As 5G and IoT (i.e., Internet of Things) devices proliferate the market, so does the demand for high-performance and reliable semiconductor chips. Adding to that, per a study by IDC, the volume of global data will increase 10x to 163 zettabytes (or one trillion gigabytes) by 2025, leading to more demand of integrated chips (ICs) as data storage, analysis and process will play a central role in 5G and IoT infrastructure.3 As 5G is driving new types of business growth, operators around the world are rolling out increasingly diverse data plans that feature high-speed experience, promoting network monetization based on the business models that are less centered on data traffic and more focused on speed. Enhanced uplink performance and reduced latency are playing a key role in these new network monetization strategies.
Table Credit to 2024 KPMG LLP Report
At the same time, data is growing at a faster rate than ever before; indeed, 90% percent of the world’s data was created in the last few years and every two years, the volume of data across the world doubles in size.4 As digital storage becomes larger, cheaper, and faster with each successive year with the advent of cloud databases, previous hard limits on storage size became obsolete. Since 1986, the amount of available data storage in the world5 has in increased rapidly, reflecting this new reality:
Year World Storage Size (Exabytes)
| 1986 -- 2.6 EB | 2007 295 EB | ||
| 1993 -- 15.8 EB | 2014 5000 EB | ||
| 2000 -- 54.5 EB | 2020 6800 EB |
| 3 | Semiconductor Industry Making 5G World of ‘Smart Everything’ a Reality (computer.org). |
| 4 | Data Never Sleeps 5.0 | Domo; and mgi-the-age-of-analytics-full-report.pdf (mckinsey.com). |
| 5 | Data Statistics (2024) - How much data is there in the world? (rivery.io) |
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Global Trends Shaping Network Storage
The landscape of network storage is witnessing a monumental shift as we move into 2024, spurred by the convergence of technological innovation and evolving business needs; this transformation is reshaping IT infrastructure, marking a new era in data storage with the following key trends shaping the future of network storage:6
1. Storage as a Service (STaaS) -- The shift towards STaaS is akin to how music streaming revolutionized the music industry. Organizations are moving away from traditional capital-intensive storage models to more flexible, cloud-based solutions. This trend caters to the growing demand for scalable and cost-effective storage options, allowing businesses to pay for only what they use, much like streaming services. This transition to STaaS is pivotal in accommodating the explosive growth of data in the digital age.
2. AI-Driven Operations (AIOps) -- The integration of AI in storage operations is transforming the storage landscape into a self-managing, self-healing entity. AIOps enables systems to predict and resolve issues before they escalate, ensuring higher uptime and efficiency. This smart approach to storage management is particularly beneficial in complex environments, where the sheer volume and velocity of data can overwhelm traditional management tools. As AI continues to evolve, its role in storage operations is set to become even more crucial.
3. Cybersecurity and Ransomware Protection -- In an era where data breaches and cyber threats are rampant, the focus on advanced cybersecurity measures in storage solutions is more critical than ever. Enhanced ransomware protection features are being embedded directly into storage systems, offering a proactive defense mechanism. This shift towards integrated security layers within storage solutions not only safeguards data but also instills confidence among businesses and users about the safety of their digital assets.
4. Hybrid Cloud Integration -- Hybrid cloud models offer the best of both worlds: the security and control of private clouds with the scalability and innovation of public clouds. This integrated approach allows businesses to tailor their IT environments to specific needs, facilitating a more agile and flexible operational model. As hybrid cloud adoption grows, the ability to move and manage data seamlessly across different environments becomes a key competitive advantage for businesses.
5. Green Data Storage -- The sustainability aspect of data storage is gaining unprecedented attention. By focusing on low-emission storage solutions, the industry is not only addressing its environmental impact but also paving the way for more energy-efficient and cost-effective storage solutions. As businesses become more environmentally conscious, adopting green storage practices becomes a crucial part of corporate social responsibility.
6. NVMe Technology -- The adoption of NVMe technology signifies a major leap in storage performance, offering faster access and processing of data. This advancement is particularly beneficial in data-intensive applications like big data analytics and high-performance computing. As NVMe technology matures, it is expected to become more accessible, further accelerating its adoption across various industries.
7. Flexible Financing Models -- The shift to flexible financing models is a game-changer, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. This trend breaks down financial barriers, enabling organizations of all sizes to leverage the latest storage technologies without hefty upfront investments. It reflects a customer-centric approach in the storage industry, aligning more closely with the varied financial realities of different businesses.
8. Simplified Onboarding and User Experience -- The emphasis on user experience in data storage solutions is revolutionizing how businesses interact with their IT infrastructure. By simplifying onboarding processes and enhancing usability, storage vendors are making it easier for businesses to integrate advanced storage solutions into their operations. This focus on user experience is crucial in an era where technology is becoming increasingly complex.
| 6 | 2024’s Top 10 Data Storage Trends: A New Era - StoragePartsDirect.com |
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9. DNA Data Storage -- DNA storage represents a paradigm shift in data storage technology, offering unprecedented levels of density and longevity. This technology has the potential to revolutionize how we store and access the ever-growing amounts of data. As research progresses and costs decrease, DNA storage could offer a sustainable and long-term solution to the world’s data storage challenges.
10. Cloud Repatriation -- Cloud repatriation highlights the dynamic nature of data storage strategies. As companies reassess the costs and benefits of cloud storage, many are finding value in returning to on-premises solutions. This trend underscores the importance of flexibility and control in data management, especially for data-sensitive organizations.
The data storage landscape is being redefined by these key trends, among others, from embracing cloud and AI technologies to prioritizing cybersecurity and sustainability, these developments are not just reshaping storage strategies but are also indicative of broader shifts in the digital ecosystem. Businesses that adapt to these trends will find themselves better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital future.
The last four years have seen groundbreaking changes in data quality management. The adoption of no-code AI platforms has revolutionized data cleaning and matching processes, making it user-friendly and efficient. These tools aim to liberate data engineers from tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic roles. AI entity resolution, using machine learning and natural language processing, has emerged as a critical tool, speeding up data consolidation and improving accuracy. The move towards real-time data quality monitoring is also noteworthy. This emerging technology continuously scrutinizes data streams, flagging anomalies and inconsistencies instantly, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of data-driven insights. Further, he shift from merely securing data to making it widely available, while minimizing risks, has led to significant investments in data discovery tools and data catalogs. These tools provide visibility into data sources, ownership, structure, and quality, ensuring that data is visible, discoverable, reusable, and useful.7
M&A Activity in the TMT Industry
Technology
The AI Boom -- The release of Chat GPT in late 2022 set off a scramble for corporations to build generative Al capabilities. Software companies redoubled their Al efforts. Adobe, for example, has reportedly acquired Rephrase Technology, an Al video technology startup, to bolster its suite of Al-upgraded Creative Cloud products.
Al Chips -- The Al boom also extended to the semiconductor business, as companies ramped up the design and production of specialized Al products.
Application modernization and hybrid cloud -- Customers are focusing on application modernization and hybrid cloud computing, driven by technological advancements in containerization and Kubernetes (defined as open-source software for deploying and managing those containers at scale). Rocket Software, for instance, announced the acquisition of OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity Business for $2.275 billion.8 The deal will create a more diverse modernization portfolio that aligns with customer demands, hosted on-premises or through a hybrid cloud solution.
Cyber software and services -- Cybersecurity continues to be a top priority for both strategic and private-equity player. The biggest deal of the year in technology was Cisco’s $28 billion for Splunk, a maker network monitoring and security software. Other deals include Palo Alto Networks’ $625 million deal for Talon Cyber Security.9 The deal will enhance the Prisma SASE platform and enable secure access to business applications using Talon’s Enterprise Browser.
| 7 | Navigating 2024’s Data Landscape: Key Trends and Developments in Data Management (barc.com) |
| 8 | Rocket Software to Acquire OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity Business | Rocket Software |
| 9 | Cisco to buy cybersecurity firm Splunk for $28 billion | Reuters |
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Media and Growth of Ad Platforms
Digital advertising -- Consumer brands recognize the potential to monetize shopper data through targeted advertising and promotional services to brands. Omnicom’s acquisition of Flywheel Digital for $835 million was a prime example. The deal helps Omnicom enhance its foothold in both the digital commerce and retail media industries.10
OTT platforms -- Despite weaknesses in the streaming media business in 2023, deal making continued in over-the-top services with more platform consolidation. In November, Disney agreed to purchase NBC Universal’s one-third interest in Hulu for$8.6 billion, giving Disney 100 percent ownership of the streaming channel
Telecom-- Telecom deal volume dropped 16.7 percent from 2022 year while overall deal value grew by 40+ percent in large part due to the $23.6 billion KKR-led deal for Telecom Italia assets, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s $5.5 billion bid for Compass, and Bain Capital’s acquisition of the Chindata Group, a hyperscale data center company, for $3.2 billion was another notable transaction.11 Infrastructure spending to keep up with demand for bandwidth and cloud capacity drove deal activity throughout 2023:
Even more fiber -- Cloud, streaming, and the Internet of Things (IoT) continue to drive demand for bandwidth, which translates into demand for fiber and more fiber deals. Shenandoah Telecommunications, for example, agreed to acquire Horizon Telcom for $385 million for its Glo Fiber segment, with plans to connect 150,000 more homes by the end of 2026.
Even more data center demand -- In the U.S. market alone, we expect demand to reach 35 gigawatts by 2030, up from 17 gigawatts in 2022 and to double by 2030. This is driving partnerships and collaborations to deliver standardized, more easily manufactured data centers, as well as M&A. Lumentum Holdings, for example recently completed a $750 million acquisition of Cloud Light Technology, which could double Lumentum’s cloud data center revenue and position it as a leader in the photonics to cloud operators.12
The TMT Industry in China
Further, we believe that the Greater China region will have a strong growth trajectory particularly in the TMT industries due to recent trends including increasing digitization, the adoption and advancement of new technology, and changes in consumer habits, and that this will result in opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns from our initial business combination. According to a February 13, 2024 report by Statista, in December 2023, China had generated a cumulative revenue of about 139 billion yuan from its telecommunications industry. In 2023, the TMT sector in China underwent significant regulatory developments. The emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”) have been revolutionizing operations and service delivery while offering new avenues for growth and value creation as the relevant laws and regulations concerning AI governance in China have made major breakthroughs in 2023.13 The Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) has successively formulated and issued regulatory rules for deep synthesis and GenAI in 2023. Each of the regulations currently in force has a more targeted scope than other laws that govern companies and technology providers broadly.
| ● | GenAI -- The Generative AI Measures introduced by CAC and other governmental bodies, came into effect on August 15, 2023, that aim to foster the responsible and standardized growth of GenAI technology. The Generative AI Measures are part of China’s effort to ensure the healthy development and application of GenAI technologies, key requirements for GenAI service providers are laid down from several crucial aspects, including lawful data processing, clear labelling rules, responsibility as content producers, protection of minors, and user data protection, etc. |
| ● | Deep Synthesis -- On January 10, 2023, China implemented the Deep Synthesis Provisions, which addresses the latest developments in deep synthesis technology and outlines detailed obligations for service providers, technical supporters, and users. The main requirements provided by the Deep Synthesis Provisions include establishing comprehensive management systems, formulating transparent and public rules, setting up content review mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments. These provisions uphold responsible deep synthesis technology use, safeguarding information security and public welfare. |
| 10 | Omnicom Acquires Digital Commerce Powerhouse Flywheel - Omnicom Group |
| 11 | Q4’23 M&A trends in TMT - Will this year be different? (kpmg.com) |
| 12 | Id. |
| 13 | China TMT: Annual Review of 2023 and Outlook for 2024 - Lexology |
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It is noteworthy that the GenAI and deep synthesis technology share some degrees of conceptual overlap. However, judging from the definitions provided by the law, GenAI emphasizes the use of AI technology, while deep synthesis focuses on the generated virtual content. The reason for the promulgation of two provisions targeting similar technologies is that the CAC adopts a rapid legislation process targeting the most prominent and influential technologies under the idea of agile governance. Therefore, deepfake services using AI technology such as deep fake are likely to be subject to both provisions at the same time.
China’s Ministry of Science and Technology
Apart from the CAC, on April 4, 2023, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (“MOST”) issued the Technology Ethics Review Measures (Trial), which requires companies engaged in AI whose research involves sensitive fields to establish an ethics (review) committee and conduct an ethics review. Specifically, the establishment of an ethics (review) committee and the conduct of ethics review activities are also key compliance points for AI enterprises during the algorithm filing process.
China’s Deep Synthesis Algorithm Renaissance
Algorithm filing is a unique requirement in China, which requires certain service providers to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their algorithms and file them with the CAC for record. The goals of this mandate are to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote comprehensive governance, and pre-empt malicious algorithmic practices.
As of December 2023, the CAC has granted approval to two batches of GenAI and deep synthesis algorithms, totaling 151 algorithms. These approvals have been provided to prominent technology companies, most of which are influential digital leaders. These technologies cover a wide range of applications, including virtual 3D human synthesis, audio-visual and text generation, intelligent customer service, and dialogue systems. As GenAI begin to gain popularity in early 2023, we note the continued concern from Chinese regulators about these technologies. In 2024, more and more AI applications will appear on the market, and the compliance scenarios that may be involved will also be more complex.14
China’s Prelude to AI Law
On June 6, 2023, the State Council’s Legislative Work Plan for 2023 was published that include the Artificial Intelligence Law in the agenda. On August 15, some of China’s top universities organized a conference on AI governance with the government’s support, unveiling the Artificial Intelligence Law (Model Law). While this model law is not an official draft legislation, academic endeavours are often the prelude to formal legislation.
The National Information Security Standardisation Technical Committee of China (“TC260”) released, on May 5, 2023, a draft national standard on general security technical specifications for terminal computers and is requesting public comments on the same. In particular, the TC260 noted that the draft standard specifies the general security technical requirements for terminal computers, describes the testing and evaluation methods, and guides the design, development, testing, and evaluation of general security functions for the same. Since 2020, TC260 and the Chinese Educational Technology Standardisation Committee have successively released a number of recommended standards for AI and related technologies. In the past year, we have seen multiple drafts of AI-related standards and plans for the development of new group standards, and this trend will continue in 2024.
Our Objective
Our management team believes that the TMT landscape has undergone significant transformation, with deal drivers pointing towards trends such as the AI boom, hybrid cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Organizations continue to embrace disruption and reshape their businesses with technology and changing consumer trends. Thanks to a more favorable economic climate and increased incentives for both acquirers and sellers, there are reasons to be optimistic.
| 14 | Id. |
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We will seek to capitalize on the strength of our management team. Our team consists of experienced financial services, accounting and transactional professionals and senior operating executives of companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. Collectively, our officers and directors have decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions and operating companies. We believe we will benefit from their accomplishments, and specifically, their current activities, in identifying attractive acquisition opportunities. However, there is no assurance that we will complete a business combination. Our officers and directors have no prior experience consummating a business combination for a “blank check” company. We believe that we will add value to these businesses primarily by providing them with access to the U.S. capital markets.
There is no restriction in the geographic location of targets we can pursue, although we intend to initially prioritize Asia. We may consummate a business combination with an entity located in China (including Hong Kong and Macau). However, we will not consummate our initial business combination with an entity or business with China operations consolidated through a VIE structure. In particular, we intend to focus our search for an initial business combination on private companies in Asia that have compelling economics and clear paths to positive operating cash flow, significant assets, and successful management teams that are seeking access to the U.S. public capital markets.
As an emerging market, Asia has experienced remarkable growth. The Asian economy experienced sustained expansion in recent years. We believe that Asia is entering a new era of economic growth, which we expect will result in attractive initial business combination opportunities for us. We believe the growth will primarily be driven by private sector expansion, technological innovation, increasing consumption by the middle class, structural economic and policy reforms and demographic changes.
Our management team, as well as industry experts, believe that technological innovation has endless possibilities with a pressing need to innovate, which is the lifeblood of TMT companies and the catalyst behind products and services that are driving dramatic, far-reaching and lasting changes for consumers. According to the Global Technology Survey, which includes a sample of TMT executives from mostly large publicly traded companies, TMT companies are spreading innovation activity around three areas:
| ● | Optimization of current systems, products, processes and more |
| ● | Building resilience against disruption |
| ● | Growth (e.g., new markets, revenue) |
Our management team believes this area of focus represents a growing, favorable and highly fragmented market opportunity to consummate a business combination. We have not identified any particular geographical area or country in which we may seek a business combination. However, our sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in China. We may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of China. Any target for a business combination may conduct operations through subsidiaries in China. The legal and regulatory risks associated with doing business in China discussed in this prospectus may make us a less attractive partner in an initial business combination than other special purpose acquisition companies that do not have any ties to China. As such, our ties to China may make it harder for us to complete an initial business combination with a target company without any such ties.
Since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to and are located in China, and our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business and/or the value of the securities we are offering. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely stop our ability to search for a target company.
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We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to our significant ties to China including having our headquarters based in China. We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China. The PRC government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Moreover, PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain.
Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, and our headquarters is based in the PRC, and due to the various legal uncertainties arising in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering. As a result of these risks, a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares may occur. Further, these risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities that we are registering for sale. In addition, these legal and operational risks could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Further, these legal and operational risks cause result in a material adverse change in our operations which could cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless.
Further, our initial shareholders, including our Sponsor, will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares following this offering. As a result, we may be considered a “foreign person” under rules promulgated by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) and may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company since such initial business combination may be subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as CFIUS), or ultimately prohibited. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited. In addition, we will not conduct a business combination with any target company that conducts operations through variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which are a series of contractual arrangements used to provide the economic benefits of foreign investment in Chinese-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. As a result, this may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to such restrictions, which could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC relative to such other companies.
The members of our Board of Directors and management team are located in China, they are citizens of China and/or their assets are located in China, and following completion of a business combination, we may conduct most of our operations in China and most of our assets may be located in China. Xiaodong Wang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Caihong Chen, our Chief Financial Officer and Director reside in mainland China as do our three independent directors, Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons residing in mainland China. Even with service of process, there is uncertainty as to whether courts in China would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States or (ii) entertain original actions brought in China against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
The Sponsor’s assets are located in China and, as a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon the Sponsor or those persons owning the Sponsor residing in mainland China. Our significant ties to China would make us a less attractive partner to a China-based and to a non-China-based target company and such perception may potentially limit or negatively impact our search for an initial business combination; or may therefore make it more likely for us to consummate a business combination with any company including a company being based in or having the majority of the Company’s operations in China (a “PRC Target Company”). Because we have significant ties to China, it is uncertain whether that would make us a less attractive partner to a non-China-based target company and such perception may potentially limit or negatively impact our search for an initial business combination; or may therefore make it more likely for us to consummate a business combination with a PRC Target Company.
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PRC laws and regulations are sometimes vague and uncertain. If we complete a business combination with a PRC Target Company governed by PRC laws and regulations, such vagueness and uncertainty would result in significant depreciation of the value of our securities, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Further, the Chinese government may intervene or influence the operations of a PRC Target Company or post-combination entity at any time and may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in a PRC Target Company or post-combination entity, which could result in a material change in the operations of the PRC Target Company or post-combination entity, and/or the value of our securities. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
In addition, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based companies could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant adverse impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely undermine our ability to search for a target company. The Chinese government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect our operations following our initial public offering, before we undertake an initial business combination, if any, and the operations of any post-business combination company, which we may acquire in our initial business combination. Furthermore, the Chinese government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, undertake an initial business combination, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. These risks could result in a material change in our operations, our search for a target company and/or the value of the securities that we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
If we were to complete a business combination with a Chinese entity, we could be subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with or having the majority of post-business combination operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and as a result these risks may result in material changes in the operations of any post-business combination subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer, or continue to offer, our securities to investors, including investors in the United States. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
Since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on a China-based target company’s daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. Additionally, if we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations which may have a material adverse impact on the value of our securities. If we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including this offering, may be transferred by us to any future PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. All these risks could result in a material change in our or the target company’s post-combination operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
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Furthermore, the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. For example, if we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, the combined company may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of the proposed business combination between us and the target, offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, cybersecurity and data privacy. The PRC government may also intervene with or influence the combined company’s operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals.
Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. If we were to acquire a PRC company, the PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC subsidiary by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may restrict our ability to make loans to or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. These restrictions will restrict our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses, including subsidiaries, to the parent company and U.S. investors. In addition, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us and may reduce the value of, and amount in U.S. Dollar of dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms. For a more detailed description of how cash will be transferred through the post-combination organization if we acquire a PRC Target Company, see “Risk Factors — The cash-flow structure of a post-acquisition company based in China or Hong Kong poses additional risks including, but not limited to, restrictions on foreign exchange and restrictions on our ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, and to U.S. investors”. For more detailed description on any restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash to our U.S. investors that may apply after a business combination with PRC Target Company, see “Risk Factors — Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination”.
The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding any industry that could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC, result in material changes in the combined company’s post-combination operations and cause the value of the combined company’s securities to significantly decline, or in extreme cases, become worthless or completely hinder the combined company’s ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. See “Risk Factors” beginning at page 50 and specifically at page 47 under the sub-heading “Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC.”
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On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede the prior rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership; (4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’ filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing fraud and misrepresentation.
We believe we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities, including the CSRC or the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”), or any other government entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change or we could be mistaken about these rules applicability, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with this offering, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. If the CSRC or the CAC, or any other governmental or regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, a business combination, the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC, CAC and/or other PRC regulatory agencies. It is uncertain whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect our ability to complete a business combination in which case we may have to liquidate which would be adverse to the interests of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after this offering. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China.
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As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with this offering, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. We may also be subject to registration with the CSRC following this Offering pursuant to the Trial Measures. It is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect the interest of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after this offering. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a China-based company, the combined company may make capital contributions or extend loans to any future PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations. From our inception to the date of this prospectus, no dividends or distributions have been made. After the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by any future PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of Chinese currency (RMB) into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC and vice versa. Therefore, the post-combination entity may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from its profits, if any; or limit its ability to make loans to or inject capital into its WFOE if it wishes to transfer cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities to the WFOE and then the VIE, if any.
In summary, there are numerous risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China including:
| ● | The approval of the CSRC, CAC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our offshore offerings, in connection with this registration statement, under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval; | |
| ● | Adverse changes in political and economic policies or political or social conditions of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position; | |
| ● | Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit legal protections available to you and us; | |
| ● | PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business; and | |
| ● | It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China |
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| ● | PRC companies in certain business sectors are required to undergo national security review or obtain clearance from relevant authorities, if necessary, before making any filings with the CSRC. | |
| ● | PRC companies must comply with national secrecy and data security laws with respect to any data disclosure. | |
| ● | CSRC has the authority to and may block offshore listings that: (1) are explicitly prohibited by laws; (2) may endanger national security; (3) involve criminal offenses such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property by the issuer, its controlling persons (with a three-year lookback); (4) involve the issuer under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations; or (5) involve material ownership disputes. |
For a detailed description of risks associated with our significant ties to China and the resulting potential risks associated thereto, whether or not we acquire a target business in China, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” commencing on page 47.
Our Management Team
Our management team is led by Xiaodong Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Caihong Chen, Chief Financial Officer and Director.
Xiaodong Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Wang resides in Beijing, China, and brings more than 25 years of experience to the Company. Mr. Wang has extensive experience in asset management, with aggregate assets under management of more than USD 2 billion throughout his career. In addition, Mr. Wang has accumulated extensive experience in investing in companies, which later became public, including investments in Anhui Tongyuan Environment Co., Ltd (SHA:688679), Greentech Environmental Co., Ltd (SHA: 688466), and Mobvista (01860.HK). Mr. Wang is currently serving as the General Manager at Beijing Shangshanyihe Investment Management Co., Ltd., a role Mr. Wang has held since October 2015. Mr. Wang also served as Senior Partner and General Manager at E20 Environmental Co., Ltd., a NEEQ (National Equities Exchange and Quotations) listed company from 2011 to 2015. Mr. Wang served as a Department General Manager at Hong Kong Energy (Holdings) Limited from 2009 to 2011, and as Head of Investment Department at Tsinghua Holdings Limited from 2008 to 2009. Prior to 2008, Mr. Wang served as Vice President, Head of Operations Department and Investment Department at Beijing Capital Technology Investment Co., Ltd. from 2000 to 2008.
Mr. Wang holds both a Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering and Master degree in Chemical Reaction Engineering from the Tsinghua University, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Guanghua School of Management of the Peking University.
Caihong Chen, Chief Financial Officer and Director. Ms. Chen, an investment and banking professional who brings nearly 25 years of financial experience to the Company resides in China. Currently, Ms. Chen is serving as the General Manager at Increase Family Office, a role Ms. Chen has held since August of 2016. Ms. Chen served as a Vice President of Operations in the Marketing Department of CITIC Trust Co., Ltd. from 2012 to 2016. Prior to her tenure at CITIC, she served in the capacity of Sub-Branch Manager at two mainland China branches of the China Construction Bank from 2000 to 2012, where she accumulated extensive banking and finance experience.
Ms. Chen has invested in various companies in the U.S. and Hong Kong, which later became public, most notably, including investment in Uber (NYSE: UBER), Meten EdtechX Education (NASDAQ: METX) and Razer (01337.HK). Ms. Chen holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Chinese Linguistics & Literature from Guangzhou Normal University and holds qualifications as an Associate Financial Planner (AFP), and various professional certifications including the Securities Qualification Certificate, Foreign Currency Qualification Certificate and Accounting Certificate.
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Our Independent Directors
We believe that our independent directors will provide public company governance, executive leadership, operational oversight, private equity investment management and capital markets experience. Our directors have experience with acquisitions, divestitures and corporate strategy and implementation, which we believe will significantly benefit us as we evaluate potential acquisition or merger candidates as well as following the completion of our initial business combination.
Mr. Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Independent Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Compensation Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Wu, who resides in China, will serve as an independent director bringing nearly 10 years of TMT experience and extensive finance and compliance expertise to the Company. In January 2020, Mr. Wu co-founded Yishang Co. Ltd., a start-up company focusing on TMT sector equity investments and has served as Yishang’s General Manager since its inception. Prior to co-founding Yishang, Mr. Wu served as a Senior Vice President of the TMT Sector at Citibank (China) Limited from December 2013 to December 2019. During his tenure at Citibank, he managed a vertical team of eight members and successfully led various types of financing, global cash management and FX management projects for a number of PRC listed companies, including Fujian Furi Electronics Co., Ltd.’s (SHA:600203) acquisition of Shenzhen Chino-E Communication Co., Ltd., a national-level high-tech enterprise; Zhejiang Crystal-Optech Co., Ltd., a domestic advanced and world-renowned enterprise in R&D and manufacturing of optics and optoelectronics; Kay Zhong Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (002823.SZ), a high-tech enterprise focusing on micro motor commutators; Shenzhen Sosen Electronics Co., Ltd. (301002.SZ), a high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales and service of LED Driver; and Shenzhen ChuangYiTong Technology Co., Ltd. (300991.SZ), a leading company in manufacturing connectors. Mr. Wu also has three years of experience in relationship management, serving as Manager of Relationship Management at the Royal Bank of Scotland (China) Limited from 2010 to 2013.
Mr. Wu holds a Bachelor degree in Logistics Management from Beijing Normal University (2009), and an Economics Master of Science in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University, U.K. (2012).
Mr. Shuding Zeng, Independent Director, Chair of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Audit Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Zeng, who resides in China, will serve as an independent director bringing more than 20 years of experience to the Company. In November 2016, Mr. Zeng founded Shenzhen Langtuosha Network Technology Co., Ltd. with a comprehensive team covering shape design, hardware development, software design, independent product brand operation, online self-management, cross-border wholesale and retail, etc., to achieve full link coverage from research and development to independent channel sales, where he presently serves as President.
From October 2009 to November 2016, he founded a TFT LCD display and human-computer interaction capacitive touch screen integration factory, led the team to achieve innovation and breakthrough in technology and management, made remarkable progress in LCD display and touch screen technology, and successfully promoted the cooperation projects with many well-known companies at home and abroad. From March 2005 to October 2009, he served as the Technical Director of BYD (002594.SZ), during which he led the team to establish the core cooperative relationship with Gionee, CECT, Wentai, Longqi and other mobile phone solutions and terminal brands, successfully helping to promote the company’s market share and technical influence in the field of mobile communication.
With his accumulation in the field of display technology (such as LCD and CMOS projection, computer graphics, image processing technology, visualization processing technology, deep learning and computer vision, etc.), Mr. Zeng has a deep grasp of CELL display technology, and has exquisite precision semiconductor full process technology, proficient in front-end and back-end technology. He has conducted in-depth research on the performance optimization of semiconductor devices.
Mr. Zeng holds a Bachelor degree in Project Management from Hunan Institute of Technology.
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Mr. Lei Xiong, Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Xiong, who resides in China, will serve as our independent director. Mr. Xiong has more than ten years of Unity development experience (Unity is the world’s most widely used game engine for creating and deploying games, films, and immersive experiences across 20+ platforms on the Unity framework) and profound attainments in the field of computer vision. Mr. Xiong has issued and authorized six national invention patents and 18 software copyrights.
In July 2020, Mr. Xiong founded Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd., the visualization and security education software developed has become the industry leader and established a cooperative relationship with Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University and helped the hospital build a mixed reality rehabilitation experimental center, providing rehabilitation services for more than 10,000 patients every year. Mr. Xiong presently serves as Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd.’s President.
From June 2013 to July 2020, he worked as the Technical Director of Shenzhen Daxing Digital Electronics Co., LTD., and led the team to complete the research and development of the core algorithm of spatial gesture recognition and motion capture based on computer vision technology. He has realized breakthrough applications of deep learning and computer vision technology, graphics processing technology and visualization processing technology in many fields
Mr. Xiong holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Design from Jianghan University, and a Master degree in Business Administration from Wuhan University.
We believe our management team is well positioned to identify attractive risk-adjusted returns in the marketplace and that our professional contacts and transaction sources, ranging from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, family offices, commercial and investment bankers, lawyers and other financial sector service providers and participants, in addition to the geographical reach of our affiliates, will enable us to pursue a broad range of opportunities. Our management believes that its collective ability to identify and implement value creation initiatives has been an essential driver of past performance and will remain central to its differentiated acquisition strategy. Further, we believe our management team is well positioned to take advantage of the growing set of acquisition opportunities focused on the TMT sector that will allow us to generate an attractive transaction for our shareholders.
The past performance of the members of our management team, our sponsor’s financial advisor or their affiliates is not a guarantee that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team or any of its affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that any business combination undertaken by the Company will be required to be approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Each of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. For more information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and see “Risk Factors.”
Acquisition Strategy
In line with our strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important to assess future business objectives. We intend to use these standards and guidelines to assess acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to conduct our initial business merger with target businesses that does not meet these standards and guidelines. We believe that in the TMT industry, a considerable number of target companies can benefit from the large-scale operation of new capital and the integration of innovation and production, which we believe will bring considerable revenue and revenue growth.
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Our management team intends to focus on creating shareholder value by leveraging its experience in the management, operation and financing of businesses to improve the efficiency of operations while implementing strategies to scale revenue organically and/or through acquisitions. We have identified the following general criteria and guidelines, which we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. While we intend to use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating prospective businesses, we may deviate from these criteria and guidelines should we see justification to do so.
| ● | Strong management team that can create significant value for target business. We will seek to identify companies with strong and experienced management teams that will complement the operating and investment abilities of our management team. We believe we can provide a platform for the existing management team to leverage the experience of our management team. We also believe that the operating expertise of our management team is well suited to complement the target’s management team. | |
| ● | Revenue and Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of both existing and new product development, increased production capacity, expense reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions resulting in increased operating leverage. | |
● | Potential for Strong Free Cash Flow Generation. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong, stable and increasing free cash flow, particularly businesses with predictable revenue streams and definable low working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We may also seek to prudently leverage this cash flow in order to enhance shareholder value. | |
| ● | Core competencies. We believe that only companies with core and competitive capabilities can succeed. Core competitiveness includes shareholder structure, founders, core teams, research and development capabilities, professionalism, and business management models. For example, the founder and core team, the personnel matching team has more advantages, in addition, the quality, character, and business capabilities of enterprise leaders are the core influencing factors in the development of the enterprise. | |
| ● | Benefit from Being a Public Company. We intend to only acquire a business or businesses that will benefit from being publicly traded and which can effectively utilize access to broader sources of capital and a public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company. |
This criteria does not intend 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 sponsor and management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into an initial 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.
Our acquisition strategy is to identify an untapped opportunity within the TMT sector and offer a public-ready business, a facility through which to enter the public sphere, access capital markets, and advance its priorities. We intend to focus on companies that have a solid technological foundation and promising market opportunities, which have so far refrained from becoming public for a variety of reasons. We hope to serve as an attractive partner for those companies, enabling them to go public in an alternate, more easily accessible manner — a business combination transaction — and to thereby benefit from the capital-raising options available for a publicly traded company in the U.S.
Our sponsor’s participants and their affiliates have extensive experience and expertise in strategic investments in public and private companies where they have a strong investment conviction driven by clearly identifiable growth opportunities. We will apply a similar investment philosophy and approach to analyze prospective targets and identify an attractive business combination.
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Investment Strategy
The experience and networks of the members of our team represents one of the key elements in our investment strategy. We believe that we can provide target companies with significant added value, which may represent a decisive competitive advantage when compared to other SPACs. Our management team has experience as well as knowledge of technology industries having developed, built and been actively involved in companies building solutions in the TMT sector. We recognize that often company founders who conceive and develop outstanding technologies do not have the necessary market knowledge and business experience to build a strong team and successfully convert their technology into commercial products. We believe we can provide relevant experience to the founders of a target company in a business combination.
We are confident of our ability to bring significant added value to acquisition targets, including:
| ● | Access to our Networks. We have well established contacts at the senior level with executives in technology and other relevant sectors, which relationships could be relied upon to open doors and facilitate business development opportunities, receive feedback on the attractiveness and potential of the products and so on. | |
| ● | Management Mentoring. Relying on our management team and affiliates’ deep management and technology experience, we can advise and participate in management discussions, giving the benefit of our experience and technological knowledge. | |
| ● | Facilitate Capital Market Opportunities. Considering and implementing corporate finance activities, including identifying and executing merger opportunities between companies in the TMT sector with strong synergies where the pooling of resources could well bring about economies of scale and significant increases in enterprise value. |
We have identified the following general, non-exclusive criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective targets for our initial business combination. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet one or more of these criteria and guidelines. Essentially, we will seek good companies, with strong growth potential, having a management team that demonstrates openness to accept advice and to reassess objectives in light of changing market circumstances. We intend to focus on target businesses or assets with the following attributes:
| ● | Large Markets. We intend to target companies that operate or will operate in a large addressable market in the TMT industry sectors and related technologies. | |
| ● | Middle-Market Businesses. We believe that the middle-market segment provides the greatest number of opportunities for investment and is consistent with our sponsor’s participants’ investment history across the various technology segments. These segments are where our management team has the strongest capability to identify attractive opportunities. We will seek to acquire potential target businesses which can use the funding we bring to achieve value-creating milestones. | |
| ● | Established Platform at Inflection Point of Growth. Collectively, our management team and board has meaningful experience operating and investing in a broad range of technology businesses. We believe that our broad understanding of companies operating in the TMT ecosystem, uniquely positions us to identify companies at the center of TMT industry trends and identify opportunities where capital deployment can be most impactful. | |
| ● | Benefit from Being a Public Company. We will seek potential target businesses with technological or other competitive advantages in the markets in which they operate that can benefit from a broader access to capital, and the heightened public profile associated with being a publicly traded company. It is likely that companies will have been planning a public issue as their preferred medium-long term financing strategy. |
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| ● | Technology-Driven Business Model. We will seek to acquire potential target businesses with pioneering technologies in the TMT industry sectors, where we are able to utilize our industry knowledge and contacts to validate the value proposition and provide added value. | |
| ● | Competitive Edge. We aim to target companies that are set up for long term growth and as such, have a competitive edge. This may include first to market, network effects, lead in technology or access to the key customers. | |
| ● | Experienced Management Team. A target company’s management team and engineering/technical teams will be a key part of our evaluation. The right combination of management and technical expertise at a target company will be the key to long term success for these types of companies. Our management team and our board have significant experience in understanding such companies and evaluating a company’s management and technical expertise. The team must be suitable as a candidate for a public listing. | |
| ● | Significant Growth Prospects. We will look to select a target business expected to have significant embedded and/or underexploited growth opportunities; with near- and longer-term valuation inflection points that will allow them to reap the advantages and acceleration of having access to public capital markets. It will be important to see that the availability of investment will accelerate the growth path. |
We may use other criteria and guidelines as well. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based on these general criteria and guidelines as well as other considerations, factors, and criteria that our management may deem relevant. If we decide to enter an initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that fact in our shareholder communications related to the acquisition. As discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, this would be in the form of proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents that we would file with the SEC.
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a comprehensive due diligence review. That due diligence review may include, among other things, financial statement analysis, IPO readiness assessment, business practices integration analysis, document reviews, meetings with the target’s management and other employees, inspection of facilities, consultations with relevant industry experts, competitors, customers, and suppliers, as well as a review of additional information (operational, financial, legal and otherwise) that we will seek to obtain as part of our analysis of a target company.
Transfers of Cash to and from our Post Business Combination Subsidiaries
To date, we have not pursued an initial business combination and there have not been any capital contributions or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared or made any dividends or distributions. Although we do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction, our initial business combination target company may include a company based in the PRC. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in the PRC, the combined company, whose securities will be listed on a U.S. stock exchange, may make capital contributions or extend loans to its PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations.
After the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by its PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made.
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Current PRC regulations permit a potential PRC target company’s indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to an overseas subsidiary, for example, a subsidiary located in Hong Kong, only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of the target’s subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company. Furthermore, each such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of the Renminbi (“RMB”), the legal currency of the PRC, into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Our initial business combination target may be a PRC company with substantially all of its revenues in RMB. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of the PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands post business combination, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders. Furthermore, if our target’s subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments.
Cash dividends, if any, on our ordinary shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and, as a result, may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%. A PRC company is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year to fund certain statutory reserve funds (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital). As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company.
The PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account or capital account transactions. If the foreign exchange control regulations prevent the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy their foreign currency demands, the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company may not be able to pay dividends or repay loans in foreign currencies to their offshore intermediary holding companies and ultimately to the combined company. We cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the remittance of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from time to time, that the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends outside of the PRC. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” under the subheadings “Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China” and “Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in the PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination.”
Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we complete one or more initial 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 interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our 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 the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), or an independent valuation or appraisal firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria.
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While we consider it unlikely that our board will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of a target business or businesses, it may be unable to do so if the board is less familiar or experienced with the target company’s business, there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the Company’s assets or prospects, including if such company is at an early stage of development, operations or growth, or if the anticipated transaction involves a complex financial analysis or other specialized skills and the board determines that outside expertise would be helpful or necessary in conducting such analysis. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that the fair market value of the target business meets the 80% of net assets threshold, unless such opinion includes material information regarding the valuation of a target business or the consideration to be provided, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed to our shareholders. However, if required under applicable law, any proxy statement that we deliver to shareholders and file with the SEC in connection with a proposed transaction will include such opinion.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-business combination 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-business combination 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-business combination 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.
Even if the post-business combination 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-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 shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock 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-business combination company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which 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.
The net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units 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 or used for redemption of our public shares, we may use the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account following the closing 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, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. In addition, we may be required to obtain additional financing in connection with the closing of our initial business combination to be used following the closing for general corporate purposes as described above.
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Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will 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 as a class with our public shares (a) on any initial business combination or any other proposal presented to the shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination, or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), or (y) amend the foregoing provisions, unless (in connection with any such amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) we offer our public shareholders the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
We have 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 will be subject to the rules and regulations of the SEC 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 business combination.
Our Sponsor
Our Sponsor is HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., a British Virgin Islands business company with limited liability.
On February 27, 2024, we issued our Sponsor 1,437,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share. Our officers and directors have a significant economic interest in our Sponsor. As a result of the low acquisition cost of our founder shares, our Sponsor, its affiliates and our management team could make a substantial profit even if we select and consummate an initial business combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public shareholders. Thus, such parties may have more of an economic incentive for us to enter into an initial business combination with a riskier, weaker-performing or financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, than would be the case if such parties had paid the full offering price for their founder shares.
Each of our directors and officers 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. 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 opportunity to such entity. 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.
Notwithstanding our founder’s and management team’s past experiences, past performance is not a guarantee (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) that we will provide an attractive return to our shareholders from any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the members of our management team or our sponsor or their respective affiliates or any related investment’s performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward. Each of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination.
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Our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to our significant ties to China and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China. We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China. The PRC government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Moreover, PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain.
Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, and due to the various legal uncertainties arising in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering. As a result of these risks, a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares may occur. Further, these risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities that we are registering for sale. In addition, these legal and operational risks could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Further, these legal and operational risks cause result in a material adverse change in our operations which could cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless. For more information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and see “Risk Factors.”
Other Considerations
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. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise. None of our sponsors, officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our 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.
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at Xiandai Tongxin Building, 201 Xin Jinqiao Road, Rm 302, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China and our telephone number is +86 136 0300 0540.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on January 30, 2024, with limited liability. Cayman Islands 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 received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government on 2 April 2024 that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (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 dividend or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
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We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities 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 (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, 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 billion (as adjusted for inflation pursuant to SEC rules from time to time), or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. 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 any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250.0 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not exceed $100.0 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700.0 million as of the prior June 30. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
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THE OFFERING
In deciding 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 subject to Rule 419 under the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in blank check offerings subject to and made in compliance on Rule 419 under the Securities Act. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.”
| Securities offered | 5,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of: | |||
| ● | one ordinary share; and | |||
| ● | one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share of upon consummation of our initial business combination. | |||
| Proposed Nasdaq symbols | Units: “FVNNU”
Ordinary shares: “FVN”
Rights: “FVNNR” | |
| Trading commencement and separation of ordinary shares and rights: | The units are expected to begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We expect the ordinary shares and rights comprising 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 the underwriter permits earlier 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 ordinary shares and 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 ordinary shares and rights. | ||
| Additionally, the units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination. | ||
| Separate trading of the ordinary shares and rights is prohibited until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K: | In no event will the ordinary shares and rights be traded separately until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which closing is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. | |
| Units: | ||
| Number units outstanding before this offering: | 0 |
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| Number of placement units to be sold in a private placement simultaneously this offering: | 284,000(1) | |
| Number of units outstanding after this offering | 5,284,000(1) | |
| Ordinary shares: | ||
| Number issued and outstanding before this offering: | 1,437,500 founder shares(2) | |
| Number issued and outstanding after this offering: | 6,584,000 ordinary shares(1)(3) | |
| Rights included as part of units: | ||
| Number outstanding before this offering | 0 | |
| Number to be outstanding after this offering and sale of placement units | 5,284,000(4) |
| 1 | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the forfeiture by our sponsor of an aggregate of 187,500 founder shares. |
| 2 | Includes up to an aggregate of 187,500 shares that are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. |
| 3 | Comprised of 5,284,000 ordinary shares (including 284,000 placement shares), 1,250,000 founder shares and 50,000 representative shares. |
| 4 | Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised. Includes 5,000,000 public rights and 284,000 placement rights. |
| Terms of rights | Each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a public right will automatically receive one-tenth (1/10) of an 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 a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one-tenth (1/10) of a share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination, unless otherwise agreed in course of documenting the Company’s initial business combination.
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 the Companies Act. As a result, you must hold rights in multiples of ten (10) in order to receive shares for all of your 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 rights will not receive any of such funds for their rights and the rights will expire worthless. |
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| Founder shares | As of the date hereof, our sponsor holds 1,437,500 founder shares, 187,500 of which are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised. The number of founder shares issued and outstanding was determined based on the expectation that the founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares after this offering (excluding the placement units and underlying securities).
As such, our sponsor will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (including the placement shares to be issued to the sponsor and assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). None of our sponsor, officers or directors have expressed an intention to purchase any units in this offering. Up to an aggregate 187,500 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised so that our initial shareholders will maintain ownership of at least 20% of our ordinary shares after this offering. | |||
| We will effect a share capitalization or other appropriate mechanism prior to this offering should the size of the offering change, in order to maintain such percentage ownership. The founder shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, except that: | ||||
| ● | the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; | |||
| ● | the founder shares are entitled to registration rights; and | |||
| ● | 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 and public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) 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 if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), 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 (iv) vote any founder 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. | |||
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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 is a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. One or more Members who together hold not less than one-third of the ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individuals present in person or by proxy (or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy) shall be a quorum; provided that a quorum in connection with any meeting that is convened to vote on a business combination or any meeting convened with regards to an amendment to its articles and memorandum of association, shall be a majority of the ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individuals present in person or by proxy (or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy).
As a result of an agreement in which we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor, our sponsor, officers and directors are expected to vote their shares in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in the event that only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum is present at a shareholders’ meeting held to vote on our initial business combination, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and placement shares, and the 50,000 ordinary shares issued to underwriter, as the representative shares, we would need only 62,000, or 1.24% of the 5,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction (subject to the limitations described in this prospectus). | ||
| Transfer restrictions on founder shares: | Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) twelve (12) months after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, if the reported last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, 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 if we complete a transaction after our initial business combination which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property after our initial business combination (except as described herein under “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and placement units”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up. |
| Voting rights; Appointment of Directors: | Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association generally requires an ordinary resolution of our shareholders to approve any matters to be voted on by our shareholders. An ordinary resolution is a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. However, certain actions by the Company require a special resolution of our shareholders, such as amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or approving a statutory merger or business combination with another company. A special resolution is a resolution passed by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. |
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Because our Sponsor (holder of record of our founder shares and private placement shares), officers, directors, holders of representative shares and our public shareholders will hold the same class of ordinary shares of the Company, all of our shareholders will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, and each ordinary share entitles the holder to one vote.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law. In such case, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder 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. As a result, in the event that only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum is present at a shareholders’ meeting held to vote on our initial business combination, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, and the 50,000 ordinary shares issued to underwriter, as the representative shares, we would need 62,000, or 1.24%, of the 5,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that our directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. The directors shall also have power at any time to appoint any person who is willing to act as a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director. | ||
| Placement units: | Simultaneously with the consummation of this offering, our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 284,000 placement units (or 299,000 placement units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full).
These additional placement units will be purchased in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the purchase of units resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option. The placement units (and underlying placement shares) are identical to the units sold in this offering. Our initial shareholders have agreed (A) to vote their placement shares in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to convert any placement shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or sell any placement shares to us in a tender offer in connection with a proposed initial business combination and (C) that the placement shares shall not participate in any liquidating distribution from our trust account upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. In the event of a liquidation prior to our initial business combination, the placement units will likely be worthless. |
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Each placement unit is identical to the units offered by this prospectus except as described below. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to the founder shares or placement shares, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate a business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering). Our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares or placement shares (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto, to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the completion of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) or with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 18 months from the completion of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. However, our initial shareholders will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period. A portion of the purchase price of the placement units will be added to the proceeds from this offering to be held in the trust account such that, at the time of closing, $50,250,000 (or $57,787,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) will be held in the trust account. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), the proceeds from the sale of the placement units held in the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the placement units and placement shares will expire worthless. | ||
| Transfer restrictions on Placement Units: | The placement units and their component securities will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except as described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Placement Units”). | |
| Proceeds to be held in trust account: | Nasdaq rules provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement units be deposited in a trust account. Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units, $50,250,000 or $10.05 per unit ($57,787,500, or $10.05 per unit, if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be placed into a trust account in the United States at Wilmington Trust, National Association acting as trustee, and $895,000, excluding underwriting commissions, will be used to pay expenses in connection with the closing of this offering and for working capital following this offering. |
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These proceeds include $500,000 (or $575,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting commissions.
Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement units, will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of (a) the completion of our initial business combination, (b) 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 to (i) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (c) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), subject to applicable law. 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 shareholder. | ||
| Anticipated expenses and funding sources: | Unless and until we complete our initial business combination, no proceeds held in the trust account will be available for our use, except the withdrawal of interest to pay our taxes and/or to redeem our public shares in connection with an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as described above. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government securities with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, that invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. 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. Assuming an interest rate of 0.1%, we estimate the trust account will generate approximately $50,000 of interest annually; however, we can provide no assurances regarding this amount. Unless and until we complete our initial business combination, we may pay our expenses only from: |
| ● | the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units not held in the trust account, which will be approximately $240,000 in working capital after the payment of approximately $895,000 in expenses relating to this offering; and | |||
| ● | any loans or additional investments from our sponsor, or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors, although they are under no obligation to advance funds or invest in us, and 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 upon completion of our initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. | |||
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| Conditions to completing our initial business combination: | Nasdaq rules require that we consummate an initial business combination with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes, if permitted, and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting commissions). 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, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that ordinarily renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not 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 a target’s assets or prospects. | |
| 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. However, we may structure our initial business combination so 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. However, we will only complete an initial 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. | ||
| Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial business combination. 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 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% of net assets test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as our initial business combination for purposes of seeking shareholder approval or conducting a tender offer, as applicable. |
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| Permitted purchases of public shares by our affiliates: | 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 or 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. There is no limit on the number of shares our initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public 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. To the extent that any public shares are purchased, such public shares will be voted as required by Tender Offers and Schedules Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations Question 166.01 promulgated by the SEC. Further, 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. None of the funds held in the trust account will be used to purchase shares in such transactions prior to completion of our initial business combination. Subsequent to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt an insider trading policy which will require insiders to: (i) refrain from purchasing our securities during certain blackout periods when they are in possession of any material non-public information and (ii) clear all trades of company securities with a compliance officer prior to execution. We cannot currently determine whether our insiders will make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, as it will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the timing and size of such purchases. Depending on such circumstances, our insiders may either make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or determine that such a plan is not necessary. | |
| The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be 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. | ||
| Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or any of their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the shareholders with whom our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may pursue privately negotiated purchases by either the shareholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests tendered by shareholders following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling shareholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such shareholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination. Such persons would select the shareholders from whom to acquire shares based on the number of shares available, the negotiated price per share and such other factors as any such person may deem relevant at the time of purchase. The price per share paid in any such transaction 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. Our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates will only purchase shares if such purchases comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws. |
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| Any purchases by our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates who are affiliated purchasers under Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act will only be made to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18, which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-18 has certain technical requirements that must be complied with in order for the safe harbor to be available to the purchaser. Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates will not make purchases of shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. To the extent that any public shares are purchased, such public shares will be voted as required by Tender Offers and Schedules Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations Question 166.01 promulgated by the SEC. Further, 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. |
| Redemption rights for public shareholders upon completion of our initial business combination: | We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares 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 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein.
The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.05 per public share, however, there is no guarantee that investors will receive $10.05 per share upon redemption. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. 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 any founder shares and placement shares held by them and any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination or otherwise. | |
| Limitation on redemptions: | Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). However, a greater net tangible asset or cash requirement may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. Furthermore, although we will not redeem shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to fall below $5,000,001, we do not have a maximum redemption threshold based on the percentage of shares sold in this offering, as many blank check companies do. |
| In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all 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, and all ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. |
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| Manner of conducting redemptions: | We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) 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 requirements. Asset acquisitions and stock 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 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 such rules. | |
| If a shareholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association: |
| ● | conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and | |||
| ● | file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to 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. | |||
| 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 under the Exchange Act to purchase ordinary shares in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act. |
| In the event that 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 a specified number of public shares, which number will be based on the requirement that we may not redeem public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon completion of our initial business combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. 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. | ||
| Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that any business combination undertaken by the Company will be required to be approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. |
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If, however, shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will: |
| ● | conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and | |||
| ● | file proxy materials with the SEC. | |||
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. Our sponsor will count towards this quorum and has agreed to vote its founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering in favor of our initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding ordinary shares voted, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained.
One or more Members who together hold not less than one-third of the ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individuals present in person or by proxy (or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy) shall be a quorum; provided that a quorum in connection with any meeting that is convened to vote on a business combination or any meeting convened with regards to an amendment to its articles and memorandum of association, shall be a majority of the ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individuals present in person or by proxy (or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy). |
As a result, in the event that only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum is present at a shareholders’ meeting held to vote on our initial business combination, in addition to our initial shareholder’s founder shares and placement shares, and the 50,000 ordinary shares issued to underwriter, as the representative shares, we would need 62,000, or 1.24% of the 5,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction (subject to the limitation described in this prospectus). We intend to give approximately 10 days (but not less than seven (7) days nor more than 30 days) prior written notice of any such meeting, if required, at which a vote shall be taken to approve our initial business combination. The quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreement of our sponsor, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. | ||
| Each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction. |
| We may require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents or proxy materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. 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 business combination is not approved and we continue to search for a target company, we will promptly return any certificates delivered, or shares tendered electronically, by public shareholders who elected to redeem their shares. |
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| Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon completion of our initial business combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. | ||
| In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all 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 initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. |
| Limitation on redemption rights of shareholders holding 15% or more of the shares sold in this offering if we hold shareholder vote: | Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that any business combination undertaken by the Company will be required to be approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will 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 more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering, without our prior consent. We believe the restriction described above will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to redeem their shares as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights against a business combination if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. | |
| By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem to no more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to 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 all shares held by those shareholders that hold more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination. |
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| Redemption rights in connection with proposed amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association: | Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will 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 units into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein) may be amended if approved by a special resolution being a resolution passed by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our ordinary shares entitled to vote thereon. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to receive funds from the trust account or vote on any initial business combination or on matters related to our pre-initial business combination activity. Our initial shareholders, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Our sponsor, executive 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 to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) 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 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. 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 any founder shares, placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. | |
| Release of funds in trust account on closing of our initial business combination: | On the completion of our initial business combination, all amounts held in the trust account will be disbursed directly by the trustee to pay amounts due to any public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights as described above under “Redemption rights for public shareholders upon completion of our initial business combination,” to pay the underwriters their deferred underwriting commissions, to pay all or a portion of the consideration payable to the target or owners of the target of our initial business combination and to pay other expenses associated with our initial business combination. |
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| 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 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 businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other assets, companies or for working capital. | ||
| Redemption of public shares and distribution and liquidation if no initial business combination: | Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we will have only 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), to complete our initial business combination.
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within such time period, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our income taxes (less up to $50,000 of interest released to us to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. |
However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 18 months, our sponsor may, but is not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination up to six times by an additional one month each time (for a total of up to 24 months to complete a business combination, as set forth in this registration statement). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor must deposit into the trust account for each of the six one-month extension after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. |
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| 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 placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination. However, if our sponsor, officers or directors 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 allotted time period. | ||
| The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the trust account in the event we do not complete our initial business combination and subsequently liquidate, 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. | ||
| Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to letter agreements with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect 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 period to consummate the initial business combination, or with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described above under “Proposed Business — 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. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer, director, or any other person. | ||
| Limited payments to insiders: | The following payments will be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their respective affiliates, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account, prior to the completion of our initial business combination: |
| ● | Repayment of a loan of up to an aggregate of $500,000 if drawn from the sponsor to cover offering related and organizational expenses, unless sooner paid in accordance with the terms of the promissory note dated February 22, 2024; |
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| ● | Payment to HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., our sponsor, of $10,000 per month for 18 months which may be extended up to six months for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative; | |||
| ● | Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to our formation and initial public offering and to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and | |||
| ● | Repayment of any other loans from our sponsor, an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which have not been determined, except as described below, nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. | |||
| Additionally, in connection with the successful completion of our initial business combination, we may determine to provide a payment to our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors, or our or their respective affiliates; however, any such payment would not be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account and we currently do not have any arrangement or agreement with our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors, or our or their respective affiliates, to do so. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were or are to be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their respective affiliates. | ||
| Audit Committee: | We have established and will maintain an audit committee, which is composed of at least three independent directors under Nasdaq Rule 5605 who also satisfy the requirements of SEC Rule 10A-3 and who can read and understand fundamental financial statements including a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. If any noncompliance is identified, then the audit committee will be charged with the responsibility to immediately 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 of this prospectus entitled “Management — Committees of the Board of Directors — Audit Committee.” | |
| Conflicts of Interest: | Certain of our officers and directors presently have, 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 business combination opportunities to such entity. Accordingly, in the future, 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 under Cayman Islands law, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. We do not believe, however, that any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers arising in the future would materially undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination. |
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| In addition, our sponsor, officers, directors and advisors may participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company prior to completion of our initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers, directors and advisors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other blank check company with which they may become involved. However, we do not believe that any potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. | ||
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides 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.
Further, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one that we are permitted to complete on a reasonable basis. | ||
| Indemnity: | Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us, if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that their only assets are securities of our company. We believe the likelihood of our sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all vendors and prospective target businesses as well as other entities execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. | |
| We have not requested that our sponsor reserve funds for this indemnity and we have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations. None of our officers will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. |
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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. Because we have not had any significant operations to date, only balance sheet data is presented.
| February 29, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | As adjusted(1) | ||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||||
| Working capital (deficiency) | $ | (94,470 | ) | $ | (188,066 | ) | $ | 50,465,272 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 397,930 | $ | 395,272 | $ | 51,215,272 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 375,000 | $ | 375,000 | $ | 750,000 | ||||||
| Value of ordinary shares subject to possible conversion/tender | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 45,750,565 | ||||||
| Shareholder’s equity | $ | 22,930 | $ | 20,272 | $ | 4,714,707 | ||||||
The “as adjusted” information gives effect to the sale of the units in this offering, the sale of the private placement units, repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor and the payment of the estimated expenses of this offering and assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. The “as adjusted” total assets amount includes the $25,000 received from the sponsor for issuance of ordinary shares, $50,250,000 held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, which amount, less deferred underwriting commissions, will be available to us only upon the completion of our initial business combination within 18 months (or 24 months on an extended basis, as applicable) from the closing of this offering. The “as adjusted” working capital and “as adjusted” total assets include $750,000 being held in the trust account representing deferred underwriting commissions (assuming no exercise of underwriters’ over-allotment option). The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions. The “as adjusted” total liabilities include deferred underwriting commission of $750,000 (assuming no exercise of underwriters’ over-allotment option). The “as adjusted” value of ordinary shares subject to possible conversion/tender includes all ordinary shares included in the units sold in this offering (assuming no exercise of underwriters’ over-allotment option) net off the fair value of rights included in the units sold in this offering. The ordinary shares offered to the public contain redemption rights that make them redeemable by our public shareholders. Accordingly, they are classified within temporary equity in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 480-10-S99-3A and will be subsequently accredited at redemption value.
If no business combination is completed within the period to consummate the initial business combination, the proceeds then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes as well as expenses relating to the administration of the trust account (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay our expenses, taxes and potentially dissolution expenses), will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares. Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management team 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 any founder shares held by them if we do not complete our initial business combination within such 24-month time period.
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SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS
We are a newly incorporated company that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete our initial business combination, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In making your decision whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company. This offering is not subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.” You should carefully consider these, and the other risks set forth in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.” Such risks include, but are not limited to the following:
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, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination. See “Risk Factors,” page 50 for further information. | |
| ● | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and members of our management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote. See “Risk Factors,” page 50 for further information. | |
| ● | Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash. See “Risk Factors,” page 50 for further information. | |
| ● | 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. See “Risk Factors,” page 51 for further information. | |
| ● | The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination and could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful. See “Risk Factors,” page 51 for further information. | |
| ● | Our ability to consummate an initial business combination may be adversely affected by the Chinese government which may intervene or influence our operations at any time including before the consummation of our initial business combination through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China and due the fact that our headquarters is based in China. The Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our and directors’ and officers’ search for a target company in view of the fact that the Chinese government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, showing its significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, undertake an initial business combination, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. See “Risk Factors,” page 51 for further information. | |
| ● | The requirement that we complete an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination 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 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. See “Risk Factors,” page 52 for further information. | |
| ● | We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may receive only $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless. See “Risk Factors,” page 52 for further information. | |
| ● | 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 courts in the United States may be limited. |
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Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC
| ● | If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws. See “Risk Factors,” page 78 for further information. | |
| ● | We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies, which could negatively impact potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future. See “Risk Factors,” page 78 for further information. | |
| ● | We may undertake our initial business combination with an entity or business which is based in a foreign country, including China, and the laws and regulations of such foreign countries may not afford U.S. investors or regulatory agencies access to information normally available to them with respect to U.S. based entities. See “Risk Factors,” page 80 for further information. | |
| ● | Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCA Act”) if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor. In that case, Nasdaq would delist our securities. The delisting of our securities, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections may deprive our investors with the benefits of such inspections. See “Risk Factors,” page 81 for further information. | |
| ● | U.S. laws and regulations, including the HFCA Act, may restrict or eliminate our ability to complete a business combination with certain companies, particularly those acquisition candidates with substantial operations in China. See “Risk Factors,” page 82 for further information. | |
| ● | We may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company if such initial business combination is subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), or ultimately prohibited. See “Risk Factors,” page 83 for further information. | |
| ● | Recent regulatory actions by the government of the People’s Republic of China with respect to foreign capital efforts and activities, including Business Combinations with offshore shell companies such as SPACS, may adversely impact our ability to consummate a business combination with a China based entity or business, or materially impact the value of our securities following any such business combination. See “Risk Factors,” page 84 for further information. | |
| ● | The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. See “Risk Factors,” page 84 for further information. | |
| ● | Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations and changes in policies, rules, and regulations in China, which may be quick with little advance notice, could limit the legal protection available to you and us. See “Risk Factors,” page 85 for further information. | |
| ● | We will not conduct an initial business combination with any target company that conducts operations through VIEs, which may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC and make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC. See “Risk Factors,” page 85 for further information. | |
| ● | PRC M&A Rules governing mergers and acquisitions (“PRC M&A Rules”) and other PRC regulations may make it more difficult for us to complete an acquisition of a target business. See “Risk Factors,” page 86 for further information. | |
| ● | If the Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) or another PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, for a business combination, the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside of China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by applicable PRC regulatory agencies. See “Risk Factors,” page 95 for further information. |
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| ● | You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in China against us or our management and directors named in the prospectus based on foreign laws. It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China. See “Risk Factors,” page 89 for further information. | |
| ● | Any actions by the Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of any future PRC subsidiary or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of any future PRC subsidiary, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. See “Risk Factors,” page 89 for further information. | |
| ● | Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China. See “Risk Factors,” page 90 for further information. | |
| ● | Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in the PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. See “Risk Factors,” page 92 for further information. | |
| ● | Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering, which could cause a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares including rendering them worthless. See “Risk Factors,” page 91 for further information. | |
| ● | Since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company, which could adversely impact our initial business combination, future business and any future offering of securities. See “Risk Factors,” page 92 for further information. | |
| ● | Recent greater oversight by the PRC government and Cyberspace Administration of China over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, could adversely impact our initial business combination, future business and any future offering of securities. See “Risk Factors,” page 93 for further information. | |
| ● | In July 2021, the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document to promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight. If a PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. See “Risk Factors,” page 95 for further information. |
Risks Relating to the Post-Business Combination Company
| ● | Subsequent to the 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 our share price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment. See “Risk Factors,” page 96 for further information. | |
| ● | 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. See “Risk Factors,” page 96 for further information. | |
| ● | Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. Upon the loss of control of a target business, new management may not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business. See “Risk Factors,” page 97 for further information. |
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Risks Relating to Our Management Team
| ● | Our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). See “Risk Factors,” page 97 for further information. | |
| ● | Since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. See “Risk Factors,” page 98 for further information. | |
| ● | The members of our Board of Directors and management team are located in China, they are citizens of China and/or their assets are located in China, and following completion of a business combination, we may conduct most of our operations in China and most of our assets may be located in China. See “Risk Factors,” page 98 for further information. | |
| ● | We are dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their loss could adversely affect our ability to operate. See “Risk Factors,” page 98 for further information. | |
| ● | Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business. See “Risk Factors,” page 98 for further information. |
Risks Relating to Our Securities
| ● | 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. See “Risk Factors,” page 101 for further information. | |
| ● | Our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per founder share, and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of the ordinary shares. See “Risk Factors,” page 102 for further information. | |
| ● | Since our sponsor paid approximately $0.017 per share for the founder shares, our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we acquire a target business that subsequently declines in value. See “Risk Factors,” page 102 for further information. |
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. See “Risk Factors,” page 105 for further information. | |
| ● | Past performance by our sponsor and our management team including their affiliates and including the businesses referred to herein, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us or in the future performance of any business that we may acquire. See “Risk Factors,” page 106 for further information. |
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An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider all of the risks described below carefully, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our public shares. 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, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that any business combination undertaken by the Company will be required to be approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. We may choose not to hold a shareholder vote before we complete our initial business combination if the initial business combination would not require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. For instance, if we were seeking to acquire a target business where the consideration, we were paying in the transaction was all cash, we would not be required to seek shareholder approval to complete such a transaction. Except as required by law or stock exchange, 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. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders do not approve of the initial business combination we complete.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and members of our management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Pursuant to a letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, as well as any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions), in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in the event that only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum is present at a shareholders’ meeting held to vote on our initial business combination, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and placement shares, and the 50,000 ordinary shares issued to underwriter, as the representative shares, we would need 62,000, or 1.24% of the 5,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination approved in favor of our initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction (subject to the limitations described in this prospectus). Our initial shareholders will own shares representing 23.30% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and the over-allotment option is not exercised). Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
One or more Members who together hold not less than one-third of the ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individuals present in person or by proxy (or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy) shall be a quorum; provided that a quorum in connection with any meeting that is convened to vote on a business combination or any meeting convened with regards to an amendment to its articles and memorandum of association, shall be a majority of the ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individuals present in person or by proxy (or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy).
Your only opportunity to affect the 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 one or more target businesses. 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 initial business combination, unless we seek such shareholder vote. Accordingly, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
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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 prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the initial business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related 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 may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination and could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful.
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. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure. 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 per-share value of shares held by non-redeeming shareholders will reflect our obligation to pay the deferred underwriting commissions.
Our ability of to complete an initial business combination may be impeded or prevented entirely due the fact that our officers and directors are located in and have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, and as a result, the Chinese government may exercise potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our and directors’ and officers’ search for a target company and enact policies, regulations, rules, and laws that could materially and adversely affect our operations following our initial public offering, before we undertake an initial business combination. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China and/or Hong Kong. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time including before the consummation of our initial business combination through the directors and officers who have significant ties and are located in China and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China. The Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our and directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the Chinese government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant adverse impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely undermine our ability to search for a target company. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company. The Chinese government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or
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foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect our operations following our initial public offering, before we undertake an initial business combination, if any, and the operations of any post-business combination company, which we may acquire in our initial business combination. Furthermore, the Chinese government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, undertake an initial business combination, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. These risks could result in a material change in our operations, our search for a target company and/or the value of the securities that we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The requirement that we complete an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination 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 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 an initial business combination will be aware that we must complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering). Target businesses outside of the PRC will further be aware that given our substantial ties to the PRC, we may have difficulties attracting non-PRC target companies. Consequently, such target business may have leverage over us in negotiating an initial 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 prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may receive only $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we must complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering). We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, political considerations, 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 (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our public shareholders may receive only $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.05 per share on our redemption, and our rights will expire worthless. 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 $10.05 per share” and other risk factors below.
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If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from public holders, which may influence a vote on a proposed initial business combination and reduce the public “float” of our 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 sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or a combination thereof, 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 to do so and 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. Moreover, none of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase shares in such transactions. See “Proposed Business — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities” for a description of how our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or any of their affiliates will select which shareholders to purchase securities from in any private transaction.
Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares, is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be 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 securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. Further, 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.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our ordinary shares and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to obtain or maintain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange. However, in the event our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates were to purchase shares from public stockholders, such purchases would by structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
| ● | the Company’s registration statement/proxy statement filed for its business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares from public stockholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases; |
| ● | if the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates were to purchase shares from public stockholders, they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through the Company’s redemption process; | |
| ● | the Company’s registration statement/proxy statement filed for its business combination transaction would include a representation that any of the Company’s securities purchased by the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction; | |
| ● | the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect to the Company’s securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and | |
| ● | the Company would disclose in its Form 8-K, before to the Company’s security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material items: |
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| ○ | the amount of the Company’s securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates, along with the purchase price; |
| ○ | the purpose of the purchases by the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates; | |
| ○ | the impact, if any, of the purchases by the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates on the likelihood that the business combination transaction will be approved; | |
| ○ | the identities of Company security holders who sold to the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of Company security holders (e.g., 5% security holders) who sold to the Company’s sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates; and | |
| ○ | the number of Company securities for which the Company has received redemption requests pursuant to it. |
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 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 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 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 — Tendering Share Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights.”
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, 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 ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations 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 to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) 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 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions, as set forth in this prospectus) for any reason, and 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 24 months from the closing of this offering 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. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of right will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the rights. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss.
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You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units are intended to be used to complete an initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the U.S. securities laws. However, because we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,001 upon the successful completion of this offering and the sale of the placement units 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 initial business combination than 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 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 the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.05 per share on our redemption of our public shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
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, 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 placement units, 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, because we are obligated to pay cash for the ordinary shares that our public shareholders redeem in connection with our initial business combination, 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 an initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.05 per share on our redemption, and our rights will expire worthless. 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 $10.05 per share” and other risk factors below.
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If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 18 months, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public shareholders may only receive $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
We believe that, upon the closing of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 18 months; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate. 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 initial 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.
Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units, only approximately $945,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $895,000, 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 $895,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. None of our sponsor, or any affiliate of our sponsor or any of our officers and directors is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances except with respect to the promissory note for up to $500,000 executed on February 22, 2024, between the sponsor and us. 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. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units.
Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek advances or 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 are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.05 per share on our redemption, and our rights will expire worthless. 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 $10.05 per share” and other risk factors below.
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 $10.05 per unit.
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 (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), 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 perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue.
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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 have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, 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 ten years following redemption.
Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.05 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 (other than our independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.05 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per unit held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.05 per unit due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our taxes, if any, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account 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.
Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. 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 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 $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per unit 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) $10.05 per unit and (ii) the actual amount per unit held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.05 per unit due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our taxes, if any, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its 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 and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance. 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 $10.05 per unit.
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We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and executive 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 complete 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.
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 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.
Holders of rights will not have redemption rights.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we redeem the funds held in the trust account, the rights will expire and holders will not receive any of the amounts held in the trust account in exchange for such rights.
Our initial business combination or related reincorporation may result in taxes imposed on shareholders.
We may, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to requisite shareholder approval under the Companies Act, effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the partner company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. Such transactions may require a holder of our securities to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the holder of such securities is a tax resident (or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity), in which the target company is located, or in which we reincorporate. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to holders of our securities to pay such taxes. Holders of our securities may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.
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As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be 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 that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, 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 target 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.
The SEC issued final rules to regulate SPACs — including rules related to the extent to which SPACs could be become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act — that may increase our costs and the time needed to complete our initial business combination.
On January 24, 2024, the SEC adopted the SPAC Rules relating to, among other items, disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies, the condensed financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies, the use of projections by SPACs in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions, the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, including a rule that would provide SPACs a safe harbor from treatment as an investment company if they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPACs duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. The SPAC Rules may increase the costs and time needed to negotiate and complete an initial business combination and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete an initial business combination. Further, the need for compliance with the SPAC Rule may cause us to liquidate the funds in the Trust Account or liquidate our company at an earlier time than we might otherwise choose.
In part as a result of the SPAC Rules, there is currently uncertainty concerning the applicability of the Investment Company Act to SPACs. It is possible that following our initial public offering, a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company. This risk may be increased if we hold the funds in the trust account in short-term U.S. government treasury obligations or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, rather than instructing the trustee to liquidate the securities in the trust account and hold the funds in cash. We do not believe that our principal activities will subject us to regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. However, if we are deemed to be an 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. As a result, unless we are able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we would expect to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead liquidate. If we are required to liquidate, our shareholders would not be able to realize the benefits of owning shares in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our shares following such a transaction.
The excise tax included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may decrease the value of our securities following our initial business combination, hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination, and decrease the amount of funds available for distribution in connection with a liquidation.
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by a domestic corporation beginning in 2023, with certain exceptions (the “Excise Tax”). Because there is a possibility that we may acquire a U.S. domestic corporation or engage in a transaction in which a domestic corporation becomes our parent or our affiliate and our securities will trade on Nasdaq following the date of this prospectus, we may become a “covered corporation” within the meaning of the Inflation Reduction Act following the consummation of our initial business combination, and while not free from doubt, it is possible that the Excise Tax could apply to any redemptions of our ordinary shares after December 31, 2022, including redemptions in connection with an initial business combination and any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association to extend the time to consummate an initial business combination, unless an exemption is available.
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As an entity incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company, the 1% Excise Tax is not expected to apply to redemptions of our public Ordinary Shares (absent any regulations and other additional guidance that may be issued in the future with retroactive effect).
However, in connection with an initial business combination involving a company organized under the laws of the United States, it is possible that we domesticate and continue as a Delaware corporation prior to certain redemptions and, because our securities are trading on the Nasdaq, it is possible that we will be subject to the Excise Tax with respect to any subsequent redemptions that are treated as repurchases for this purpose. If we are subject to the Excise Tax, any shareholders that do not elect to redeem their shares in connection with the initial business combination may economically bear the impact of the Excise Tax.
In all cases, the extent of the Excise Tax that may be incurred will depend on a number of factors, including the fair market value of our public Ordinary Shares redeemed, the extent such redemptions could be treated as dividends and not repurchases, and the content of any regulations and other additional guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury that may be issued and applicable to the redemptions.
Issuances of shares by a repurchasing corporation in a year in which such corporation repurchases shares may reduce the amount of Excise Tax imposed with respect to such repurchase. The Excise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not the shareholders from whom the shares are repurchased. The imposition of the Excise Tax could, however, reduce the amount of cash available to the company (or the cash contribution to the target business in connection with our initial business combination).
Consequently, the value of your investment in our securities may decrease as a result of the Excise Tax. In addition, the Excise Tax may make a transaction with us less appealing to potential business combination targets, and thus, potentially hinder our ability to enter into and consummate an initial business combination. Further, the application of the Excise Tax in the event of a liquidation is uncertain, and the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to the Excise Tax, in which case the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
We face risks related to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and any other conflicts that may arise on a global or regional scale which may adversely affect the business and results of operations of the post-combination entity.
On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched an invasion of Ukraine that has had an immediate impact on the global economy resulting in higher energy prices and higher prices for certain raw materials and goods and services which in turn is contributing to higher inflation in the United States and other countries across the globe with significant disruption to financial markets and supply and distribution chains for certain raw materials and goods and services on an unprecedented scale. The impact of the sanctions has also included disruptions to financial markets, an inability to complete financial or banking transactions, restrictions on travel and an inability to service existing or new customers in a timely manner in the affected areas of Europe. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has continued to escalate without any resolution of the invasion foreseeable in the near future with the short and long-term impact on financial and business conditions in Europe remaining highly uncertain.
The U.S. and the European Union responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by imposing various economic sanctions on the Russian Federation to which the Russian Federation has responded in kind. The United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia and other countries across the globe have imposed their own sanctions on the Russian Federation. The United States, the European Union and such other countries acting together or separately could impose wider sanctions or take further actions against the Russian Federation if the conflict continues to escalate. Multinational corporations and other corporations and businesses with business and financial ties to the Russian Federation have either reduced or eliminated their ties to the Russian Federation in a manner that often exceeds what is required pursuant to sanctions by these countries.
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Further, the Russian Federation’s cyberattacks and other action may impact businesses across the United States, the European Union and other nations across the globe including those without any direct business ties to the Russian Federation.
It is uncertain if the post-combination entity’s business, operation, or financial conditions could be materially impacted in the event of a downturn in the worldwide economy resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other conflicts with a global impact.
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 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 may only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. 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.
Notwithstanding our investment of the proceeds held in our trust account in United States “government securities” following the closing of our initial public offering, we may still be considered to be operating as an unregistered investment company. If we are found to be operating as an unregistered investment company, we may be required to change or wind down our operations, or register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Our investors may face adverse consequences if we are required to wind down our operations as a result of our status as an unregistered investment company, such as the losses of the investment opportunity in a target company and any price appreciation in the combined company. If facts and circumstances change over time, we will update our disclosure to reflect how these changes impact the risks that we may be considered to be operating as an unregistered investment company under the new SPAC Rules.
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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 either: (a) the completion of our initial business combination; (b) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (i) 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 period to consummate the initial business combination or (ii) with respect to any other provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares; or (c) absent our completing an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, 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. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete a business combination. If we do not 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. As a result, our public shareholders will lose the investment opportunity in a target company and any price appreciation in the combined company. While we do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act, if any facts and circumstances change over time which would materially impact the risk that we may be considered to be operating as an unregistered investment company, we will update our disclosure to reflect such changes. However, if we are required to wind down our operations as a result of this status, such as the losses of the investment opportunity in a target company, any price appreciation in the combined company would be lost and our shares could become worthless.
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 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. 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, as amended. 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, as well as our ability to optimize the trust’s income potential in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.
It is possible that a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company. This risk may be increased if we continue to hold the funds in the trust account in short-term U.S. government treasury obligations or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, rather than instructing the trustee to liquidate the securities in the trust account and hold the funds in cash. However, if we are deemed to be an 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. As a result, unless we are able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we would expect to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead liquidate. If we are required to liquidate, our stockholders would not be able to realize the benefits of owning stock in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our stock and rights following such a transaction.
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The securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than approximately $10.05 per share.
The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we do not to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our public shareholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of franchise and income tax (less, in the case we are unable to complete our initial business combination, $50,000 of 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 approximately $10.05 per share.
If we have not completed an initial business combination within 18 months (subject to six one-month extensions, as set forth in this prospectus), our public shareholders may be forced to wait beyond such period to consummate the initial business combination before redemption from our trust account.
If we have not completed an initial business combination within 18 months (subject to six one-month extensions, as set forth in this prospectus), the proceeds then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of the 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 period to consummate the initial business combination 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 complete our initial business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their ordinary shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we do not 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 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 and imprisonment in the Cayman Islands.
We may not hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after the completion of our initial business combination.
In accordance with the 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 extraordinary general meetings to appoint directors. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management.
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The grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders 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 the 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 and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the resale of the founder shares. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares that is expected when the securities owned by our initial shareholders or holders of working capital loans or their respective permitted transferees are registered for resale.
Because we are neither limited to evaluating a target business in a particular industry sector nor have we selected any specific 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.
While we aim to target businesses focused on the TMT sector, which is an industry grouping that includes the majority of companies focused on new technologies, we may pursue business combination opportunities in any sector, except that we will not, under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. 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 public shares 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 our initial 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 initial business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
We may seek acquisition opportunities in industries or sectors which may or may not be outside of our management’s area of expertise.
We will consider a business combination outside of our management’s area of expertise if a business combination candidate is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition 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 public shares will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue an acquisition 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 adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following our initial 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.
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Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses and our strategy will be to identify, acquire and build a company in our target investment area, 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 applicable law or stock exchange requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.05 per share (whether or not the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) or potentially less than $10.05 per share on our redemption, and our rights will expire worthless. 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 $10.05 per share” and other risk factors herein.
We may seek business combination opportunities with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenue, cash flow or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues, cash flows or earnings or difficulty in retaining key personnel.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine. These risks include volatile revenues or earnings and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not 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 are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent accounting or investment banking firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view.
Unless we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity or our board cannot independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent accounting firm or independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or other firm that ordinarily renders valuation opinions that the price we are paying is fair to our company or fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”
As of June 30, 2024, we had $186,934 in cash and cash equivalents and a working capital deficiency of $188,066. Further, we expect to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our plans to raise capital and to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. Macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.
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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 receive only approximately $10.05 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our 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 are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.05 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.05 per 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 $10.05 per share” and other risk factors herein.
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, executive officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In light of the involvement of our sponsor, its members and our executive officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers, directors or existing holders. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities, including, without limitation, those described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Our sponsor and our directors and officers, or their respective affiliates may sponsor, form or participate in other blank check companies similar to ours during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. 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 the section of this prospectus entitled “Proposed Business — Evaluation 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 from an independent accounting firm, regarding the fairness to our company from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the initial 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 (except with respect to any public shares they may hold), a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On February 27, 2024, the Company issued to our sponsor 1,437,500 founder shares. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding shares after this offering (without giving effect to the private placement and assuming they do not purchase units in this offering). In addition, our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 284,000 of the placement units (or 299,000 of the units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,840,000 ($2,990,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). Each placement unit consists of one ordinary share and one right to purchase one-tenth (1/10th) of one ordinary share.
Holders of founder shares have agreed (A) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed initial business combination and (B) not to redeem any founder shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. In addition, we may obtain loans from our sponsor, affiliates of our sponsor or an officer or director. 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 24-month anniversary of the closing of this offering nears, which is the deadline for entering into an agreement to complete an initial business combination.
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Since our officers and directors will share in any appreciation of the founder shares purchased at approximately $0.017 per share, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Each of the officers and directors who will assist us in sourcing potential acquisition targets has an interest in the founder shares as of the date hereof. These officers and directors will share in any appreciation of the founder shares purchased and subsequently assigned to them by the Sponsor, provided that we successfully complete a business combination. We believe that this structure aligns the incentives of these officers and directors with the interests of our shareholders. However, investors should be aware that this structure also creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we complete a business combination with a target that ultimately declines in value and is not profitable for our public shareholders.
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. We and our officers have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, 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; | |
| ● | our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares; | |
| ● | using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, our ability to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions and fund 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 and execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
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We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units, 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. Of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement units, $50,250,000 (or $57,787,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be available to complete our initial business combination and pay related fees and expenses, after taking into account $500,000 (or $575,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) of deferred underwriting commissions being held in the trust account and the estimated offering expenses.
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.
In evaluating a prospective target business for our initial business combination, our management will rely on the availability of all of the funds from the sale of the placement units to be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the initial business combination. If the sale of some or all of the placement units fails to close, for any reason, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination.
Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of up to 284,000 placement units (or 299,000 placement units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,840,000 ($2,990,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of our initial business combination. Each placement unit consists of one ordinary share and one-tenth (1/10th) of one right. These securities will also be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination.
The funds from the sale of these placement units may be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in our initial business combination, expenses in connection with our initial business combination or for working capital in the post-transaction company. The obligations under the placement agreement do not depend on whether any public shareholders elect to redeem their shares and provide us with a minimum funding level for the initial business combination. If the sale of the placement units does not close for any reason, including by reason of the failure by the sponsor to fund the purchase price for its units, we may lack sufficient funds to consummate our initial business combination.
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We may be able to complete only one business combination with the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business, which may have a limited number of products or services and limited operating activities. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operating results and profitability.
Of the net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the placement units, $50,250,000 (or $57,787,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be available to complete our initial business combination and pay related fees and expenses (which includes up to $500,000 (or $575,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, for the payment 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 that 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 (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
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We may issue our shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions). The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares we issue may be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time.
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 acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By definition, 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 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 initial 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 initial 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.
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 specified maximum redemption threshold, except that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (such that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. 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 respective affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all 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 initial business combination or redeem any shares, all ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
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In order to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check 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 an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and modified governing instruments, including their rights agreements. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business combination, increased redemption thresholds, changed industry focus and extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and, with respect to their rights, amended their rights agreements to require the rights to be automatically converted at the closing of the business combination even if the issuer is not the survivor of the initial business combination. Amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will require the approval of a special resolution, being a resolution passed by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company and amending our rights agreement will require a vote of holders of at least a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the placement rights or any provision of our rights agreement with respect to the placement rights, a majority of the number of the then outstanding placement rights.
In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will require 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 to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. To the extent any such amendments would be deemed to fundamentally change the nature of any 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 a special resolution, being a resolution passed by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other blank check 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 will provide that any of its provisions related to pre-initial business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of units 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 including to permit us to withdraw funds from the trust account such that the per share amount investors will receive upon any redemption or liquidation is substantially reduced or eliminated) may be amended if approved by a special resolution, being a resolution passed by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our ordinary shares entitled to vote thereon. We may not issue additional securities that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
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Our initial shareholders, who will collectively beneficially own up to 20% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which govern our pre-initial business combination behavior more easily than some other blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete an initial 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 to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) 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 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, net of taxes), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. These agreements are contained in a letter agreement that we have entered into with our sponsor, officers and directors. 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 or 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.
Our letter agreement with our sponsor, directors and officers may be amended without shareholder approval.
Our letter agreement with our sponsor, directors and officers contains provisions relating to transfer restrictions of our founder shares and sponsor rights, indemnification of the trust account, waiver of redemption rights and participation in liquidation distributions from the trust account. This letter agreement may be amended without shareholder approval (although releasing the parties from the restriction not to transfer our founder shares for 180 days following the date of this prospectus will require the prior written consent of the underwriters). Moreover, certain other agreements relating to this offering may be amended without shareholder approval. While we do not expect our board to approve any amendment to these agreements 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 this 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 be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we do not 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.
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 placement units. 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
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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 receive only approximately $10.05 per share plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. 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 sponsor, officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination. Further, as described in the risk factor entitled “— 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 $10.05 per share,” under certain circumstances our public shareholders may receive less than $10.05 per share upon the liquidation of the trust account.
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 a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements 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) (the “PCAOB”). These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and 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 a business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 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, 2024. 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 acquisition.
Provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for ordinary shares and could entrench management. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions will include a staggered board of directors which may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under the Companies Act, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions 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.
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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 courts in the United States 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 duties 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 duties 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 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 our Cayman Islands legal counsel that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and (ii) entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
There is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a foreign judgment, without any re-examination or re-litigation of matters adjudicated upon, provided such judgment:
| (a) | is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; |
| (b) | imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; |
| (c) | is final; |
| (d) | is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; |
| (e) | was not obtained by fraud; and |
| (f) | is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. |
Subject to the above limitations, in appropriate circumstances, a Cayman Islands court may give effect in the Cayman Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
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Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business in Foreign Countries
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 and complying with different commercial and legal requirements of overseas markets; | |
| ● | 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; | |
| ● | export limits of raw materials and related in-country value-added processing requirements | |
| ● | unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; | |
| ● | 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, including devaluations and other exchange rate movements; | |
| ● | rates of inflation; | |
| ● | liquidity of domestic capital and lending markets and challenges in collecting accounts receivable; | |
| ● | compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”) and similar laws in other countries, which prohibit U.S. companies and their intermediaries from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials and require companies to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the Company and to maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls; | |
| ● | cultural and language differences; |
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| ● | 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; | |
| ● | terrorist attacks, natural disasters and wars; | |
| ● | deterioration of political relations with the United States; and | |
| ● | government appropriation of assets. |
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 combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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.
After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue may be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects may 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.
If we successfully consummate a business combination with a target business with primary operations in the PRC, we will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following the consummation of our initial business combination. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
After we consummate our initial business combination, we may rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Current regulations in China would permit our operating company in China to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations.
In addition, our operating company in China will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. In addition, if our operating company in China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
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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.
The cash-flow structure of a post-acquisition company based in China or Hong Kong poses additional risks including, but not limited to, restrictions on foreign exchange and restrictions on our ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, and to U.S. investors.
The PRC government also has significant authority to exert restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, and to U.S. investors that may apply if we acquire a company that is based in China or Hong Kong in an initial business combination. We will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments as current regulations in China would permit our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our PRC subsidiary will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. See “Risk Factors — If we successfully consummate a business combination with a target business with primary operations in the PRC, we will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following the consummation of our initial business combination.”
In addition, we may be subject to restrictions on currency exchange as the PRC government may limit or eliminate our ability to utilize cash generated in RMB to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our securities, and may limit our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing. Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. If we were to acquire a PRC company, the PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC subsidiary by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may restrict our ability to make loans to or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
These restrictions will restrict our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses to the parent company and U.S. investors (we will not employ a VIE structure). In addition, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us and may reduce the value of, and amount in U.S. Dollar of dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
The following illustrative table shows the post-business combination funds flow of our company to the extent that our company acquires a company based in PRC with contractual arrangements.
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If we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws.
On April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company,” also known as “Circular 78.” It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those which provide for the granting of share options.
For any plans which are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our company, after April 6, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time consuming.
Upon consummation of business combination with a target business with primary operations in PRC, we may adopt an equity incentive plan and make share option grants under the plan to our officers, directors and employees, whom may be PRC citizens and be required to register with SAFE. If any of our equity compensation plans are subject to Circular 78, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us and participants of our equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation to our PRC employees. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation would be hindered and our business may be adversely affected. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies, which could negatively impact potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.
On February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation (the “SAT”) issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Tax Resident Enterprises (“SAT Bulletin 7”). SAT Bulletin 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company.
In addition, SAT Bulletin 7 has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Bulletin 7 also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable assets, as such persons need to determine whether their transactions are subject to these rules and whether any withholding obligation applies.
On October 25, 2017, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source (“SAT Bulletin 37”), which came into effect on December 1, 2017. SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.
Where a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which is an “Indirect Transfer,” the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns the taxable assets, may report such Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax.
As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who pays for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes.
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We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as investments and acquisitions. Although we currently have no plans to pursue any acquisitions in China or elsewhere in the world, we may pursue acquisitions in China that could trigger these tax obligations. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37.
For transfer of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises, any PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing under SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and/or SAT Bulletin 37 or to request that the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets comply with these circulars, or establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
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 SEC, 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.
Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in China or the PRC
We do not currently operate in the PRC. However, our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC and Hong Kong. We may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to the PRC which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of the PRC in addition to any laws we will be subject to due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China. We may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of China (including Hong Kong and Macao). In addition, given the risks and uncertainties of doing business in China discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, the location and ties of our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management to China may make us a less attractive partner to a target company not based in China, which may thus increase the likelihood that we will consummate a business combination with a target company that is located in China or not consummate a business combination at all. Our ties to the PRC may make us less likely to consummate a business combination with any target company outside of the PRC which may result in non-PRC target businesses having increased leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination within a certain timeframe, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. As a result, we may be subject to risks related to the PRC, as discussed below. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
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We may undertake our initial business combination with an entity or business which is based in a foreign country, including China, and the laws and regulations of such foreign countries may not afford U.S. investors or regulatory agencies access to information normally available to them with respect to U.S. based entities.
In November 2020, the SEC Staff issued guidance regarding certain risks and considerations that should be considered by investors regarding foreign entities, specifically the limited ability of U.S. investors and regulatory agencies to rely upon or obtain information from foreign based entities, specifically China based entities, under the laws and regulations of such foreign countries. As stated by the SEC Staff, “[A]lthough China-based Issuers that access the U.S. public capital markets generally have the same disclosure obligations and legal responsibilities as other non-U.S. issuers, the Commission’s ability to promote and enforce high-quality disclosure standards for China-based Issuers may be materially limited. As a result, there is substantially greater risk that their disclosures may be incomplete or misleading. In addition, in the event of investor harm, investors generally will have substantially less access to recourse, in comparison to U.S. domestic companies and foreign issuers in other jurisdictions.” Among other potential issues and risks cited by the SEC Staff, the SEC Staff identified restrictions in China which restricted the PCAOB’s ability to inspect audit work and practices of PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in China and on the PCAOB’s ability to inspect audit work with respect to China-based issuer audits by PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in Hong Kong. However, we will not conduct an initial business combination with a target company that has an auditor that PCAOB is unable to inspect for two consecutive years at the time of our business combination, and will not engage an auditor following an initial business combination that PCAOB is unable to inspect for two consecutive years.
Further, current laws and regulations in China as well as other potential target countries, can limit or restrict investigations and similar activities by U.S. regulatory agencies such as the SEC to gather information regarding the securities and other activities of issuers based in the foreign countries where such laws or regulations exist. According to Article 177 of the newly amended PRC Securities Law which became effective in March 2020 (the “Article 177”), the securities regulatory authority of the PRC State Council may collaborate with securities regulatory authorities of other countries or regions in order to monitor and oversee cross border securities activities. Article 177 further provides that overseas securities regulatory authorities are not allowed to carry out investigation and evidence collection directly within the territory of the PRC, and that any Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to overseas agencies without prior consent of the securities regulatory authority of the PRC State Council and the competent departments of the PRC State Council. Although we have not identified a potential target business nor any particular country in which a business combination may occur, we intend to consider potential target business in foreign jurisdictions, including China based entities and businesses, and therefore investors should be aware of risks related to the ability to obtain information and conduct investigations and be afforded protections by U.S. based agencies such as the SEC related to any such business combination with a target business in a foreign country and consider such risks prior to investing in our securities. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
Our search for a TMT sector target company to complete our initial business combination may be adversely affected by the US-China trade war and export bans imposed by the United States.
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is expected to fuel an information battle in 2024 and beyond owing to factors such as geopolitics. For instance, trade tensions between the US and China are escalating. The next two years will see both countries use increasingly large AI models to tackle a broad range of use cases and attempt to gain a competitive edge. Throughout 2023, the U.S. export bans on advanced technology limited China’s access to the high-end chips, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), necessary for AI development. Global chip manufacturing is moving fast. As the computing power necessary to train the latest AI models increases rapidly, Chinese companies will be held back by less powerful GPUs. For years, Beijing has been mobilizing national resources to develop competitive AI firms while striving for chip self-sufficiency, with modest success. China is likely to excel in certain industry-specific AI and tech hardware applications. However, because of the U.S. export bans, China’s production of high-end chips for Chinese AI companies may ultimately be slower than U.S.-based AI companies like OpenAI, which have benefited from high-end chip availability. The impediments to sourcing a suitable China-based target could impede potential investment opportunities in a target company and the chance of realizing future gains on your investment through any price appreciation in the combined company.
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Trading in our securities may be prohibited under the HFCA Act if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor. In that case, Nasdaq would delist our securities. The delisting of our securities, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections may deprive our investors with the benefits of such inspections.
The HFCA Act, or the HFCA Act, was enacted on December 18, 2020. The HFCA Act states if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years, the SEC shall prohibit our shares or other securities from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the U.S.
Our current auditor, ZH CPA, LLC is an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, and is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. However, if it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely our auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction, Nasdaq would delist our securities, and the SEC shall prohibit them from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the U.S. For example, if we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC and if our new auditor is located in China, with operations in and which performs audit operations of registrants in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, the work of our new auditor as it relates to those operations may not be inspected by the PCAOB. Although we will not conduct an initial business combination with a target company that has an auditor that PCAOB is unable to inspect for two consecutive years at the time of our business combination, and will not engage an auditor following an initial business combination that PCAOB is unable to inspect for two consecutive years, which requirements will be included as a condition to closing our initial business combination, if applicable laws, regulations or interpretations change that prevent any such auditor from being inspected by the PCAOB in the future, we may suffer adverse consequences including the delisting of our securities. If our securities are delisted and prohibited from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the U.S. due to the PCAOB not being able to conduct inspections or full investigations of our auditor, it would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our securities when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with potential delisting and prohibition would have a negative impact on the price of our securities. Also, such delisting and prohibition could significantly affect the Company’s ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, or at all, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and prospects.
On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements under the HFCA Act. We will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies us as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which would amend the HFCA Act and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three consecutive years.
On November 5, 2021, the SEC approved the PCAOB’s Rule 6100, Board Determinations Under the HFCA Act. Rule 6100 provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCA Act, whether it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements of the HFCA Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report in which it determined that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in China, because of positions taken by Chinese authorities in those jurisdictions. The PCAOB made its determination pursuant to its Rule 6100, which provides the framework for how the PCAOB fulfils its responsibilities under the HFCA Act. In addition, the PCAOB’s report also identified the specific registered public accounting firms which are subject to the PCAOB’s determination that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in China. Our auditor, ZH CPA, LLC, is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and was not identified in the report as a firm subject to the PCAOB’s determination.
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In December 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize its rules under the HFCA Act that set forth submission and disclosure requirements for commission-identified issuers identified under the Act, specify the processes by which the SEC will identify and notify Commission-Identified Issuers, and implement trading prohibitions after three consecutive years of identification. On December 2022, Congress passed the omnibus spending bill and the President signed it into law. This spending bill included the enactment of provisions to accelerate the timeline for implementation of trading prohibitions from three years to two years. Separately, on December 15, 2022 the PCAOB published its determination that in 2022 the PCAOB was able to inspect and investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. This determination reset the now two-year clock for compliance with the trading prohibitions for identified issuers audited by these firms. The amendment had originally been passed by the U.S. Senate in June 2021, as the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.
The SEC may propose additional rules or guidance that could impact us if our auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspection. For example, on August 6, 2020, the President’s Working Group (“PWG”) on Financial Markets, or the PWG, issued the Report on Protecting United States Investors from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies to the then President of the United States. This report recommended the SEC implement five recommendations to address companies from jurisdictions that do not provide the PCAOB with sufficient access to fulfill its statutory mandate. Some of the concepts of these recommendations were implemented with the enactment of the HFCA Act. However, some of the recommendations were more stringent than the HFCA Act. For example, if a company was not subject to PCAOB inspection, the report recommended that the transition period before a company would be delisted would end on January 1, 2022.
The SEC has announced that the SEC staff is preparing a consolidated proposal for the rules regarding the implementation of the HFCA Act and to address the recommendations in the PWG report. It is unclear when the SEC will complete its rulemaking and when such rules will become effective and what, if any, of the PWG recommendations will be adopted. The SEC has also announced amendments to various annual report forms to accommodate the certification and disclosure requirements of the HFCA Act. There could be additional regulatory or legislative requirements or guidance that could impact us if our auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspection. The implications of these possible regulations in addition to the requirements of the HFCA Act are uncertain, and such uncertainty could cause the market price of our securities to be materially and adversely affected. If, for whatever reason, the PCAOB is unable to conduct inspections or full investigations of our auditor, the Company could be delisted or prohibited from being traded over the counter earlier than would be required by the HFCA Act. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange by then, such delisting and prohibition would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our securities when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with potential delisting and prohibition would have a negative impact on the price of our securities. Also, such delisting and prohibition could significantly affect the Company’s ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, or at all, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and prospects.
Inspections of audit firms that the PCAOB has conducted have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. If the PCAOB were unable to conduct inspections or full investigations of the Company’s auditor, investors in our securities would be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. In addition, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections or full investigations of auditors would may make it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in the audit procedures of our auditor and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.
U.S. laws and regulations, including the HFCA Act, may restrict or eliminate our ability to complete a business combination with certain companies, particularly those acquisition candidates with substantial operations in China.
The PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections on accounting firms in the PRC without the approval of the Chinese government authorities. Future developments in U.S. laws may restrict our ability or willingness to complete certain business combinations with companies that are affected. For instance, the enacted HFCA Act would restrict our ability to consummate a business combination with a target company unless that business met certain standards of the PCAOB and would require delisting of a company from U.S. national securities exchanges if the PCAOB is unable to inspect its public accounting firm for three consecutive years. The HFCA Act also requires public companies to disclose, among other things, whether they are owned or controlled by a foreign government, specifically, those based in China. While we will not conduct a business combination with a target company that has an auditor that PCAOB is unable to inspect for two consecutive years beginning at the time of our business combination, and will not engage an auditor following a business combination that PCAOB is unable to inspect for two consecutive years, we may not be able to consummate a business combination with a favored target company due to these laws.
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In the event that we complete a business combination with a company with substantial operations in China and any of the legislative actions or regulatory changes discussed above were to proceed in ways that are detrimental to China-based issuers, it could cause us to fail to be in compliance with U.S. securities laws and regulations, we could cease to be listed on a U.S. securities exchange, and U.S. trading of our shares could be prohibited. Any of these actions, or uncertainties in the market about the possibility of such actions, could adversely affect our prospects to successfully complete a business combination with a China-based company.
Other developments in U.S. laws and regulatory environment, including but not limited to executive orders such as Executive Order (E.O.) 13959, “Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments That Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies,” may further restrict our ability to complete a business combination with certain China-based businesses.
We may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company if such initial business combination is subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), or ultimately prohibited.
Mr. Wang, our Chief Executive Officer, is not a U.S. person, he resides in China, and immediately following the consummation of the offering, our Sponsor will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares following this offering. Controlling or non-controlling investments in U.S. businesses that produce, design, test, manufacture, fabricate or develop one or more critical technologies in one of 27 identified industries – including aviation, defense, semiconductors, telecommunications and biotechnology – are subject to a mandatory filing with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (“CFIUS”). In addition, CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States by foreign persons in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States. Because we may be considered a “foreign person” under such rules and regulations, any proposed business combination between us and a U.S. business engaged in a regulated industry or which may affect national security, we could be subject to such foreign ownership restrictions and/or CFIUS review. The scope of CFIUS was expanded by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”) to include certain non-passive, non-controlling investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and certain acquisitions of real estate even with no underlying U.S. business. FIRRMA, and subsequent implementing regulations that are now in force, also subject certain categories of investments to mandatory filings. If our potential initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within the scope of foreign ownership restrictions, we may be unable to consummate a business combination with such business. In addition, if our potential business combination falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, we may be required to make a mandatory filing or determine to submit a voluntary notice to CFIUS, or to proceed with the initial business combination without notifying CFIUS and risk CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the initial business combination. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our initial business combination, impose conditions to mitigate national security concerns with respect to such initial business combination or order us to divest all or a portion of a U.S. business of the combined company if we had proceeded without first obtaining CFIUS clearance. The foreign ownership limitations, and the potential impact of CFIUS, may limit the attractiveness of a transaction with us or prevent us from pursuing certain initial business combination opportunities 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 similar foreign ownership issues.
Moreover, 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 liquidate. If we liquidate, our rights will expire worthless. This will also cause you to lose any potential investment opportunity in a target company and the chance of realizing future gains on your investment through any price appreciation in the combined company.
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Recent regulatory actions by the government of the People’s Republic of China with respect to foreign capital efforts and activities, including Business Combinations with offshore shell companies such as SPACS, may adversely impact our ability to consummate a business combination with a China based entity or business, or materially impact the value of our securities following any such business combination.
Although we have not identified any potential business combination target or any country in which we may source any target business, we may eventually identify and submit for shareholder approval a business combination with a target business located or based in China. On July 30, 2021, the Chairman of the SEC issued a statement highlighting potential issues resulting from recent China regulatory changes and guidance that may impact investors’ investments in China based entities. According to the SEC’s Chairman, the PRC provided new guidance to and placed restrictions on China-based companies raising capital offshore, including through associated offshore shell companies. These developments include China government-led cybersecurity reviews of certain companies raising capital through offshore entities. This is relevant to U.S. investors. In a number of sectors in China, companies are not allowed to have foreign ownership and cannot directly list on exchanges outside of China. To raise money on such exchanges, many China-based operating companies are structured as Variable Interest Entities (VIEs). In such an arrangement, a China-based operating company typically establishes an offshore shell company in another jurisdiction to issue stock to public shareholders. For U.S. investors, this arrangement creates “exposure” to the China-based operating company, though only through a series of service contracts and other contracts. To be clear, though, neither the investors in the shell company’s stock, nor the offshore shell company itself, has stock ownership in the China-based operating company.
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced three existing laws on foreign investments in China, namely, the PRC Equity Joint Venture Law, the PRC Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic invested enterprises in China. The Foreign Investment Law establishes the basic framework for access to, and the promotion, protection and administration of foreign investments in view of investment protection and fair competition.
According to the China Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by one or more natural persons, business entities, or otherwise organizations of a foreign country (collectively referred to as “foreign investor”) within China, and the investment activities include the following situations: (i) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within China; (ii) a foreign investor acquires stock shares, equity shares, shares in assets, or other like rights and interests of an enterprise within China; (iii) a foreign investor, individually or collectively with other investors, invests in a new project within China; and (iv) investments in other means as provided by laws, administrative regulations, or the State Council. The “variable interest entity” structure, or VIE structure, has been adopted by many PRC-based companies to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. However, we will not conduct a business combination with any target company that conducts operations through VIEs.
The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership.
If we were to complete a business combination with a Chinese entity, we could be subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with or having the majority of post-business combination operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and as a result these risks may result in material changes in the operations of any post-business combination subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer, or continue to offer, our securities to investors, including investors in the United States. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These recently enacted measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented, could materially and adversely affect the operations of any post-business combination company which we may acquire as our initial business combination.
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If we were to undertake a business combination with a China based business, our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, cyber security, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. The central or local governments of jurisdictions such as China may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.
There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations. The laws and regulations are sometimes vague and new laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our business. In connection with any business combination with a China based entity, we will be required to provide additional risk disclosure related to any such possible transaction and would be expected to incur additional costs related to compliance with such laws and regulations, if such compliance can be obtained.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations and changes in policies, rules, and regulations in China, which may be quick with little advance notice, could limit the legal protection available to you and us.
The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which legal cases have limited value as precedents. In the late 1970s, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The legislation over the past three decades has significantly increased the protection afforded to various forms of foreign or private-sector investment in China. Any future PRC subsidiary would be subject to various PRC laws and regulations generally applicable to companies in China. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, however, the interpretations of many laws, regulations, and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations, and rules involve uncertainties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, however, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy in the PRC legal system than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies, internal rules, and regulations that may have retroactive effect and may change quickly with little advance notice. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainties over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property), and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations. In addition, the legal and regulatory risks associated with doing business in China may make us a less attractive partner in an initial business combination than other special purpose acquisition companies that do not have ties to China. As such, our ties to China — including through our sponsor, officers and directors – may make it harder for us to complete an initial business combination with a target company without any such ties.
We will not conduct an initial business combination with any target company that conducts operations through VIEs, which may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC and make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC.
Our sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC and we may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to the PRC. Where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in companies located in the PRC, such companies may conduct operations through VIEs as a means of providing the economic benefits of foreign investment in such companies without investing directly. However, we will not conduct an initial business combination with any target company that conducts operations through VIEs. As a result, this may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, due to the relevant PRC laws and regulations against foreign ownership of and investment in certain assets and industries, known as restricted industries, including but not limited to value-added telecommunications services such as internet content providers. Furthermore, this may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to such restrictions and may make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC relative to such other companies. As a result, we may not be able to consummate a business combination with a favored target company.
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M&A Rules and other PRC regulations may make it more difficult for us to complete an acquisition of a target business. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the “M&A Rules,” adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established a comprehensive set of regulations governing the approval process by which a Chinese company may participate in an acquisition of its assets or its equity interests and by which a Chinese company may obtain public trading of its securities on a securities exchange outside the PRC. The M&A Rules have largely centralized and expanded the approval process to the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) or its branch offices, the State Asset Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).
Depending on the structure of the transaction, these M&A Rules may require the Chinese parties to make a series of applications and supplemental applications to one or more of the aforementioned agencies, some of which must be made within strict time limits and depending on approvals from one or the other of the aforementioned agencies. The application process has been supplemented to require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the business to be acquired and evaluations of the acquirer which will permit the government to assess the economics of a transaction in addition to the compliance with legal requirements. If obtained, approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed. Also, completed transactions must be reported to the Ministry of Commerce and some of the other agencies within a short period after closing or be subject to an unwinding of the transaction. Therefore, acquisitions in China may not be able to be completed because the terms of the transaction may not satisfy aspects of the approval process and may not be completed, even if approved, if they are not consummated within the time permitted by the approvals granted.
Moreover, according to the Anti-Monopoly Law and other relevant PRC regulations, transactions which are deemed concentrations and involve parties with specified turnover thresholds must be cleared by the State Administration for Market Regulation before they can be completed. On July 1, 2015, the National Security Law of China took effect, which provides that China would establish rules and mechanisms to conduct national security review of foreign investments in China that may impact national security. The Foreign Investment Law of China, or the Foreign Investment Law, came into effect on January 1, 2020 and reiterates that China will establish a security review system for foreign investments. On December 19, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, and MOFCOM jointly issued the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investments, or the FISR Measures, which were made according to the National Security Law and the Foreign Investment Law and became effective on January 18, 2021. Under the FISR Measures, foreign investments in military-related industries and certain other industries that affect or may affect national security are subject to the security review conducted through the NDRC and MOFCOM. The FISR Measures further expand the scope of national security review on foreign investment compared to the existing rules, while leaving substantial room for interpretation and speculation.
The FISR Measures aim to safeguard Chinese national security by scrutinizing certain foreign investment transactions into China. Under the FISR Measures, parties to foreign investment transactions that fall within the scope of transactions subject to security review are required to proactively apply to the FISR Office for review before they carry out such transaction but advance approval to search for a target company is not required by an rules promulgated by NDRC, MOFCOM or under the FISR Measures. According to the FISR Measures, a foreign investment transaction is subject to security review if:
| ● | it is (i) in sectors related to national defense and security, such as arms and arms related industries; or (ii) in geographic locations in close proximity of military facilities or defense-related industries facilities; or |
| ● | it (i) involves critical sectors significant for national security, such as critical agricultural products, critical energy and resources, critical equipment manufacturing, critical infrastructure, critical transportation services, critical cultural products and services, critical information technology and Internet products and services, critical financial services and key technologies; and (ii) will result in foreign investors’ obtaining actual control of the invested enterprise. |
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Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law, the PRC State Council shall promulgate or approve a list of special administrative measures for foreign investments. The Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (Edition 2020) that was promulgated by the NDRC and MOFCOM and took effect in July 2020 is the currently effective negative list and may be amended from time to time. The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign investors shall not invest in the “prohibited” industries on the negative list, and shall meet such requirements as stipulated under the negative list for making investment in the “restricted” industries. Depending on the specific industry in which the target for our initial business combination operates our initial business combination may be subject to requirements of the negative list.
If we pursue an initial business combination with a target based in China, or if the combined company after our initial business combination pursues additional strategic acquisitions in China, complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from MOFCOM, any other relevant PRC governmental authorities or their respective local counterparts may hinder our ability to complete such transaction on a timely basis or at all. As a result, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe described in this prospectus, and the combined company’s ability to expand its business or maintain its market share by strategic acquisitions may be limited.
In addition, the Circular of the General Office of the State Council on the Establishment of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors that became effective in March 2011, and the Rules on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors issued by MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by MOFCOM. The rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the event we acquire a target in China, we may be subject to such regulatory reviews, which may impact our ability to complete a business combination within the prescribed time period.
The scope of the review we may be subject to includes, but is not limited to, whether the acquisition will impact national security or economic and social stability, and research and development capabilities on key national security related technologies. Foreign investors must submit a security review application to MOFCOM for its review of a contemplated acquisition. If the acquisition is considered within the scope of the security review regulations, MOFCOM will transfer the application to a joint security review committee consisting of members from various PRC government agencies, for further review. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete acquisitions could be time consuming. Any required approval processes may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, including but not limited to our ability to complete an initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe described in this prospectus. We may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers the potential investments a national security concern.
If the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission is required in connection with this offering, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.
The M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies requires an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by any such special purpose vehicle seeking CSRC’s approval of overseas listings. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules and the CSRC approval requirement to offshore special purpose vehicles.
In addition, the Opinions jointly issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council (the “Opinions”), which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021, call for strengthened regulation over illegal securities activities and supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies and propose to take effective measures, such as promoting the development of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. The Opinions also provide that the State Council will revise provisions regarding the overseas issuance and listing of shares by companies limited by shares and will clarify the duties of domestic regulatory authorities. As of the date of this prospectus, no official guidance and related implementation rules have been issued in relation to the recently issued Opinions and the interpretation and implementation of the Opinions remain unclear at this stage.
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On February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Measures, which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede the prior M&A Rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership; (4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’ filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing fraud and misrepresentation.
Based on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we believe that our company is not required to obtain any prior permission from any PRC governmental authorities (including the CSRC) for consummating this offering, given that our company is a blank check company newly incorporated in the Cayman Islands rather than in China and currently we do not own or control any equity interest in any PRC company or operate any business in China. Likewise, while our Sponsor is controlled by persons residing in the PRC, it is a Cayman Islands exempted company and has no operations in the PRC.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, there remains some uncertainty and no assurance as to how our interpretations to the M&A Rules, the Opinions and the Trial Measures will be interpreted or implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities, including the CSRC, or that the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities would not promulgate new rules or adopt new interpretation of existing rules that would require us to obtain CSRC or other PRC governmental approvals for this offering or, in the context of an overseas offering or if we decide to consummate the business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in China.
If the CSRC or another PRC governmental authority subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, or for our business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in China, or approval obtained for the business combination is subsequently rescinded, we may face adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities. For example, we may be required to register with the CSRC following the Offering as a result of the Trial Measures. These governmental authorities may delay this offering or a potential business combination, impose fines and penalties, limit our operations in China, or take other actions that could result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination with a China-based business, or materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities or the continued listing on a U.S. exchange. Any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after this offering. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching of a potential target company in China.
If we decide to consummate our business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in China, the combined company’s business operations in China through its subsidiaries, are subject to relevant requirements to obtain applicable licenses from PRC governmental authorities under relevant PRC laws and regulations.
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You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments, or bringing actions in China against us or our management and directors named in the prospectus based on foreign laws. It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China. Because of our significant ties to the PRC, these risks may adversely affect us even if we complete a business combination with a non-PRC Target Company.
Our officers and directors do and may continue to reside within China and Hong Kong, are and may continue to be physically there for a significant portion of each year, and are and may continue to be PRC nationals. In addition, following completion of a business combination, we may remain a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, conduct most of our operations in China and most of our assets may be located in China and some of the post-combined company’s officers and directors may reside in China. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons residing in China. Even with service of process, it may also be difficult to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against these officers and directors in China. The current members of our Board of Directors reside in mainland China (i.e., Xiaodong Wang and Caihong Chen), as do our independent directors, Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong.
In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws or those of any U.S. state. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the U.S. that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security, or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the U.S.
It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with its counterparts of another country or region to monitor and oversee cross-border securities activities, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the U.S. may not be efficient in the absence of a practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or “Article 177,” which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigations or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Article 177 further provides that Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to foreign agencies without prior consent from the securities regulatory authority of the PRC State Council and the competent departments of the PRC State Council. While detailed interpretation of or implementing rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.
Any actions by the Chinese government, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of any future PRC subsidiary or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of any future PRC subsidiary, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. The ability of our subsidiary to operate in China may be impaired by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, foreign investment limitations, and other matters. The central or local governments of China may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our PRC subsidiary compliance with such regulations or interpretations. As such, any future PRC subsidiary may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces in which they operate. They could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. They may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply.
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Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Our operations following a business combination with a PRC entity could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry, particularly in the event permission to list on U.S. exchanges may be later required, or withheld or rescinded once given.
Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of any future PRC subsidiary at any time or to exert control over an offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations of any future PRC subsidiary, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and/or may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China.
The PRC government also has significant authority to exert restrictions on foreign exchange and our ability to transfer cash between entities, across borders, and to U.S. investors that may apply if we acquire a company that is based in China in an initial business combination. If we consummate an initial business combination with a company based in China, we may rely on dividends and other distributions from our future operating company in China to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Such payments would be subject to restrictions on dividends as current regulations in China would permit our PRC operating company to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our operating company in China will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. Each such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation. In addition, if our operating company in China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.
In addition, we may be subject to restrictions on currency exchange as the PRC government may limit or eliminate our ability to utilize cash generated in Renminbi, or RMB to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our securities, and may limit our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing. Should we choose to acquire a company in China, exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. If we were to acquire a PRC company, the PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC subsidiary by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may restrict our ability to make loans to or capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
These restrictions will restrict our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses, including subsidiaries, to the parent company and U.S. investors as well as the ability to settle amounts owed under contractual agreements. In addition, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us and may reduce the value of, and amount in U.S. Dollars of dividends payable on, our shares in foreign currency terms.
To date, we have not pursued an initial business combination and there have not been any capital contributions or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared or made any dividends or distributions.
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If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, this offering and our reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our ordinary shares, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.
Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, have been subjected to intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on us if we target a PRC company with respect to the initial business combination. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend the company. This situation may be a major distraction to our management. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, we will be severely hampered including in our efforts to close a business combination and your investment in our securities could be rendered worthless.
Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering, which could cause a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares may occur including rendering them worthless.
Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering. These risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities that we are registering for sale. In addition, these legal and operational risks could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Further, these legal and operational risks cause result in a material adverse change in our operations which could also cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless.
We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China. The PRC government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Moreover, PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain.
Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, and due to the various legal uncertainties arising in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering. As a result of these risks, a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares may occur. Further, these risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities that we are registering for sale. In addition, these legal and operational risks could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Further, these legal and operational risks cause result in a material adverse change in our operations which could cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless.
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Given that a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may exercise oversight and discretion over their conduct including their search for a target company, the Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business and/or the value of the securities we are registering.
Since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors and officers including over our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business and/or the value of the securities we are offering. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate. The realization of any these risks could adversely impact our initial business combination, future business and any future offering of securities.
Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in the PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination. Even if we were to acquire a non-PRC company, in view of our substantial ties to China including our offices located in the PRC. The substantial ties coupled with the existing and any new PRC law or regulation on cash flows may affect our initial business combination and shareholder redemption adversely.
China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 59, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.
As such, Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the proceeds of this offering to a PRC target company and the use of such proceeds by the PRC target company.
In addition, following our initial business combination with a PRC target company, we will be subject to the PRC’s rules and regulations on currency conversion. In the PRC, the SAFE regulates the conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies. Currently, foreign invested enterprises (“FIE”) are required to apply to the SAFE for “Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs.” Following our initial business combination, we will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a “basic account” and “capital account.” Currency conversion within the scope of the “basic account,” such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. However, conversion of currency in the “capital account,” including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE. Even if we were to acquire a non-PRC company, in view of our substantial ties to China including our offices located in the PRC. The substantial ties coupled with the existing and any new PRC law or regulation on cash flows may affect our initial business combination and shareholder redemption adversely.
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We cannot assure you the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose further restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use the proceeds of this offering in an initial business combination with a PRC target company and the use our cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we may have outside of the PRC.
Recent greater oversight by the PRC government and Cyberspace Administration of China over cybersecurity and data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, could adversely impact our initial business combination, future business and any future offering of securities.
On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the Opinions on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities and made them available to the public. These Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies. These Opinions proposed to take measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies including greater cybersecurity and data privacy protection.
On July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China or CAC published the Circular on Seeking Comments on Cybersecurity Review Measures (Revised Draft for Comments) (the “Review Measures Draft”), which provides that, in addition to critical information infrastructure operators (“CIIOs”) that intend to purchase Internet products and services, data processing operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security must be subject to cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office of the PRC. According to the Review Measures Draft, a cybersecurity review assesses potential national security risks that may be brought about by any procurement, data processing, or overseas listing. The Review Measures Draft further requires that CIIOs and data processing operators that possess personal data of at least one million users must apply for a review by the Cybersecurity Review Office of the PRC before conducting listings in foreign countries. On December 28, 2021, CAC published the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (“CRM”), which further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review. The revised CRM became effective on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the revised CRM, if a network platform operator holding personal information of over one million users seeks for foreign listing, it must apply for the cybersecurity review, and operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services are also obligated to apply for the cybersecurity review for such purchasing activities. In addition, the revised CRM empowers the cybersecurity review office to initiate cybersecurity review when they believe any particular data processing activities affect or may affect national security. Compliance or failure to comply with such laws could increase the costs of our products and services, could limit their use or adoption, and could otherwise negatively affect our operating results and business.
As these regulations were newly issued and the governmental authorities may further enact detailed rules or guidance with respect to the interpretation and implementation of such regulations, it remains unclear whether we will be identified as a CIIO. Our business is subject to complex and evolving Chinese and international laws and regulations, including those regarding data privacy and cybersecurity. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation. Failure to comply with existing or future laws and regulations related to cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection could lead to government enforcement actions, which could include civil or criminal fines or penalties, investigation or sanction by regulatory authorities, private litigation, other liabilities, and/or adverse publicity. Compliance or failure to comply with such laws could increase the costs of our products and services, could limit their use or adoption, and could otherwise negatively affect our operating results and business. There remains uncertainty as to how the above-mentioned initiatives will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or further detailed implementation and interpretation related thereto. As we do not have any assets or operations at this time in PRC, we may become subject to such processes, procedures and reviews following a business combination with a PRC entity. We will take all reasonable measures and actions to comply with any such laws, regulations or rules that are or come into effect, and to minimize the adverse effect of such laws on us. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will not be subject to cybersecurity review in the future.
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The PRC government may intervene or influence a PRC Target Company’s business operations at any time or may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and foreign investment in China based issuers, which could result in a material change in the PRC Target Company’s business operations post business combination and/or the value of our securities. Additionally, the governmental and regulatory interference could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors post business combination and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
Recent statements by the PRC government have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investments in China-based issuers. The PRC has recently proposed new rules that would require companies collecting or holding large amounts of data to undergo a cybersecurity review prior to listing in foreign countries, a move that would significantly tighten oversight over China based internet giants. Pursuant to Article 6 of the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Draft for Comments), companies holding data on more than one million users must now apply for cybersecurity approval when seeking listings in other nations due to the risk that such data and personal information could be “affected, controlled, and maliciously exploited by foreign governments.”
If, for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target business operating in the PRC and if the CRM mandates clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by a potential target business, such as a target business operating in the PRC that possess personal data of at least one million users, we may face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all, and incur additional time delays to complete any such acquisition. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our initial business combination and diversion of our managerial and financial resources. There is no guarantee that we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and we may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national security issue. If obtained, since our business combination period is 18 months from the closing of this offering, or if we decide to extend the period to consummate our business combination, by up to 24 months from the closing of this offering (as further described in this prospectus), and the approval process may take a period longer than we expect before we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company, we may be unable to complete a business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering, or within 24 months from the closing of this offering. As a result, due to limited business combination period that we have, we may avoid searching for a target and completing an initial business combination that will be subject to Chinese cybersecurity review. Therefore, we may avoid searching for a company with one million personal information in China or a company operating critical information infrastructure in China.
As we do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction, our initial business combination target company may include a PRC Target Company. Therefore, it is uncertain whether such PRC Target Company will be involved in the collection of user data, implicate cybersecurity, or involve any other type of restricted industry. Our legal advisor is of the opinion that this offering is not subject to the review or prior approval of the CAC or the CSRC. Uncertainties still exist, however, due to the possibility that laws, regulations, or policies in the PRC could change rapidly in the future. Any future action by the PRC government expanding the categories of industries and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to review by the CSRC or the CAC could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
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During such review, we may be required to suspend our operation or experience other disruptions to our operations. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our Company and diversion of our managerial and financial resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions, and results of operations. Furthermore, if any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation require cybersecurity review and clearance or other specific actions to be completed by a potential acquisition target based in the PRC, we may face delays and uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be obtained within the timeframe described in this prospectus for our initial business combination, and we may be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities as a result thereof. In anticipation of the strengthened implementation of cybersecurity laws and regulations and the continued expansion of our business, we face potential risks if we provide or are deemed to provide network products and services to CIIOs, or we are deemed as a CIIO under the PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations. In such case, we would be required to follow the relevant cybersecurity review procedures and could be subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC and other relevant PRC regulatory authorities. As of the date of this offering memorandum, we have not been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions in such respect.
For the further purposes of regulating data processing activities, safeguarding data security, promoting data development and utilization, protecting the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and maintaining national sovereignty, security, and development interests, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, published the Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it may cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations if such data are tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or illegally used. The appropriate level of protection measures is required to be taken for each respective category of data. Moreover, the Data Security Law provides a national security review procedure for those data activities which affect or may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information. In addition, the Data Security Law also provides that any organization or individual within the territory of the PRC shall not provide any foreign judicial body and law enforcement body with any data without the approval of the competent PRC governmental authorities.
China Securities Regulatory Commission and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers. If the CSRC or another PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval. As a result, both you and we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a document (Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities) to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this document is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws, regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our future business combination with a PRC Target Company. Therefore, CSRC and other Chinese government agencies may exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers. If the CSRC or another PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, a business combination, the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In any such event, these
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regulatory agencies may delay a potential business combination, impose fines and penalties, limit our acquisitions and operations of a target business in China, or take other actions that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our units, ordinary shares and rights. As a result, both you and we face uncertainty about future actions by the PRC government that could significantly affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless. The Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities call for strengthened regulation over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas offerings and listings by China-based companies and propose to take effective measures, such as promoting the development of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As these Opinions are recently issued, official guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued yet and the interpretation of these opinions remains unclear at this stage. We cannot assure you we will not be imposed additional requirements relating to approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, or other regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the enacted version of the revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review. Nor can we be certain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such procedures and any such approval or completion could be rescinded. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Doing Business in China – The approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval.” As of the date of this offering memorandum, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions regarding offshore offering from the CSRC or any other PRC government authorities.
Risks Relating to the Post-Business Combination Company
After the 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 our share price, 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 surface all material issues with 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 post-combination debt financing.
Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the initial 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 initial 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.
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Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. Upon the loss of control of a target business, new management may not 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 our initial 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 initial business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new 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 ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding 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 affect 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 initial 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 initial business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
Risks Relating to Our Management Team
Because Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the People’s Republic of China, it is uncertain whether that would make us a less attractive partner to a non-China-based target company.
Our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”). Our ties to the PRC may make us less likely to consummate a business combination with any target company outside of the PRC which may result in non-PRC target businesses having increased leverage over us in negotiating an initial business combination knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination within a certain timeframe, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business.
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Moreover, since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business, whether or not located within China, and/or the value of the securities we are offering. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely undermine our ability to search for a target company.
Certain of our executive officers and directors are located outside the United States; therefore, investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights upon those officers and directors located outside the United States.
The members of our Board of Directors and management team are located in China, they are citizens of China and/or their assets are located in China, and following completion of a business combination, we may conduct most of our operations in China and most of our assets may be located in China. Xiaodong Wang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Caihong Chen, our Chief Financial Officer and Director reside in mainland China as do our three independent directors, Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons residing in mainland China. Even with service of process, there is uncertainty as to whether courts in China would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States or (ii) entertain original actions brought in China against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. In particular, the PRC does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the United States and many other countries and regions. Therefore, recognition and enforcement in the PRC of judgement of United States courts in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may be difficult or impossible.
We are dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their loss could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our executive 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 executive 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. Moreover, certain of our directors and executive officers have time and attention requirements for other employment, executive positions, director positions and management duties. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or executive officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management, director 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. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
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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 initial business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the initial 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 initial 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 his or her fiduciary duties under the Companies Act. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Our executive 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 executive 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 executive officers and directors is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers and directors 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 executive 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 executive officers’ and directors’ other business affairs, please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Officers, Directors and Independent Directors.”
Following the completion of this offering and until we complete our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our sponsor, its 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 entity, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under the Companies Act.
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In particular, Xiaodong Wang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Caihong Chen, our Chief Financial Officer and Director, may serve in the same or similar capacities in other businesses, which may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an acquisition target. 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 our officers’ and directors’ fiduciary duties under the Companies Act. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that we renounce our interest in any business combination opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company and it is an opportunity that we are able to complete on a reasonable basis. For a complete discussion of our executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest that you should be aware of, please see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Management — Officers, Directors and Independent Directors,” “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Involvement of members of our management and companies with which they are affiliated in civil disputes and litigation, governmental investigations or negative publicity unrelated to our business affairs could materially impact our ability to consummate an initial business combination.
Our directors and officers and companies with which they are affiliated have been, and in the future will continue to be, involved in a wide variety of business affairs, including transactions, such as sales and purchases of businesses, and ongoing operations. As a result of such involvement, members of our management and companies with which they are affiliated in have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes, litigation, governmental investigations and negative publicity relating to their business affairs.
Our executive 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, executive 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 executive 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, including the formation or participation in one or more other blank check companies. 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 the best interests of our shareholders. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of the Companies Act and we or our shareholders might have a claim against such individuals for infringing on our shareholders’ rights. See “Description of Securities — Certain Differences in Corporate Law — Shareholders’ 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.
Our rights agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the U.S. 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 rights, which could limit the ability of the holders of our rights to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.
Our rights agreement will provide that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the 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.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the rights agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act and 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. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our rights shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our rights agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the 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 of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our 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 rights holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such rights holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such rights holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a 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 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 and board of directors.
Risks Relating to Our Securities
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 units have been approved for listing on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Following the date that the ordinary shares and rights are eligible to trade separately, the ordinary shares and rights will be separately listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “FVN,” and “FVNNR” respectively. Although after giving effect to this offering we expect to meet, on a pro forma basis, the minimum initial listing standards set forth in the Nasdaq listing standards, we cannot assure you that our securities will be, or 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 amount in shareholders’ equity (generally, $2,500,000) and a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 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, our share price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share, our shareholders’ equity would generally be required to be at least $5.0 million, and we would be required to have a minimum of 300 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 the 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 ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our 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; |
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| ● | 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 our units and eventually our ordinary shares and rights will be listed on Nasdaq, our units, ordinary shares and rights will be covered securities. 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 be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities, including in connection with our initial business combination.
Our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per founder share (assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full and thus no forfeiture by our sponsor of any founder shares) and accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution upon the purchase of our ordinary shares.
The difference between the public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary shares after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. Our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon the closing of this offering, you and the other public shareholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 74.1% (or $6.74 per share, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $2.35 and the initial offering price of $9.09 per unit. In addition, because of the anti-dilution rights of the founder shares, any equity or equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with our initial business combination would be disproportionately dilutive to our ordinary shares and would be exacerbated to the extent the public shareholders seek redemptions from the trust account.
Since our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per founder share (assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full and thus no forfeiture by our sponsor of any founder shares), our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we acquire a target business that subsequently declines in value.
On February 27, 2024, the Company issued our sponsor 1,437,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share. Our officers and directors have a significant economic interest in our sponsor. As a result of the low acquisition cost of our founder shares, our sponsor, its affiliates and our management team could make a substantial profit even if we select and consummate an initial business combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public shareholders. Thus, such parties may have more of an economic incentive for us to enter into an initial business combination with a riskier, weaker-performing or financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, than would be the case if such parties had paid the full offering price for their founder shares.
Our founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of the ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.
Our initial shareholders currently own an aggregate of 1,437,500 founder shares, 187,500 of which are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in its entirety. The founder shares are ordinary shares subject to additional restrictions as described in this prospectus. In addition, if our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors make any working capital loans, up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted into units, at the price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender. Such units would be identical to the placement units.
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To the extent we issue ordinary shares to effectuate an initial business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon the automatic conversion of the right could make us a less attractive business combination vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the ordinary shares issued to complete the initial business combination. Therefore, our rights and founder shares may make it more difficult to effectuate an initial business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The placement rights included in the placement units are identical to the rights sold as part of the units in this offering except that, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, as set forth in the rights agreement.
The determination of the offering price of our units, the size of this offering and terms of the units 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 rights were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriters, both prior to our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares and 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 price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
We may issue additional ordinary shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. 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 500,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after this offering, there will be 6,584,000 ordinary shares (including 284,000 placement shares and 50,000 representative shares) issued and outstanding (assuming, in each case, that the underwriters have not exercised their over-allotment option) and 493,416,000 authorized but unissued ordinary shares available for issuance, which amount does not take into account the ordinary shares reserved for issuance upon the closing of our initial business combination.
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We may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will 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 from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares on any initial business combination or any other proposal presented to the shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an 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 the approval of our shareholders. However, our executive 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 to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions of time, as set forth in this prospectus) 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 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.
The issuance of additional ordinary shares:
| ● | may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering; | |
| ● | could cause a change of control if a substantial number of our 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; and | |
| ● | may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units and ordinary shares. |
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, economic or geopolitical 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.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our ordinary shares suspend the running of a U.S. holder’s holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of 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 “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” below for a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our securities. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these and other tax consequences when purchasing, holding or disposing of our securities.
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Our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences if the Company is classified as a “passive foreign investment company.”
A non-U.S. corporation generally will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (generally based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. Based on the current and anticipated composition of the income, assets and operations of the Company and certain factual assumptions, the Company may be deemed a PFIC before it completes its business combination. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds its shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder. Prospective U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to them.
Distributions paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as dividend income. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s basis in the shares and thereafter as capital gain. However, the Company does not intend to maintain calculations of its earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles. U.S. holders should therefore assume that any distribution with respect to its shares will be treated as ordinary dividend income. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations with respect to dividends received from other U.S. corporations. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the appropriate U.S. federal income tax treatment of any distribution received from the Company.
Dividends received by non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) from a “qualified foreign corporation” may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation, provided that certain holding period requirements and other conditions are satisfied. For these purposes, a non-U.S. corporation will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if the Company’s shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. There can be no assurance that the Company’s shares will be considered “readily tradable” on an established securities market in future years. Non-corporate U.S. holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code (dealing with the deduction for investment interest expense) will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of the Company’s status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to the positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. The Company will not constitute a qualified foreign corporation for purposes of these rules if it is a PFIC for the taxable year in which it pays a dividend or for the preceding taxable year.
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 incorporated 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 with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning a business combination and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
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Past performance by our sponsor and our management team and their affiliates and businesses referred to herein, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us or in the future performance of any business that we may acquire.
Information regarding past performance of our sponsor and our management team and their affiliates including companies related thereto is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience and performance of our sponsor and our management team and their affiliates or the other companies referred to herein is not a guarantee either (1) that we will be able to successfully identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (2) of any results with respect to any initial business combination we may complete. You should not rely on the historical record of our sponsor and our management team and their affiliates or the performance of the other companies referred to herein as indicative of the future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or are likely to, generate going forward. An investment in us is not an investment in our sponsor and our management team and their affiliates, nor the other companies referred to in this prospectus.
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 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, 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 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 ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700.0 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following June 30. 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, the Securities 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 accountant standards used.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. 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 any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250.0 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not exceed $100.0 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700.0 million as of the prior June 30.
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We are offering 5,000,000 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 placement units will be used as set forth in the following table.
| Without Over-Allotment Option | Over-Allotment Option Fully Exercised | |||||||
| Gross proceeds | ||||||||
| Gross proceeds from units offered to public(1) | $ | 50,000,000 | $ | 57,500,000 | ||||
| Gross proceeds from placement units offered in the private placement | 2,840,000 | 2,990,000 | ||||||
| Total gross proceeds | $ | 52,840,000 | $ | 60,490,000 | ||||
| Estimated offering expenses(2) | ||||||||
| Underwriting commissions (1.5% of gross proceeds from public shares offered to public, excluding deferred portion)(3) | 750,000 | 862,500 | ||||||
| Legal fees and expenses | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | 200,000 | 200,000 | ||||||
| SEC filing fees and expenses | 20,000 | 20,000 | ||||||
| FINRA filing fees and expenses | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||||||
| Nasdaq filing fees and expenses | 5,000 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Printing and engraving expenses | 60,000 | 60,000 | ||||||
| Reimbursement to underwriters for expenses | 150,000 | 150,000 | ||||||
| Miscellaneous expenses including D&O Insurance | 200,000 | 200,000 | ||||||
| Total offering expenses (excluding underwriting commissions) | $ | 895,000 | $ | 895,000 | ||||
| Proceeds after offering expenses | $ | 51,195,000 | $ | 58,732,500 | ||||
| Held in trust account(3) | $ | 50,250,000 | $ | 57,787,500 | ||||
| % of public offering size | 100.50 | % | 100.50 | % | ||||
| Not held in trust account | $ | 945,000 | $ | 945,000 | ||||
The following table shows the expected use of the approximately $945,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account.(4)
| Amount | % of Total | |||||||
| Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any business combination(5) | $ | 250,000 | 26.5 | % | ||||
| Legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations | 175,000 | 18.5 | % | |||||
| Payment for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support ($10,000 per month for 18 months subject to six one-month extensions) | 180,000 | 19.0 | % | |||||
| Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses (including franchise taxes) | 240,000 | 25.4 | % | |||||
| Director and Officer liability insurance premiums | 100,000 | 10.6 | % | |||||
| Total | $ | 945,000 | 100.00 | % | ||||
| (1) | Includes amounts payable to public shareholders who properly redeem their shares in connection with our successful completion of our initial business combination. |
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| (2) | 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 the event that the offering expenses are more than as set forth in this table, we may fund such excess with funds not held in the trust account. |
| (3) | The underwriters have agreed to defer underwriting commissions of 1.0% of the gross proceeds of this offering to be paid in the form of cash and an additional 0.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering to be paid in the form of representative shares. Upon and concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, $500,000, which constitutes the underwriters’ deferred commissions (or $575,000 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 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) | 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. The amount in the table above does not include interest available to us from the trust account. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Assuming an interest rate of 0.1% per year, we estimate the interest earned on the trust account will be approximately $50,000 per year; however, we can provide no assurances regarding this amount. |
| (5) | Includes estimated amounts that may also be used in connection with our initial business combination to fund a “no shop” provision and commitment fees for financing. |
Of the proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the placement units described in this prospectus, $50,250,000 ($10.05 per unit), or $57,787,500 the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.05 per unit), will be deposited into a segregated trust account located in the United States with Wilmington Trust, National Association acting as trustee, and $945,000 will be used to pay expenses in connection with the closing of this offering and for working capital following this offering. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any, the funds held in the trust account will not be released until the earliest to occur of (a) the completion of our initial business combination; (b) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (i) 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 period to consummate the initial business combination or (ii) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; and (c) the redemption of all of our public shares if we have not completed our initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, subject to applicable law. Based on current interest rates, we expect that interest income earned on the trust account (if any) will be sufficient to pay our income and franchise taxes.
The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete 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 or used for redemptions of our ordinary shares, we may apply the balance of the cash released 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. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination.
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We believe that amounts not held in trust, together with funds available to us from loans from our sponsor, will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective acquisition, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of a business combination. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, 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 their respective affiliates, but such persons are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us.
On February 22, 2024, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000. As of June 30, 2024, we have borrowed $375,000 under the promissory note with our sponsor. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and amounts drawn are due at the earlier of September 30, 2024, or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the trust account.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we will 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. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We 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 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 initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. 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. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed 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.
We may not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) and the agreement for our initial business combination may require as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights so that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement or any net worth or cash requirements, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the initial business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (a) our completion of an initial business combination, (b) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (i) 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 period to consummate the initial business combination or (ii) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (c) the redemption of our public shares if we have not completed our initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, subject to applicable law and as further described herein and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) created by the terms of the proposed business combination. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor has agreed to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares held by it if we do not complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. However, if our sponsor or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquires 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 do not complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
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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. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time and we will only pay such dividend out of our profits or share premium account (subject to solvency requirements) as permitted under Cayman Islands law. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
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The difference between the public offering price per ordinary share, and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding ordinary shares.
As of June 30, 2024, our net tangible book deficit was $(188,066), or approximately $(0.13) per ordinary share. For the purposes of the dilution calculation, in order to present the maximum estimated dilution as a result of this offering, we have assumed (i) the issuance of 0.1 ordinary shares for each right included in the public units and placement units, as such issuance will occur upon a business combination without the payment of additional consideration and (ii) the number of ordinary shares included in the units offered hereby will be deemed to be 5,500,000 (consisting of 5,000,000 ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus and 500,000 ordinary shares for the outstanding rights), and the price per ordinary share in this offering will be deemed to be $9.09.
After giving effect to the sale of 5,000,000 ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus (or 5,750,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), the sale of the placement units and the deduction of underwriting commissions and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value on June 30, 2024 would have been $4,964,707 ($2.35 per share) (or $5,564,622 ($2.32 per share) if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full), representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value (as increased by the value of 5,000,000 ordinary shares that may be redeemed for cash, or 5,750,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of $2.48 per share (or $2.45 per share if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) to our sponsor as of the date of this prospectus and an immediate dilution to public shareholders from this offering will be $6.74 per share (or $6.77 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).
The following table illustrates the dilution to the public shareholders on a per-share basis:
No exercise of over-allotment option | Exercise of option in full | |||||||||||||||
| Public offering price | $ | 9.09 | $ | 9.09 | ||||||||||||
| Pro forma net tangible book deficit before this offering | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||||||||||
| Increase attributable to new investors and private sales | 2.48 | 2.45 | ||||||||||||||
| Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering | 2.35 | 2.32 | ||||||||||||||
| Dilution to public shareholders | $ | 6.74 | $ | 6.77 | ||||||||||||
| % of dilution to public shareholders | 74.1 | % | 74.5 | % | ||||||||||||
The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial shareholders and the public shareholders:
| Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price Per | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number | Percentage | Amount | Percentage | Share | ||||||||||||||||
| Initial Shareholders(1) | 1,250,000 | 17.57 | % | $ | 25,000 | 0.05 | % | $ | 0.02 | |||||||||||
| Holders of placement shares(2) | 312,400 | 4.39 | % | 2,840,000 | 5.37 | % | $ | 9.09 | ||||||||||||
| Public Shareholders(3) | 5,500,000 | 77.34 | % | 50,000,000 | 94.58 | % | $ | 9.09 | ||||||||||||
| Representative Shares(4) | 50,000 | 0.70 | % | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| 7,112,400 | 100.0 | % | $ | 52,865,000 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the corresponding forfeiture of an aggregate of 187,500 founder shares held by our sponsor. |
| (2) | Assumes issuance of additional 28,400 shares underlying the placement rights contained in the private unit holders and no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
| (3) | Assumes the issuance of an additional 500,000 shares underlying the rights issued to public shareholders upon the closing of this offering. |
| (4) | Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
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The pro forma net tangible book value per unit after the offering (assuming that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised) is calculated as follows:
| Without Over-allotment | With Over-allotment | |||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||
| Net tangible book deficit before this offering | $ | (188,066 | ) | $ | (188,066 | ) | ||
| Net Proceeds from this offering and sale of the private placement units(1) | 51,195,000 | 58,732,500 | ||||||
| Plus: Offering costs paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value | 208,338 | 208,338 | ||||||
| Less: deferred underwriter’ commissions | (500,000 | ) | (575,000 | ) | ||||
| Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to redemption(2) | (45,750,565 | ) | (52,613,150 | ) | ||||
| $ | 4,964,707 | $ | 5,564,622 | |||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||
| Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering | $ | 1,437,500 | $ | 1,437,500 | ||||
| Ordinary shares forfeited if over-allotment is not exercised | (187,500 | ) | - | |||||
| Ordinary shares included in the units offered | 5,000,000 | 5,750,000 | ||||||
| Ordinary shares underlying the rights | 500,000 | 575,000 | ||||||
| Ordinary shares included in the placement units issued | 284,000 | 299,000 | ||||||
| Ordinary shares underlying placement rights | 28,400 | 29,900 | ||||||
| Representative shares | 50,000 | 57,500 | ||||||
| Less: shares subject to redemption | (5,000,000 | ) | (5,750,000 | ) | ||||
| $ | 2,112,400 | $ | 2,398,900 | |||||
| (1) | Expenses applied against gross proceeds include offering expenses of $895,000 and underwriting commissions of $750,000 or $862,500 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option (excluding deferred underwriting fees). 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 initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may purchase shares 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 net tangible book value per unit. See “Proposed Business — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities.” |
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The following table sets forth our capitalization on June 30, 2024, and as adjusted to give effect to the filing of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the sale of our units in this offering and the sale of the placement units and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option:
| June 30, 2024 | ||||||||
| Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
| Promissory Note related party(1) | $ | 375,000 | ||||||
| Deferred underwriting commissions | - | 750,000 | ||||||
| Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares which are subject to possible redemption | - | 45,750,565 | ||||||
| Shareholder equity: | ||||||||
| Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; -1,437,500- and -1,250,000- shares issued and outstanding (excluding -0- and 5,000,000 shares subject to possible redemption), actual and as adjusted, respectively(2)(3)(4) | 144 | 159 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 24,856 | 4,719,276 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (4,728 | ) | (4,728 | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 20,272 | 4,714,707 | ||||||
| Total capitalization | $ | 395,272 | $ | 51,215,272 | ||||
| (1) | Our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $500,000 under an unsecured promissory note issued on February 22, 2024 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of June 30, 2024, we have borrowed $375,000 under the promissory note with our sponsor. |
| (2) | Upon the completion of our initial business combination, we will provide our shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes. |
| (3) | Actual share amount is prior to any forfeiture of founder shares by our sponsor and as adjusted amount assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
| (4) | All of the 5,000,000 ordinary shares sold as part of the units in the offering contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with our liquidation if there is a shareholder vote or tender offer in connection with our initial business combination and in connection with certain amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. In accordance with SEC and its guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of a company require shares subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. |
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on January 30, 2024, as a Cayman Islands exempted company and formed 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 business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions directly or indirectly, with any business combination target. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the units, 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 banks or other lenders or the owners of the target, 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; | |
| ● | could cause a change in control if a substantial number of 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 ordinary shares. |
Similarly, if we issue debt securities, or otherwise incur significant debt, 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 is payable on demand; | |
| ● | our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt is outstanding; | |
| ● | our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares; | |
| ● | using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, our ability to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions and fund 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; |
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| ● | 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 and 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, as of June 30, 2024, we had $186,934 in cash and deferred offering costs of $208,338. 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 will be satisfied prior to the completion of this offering through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the founder shares and an aggregate of up to $500,000 in loans available from our sponsor under an unsecured promissory note executed on February 22, 2024, and due at the earlier of September 30, 2024, or the closing of this offering. As of June 30, 2024, we have borrowed $375,000 under the promissory note with our sponsor. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this uncertainty through this offering are discussed above. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We estimate that the net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $895,000, underwriting commissions of $750,000 (or $862,500 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (excluding deferred underwriting commissions of $500,000 or $575,000 if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full, to be paid in the form of cash, and $250,000 or $287,500 if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full, to be paid in the form of representative shares), and (ii) the sale of the placement units for a purchase price of approximately $2,840,000 or approximately $2,990,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), will be $51,195,000 (or $58,732,500 if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of this amount, $50,250,000 (or $57,787,500 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account. The remaining $945,000 will not be held in trust. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.
The remaining approximately $945,000 will not be held in the trust account. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $895,000, 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 $895,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
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We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (less taxes payable and deferred underwriting commissions), to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest income (if any) to pay our taxes, if any. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. Based on assumed interest rates, we expect that the interest income earned on the amount in the trust account (if any), will be sufficient to pay our income and franchise taxes. 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 $945,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account, as well as certain funds from loans from our sponsor. 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, other than funds available from loans from our sponsor. 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 will 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. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. 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.
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 will 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. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. The terms of such loans by our sponsor, officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. 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 the 18-month period subsequent to our IPO to include approximately $250,000 for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations; $175,000 for legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting requirements; $180,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; $100,000 for Director and Officer liability insurance premiums; and approximately $240,000 for working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves.
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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.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimates of the costs of 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. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either 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 our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and 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, 2024. 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, 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 have our auditors tested our systems, of our 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; |
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| ● | documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and | |
| ● | documentation of accounting policies and procedures. |
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent 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 net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units held in the trust account will be invested in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk. However, if the interest rates of U.S. Treasury obligations become negative, we may have less interest income available to us for payment of taxes, and a decline in the value of the assets held in the trust account could reduce the principal below the amount initially deposited in the trust account.
Related Party Transactions
On February 27, 2024, the Company issued our sponsor 1,437,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share. The per share purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the aggregate number of founder shares issued.
We will enter into an Administrative Services Agreement pursuant to which we will also pay an affiliate of our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, administrative and support services. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
We may reimburse our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any entity with which they are affiliated, 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. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their respective affiliates and will determine which fees and expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. Except as noted above, there is no cap or ceiling on payments that may be made to our sponsor, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates.
Our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $500,000 pursuant to an executed promissory note effective as of, 2024, to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of June 30, 2024, we have borrowed $375,000 under the promissory note with our sponsor. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of September 30, 2024, or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering. The value of our sponsor’s interest in this transaction corresponds to the principal amount outstanding under any such loan.
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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 will 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. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We 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.
Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 284,000 placement units (or up to 299,000 placement units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each placement unit consists of one ordinary share and one-tenth (1/10th) of one right.
Our sponsor will be permitted to transfer the placement units and components securities held by them to certain permitted transferees, including our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with or related to them, but the transferees receiving such securities will be subject to the same agreements with respect to such securities as our sponsor. Otherwise, these securities will not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement we will enter into with our initial shareholders on or prior to the closing of this offering, we may be required to register certain securities for sale under the Securities Act. These holders, and holders of units issued upon conversion of working capital loans, if any, are entitled under the registration rights agreement to make up to two demands that we register certain of our securities held by them for sale under the Securities Act and to have the securities covered thereby registered for resale pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders have the right to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us. We will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of June 30, 2024, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements within the meaning of Item 303 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.
Emerging Growth Company
The federal securities laws contain provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and 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 other reduced reporting requirements available to emerging growth companies. Subject to certain conditions, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
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General
We are a blank check company incorporated on January 30, 2024, as a Cayman Islands exempted company formed 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 throughout this prospectus 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.
While we may pursue an acquisition or a business combination target in any business, industry or geography, we intend to focus our search on prospective targets in the technology, media, and telecommunications (“TMT”) industries with operations or prospective operations in the Greater China region. Specifically, we intend to target companies with advanced and highly differentiated solutions for the TMT industry such as intelligent chips, 5G, integrated circuitry and other emerging technologies.
Our management team combines global industry knowledge with significant hands-on experience in operating and investing in the TMT industries in Asia, including the Greater China region. We believe the team’s complementary capabilities in financing, and growing and operating technology growth companies, as well as our broad network of contacts in various technology related sectors affords us with differentiated access to a wide range of investment opportunities in this space. We expect that we will further enhance our selected target’s business as we intend to share best practices gathered from our management team’s operating and investing experiences, as well as insights and strong relationships in TMT industries. Furthermore, we intend to add value through strategic and board level advice, add-on acquisitions, capital structure optimization, and operational improvements.
Our management team has operated and invested in leading global TMT companies across their corporate life cycles and have developed strong relationships with large multi-national organizations and investors. These relationships represent industry leaders ranging from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, family offices, commercial and investment bankers and other financial sector service providers and participants. We believe that these unique relationships and our management team’s industry expertise and proven deal-sourcing capabilities will provide us with a strong pipeline of potential targets.
Market Opportunity
TMT companies have an important—and growing—impact on the world, and many have seen great success in the last decade. The TMT landscape has undergone significant transformation, with deal drivers pointing towards trends such as the AI boom, hybrid cloud computing, and cybersecurity. In 2023, generative AI surged to prominence as the power of AI to create images, videos, code, and text leading TMT companies to upgrade their software and services with generative AI. A study released in 2024 by Deloitte predicts that almost all enterprise software companies will embed generative AI in at least some of their products this year and that, as a result, the revenue uplift for enterprise software companies will be at a US$10 billion by the end of 2024.15
Deloitte predicts further that the market for specialized chips in the TMT section optimized for generative AI will be valued at more than US$50 billion in 2024, up from close to nothing in 2022 and that companies will likely need AI chips, including generative AI chips, as they often regard secure and reliable supply chains to be important for innovation, economic success, and national security. Generative AI chip revenue could reach US$400 billion in 2027, and along with other AI-enabling chips, it could represent half of the value of all semiconductors sold, but more supply and new entrants make that unlikely. Of the five advanced AI technologies, generative AI is the fastest growing and will account for 10.2% of the overall AI market in 2027. GlobalData estimates the total AI market will be worth $908.7 billion in 2030.16 Further, the European Union is set to roll out sweeping regulations on AI which are likely to impact and influence markets around the world. 2024 is likely to see a balance between regulatory compliance and innovation in the gen AI industry. Key regulations could encompass consent, bias mitigation, and copyright matters.17
| 15 | TMT industry trends | Deloitte Insights |
| 16 | Tech Media and Telecom Market Analysis Predictions 2023 - TMT Industry (globaldata.com) |
| 17 | Deloitte Technology, Media & Telecom 2024 Predictions |
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At the same time, the semiconductor industry, which has powered every generation of microchip for the past fifty years, is gearing up for the next evolution in TMT. As 5G and IoT (i.e., Internet of Things) devices proliferate the market, so does the demand for high-performance and reliable semiconductor chips. Adding to that, per a study by IDC, the volume of global data will increase 10x to 163 zettabytes (or one trillion gigabytes) by 2025, leading to more demand of integrated chips (ICs) as data storage, analysis and process will play a central role in 5G and IoT infrastructure.18 As 5G is driving new types of business growth, operators around the world are rolling out increasingly diverse data plans that feature high-speed experience, promoting network monetization based on the business models that are less centered on data traffic and more focused on speed. Enhanced uplink performance and reduced latency are playing a key role in these new network monetization strategies.
At the same time, data is growing at a faster rate than ever before; indeed, 90% percent of the world’s data was created in the last few years and every two years, the volume of data across the world doubles in size.19 As digital storage becomes larger, cheaper, and faster with each successive year with the advent of cloud databases, previous hard limits on storage size became obsolete. Since 1986, the amount of available data storage in the world20 has in increased rapidly, reflecting this new reality:
Year World Storage Size (Exabytes)
| 1986 -- 2.6 EB | 2007 295 EB | ||
| 1993 -- 15.8 EB | 2014 5000 EB | ||
| 2000 -- 54.5 EB | 2020 6800 EB |
Global Trends Shaping Network Storage
The landscape of network storage is witnessing a monumental shift as we move into 2024, spurred by the convergence of technological innovation and evolving business needs; this transformation is reshaping IT infrastructure, marking a new era in data storage with the following key trends shaping the future of network storage:21
1. Storage as a Service (STaaS) -- The shift towards STaaS is akin to how music streaming revolutionized the music industry. Organizations are moving away from traditional capital-intensive storage models to more flexible, cloud-based solutions. This trend caters to the growing demand for scalable and cost-effective storage options, allowing businesses to pay for only what they use, much like streaming services. This transition to STaaS is pivotal in accommodating the explosive growth of data in the digital age.
| 18 | Semiconductor Industry Making 5G World of ‘Smart Everything’ a Reality (computer.org). |
| 19 | Data Never Sleeps 5.0 | Domo; and mgi-the-age-of-analytics-full-report.pdf (mckinsey.com). |
| 20 | Data Statistics (2024) - How much data is there in the world? (rivery.io) |
| 21 | 2024’s Top 10 Data Storage Trends: A New Era - StoragePartsDirect.com |
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2. AI-Driven Operations (AIOps) -- The integration of AI in storage operations is transforming the storage landscape into a self-managing, self-healing entity. AIOps enables systems to predict and resolve issues before they escalate, ensuring higher uptime and efficiency. This smart approach to storage management is particularly beneficial in complex environments, where the sheer volume and velocity of data can overwhelm traditional management tools. As AI continues to evolve, its role in storage operations is set to become even more crucial.
3. Cybersecurity and Ransomware Protection -- In an era where data breaches and cyber threats are rampant, the focus on advanced cybersecurity measures in storage solutions is more critical than ever. Enhanced ransomware protection features are being embedded directly into storage systems, offering a proactive defense mechanism. This shift towards integrated security layers within storage solutions not only safeguards data but also instills confidence among businesses and users about the safety of their digital assets.
4. Hybrid Cloud Integration -- Hybrid cloud models offer the best of both worlds: the security and control of private clouds with the scalability and innovation of public clouds. This integrated approach allows businesses to tailor their IT environments to specific needs, facilitating a more agile and flexible operational model. As hybrid cloud adoption grows, the ability to move and manage data seamlessly across different environments becomes a key competitive advantage for businesses.
5. Green Data Storage -- The sustainability aspect of data storage is gaining unprecedented attention. By focusing on low-emission storage solutions, the industry is not only addressing its environmental impact but also paving the way for more energy-efficient and cost-effective storage solutions. As businesses become more environmentally conscious, adopting green storage practices becomes a crucial part of corporate social responsibility.
6. NVMe Technology -- The adoption of NVMe technology signifies a major leap in storage performance, offering faster access and processing of data. This advancement is particularly beneficial in data-intensive applications like big data analytics and high-performance computing. As NVMe technology matures, it is expected to become more accessible, further accelerating its adoption across various industries.
7. Flexible Financing Models -- The shift to flexible financing models is a game-changer, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. This trend breaks down financial barriers, enabling organizations of all sizes to leverage the latest storage technologies without hefty upfront investments. It reflects a customer-centric approach in the storage industry, aligning more closely with the varied financial realities of different businesses.
8. Simplified Onboarding and User Experience -- The emphasis on user experience in data storage solutions is revolutionizing how businesses interact with their IT infrastructure. By simplifying onboarding processes and enhancing usability, storage vendors are making it easier for businesses to integrate advanced storage solutions into their operations. This focus on user experience is crucial in an era where technology is becoming increasingly complex.
9. DNA Data Storage -- DNA storage represents a paradigm shift in data storage technology, offering unprecedented levels of density and longevity. This technology has the potential to revolutionize how we store and access the ever-growing amounts of data. As research progresses and costs decrease, DNA storage could offer a sustainable and long-term solution to the world’s data storage challenges.
10. Cloud Repatriation -- Cloud repatriation highlights the dynamic nature of data storage strategies. As companies reassess the costs and benefits of cloud storage, many are finding value in returning to on-premises solutions. This trend underscores the importance of flexibility and control in data management, especially for data-sensitive organizations.
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The data storage landscape is being redefined by these key trends, among others, from embracing cloud and AI technologies to prioritizing cybersecurity and sustainability, these developments are not just reshaping storage strategies but are also indicative of broader shifts in the digital ecosystem. Businesses that adapt to these trends will find themselves better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital future.
The last four years have seen groundbreaking changes in data quality management. The adoption of no-code AI platforms has revolutionized data cleaning and matching processes, making it user-friendly and efficient. These tools aim to liberate data engineers from tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic roles. AI entity resolution, using machine learning and natural language processing, has emerged as a critical tool, speeding up data consolidation and improving accuracy. The move towards real-time data quality monitoring is also noteworthy. This emerging technology continuously scrutinizes data streams, flagging anomalies and inconsistencies instantly, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of data-driven insights. Further, he shift from merely securing data to making it widely available, while minimizing risks, has led to significant investments in data discovery tools and data catalogs. These tools provide visibility into data sources, ownership, structure, and quality, ensuring that data is visible, discoverable, reusable, and useful.22
M&A Activity in the TMT Industry
Technology
The AI Boom -- The release of Chat GPT in late 2022 set off a scramble for corporations to build generative Al capabilities. Software companies redoubled their Al efforts. Adobe, for example, has reportedly acquired Rephrase Technology, an Al video technology startup, to bolster its suite of Al-upgraded Creative Cloud products.
Al Chips -- The Al boom also extended to the semiconductor business, as companies ramped up the design and production of specialized Al products.
Application modernization and hybrid cloud -- Customers are focusing on application modernization and hybrid cloud computing, driven by technological advancements in containerization and Kubernetes (defined as open-source software for deploying and managing those containers at scale). Rocket Software, for instance, announced the acquisition of OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity Business for $2.275 billion.23 The deal will create a more diverse modernization portfolio that aligns with customer demands, hosted on-premises or through a hybrid cloud solution.
Cyber software and services -- Cybersecurity continues to be a top priority for both strategic and private-equity player. The biggest deal of the year in technology was Cisco’s $28 billion for Splunk, a maker network monitoring and security software. Other deals include Palo Alto Networks’ $625 million deal for Talon Cyber Security.24 The deal will enhance the Prisma SASE platform and enable secure access to business applications using Talon’s Enterprise Browser.
Media and Growth of Ad Platforms
Digital advertising -- Consumer brands recognize the potential to monetize shopper data through targeted advertising and promotional services to brands. Omnicom’s acquisition of Flywheel Digital for $835 million was a prime example. The deal helps Omnicom enhance its foothold in both the digital commerce and retail media industries.25
OTT platforms -- Despite weaknesses in the streaming media business in 2023, deal making continued in over-the-top services with more platform consolidation. In November, Disney agreed to purchase NBC Universal’s one-third interest in Hulu for$8.6 billion, giving Disney 100 percent ownership of the streaming channel
| 22 | Navigating 2024’s Data Landscape: Key Trends and Developments in Data Management (barc.com) |
| 23 | Rocket Software to Acquire OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity Business | Rocket Software |
| 24 | Cisco to buy cybersecurity firm Splunk for $28 billion | Reuters |
| 25 | Omnicom Acquires Digital Commerce Powerhouse Flywheel - Omnicom Group |
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Telecom -- Telecom deal volume dropped 16.7 percent from 2022 year while overall deal value grew by 40+ percent in large part due to the $23.6 billion KKR-led deal for Telecom Italia assets, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s $5.5 billion bid for Compass, and Bain Capital’s acquisition of the Chindata Group, a hyperscale data center company, for $3.2 billion was another notable transaction.26 Infrastructure spending to keep up with demand for bandwidth and cloud capacity drove deal activity throughout 2023:
Even more fiber -- Cloud, streaming, and the Internet of Things (IoT) continue to drive demand for bandwidth, which translates into demand for fiber and more fiber deals. Shenandoah Telecommunications, for example, agreed to acquire Horizon Telcom for $385 million for its Glo Fiber segment, with plans to connect 150,000 more homes by the end of 2026.
Even more data center demand -- In the U.S. market alone, we expect demand to reach 35 gigawatts by 2030, up from 17 gigawatts in 2022 and to double by 2030. This is driving partnerships and collaborations to deliver standardized, more easily manufactured data centers, as well as M&A. Lumentum Holdings, for example recently completed a $750 million acquisition of Cloud Light Technology, which could double Lumentum’s cloud data center revenue and position it as a leader in the photonics to cloud operators.27
The TMT Industry in China
Further, we believe that the Greater China region will have a strong growth trajectory particularly in the TMT industries due to recent trends including increasing digitization, the adoption and advancement of new technology, and changes in consumer habits, and that this will result in opportunities for attractive risk-adjusted returns from our initial business combination. According to a February 13, 2024 report by Statista, in December 2023, China had generated a cumulative revenue of about 139 billion yuan from its telecommunications industry. In 2023, the TMT sector in China underwent significant regulatory developments. The emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”) have been revolutionizing operations and service delivery while offering new avenues for growth and value creation as the relevant laws and regulations concerning AI governance in China have made major breakthroughs in 2023.28 The Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) has successively formulated and issued regulatory rules for deep synthesis and GenAI in 2023. Each of the regulations currently in force has a more targeted scope than other laws that govern companies and technology providers broadly.
| ● | GenAI -- The Generative AI Measures introduced by CAC and other governmental bodies, came into effect on August 15, 2023, that aim to foster the responsible and standardized growth of GenAI technology. The Generative AI Measures are part of China’s effort to ensure the healthy development and application of GenAI technologies, key requirements for GenAI service providers are laid down from several crucial aspects, including lawful data processing, clear labelling rules, responsibility as content producers, protection of minors, and user data protection, etc. |
| ● | Deep Synthesis -- On January 10, 2023, China implemented the Deep Synthesis Provisions, which addresses the latest developments in deep synthesis technology and outlines detailed obligations for service providers, technical supporters, and users. The main requirements provided by the Deep Synthesis Provisions include establishing comprehensive management systems, formulating transparent and public rules, setting up content review mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments. These provisions uphold responsible deep synthesis technology use, safeguarding information security and public welfare. |
It is noteworthy that the GenAI and deep synthesis technology share some degrees of conceptual overlap. However, judging from the definitions provided by the law, GenAI emphasizes the use of AI technology, while deep synthesis focuses on the generated virtual content. The reason for the promulgation of two provisions targeting similar technologies is that the CAC adopts a rapid legislation process targeting the most prominent and influential technologies under the idea of agile governance. Therefore, deepfake services using AI technology such as deep fake are likely to be subject to both provisions at the same time.
| 26 | Q4’23 M&A trends in TMT - Will this year be different? (kpmg.com) |
| 27 | Id. |
| 28 | China TMT: Annual Review of 2023 and Outlook for 2024 - Lexology |
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China’s Ministry of Science and Technology
Apart from the CAC, on April 4, 2023, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (“MOST”) issued the Technology Ethics Review Measures (Trial), which requires companies engaged in AI whose research involves sensitive fields to establish an ethics (review) committee and conduct an ethics review. Specifically, the establishment of an ethics (review) committee and the conduct of ethics review activities are also key compliance points for AI enterprises during the algorithm filing process.
China’s Deep Synthesis Algorithm Renaissance
Algorithm filing is a unique requirement in China, which requires certain service providers to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their algorithms and file them with the CAC for record. The goals of this mandate are to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote comprehensive governance, and pre-empt malicious algorithmic practices.
As of December 2023, the CAC has granted approval to two batches of GenAI and deep synthesis algorithms, totaling 151 algorithms. These approvals have been provided to prominent technology companies, most of which are influential digital leaders. These technologies cover a wide range of applications, including virtual 3D human synthesis, audio-visual and text generation, intelligent customer service, and dialogue systems. As GenAI begin to gain popularity in early 2023, we note the continued concern from Chinese regulators about these technologies. In 2024, more and more AI applications will appear on the market, and the compliance scenarios that may be involved will also be more complex.29
China’s Prelude to AI Law
On June 6, 2023, the State Council’s Legislative Work Plan for 2023 was published that include the Artificial Intelligence Law in the agenda. On August 15, some of China’s top universities organized a conference on AI governance with the government’s support, unveiling the Artificial Intelligence Law (Model Law). While this model law is not an official draft legislation, academic endeavours are often the prelude to formal legislation.
The National Information Security Standardisation Technical Committee of China (“TC260”) released, on May 5, 2023, a draft national standard on general security technical specifications for terminal computers and is requesting public comments on the same. In particular, the TC260 noted that the draft standard specifies the general security technical requirements for terminal computers, describes the testing and evaluation methods, and guides the design, development, testing, and evaluation of general security functions for the same. Since 2020, TC260 and the Chinese Educational Technology Standardisation Committee have successively released a number of recommended standards for AI and related technologies. In the past year, we have seen multiple drafts of AI-related standards and plans for the development of new group standards, and this trend will continue in 2024.
Our Objective
Our management team believes that the TMT landscape has undergone significant transformation, with deal drivers pointing towards trends such as the AI boom, hybrid cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Organizations continue to embrace disruption and reshape their businesses with technology and changing consumer trends. Thanks to a more favorable economic climate and increased incentives for both acquirers and sellers, there are reasons to be optimistic.
We will seek to capitalize on the strength of our management team. Our team consists of experienced financial services, accounting and transactional professionals and senior operating executives of companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. Collectively, our officers and directors have decades of experience in mergers and acquisitions and operating companies. We believe we will benefit from their accomplishments, and specifically, their current activities, in identifying attractive acquisition opportunities. However, there is no assurance that we will complete a business combination. Our officers and directors have no prior experience consummating a business combination for a “blank check” company. We believe that we will add value to these businesses primarily by providing them with access to the U.S. capital markets.
| 29 | Id. |
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There is no restriction in the geographic location of targets we can pursue, although we intend to initially prioritize Asia. We may consummate a business combination with an entity located in China (including Hong Kong and Macau). However, we will not consummate our initial business combination with an entity or business with China operations consolidated through a VIE structure. In particular, we intend to focus our search for an initial business combination on private companies in Asia that have compelling economics and clear paths to positive operating cash flow, significant assets, and successful management teams that are seeking access to the U.S. public capital markets.
As an emerging market, Asia has experienced remarkable growth. The Asian economy experienced sustained expansion in recent years. We believe that Asia is entering a new era of economic growth, which we expect will result in attractive initial business combination opportunities for us. We believe the growth will primarily be driven by private sector expansion, technological innovation, increasing consumption by the middle class, structural economic and policy reforms and demographic changes.
Our management team, as well as industry experts, believe that technological innovation has endless possibilities with a pressing need to innovate, which is the lifeblood of TMT companies and the catalyst behind products and services that are driving dramatic, far-reaching and lasting changes for consumers. According to the Global Technology Survey, which includes a sample of TMT executives from mostly large publicly traded companies, TMT companies are spreading innovation activity around three areas:
| ● | Optimization of current systems, products, processes and more |
| ● | Building resilience against disruption |
| ● | Growth (e.g., new markets, revenue) |
Our management team believes this area of focus represents a growing, favorable and highly fragmented market opportunity to consummate a business combination. We have not identified any particular geographical area or country in which we may seek a business combination. However, our sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in China. We may consider a business combination with an entity or business with a physical presence or other significant ties to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws, regulations and policies of China. Any target for a business combination may conduct operations through subsidiaries in China. The legal and regulatory risks associated with doing business in China discussed in this prospectus may make us a less attractive partner in an initial business combination than other special purpose acquisition companies that do not have any ties to China. As such, our ties to China may make it harder for us to complete an initial business combination with a target company without any such ties.
Since a majority of our directors and officers have significant ties to China, and due to the fact that our headquarters is based in China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. The Chinese government may intervene or influence our operations at any time through the directors and officers who have significant ties in China, which could result in a material change in our search for a target business and/or the value of the securities we are offering. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate and may limit or completely stop our ability to search for a target company.
We face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties related to our significant ties to China. We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations in China. The PRC government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Moreover, PRC laws and regulations governing the PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain.
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Because our Sponsor and members of our Board of Directors and management have significant business ties to and are based in the PRC, and due to the various legal uncertainties arising in the PRC, we will face certain legal and operational risks following our initial public offering. As a result of these risks, a significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares may occur. Further, these risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities that we are registering for sale. In addition, these legal and operational risks could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Further, these legal and operational risks cause result in a material adverse change in our operations which could cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless.
Further, our initial shareholders, including our Sponsor, will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares following this offering. As a result, we may be considered a “foreign person” under rules promulgated by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) and may not be able to complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company since such initial business combination may be subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity such as CFIUS), or ultimately prohibited. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited. In addition, we will not conduct a business combination with any target company that conducts operations through variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which are a series of contractual arrangements used to provide the economic benefits of foreign investment in Chinese-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. As a result, this may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to such restrictions, which could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC relative to such other companies.
The members of our Board of Directors and management team are located in China, they are citizens of China and/or their assets are located in China, and following completion of a business combination, we may conduct most of our operations in China and most of our assets may be located in China. Xiaodong Wang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Caihong Chen, our Chief Financial Officer and Director reside in mainland China, as do our three independent directors, Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong. Even with service of process, there is uncertainty as to whether courts in China would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States or (ii) entertain original actions brought in China against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
The Sponsor’s assets are located in China and, as a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon the Sponsor or those persons owning the Sponsor residing in mainland China. Our significant ties to China would make us a less attractive partner to a non-China-based target company and such perception may potentially limit or negatively impact our search for an initial business combination; or may therefore make it more likely for us to consummate a business combination with a company being based in or having the majority of the Company’s operations in China (a “PRC Target Company”). Because we have significant ties to China, it is uncertain whether that would make us a less attractive partner to a non-China-based target company and such perception may potentially limit or negatively impact our search for an initial business combination; or may therefore make it more likely for us to consummate a business combination with a PRC Target Company.
PRC laws and regulations are sometimes vague and uncertain. If we complete a business combination with a PRC Target Company governed by PRC laws and regulations, such vagueness and uncertainty would result in significant depreciation of the value of our securities, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors. Further, the Chinese government may intervene or influence the operations of a PRC Target Company or post-combination entity at any time and may exert more control over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in a PRC Target Company or post-combination entity, which could result in a material change in the operations of the PRC Target Company or post-combination entity, and/or the value of our securities.
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In addition, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based companies could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
If we were to complete a business combination with a Chinese entity, we could be subject to certain legal and operational risks associated with or having the majority of post-business combination operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing PRC based business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and as a result these risks may result in material changes in the operations of any post-business combination subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer, or continue to offer, our securities to investors, including investors in the United States. Recently, the PRC government adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement.
Since these statements and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on a China-based target company’s daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. Additionally, if we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations which may have a material adverse impact on the value of our securities. If we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including this offering, may be transferred by us to any future PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. All these risks could result in a material change in our or the target company’s post-combination operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Furthermore, the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, make or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. For example, if we enter into a business combination with a target business operating in China, the combined company may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of the proposed business combination between us and the target, offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, cybersecurity and data privacy. The PRC government may also intervene with or influence the combined company’s operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals.
The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies regarding any industry that could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC, result in material changes in the combined company’s post-combination operations and cause the value of the combined company’s securities to significantly decline, or in extreme cases, become worthless or completely hinder the combined company’s ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. See “Risk Factors” beginning at page 50 and specifically at page 47 under the sub-heading “Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC.”
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On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”), which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede the prior rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership; (4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’ filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing fraud and misrepresentation.
We believe we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities, including the CSRC or the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”), or any other government entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change or we could be mistaken about these rules applicability, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with this offering, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. If the CSRC or the CAC, or any other governmental or regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for this offering, a business combination, the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC, CAC and/or other PRC regulatory agencies. It is uncertain whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect our ability to complete a business combination in which case we may have to liquidate which would be adverse to the interests of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after this offering. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China.
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As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to this offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with this offering, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC Target Company. We may also be subject to registration with the CSRC following this Offering pursuant to the Trial Measures. It is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect the interest of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after this offering. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company in China.
If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a China-based company, the combined company may make capital contributions or extend loans to any future PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations. From our inception to the date of this prospectus, no dividends or distributions have been made. After the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by any future PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of Chinese currency (RMB) into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC and vice versa. Therefore, the post-combination entity may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from its profits, if any; or limit its ability to make loans to or inject capital into its WFOE if it wishes to transfer cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities to the WFOE and then the VIE, if any.
In summary, there are numerous risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China including:
| ● | The approval of the CSRC, CAC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our offshore offerings, in connection with this registration statement, under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval; | |
| ● | Adverse changes in political and economic policies or political or social conditions of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position; | |
| ● | Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit legal protections available to you and us; | |
| ● | PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business; and | |
| ● | It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China |
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| ● | PRC companies in certain business sectors are required to undergo national security review or obtain clearance from relevant authorities, if necessary, before making any filings with the CSRC. | |
| ● | PRC companies must comply with national secrecy and data security laws with respect to any data disclosure. | |
| ● | CSRC has the authority to and may block offshore listings that: (1) are explicitly prohibited by laws; (2) may endanger national security; (3) involve criminal offenses such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property by the issuer, its controlling persons (with a three-year lookback); (4) involve the issuer under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations of laws and regulations; or (5) involve material ownership disputes. |
For a detailed description of risks associated with our significant ties to or a potential acquisition of a target business in China, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” commencing on page 47.
Our Management Team
Our management team is led by Xiaodong Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Caihong Chen, Chief Financial Officer and Director.
Xiaodong Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Wang resides in Beijing, China, and brings more than 25 years of experience to the Company. Mr. Wang has extensive experience in asset management, with aggregate assets under management of more than USD 2 billion throughout his career. In addition, Mr. Wang has accumulated extensive experience in investing in companies, which later became public, including investments in Anhui Tongyuan Environment Co., Ltd (SHA:688679), Greentech Environmental Co., Ltd (SHA: 688466), and Mobvista (01860.HK). Mr. Wang is currently serving as the General Manager at Beijing Shangshanyihe Investment Management Co., Ltd., a role Mr. Wang has held since October 2015. Mr. Wang also served as Senior Partner and General Manager at E20 Environmental Co., Ltd., a NEEQ (National Equities Exchange and Quotations) listed company from 2011 to 2015. Mr. Wang served as a Department General Manager at Hong Kong Energy (Holdings) Limited from 2009 to 2011, and as Head of Investment Department at Tsinghua Holdings Limited from 2008 to 2009. Prior to 2008, Mr. Wang served as Vice President, Head of Operations Department and Investment Department at Beijing Capital Technology Investment Co., Ltd. from 2000 to 2008.
Mr. Wang holds both a Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering and Master degree in Chemical Reaction Engineering from the Tsinghua University, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Guanghua School of Management of the Peking University.
Caihong Chen, Chief Financial Officer and Director. Ms. Chen, an investment and banking professional who brings nearly 25 years of financial experience to the Company resides in China. Currently, Ms. Chen is serving as the General Manager at Increase Family Office, a role Ms. Chen has held since August of 2016. Ms. Chen served as a Vice President of Operations in the Marketing Department of CITIC Trust Co., Ltd. from 2012 to 2016. Prior to her tenure at CITIC, she served in the capacity of Sub-Branch Manager at two mainland China branches of the China Construction Bank from 2000 to 2012, where she accumulated extensive banking and finance experience.
Ms. Chen has invested in various companies in the U.S. and Hong Kong, which later became public, most notably, including investment in Uber (NYSE: UBER), Meten EdtechX Education (NASDAQ: METX) and Razer (01337.HK). Ms. Chen holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Chinese Linguistics & Literature from Guangzhou Normal University and holds qualifications as an Associate Financial Planner (AFP), and various professional certifications including the Securities Qualification Certificate, Foreign Currency Qualification Certificate and Accounting Certificate.
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Our Independent Directors
We believe that our independent directors will provide public company governance, executive leadership, operational oversight, private equity investment management and capital markets experience. Our directors have experience with acquisitions, divestitures and corporate strategy and implementation, which we believe will significantly benefit us as we evaluate potential acquisition or merger candidates as well as following the completion of our initial business combination.
Mr. Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Independent Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Compensation Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Wu, who resides in China, will serve as an independent director bringing nearly 10 years of TMT experience and extensive finance and compliance expertise to the Company. In January 2020, Mr. Wu co-founded Yishang Co. Ltd., a start-up company focusing on TMT sector equity investments and has served as Yishang’s General Manager since its inception. Prior to co-founding Yishang, Mr. Wu served as a Senior Vice President of the TMT Sector at Citi Bank (China) Limited from 2013 to 2019. During his tenure at Citi Bank, he managed a vertical team of eight members and successfully led various types of financing, global cash management and FX management projects for a number of PRC listed companies, including Fujian Furi Electronics Co., Ltd.’s (SHA:600203) acquisition of Shenzhen Chino-E Communication Co., Ltd., a national-level high-tech enterprise; Zhejiang Crystal-Optech Co., Ltd., a domestic advanced and world-renowned enterprise in R&D and manufacturing of optics and optoelectronics; Kay Zhong Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (002823.SZ), a high-tech enterprise focusing on micro motor commutators; Shenzhen Sosen Electronics Co., Ltd. (301002.SZ), a high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales and service of LED Driver; and Shenzhen ChuangYiTong Technology Co., Ltd. (300991.SZ), a leading company in manufacturing connectors. Mr. Wu also has three years of experience in relationship management, serving as Manager of Relationship Management at the Royal Bank of Scotland (China) Limited from 2010 to 2013.
Mr. Wu holds a Bachelor degree in Logistics Management from Beijing Normal University, and an Economics Master of Science in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University.
Mr. Shuding Zeng, Independent Director, Chair of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Audit Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Zeng, who resides in China, will serve as an independent director bringing more than 20 years of experience to the Company. With many years of accumulation in display technology (such as LCD and CMOS projection, computer graphics, image processing technology, visual processing technology, deep learning and computer vision, etc.), Mr. Zeng has an in-depth grasp of CELL display technology, as well as exquisite precision semiconductor whole process technology, proficient in front-end and back-end technology. Mr. Zeng also has a more in-depth research on the performance optimization of semiconductor devices. Mr. Zeng has founded Shenzhen Langtaosha Network Technology Co., Ltd. since 2016 and serves as its President. Mr. Zeng founded a TFT LCD and human-computer interaction capacitively touch screen integration factory from 2009 to 2016. Mr. Zeng served as the Technical Director of BYD (002594.SZ) from 2005 to 2009.
Mr. Zeng holds a Bachelor degree in Project Management from Hunan Institute of Technology
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Mr. Lei Xiong, Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Xiong, who resides in China, will serve as our independent director. Mr. Xiong has more than ten years of Unity development experience (Unity is the world’s most widely used game engine for creating and deploying games, films, and immersive experiences across 20+ platforms on the Unity framework) and profound attainments in the field of computer vision. Mr. Xiong has issued and authorized six national invention patents and 18 software copyrights.
In July 2020, Mr. Xiong founded Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd., the visualization and security education software developed has become the industry leader and established a cooperative relationship with Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University and helped the hospital build a mixed reality rehabilitation experimental center, providing rehabilitation services for more than 10,000 patients every year. Mr. Xiong presently serves as Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd.’s President.
From June 2013 to July 2020, he worked as the Technical Director of Shenzhen Daxing Digital Electronics Co., LTD., and led the team to complete the research and development of the core algorithm of spatial gesture recognition and motion capture based on computer vision technology. He has realized breakthrough applications of deep learning and computer vision technology, graphics processing technology and visualization processing technology in many fields
Mr. Xiong holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Design from Jianghan University, and a Master degree in Business Administration from Wuhan University.
We believe our management team is well positioned to take advantage of the growing set of acquisition opportunities focused on the TMT sector and that our contacts and relationships, ranging from owners and management teams of private and public companies, private equity funds, investment bankers, attorneys, to accountants and business brokers will allow us to generate an attractive transaction for our shareholders.
The past performance of the members of our management team, our sponsor’s financial advisor or their affiliates is not a guarantee that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team or any of its affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that any business combination undertaken by the Company will be required to be approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Each of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. For more information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and see “Risk Factors.”
Acquisition Strategy
In line with our strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important to assess future business objectives. We intend to use these standards and guidelines to assess acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to conduct our initial business merger with target businesses that does not meet these standards and guidelines. We believe that in the TMT industry, a considerable number of target companies can benefit from the large-scale operation of new capital and the integration of production and transportation, which we believe will bring considerable revenue and revenue growth.
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Our management team intends to focus on creating shareholder value by leveraging its experience in the management, operation and financing of businesses to improve the efficiency of operations while implementing strategies to scale revenue organically and/or through acquisitions. We have identified the following general criteria and guidelines, which we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. While we intend to use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating prospective businesses, we may deviate from these criteria and guidelines should we see justification to do so.
| ● | Strong management team that can create significant value for target business. We will seek to identify companies with strong and experienced management teams that will complement the operating and investment abilities of our management team. We believe we can provide a platform for the existing management team to leverage the experience of our management team. We also believe that the operating expertise of our management team is well suited to complement the target’s management team. | |
| ● | Revenue and Earnings Growth Potential. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential for significant revenue and earnings growth through a combination of both existing and new product development, increased production capacity, expense reduction and synergistic follow-on acquisitions resulting in increased operating leverage. | |
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| Potential for Strong Free Cash Flow Generation. We will seek to acquire one or more businesses that have the potential to generate strong, stable and increasing free cash flow, particularly businesses with predictable revenue streams and definable low working capital and capital expenditure requirements. We may also seek to prudently leverage this cash flow in order to enhance shareholder value. | |
| ● | Core competencies. We believe that only companies with core and competitive capabilities can succeed. Core competitiveness includes shareholder structure, founders, core teams, research and development capabilities, professionalism, and business management models. For example, the founder and core team, the personnel matching team has more advantages, in addition, the quality, character, and business capabilities of enterprise leaders are the core influencing factors in the development of the enterprise. | |
| ● | Benefit from Being a Public Company. We intend to only acquire a business or businesses that will benefit from being publicly traded and which can effectively utilize access to broader sources of capital and a public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company. |
This criteria does not intend 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 sponsor and management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into an initial 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.
Our acquisition strategy is to identify an untapped opportunity within the TMT sector and offer a public-ready business, a facility through which to enter the public sphere, access capital markets, and advance its priorities. We intend to focus on companies that have a solid technological foundation and promising market opportunities, which have so far refrained from becoming public for a variety of reasons. We hope to serve as an attractive partner for those companies, enabling them to go public in an alternate, more easily accessible manner — a business combination transaction — and to thereby benefit from the capital-raising options available for a publicly traded company in the U.S.
Our sponsor’s participants and their affiliates have extensive experience and expertise in strategic investments in public and private companies where they have a strong investment conviction driven by clearly identifiable growth opportunities. We will apply a similar investment philosophy and approach to analyze prospective targets and identify an attractive business combination.
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Investment Strategy
The experience and networks of the members of our team represents one of the key elements in our investment strategy. We believe that we can provide target companies with significant added value, which may represent a decisive competitive advantage when compared to other SPACs. Our management team has experience as well as knowledge of technology industries having developed, built and been actively involved in companies building solutions in the TMT sector. We recognize that often company founders who conceive and develop outstanding technologies do not have the necessary market knowledge and business experience to build a strong team and successfully convert their technology into commercial products. We believe we can provide relevant experience to the founders of a target company in a business combination.
We are confident of our ability to bring significant added value to acquisition targets, including:
| ● | Access to our Networks. We have well established contacts at the senior level with executives in technology and other relevant sectors, which relationships could be relied upon to open doors and facilitate business development opportunities, receive feedback on the attractiveness and potential of the products and so on. | |
| ● | Management Mentoring. Relying on our management team and affiliates’ deep management and technology experience, we can advise and participate in management discussions, giving the benefit of our experience and technological knowledge. | |
| ● | Facilitate Capital Market Opportunities. Considering and implementing corporate finance activities, including identifying and executing merger opportunities between companies in the TMT sector with strong synergies where the pooling of resources could well bring about economies of scale and significant increases in enterprise value. |
We have identified the following general, non-exclusive criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective targets for our initial business combination. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating acquisition opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet one or more of these criteria and guidelines. Essentially, we will seek good companies, with strong growth potential, having a management team that demonstrates openness to accept advice and to reassess objectives in light of changing market circumstances. We intend to focus on target businesses or assets with the following attributes:
| ● | Large Markets. We intend to target companies that operate or will operate in a large addressable market in the TMT industry sectors and related technologies. | |
| ● | Middle-Market Businesses. We believe that the middle-market segment provides the greatest number of opportunities for investment and is consistent with our sponsor’s participants’ investment history across the various technology segments. These segments are where our management team has the strongest capability to identify attractive opportunities. We will seek to acquire potential target businesses which can use the funding we bring to achieve value-creating milestones. | |
| ● | Established Platform at Inflection Point of Growth. Collectively, our management team and board has meaningful experience operating and investing in a broad range of technology businesses. We believe that our broad understanding of companies operating in the TMT ecosystem, uniquely positions us to identify companies at the center of TMT industry trends and identify opportunities where capital deployment can be most impactful. | |
| ● | Benefit from Being a Public Company. We will seek potential target businesses with technological or other competitive advantages in the markets in which they operate that can benefit from a broader access to capital, and the heightened public profile associated with being a publicly traded company. It is likely that companies will have been planning a public issue as their preferred medium-long term financing strategy. |
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| ● | Technology-Driven Business Model. We will seek to acquire potential target businesses with pioneering technologies in the TMT industry sectors, where we are able to utilize our industry knowledge and contacts to validate the value proposition and provide added value. | |
| ● | Competitive Edge. We aim to target companies that are set up for long term growth and as such, have a competitive edge. This may include first to market, network effects, lead in technology or access to the key customers. | |
| ● | Experienced Management Team. A target company’s management team and engineering/technical teams will be a key part of our evaluation. The right combination of management and technical expertise at a target company will be the key to long term success for these types of companies. Our management team and our board have significant experience in understanding such companies and evaluating a company’s management and technical expertise. The team must be suitable as a candidate for a public listing. | |
| ● | Significant Growth Prospects. We will look to select a target business expected to have significant embedded and/or underexploited growth opportunities; with near- and longer-term valuation inflection points that will allow them to reap the advantages and acceleration of having access to public capital markets. It will be important to see that the availability of investment will accelerate the growth path. |
We may use other criteria and guidelines as well. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based on these general criteria and guidelines as well as other considerations, factors, and criteria that our management may deem relevant. If we decide to enter an initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that fact in our shareholder communications related to the acquisition. As discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, this would be in the form of proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents that we would file with the SEC.
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a comprehensive due diligence review. That due diligence review may include, among other things, financial statement analysis, IPO readiness assessment, business practices integration analysis, document reviews, meetings with the target’s management and other employees, inspection of facilities, consultations with relevant industry experts, competitors, customers, and suppliers, as well as a review of additional information (operational, financial, legal and otherwise) that we will seek to obtain as part of our analysis of a target company.
Transfers of Cash to and from our Post Business Combination Subsidiaries
To date, we have not pursued an initial business combination and there have not been any capital contributions or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared or made any dividends or distributions. Although we do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction, our initial business combination target company may include a company based in the PRC. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in the PRC, the combined company, whose securities will be listed on a U.S. stock exchange, may make capital contributions or extend loans to its PRC subsidiaries through intermediate holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations.
After the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by its PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular, under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to statutory and other reserves required to be made.
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Current PRC regulations permit a potential PRC target company’s indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to an overseas subsidiary, for example, a subsidiary located in Hong Kong, only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of the target’s subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. As a result, the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company. Furthermore, each such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of the Renminbi (“RMB”), the legal currency of the PRC, into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Our initial business combination target may be a PRC company with substantially all of its revenues in RMB. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of the PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands post business combination, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders. Furthermore, if our target’s subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments.
Cash dividends, if any, on our ordinary shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and, as a result, may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%.
The PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account or capital account transactions. If the foreign exchange control regulations prevent the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy their foreign currency demands, the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company may not be able to pay dividends or repay loans in foreign currencies to their offshore intermediary holding companies and ultimately to the combined company. We cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the remittance of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from time to time, that the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends outside of the PRC. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Acquiring or Operating Businesses in the PRC” under the subheadings “Cash-Flow Structure of a Post-Acquisition Company Based in China” and “Exchange controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to acquire a target company in the PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination.”
Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we complete one or more initial 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 interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our 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 the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), or an independent valuation or appraisal firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria.
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While we consider it unlikely that our board will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of a target business or businesses, it may be unable to do so if the board is less familiar or experienced with the target company’s business, there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the Company’s assets or prospects, including if such company is at an early stage of development, operations or growth, or if the anticipated transaction involves a complex financial analysis or other specialized skills and the board determines that outside expertise would be helpful or necessary in conducting such analysis. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that the fair market value of the target business meets the 80% of net assets threshold, unless such opinion includes material information regarding the valuation of a target business or the consideration to be provided, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed to our shareholders. However, if required under applicable law, any proxy statement that we deliver to shareholders and file with the SEC in connection with a proposed transaction will include such opinion.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-business combination 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-business combination 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-business combination 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.
Even if the post-business combination 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-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 shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock 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-business combination company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which 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.
The net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units 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 or used for redemption of our public shares, we may use the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account following the closing 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, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. In addition, we may be required to obtain additional financing in connection with the closing of our initial business combination to be used following the closing for general corporate purposes as described above.
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Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides 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 as a class with our public shares (a) on any initial business combination or any other proposal presented to the shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination, or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), or (y) amend the foregoing provisions, unless (in connection with any such amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) we offer our public shareholders the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
We have 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 of the SEC 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 business combination.
Our Sponsor
Our Sponsor is HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., a British Virgin Islands business company with limited liability.
On February 27, 2024, the Company issued our Sponsor 1,437,500 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per unit. Our officers and directors have a significant economic interest in our Sponsor. As a result of the low acquisition cost of our founder shares, our Sponsor, its affiliates and our management team could make a substantial profit even if we select and consummate an initial business combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public shareholders. Thus, such parties may have more of an economic incentive for us to enter into an initial business combination with a riskier, weaker-performing or financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, than would be the case if such parties had paid the full offering price for their founder shares.
Each of our directors and officers 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. 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 opportunity to such entity. 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.
Notwithstanding our founder’s and management team’s past experiences, past performance is not a guarantee (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) that we will provide an attractive return to our shareholders from any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the members of our management team or our sponsor or their respective affiliates or any related investment’s performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward. Each of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. For more information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and see “Risk Factors.”
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Other Considerations
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. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise. None of our sponsors, officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our 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.
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at Xiandai Tongxin Building, 201 Xin Jinqiao Road, Rm 302, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China and our telephone number is +86 136 0300 0540.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on January 30, 2024, with limited liability. Cayman Islands 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 received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government on 2 April 2024 that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (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 dividend or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities 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 (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, 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 billion (as adjusted for inflation pursuant to SEC rules from time to time), or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
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Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. 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 any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250.0 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not exceed $100.0 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700.0 million as of the prior June 30. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
Financial Position
With funds available for an initial business combination initially in the amount of $945,000, after payment of $500,000 of deferred underwriting fees (or $575,000 of deferred underwriting fees if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in cash, in each case before fees and expenses associated with our initial business combination (other than deferred underwriting fees), 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 leverage 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.
Evaluation of a Target Business and Structuring of our Initial Business Combination
Our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of our assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into our initial business combination. The fair market value of our initial business combination will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as discounted cash flow valuation, a valuation based on trading multiples of comparable public businesses or a valuation based on the financial metrics of M&A transactions of comparable businesses. 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 or another independent entity that ordinarily renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not 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 a target’s assets or prospects. We do not intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination. Subject to this requirement, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operation.
In any case, we will only complete an initial business combination in which we own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquire a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we own or acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses, the portion of such business or businesses that are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of fair market value test. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
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In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review, which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as 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 initial business combination transaction.
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. The company will not pay any consulting fees to members of our management team, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to or in connection with our initial 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.
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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.
| Type of Transaction | Whether Shareholder Approval is Required | |
| Purchase of assets | No | |
| Purchase of shares of target not involving a merger with the company | No | |
| Merger of target into a subsidiary of the Company | No | |
| Merger of the Company with a target | Yes |
Under Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements, 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 the Nasdaq governance rules) has a 5% or greater interest (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 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 law 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:
| ● | 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; | |
| ● | the expected cost of holding a shareholder vote; | |
| ● | the risk that the shareholders would fail to approve the proposed business combination; | |
| ● | other time and budget constraints of the Company; and | |
| ● | additional legal complexities of a proposed business combination that would be time-consuming and burdensome to present to shareholders. |
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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 or 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. There is no limit on the number of shares our initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. 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. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public 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. To the extent that any public shares are purchased, such public shares will be voted as required by Tender Offers and Schedules Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations Question 166.01 promulgated by the SEC. Further, 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. None of the funds held in the trust account will be used to purchase shares in such transactions prior to completion of our initial business combination.
Subsequent to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt an insider trading policy which will require insiders to: (i) refrain from purchasing our securities during certain blackout periods when they are in possession of any material non-public information and (ii) clear all trades of company securities with a compliance officer prior to execution. We cannot currently determine whether our insiders will make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, as it will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the timing and size of such purchases. Depending on such circumstances, our insiders may either make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or determine that such a plan is not necessary.
The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be 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. If such purchases are made, the public “float” of our ordinary shares or rights 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, officers, directors and/or any of their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the shareholders with whom our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may pursue privately negotiated purchases by either the shareholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests tendered by shareholders following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling shareholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such shareholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination. Such persons would select the shareholders from whom to acquire shares based on the number of shares available, the negotiated price per share and such other factors as any such person may deem relevant at the time of purchase. The price per share paid in any such transaction 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. Our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates will only purchase shares if such purchases comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws.
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Any purchases by our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates who are affiliated purchasers under Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act will only be made to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18, which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-18 has certain technical requirements that must be complied with in order for the safe harbor to be available to the purchaser. Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates will not make purchases of shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. To the extent that any public shares are purchased, such public shares will be voted as required by Tender Offers and Schedules Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations Question 166.01 promulgated by the SEC. Further, 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.
Redemption Rights for Public Shareholders upon Completion of our Initial Business Combination
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares 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 calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be approximately $10.05 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.
The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect 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 completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination. However, we will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination and after payment of deferred underwriters’ fees and commissions (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement (described above), we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time.
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 $945,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. We will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the trust account to pay any tax obligations we may owe. 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 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 $50,000 of such accrued interest to pay taxes, and these costs and expenses.
Limitations on Redemptions
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). However, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all 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 initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof.
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Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) 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). 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 outstanding ordinary shares or seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association would require shareholder approval. We currently intend to conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote unless shareholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other reasons. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with Nasdaq’s rules.
If we hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination, 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 upon 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 means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. Our initial shareholders will count towards this quorum and, pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement entered into with us, our sponsor and members of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering, in favor of our initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our outstanding ordinary shares voted, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction (subject to the limitations described in this prospectus).
Our meeting quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial shareholders, may make it more likely that we will complete our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction or whether they were a shareholder on the record date for the shareholder meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. In addition, our sponsor, directors and each member of our management, 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 and any public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion of a business combination and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect 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 completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination.
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If, however, shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law or stock exchange listing requirement, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association:
| ● | conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers; and | |
| ● | file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to 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. |
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase ordinary shares in the open market if we elect to redeem our public shares through a tender offer, to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act. 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.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). Redemptions of our public shares may also be subject to a higher net tangible asset test or cash requirement pursuant to an agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all 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 initial business combination or redeem any shares, and all ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof.
Limitation on Redemption upon Completion of Our Initial Business Combination If We Seek Shareholder Approval
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will 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 the Excess Shares. 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 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 sold in this offering without our prior consent, 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.
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Tendering Share Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights
Public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” will be required to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, mailed to such holders, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/ Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case up to two business days prior to the initially scheduled vote to approve the initial business combination. The proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate the applicable delivery requirements, which will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. Accordingly, a public shareholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two days prior to the initial vote on the initial business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. Given the relatively short period in which to exercise redemption rights, it is advisable for shareholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker 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 tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.
The foregoing is different from the procedures used by many blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the shareholders’ vote on an initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise his or her redemption rights. After the initial business combination was approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for him or her to deliver his or her certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the shareholder then had an “option window” after the completion of the initial business combination during which he or she could monitor the price of the Company’s shares in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he or she could sell his or her shares in the open market before actually delivering his or her shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which shareholders were aware they needed to commit before the general meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the completion of the initial business combination until the redeeming holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the meeting ensures that a redeeming shareholder’s election to redeem is irrevocable once the initial business combination is approved.
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination, unless otherwise agreed to by us. 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 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions as set forth in this prospectus).
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Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if no Initial Business Combination
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we will have 18 months to consummate the initial business combination (subject to six one-month extensions as described elsewhere in this prospectus). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor must deposit into the trust account for each of the six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. If we have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination as it may be extended, as set forth in our prospectus, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and potentially, dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management 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 their founder shares if we do not complete an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination. However, if our sponsor, directors or members of our 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 do not complete an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination.
Our sponsor, executive 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 that would affect 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 period to consummate the initial business combination, 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares. However, we may not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement, we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer, director, or any other person.
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 $945,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account plus up to $50,000 of funds from the interest on the trust account available to us to pay taxes and if needed, dissolution expenses, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose.
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If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering the sale of the placement units, 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 $10.05. 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 $10.05. Under the Companies Act, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our shareholders. 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 (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), 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 perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver.
The underwriters 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 (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.05 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 $10.05 per unit, due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our taxes, if any, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account 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.
In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. 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 their 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. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
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In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.05 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 $10.05 per unit, due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay our taxes, if any, and our sponsor asserts that they are 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. 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 $10.05 per unit.
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 (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), 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 $945,000 from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units 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 $50,000). 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, however such liability will not be greater than the amount of funds from our trust account received by any such shareholder. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $895,000, 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 $895,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it were 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.
If we do not complete our initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and if needed, dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following our 24th month and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our shareholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
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As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the trust account is remote. Further, our sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the trust account are not reduced below (i) $10.05 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest withdrawn to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
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 $10.05 per unit 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 an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, (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 an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination or (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares, or (iii) if they redeem their respective shares for cash upon the completion of the initial business combination. Public shareholders who redeem their ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (ii) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business combination or liquidation if we have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, with respect to such ordinary shares so redeemed. 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 initial 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.
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Comparison of Redemption or Purchase Prices in Connection with our Initial Business Combination and if We Do Not 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 have not completed our initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination.
Redemptions in Connection with our Initial Business Combination | Other Permitted Purchases of Public Shares by us or our Affiliates | Redemptions if we fail to Complete an Initial Business Combination | ||||
| Calculation of redemption price | Redemptions at the time of our initial business combination may be made pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. The redemption price will be the same whether we conduct redemptions pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a shareholder vote. In either case, our public shareholders may redeem their public shares for cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of the initial business combination (which is initially anticipated to be $10.05 per unit), including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitation that no redemptions will take place if all of the redemptions would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 and 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 respective 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 respective 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 have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, 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 $10.05 per unit), including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares. | |||
| Impact to remaining shareholders | The redemptions in connection with our initial business combination will reduce the book value per unit for our remaining shareholders, who will bear the burden of the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable. | If the permitted purchases described above are made, 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 do not complete our initial business combination will reduce the book value per unit for the shares held by our sponsor, who will be our only remaining shareholder after such redemptions. |
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Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of an offering by a blank check company subject to the provisions of Rule 419. This comparison assumes that the gross proceeds, underwriting commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Escrow of offering proceeds | $50,250,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units will be deposited into a U.S.-based trust account with Wilmington Trust, National Association, acting as trustee. | Approximately $42,975,000 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 | $50,250,000 (or $57,787,500 in the event of the underwriter’s full exercise of its over-allotment option) of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the placement units held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. | 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 income (if any) 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 $50,000 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 income 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 | ||
| Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business | Nasdaq rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of our assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust 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. |
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| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Trading of securities issued | The public shares are expected to begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. | No trading of the public shares 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 completion of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. We may not be required by law to hold a shareholder vote. If we are not required by law and do not otherwise decide to hold a shareholder vote, we will, pursuant to our 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, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction. | A prospectus containing information pertaining to the initial 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. |
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| Terms of Our Offering | Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering | |||
| Business combination deadline | If we have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. | If an acquisition has not been completed within 18 months after the effective date of the Company’s registration statement (subject to six one-month extensions, set forth in this prospectus), funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors. | ||
| Release of funds | Except for the withdrawal of interest income (if any) to pay our taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earliest of:
(2) the completion of our initial business combination,
(ii) the redemption of 100% of our public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, 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 that (A) would affect 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 completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination or (B) with respect to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and any other 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. |
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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 blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, public companies and operating businesses seeking strategic business combinations. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do. 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 initial business combination 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, which 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
Our executive offices are located at Xiandai Tongxin Building, 201 Xin Jinqiao Road, Rm 302, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China and our telephone number is +86 136 0300 0540. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We currently have two executive officers and no employees. Our two executive officers 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 initial 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 ordinary shares and 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 accounting firm.
We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements may be required 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 acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and 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 acquisition 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 acquisition 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, 2024, 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 acquisition.
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We have 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 completion of our initial business combination.
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, the federal securities laws provide 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 billion (as adjusted for inflation pursuant to SEC rules from time to time), or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such, and we and the members of our management team have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 12 months preceding the date of this prospectus.
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Officers and Directors
Our officers and directors are as follows:
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Xiaodong Wang | 60 | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | ||
| Caihong Chen | 52 | Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
| Zheng “Terrence” Wu | 37 | Independent Director | ||
| Shuding Zeng | 44 | Independent Director | ||
| Lei Xiong | 35 | Independent Director |
Our management team is led by Xiaodong Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Caihong Chen, Chief Financial Officer and Director.
Xiaodong Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Wang resides in Beijing, China, and brings more than 25 years of experience to the Company. Mr. Wang has extensive experience in asset management, with aggregate assets under management of more than USD 2 billion throughout his career. In addition, Mr. Wang has accumulated extensive experience in investing in companies, which later became public, including investments in Anhui Tongyuan Environment Co., Ltd (SHA:688679), Greentech Environmental Co., Ltd (SHA: 688466), and Mobvista (01860.HK). Mr. Wang is currently serving as the General Manager at Beijing Shangshanyihe Investment Management Co., Ltd., a role Mr. Wang has held since October 2015. Mr. Wang also served as Senior Partner and General Manager at E20 Environmental Co., Ltd., a NEEQ (National Equities Exchange and Quotations) listed company from 2011 to 2015. Mr. Wang served as a Department General Manager at Hong Kong Energy (Holdings) Limited from 2009 to 2011, and as Head of Investment Department at Tsinghua Holdings Limited from 2008 to 2009. Prior to 2008, Mr. Wang served as Vice President, Head of Operations Department and Investment Department at Beijing Capital Technology Investment Co., Ltd. from 2000 to 2008.
Mr. Wang holds both a Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering and Master degree in Chemical Reaction Engineering from the Tsinghua University, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Guanghua School of Management of the Peking University.
Caihong Chen, Chief Financial Officer and Director. Ms. Chen, an investment and banking professional who brings nearly 25 years of financial experience to the Company resides in China. Currently, Ms. Chen is serving as the General Manager at Increase Family Office, a role Ms. Chen has held since August of 2016. Ms. Chen served as a Vice President of Operations in the Marketing Department of CITIC Trust Co., Ltd. from 2012 to 2016. Prior to her tenure at CITIC, she served in the capacity of Sub-Branch Manager at two mainland China branches of the China Construction Bank from 2000 to 2012, where she accumulated extensive banking and finance experience.
Ms. Chen has invested in various companies in the U.S. and Hong Kong, which later became public, most notably, including investment in Uber (NYSE: UBER), Meten EdtechX Education (NASDAQ: METX) and Razer (01337.HK). Ms. Chen holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Chinese Linguistics & Literature from Guangzhou Normal University and holds qualifications as an Associate Financial Planner (AFP), and various professional certifications including the Securities Qualification Certificate, Foreign Currency Qualification Certificate and Accounting Certificate.
Our Independent Director
We believe that our independent directors will provide public company governance, executive leadership, operational oversight, private equity investment management and capital markets experience. Our directors have experience with acquisitions, divestitures and corporate strategy and implementation, which we believe will significantly benefit us as we evaluate potential acquisition or merger candidates as well as following the completion of our initial business combination.
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Mr. Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Independent Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Compensation Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Wu, who resides in China, will serve as an independent director bringing nearly 10 years of TMT experience and extensive finance and compliance expertise to the Company. In January 2020, Mr. Wu co-founded Yishang Co. Ltd., a start-up company focusing on TMT sector equity investments and has served as Yishang’s General Manager since its inception. Prior to co-founding Yishang, Mr. Wu served as a Senior Vice President of the TMT Sector at Citibank (China) Limited from December 2013 to December 2019. During his tenure at Citibank, he managed a vertical team of eight members and successfully led various types of financing, global cash management and FX management projects for a number of PRC listed companies, including Fujian Furi Electronics Co., Ltd.’s (SHA:600203) acquisition of Shenzhen Chino-E Communication Co., Ltd., a national-level high-tech enterprise; Zhejiang Crystal-Optech Co., Ltd., a domestic advanced and world-renowned enterprise in R&D and manufacturing of optics and optoelectronics; Kay Zhong Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (002823.SZ), a high-tech enterprise focusing on micro motor commutators; Shenzhen Sosen Electronics Co., Ltd. (301002.SZ), a high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales and service of LED Driver; and Shenzhen ChuangYiTong Technology Co., Ltd. (300991.SZ), a leading company in manufacturing connectors. Mr. Wu also has three years of experience in relationship management, serving as Manager of Relationship Management at the Royal Bank of Scotland (China) Limited from 2010 to 2013.
Mr. Wu holds a Bachelor degree in Logistics Management from Beijing Normal University (2009), and an Economics Master of Science in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University, U.K. (2012).
Mr. Shuding Zeng, Independent Director, Chair of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Audit Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Zeng, who resides in China, will serve as an independent director bringing more than 20 years of experience to the Company. In November 2016, Mr. Zeng founded Shenzhen Langtuosha Network Technology Co., Ltd. with a comprehensive team covering shape design, hardware development, software design, independent product brand operation, online self-management, cross-border wholesale and retail, etc., to achieve full link coverage from research and development to independent channel sales, where he presently serves as President.
From October 2009 to November 2016, he founded a TFT LCD display and human-computer interaction capacitive touch screen integration factory, led the team to achieve innovation and breakthrough in technology and management, made remarkable progress in LCD display and touch screen technology, and successfully promoted the cooperation projects with many well-known companies at home and abroad. From March 2005 to October 2009, he served as the Technical Director of BYD (002594.SZ), during which he led the team to establish the core cooperative relationship with Gionee, CECT, Wentai, Longqi and other mobile phone solutions and terminal brands, successfully helping to promote the company’s market share and technical influence in the field of mobile communication.
With his accumulation in the field of display technology (such as LCD and CMOS projection, computer graphics, image processing technology, visualization processing technology, deep learning and computer vision, etc.), Mr. Zeng has a deep grasp of CELL display technology, and has exquisite precision semiconductor full process technology, proficient in front-end and back-end technology. He has conducted in-depth research on the performance optimization of semiconductor devices.
Mr. Zeng holds a Bachelor degree in Project Management from Hunan Institute of Technology.
Mr. Lei Xiong, Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Upon the closing of this offering, Mr. Xiong, who resides in China, will serve as our independent director. Mr. Xiong has more than ten years of Unity development experience (Unity is the world’s most widely used game engine for creating and deploying games, films, and immersive experiences across 20+ platforms on the Unity framework) and profound attainments in the field of computer vision. Mr. Xiong has issued and authorized six national invention patents and 18 software copyrights.
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In July 2020, Mr. Xiong founded Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd., the visualization and security education software developed has become the industry leader and established a cooperative relationship with Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University and helped the hospital build a mixed reality rehabilitation experimental center, providing rehabilitation services for more than 10,000 patients every year. Mr. Xiong presently serves as Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd.’s President.
From June 2013 to July 2020, he worked as the Technical Director of Shenzhen Daxing Digital Electronics Co., LTD., and led the team to complete the research and development of the core algorithm of spatial gesture recognition and motion capture based on computer vision technology. He has realized breakthrough applications of deep learning and computer vision technology, graphics processing technology and visualization processing technology in many fields
Mr. Xiong holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Design from Jianghan University, and a Master degree in Business Administration from Wuhan University.
We believe our management team is well positioned to take advantage of the growing set of acquisition opportunities focused on the TMT sector and that our contacts and relationships, ranging from owners and management teams of private and public companies, private equity funds, investment bankers, attorneys, to accountants and business brokers will allow us to generate an attractive transaction for our shareholders.
The past performance of the members of our management team, our sponsor’s financial advisor or their affiliates is not a guarantee that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team or any of its affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.
Each of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities intended to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. For more information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and see “Risk Factors.”
We will seek to leverage the proprietary network of relationships of our officers, directors and advisors to identify, structure, finance and support the operations of a business combination target. We expect to conduct a comprehensive due diligence review which will include a detailed strategic assessment of the target business and the merits of its investment case, among other things, careful assessment of management and its stewardship, review of historical and prospective financial performance, site visits and thorough evaluation of all material company information. Our diligence process will also include an evaluation of key customer accounts and any concentration, renewal and tenure risks. We will seek to evaluate total addressable market size and market share, as well as conduct a full product review and competitive landscape analysis. We intend to work alongside management to identify key organic and inorganic growth drivers, while also assessing the impact our management team can have to accelerate these opportunities. The management team will employ a disciplined and highly selective investment process and expect to add value to a target company through add-on acquisitions, capital structure optimization and operational improvements & growth.
The past performance of our officers, directors or advisors is not a guarantee of either: (i) our ability to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination; or (ii) our ability to achieve success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. None of our officers, directors or advisors has had management experience with special purpose acquisition corporations in the past. Historical record of our directors’ and officers’ performances should not be considered indicative of any future performance.
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Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
We have five directors whose term of office will expire at our first annual general meeting. In accordance with the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. Moreover, 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 meeting of shareholders until after we complete our initial business combination.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that our directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. The directors shall also have power at any time to appoint any person who is willing to act as a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director. After the completion of an initial business combination, the Company may by ordinary resolution appoint any person to be a director or may by ordinary resolution remove any director. Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, nominees for directors must be selected or recommended by independent directors constituting a majority of the Board’s independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate independent directors. Upon completion of an initial business combination, our sponsor will be entitled to nominate individuals for election to our board of directors, as long as our sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration rights agreement.
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 nominate persons to the offices set forth in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as it deems appropriate. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that our officers may consist of one or more chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the Company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directors has determined that Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong are “independent directors,” as defined in Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Executive Officer and Director Compensation
None of our executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. 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. 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 respective affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. 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 completing an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination.
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After the completion of our initial business combination, 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 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 completion 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 completion 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 and a limited exception, 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. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq require that the corporate governance committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
A listed company of the Nasdaq must have an audit committee with a minimum of three independent directors who satisfy the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3. We have established an audit committee of the board of directors. Messrs. Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong serve as members of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of Zheng Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Zheng Wu 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 each qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
| ● | appointing, compensating and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm; | |
| ● | reviewing and approving the annual audit plan for the company and 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; |
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| ● | overseeing the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; | |
| ● | discussing the annual audited financial statements and unaudited quarterly financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; | |
| ● | pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed; | |
| ● | appointing or replacing the independent registered public accounting firm; | |
| ● | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints (including anonymous complaints) we receive concerning accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or potential violations of law; | |
| ● | monitoring our environmental sustainability and governance practices; | |
| ● | establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; | |
| ● | approving audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm; | |
| ● | discussing earnings press releases and financial information provided to analysts and rating agencies; | |
| ● | discussing with management our policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management; | |
| ● | reviewing any material transaction between us and our Chief Financial Officer that has been approved in accordance with our Code of Ethics for our officers, and providing prior written approval of any material transaction between us and our President, 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; and | |
| ● | producing an annual report for inclusion in our proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. |
Compensation Committee
We established a compensation committee of our board of directors. The members of our compensation committee include Messrs. Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong. Mr. Shuding Zeng serves as chairman of the compensation committee. Under Nasdaq listing standards and governance rules and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent directors.
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Our board of directors has determined that each of Zheng Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong is independent. We have 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 salaries and approving incentive compensation and equity awards, as well as compensation policies, for all other officers who file reports of their ownership, and changes in ownership, of the Company’s ordinary shares under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (the “Section 16 Officers”), as designated by our board of directors; | |
| ● | making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to incentive compensation programs and equity-based plans that are subject to board approval; | |
| ● | approving any employment or severance agreements with our Section 16 Officers; | |
| ● | granting any awards under equity compensation plans and annual bonus plans to our President and the Section 16 Officers; | |
| ● | approving the compensation of our directors; and | |
| ● | producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. |
No compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our initial shareholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.
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.
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.
Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees
The guidelines for selecting nominees, are specified in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, generally provide that, with regards to persons to be nominated:
| ● | should possess personal qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business community; |
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| ● | should have current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which we do business and, in our industry, or other industries relevant to our business; | |
| ● | should have the ability and willingness to commit adequate time to the board of directors and committee matters; | |
| ● | should demonstrate ability and willingness to commit adequate time to the board of directors and committee matters; | |
| ● | should possess the fit of the individual’s skills and personality with those of other directors and potential directors in building a board of directors that is effective, collegial and responsive to our needs; and | |
| ● | should demonstrate diversity of viewpoints, background, experience, and other demographics, and all aspects of diversity in order to enable the board of directors to perform its duties and responsibilities effectively, including candidates with a diversity of age, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. |
With respect to future officers and directors, nominees for directors must be selected or recommended by independent directors constituting a majority of the Board’s independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate. Each year in connection with the nomination of candidates for election to the board of directors, the board of directors will evaluate the background of each candidate, including candidates that may be submitted by our shareholders.
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 and our audit committee charter as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You may review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Conflicts of Interest
Under Cayman Islands law, directors owe the following fiduciary duties:
| (i) | duty to act in good faith in what the director 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 not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and | |
| (v) | 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.
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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.
Certain of our officers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including entities that are affiliates of our sponsor, 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 the Companies Act. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to identify and pursue business combination opportunities or to complete our initial business combination.
In addition, our sponsor, officers and directors may participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company prior to completion of our initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers or directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other blank check company with which they may become involved. Although we have no formal policy in place for vetting potential conflicts of interest, our board of directors will review any potential conflicts of interest on a case-by-case basis.
Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our executive officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties, contractual obligations or other current material management relationships:
| Individual(1) | Entity(2) | Entity’s Business | Affiliation | |||
| Xiaodong Wang | Beijing Shangshanyihe Investment Management Co., Ltd. | Finance and Investments | General Manager | |||
| Caihong Chen | Increase Family Office Yishang Co., Ltd. | Family Office Computer Integrated System Services | General Manager Director, Executive General Manager, Co-Founder | |||
| Zheng “Terrence” Wu | Yishang Co., Ltd. | Computer Integrated System Services | Director, Executive General Manager, Co-Founder | |||
| Shuding Zeng | Shenzhen Langtaosha Network Technology Co., Ltd. | CELL display technology | President | |||
| Lei Xiong | Shenzhen Coolfish Digital Technology Co., Ltd. | Computer vision technology | President |
| (1) | Each person has a fiduciary duty with respect to the listed entities next to their respective names. |
| (2) | Each of the entities listed in this table has priority and preference relative to our company with respect to the performance by each individual listed in this table of his or her obligations and the presentation by each such individual of business opportunities. |
Accordingly, if any of the above executive officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for any of the above entities to which he or she has 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, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity.
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We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with such a company, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that ordinarily renders valuation opinions, that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, pursuant to the letter agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares or placement shares held by them and any public shares purchased during or after the offering (including in open market and privately negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.
Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
Our executive 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 executive officers and directors is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers and directors are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs.
| ● | Our executive 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 executive officers and directors is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he or she may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers and directors are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. | |
| ● | Our sponsor subscribed for or purchased founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and will purchase placement units in a transaction that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. | |
| ● | Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management team have entered into agreements with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect 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 completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination. Additionally, our sponsor has agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. Except as described herein, our sponsor and our executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (a) twelve months after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) upon completion of our initial business combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per unit (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, 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 after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. |
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| ● | The placement units will not be transferable until 30 days following the completion of our initial business combination. Because our executive officers and directors will own ordinary shares directly or indirectly, 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. | |
| ● | 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 is 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 that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business that is affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from either an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in the event that we seek such a business combination, we expect that the independent members of our board of directors would be involved in the process for considering and approving the transaction. Furthermore, in no event will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, be paid by the company any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination.
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, and our sponsor and the members of our management team have agreed to vote any shares purchased during or after the offering, in favor of our initial business combination.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman Islands law allows us to indemnify our directors, officers and auditors acting in relation to any of our affairs against actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses incurred by reason of any act done or omitted in the execution of their duties as our directors, officers and auditors.
Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we may indemnify our directors and officers to, among other persons, from and against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities which they or any of them incurred or sustained in or about the conduct of the Company’s business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of their or any of their duties, powers, authorities or discretions, except such (if any) as they shall incur or sustain through their own fraud, wilful default or wilful 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.
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We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether the Companies Act would permit such indemnification.
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 (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 only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we complete 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.
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The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our ordinary shares offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of public shares in this offering, by:
| ● | each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares; | |
| ● | each of our executive officers and directors that beneficially owns ordinary shares; and | |
| ● | all our executive 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 February 27, 2024, our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share, in connection with the subscription for 1,437,500 founder shares, par value $0.0001, which are ordinary shares subject to certain limitations and restrictions as described elsewhere in this prospectus. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by our sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The per unit price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. The post-offering percentages in the following table assume that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional units, that our sponsor forfeits 187,500 founder shares, that our sponsor purchases 284,000 placement units and that there are 6,584,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding after this offering including the representative shares.
| Before Offering | After Offering | |||||||||||||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(2) | Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(3) | Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares | ||||||||||||
| HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd. | 1,437,500 | 100 | % | 1,534,000 | 23.30 | % | ||||||||||
| Xiaodong Wang | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Caihong Chen | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Zheng “Terrence” Wu | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Shuding Zeng | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Lei Xiong | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| All executive officers and directors as a group (5 individuals)(4) | 1,437,500 | 100 | % | 1,534,000 | 23.30 | % | ||||||||||
| * | Less than 5% |
| (1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of our principal shareholders is Xiandai Tongxin Building, 201 Xin Jinqiao Road, Rm 302, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China. |
| (2) | Interests shown consist of the founder shares, including 187,500 founder shares subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised. |
| (3) | Represents 1,250,000 founder shares directly held by HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., excluding up to 187,500 founder shares that will be surrendered to us for no consideration by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised, plus 284,000 private placements shares included as part of the private placement units to be issued at the closing of our initial public offering. |
| (4) | Each of our officers and directors is a shareholder of our sponsor; however, only our Chairman and Chief Financial Officer have voting securities in our sponsor and are the sole directors of our sponsor. The address for our sponsor is Xiandai Tongxin Building, 201 Xin Jinqiao Road, Rm 302, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China. |
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Holders of our public shares will not have the right to appoint any directors to our board of directors prior to our initial business combination. 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.
The holders of the founder shares have agreed (a) to vote any founder shares owned by it in favor of any proposed business combination and (b) not to redeem any founder shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination. Our sponsor and our executive officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Placement Units
The founder shares and placement units are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in the agreements entered into by our sponsor and management team.
Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management team have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (a) twelve months after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) upon completion of our initial business combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per unit (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, 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 after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
The placement units and their component securities are not transferable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. The foregoing restrictions are not applicable to transfers (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of our officers or directors, any members or partners of our sponsor or its affiliates, any affiliates of our sponsor, or any employees of such affiliates; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of one of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’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 the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the completion of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the founder shares or placement units, as applicable, were originally purchased; (f) by virtue of the limited partnership agreements or other applicable organizational documents of our sponsor upon dissolution of our sponsor; (g) as distributions to limited partners or members of our sponsor; (h) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or of our sponsor’s organizational documents upon liquidation or dissolution of our sponsor; (i) to the company for no value for cancellation in connection with the completion of our initial business combination; (j) in the event of our liquidation prior to the completion of our initial business combination; or (k) in the event of our completion of a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (h), or with the prior written consent of the Company, 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.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On February 27, 2024, our sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.017 per share, in connection with the subscription by it for 1,437,500 founder shares, par value $0.0001. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent approximately 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of this offering (excluding the placement units and underlying securities). Up to 187,500 founder shares held by our sponsor are subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised.
Our sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of up to 284,000 placement units (or up to 299,000 placement units if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) for a purchase price of $10.00 per unit in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to the founder shares or placement shares, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate a business combination within the allotted 18-month period (plus up to six one month extensions of time, as discussed in this prospectus).
As more fully discussed in “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Commencing on the date of this prospectus, we have agreed to pay an affiliate of our sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Our sponsor, 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. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their respective affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
On February 22, 2024, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company, pursuant to which we may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of June 30, 2024, we have borrowed $375,000 under the promissory note with our sponsor. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and amounts drawn are due at the earlier of September 30, 2024, or the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering. The value of our sponsor’s interest in this transaction corresponds to the principal amount outstanding under any such loan.
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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 will 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. Up to $1,500,000 of the loans made by our sponsor, our officers and directors, or our or their affiliates to us prior to or in connection with our initial business combination may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. The terms of such loans by, our sponsor, our officers and directors, or their affiliates, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, our officers and directors or an affiliate of theirs 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.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our shareholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a shareholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. We will enter into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which our sponsor will be entitled to certain registration rights with respect to the founder shares.
Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions
We have not yet adopted a formal policy for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Accordingly, the transactions discussed above were not reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with any such policy. Before the consummation of this offering, our audit committee of our board of directors will adopt a charter, providing for the review, approval and/or ratification of “related party transactions,” which are those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K as promulgated by the SEC, by the audit committee. At its meetings, the audit committee shall be provided with the details of each new, existing or proposed related party transaction, including the terms of the transaction, any contractual restrictions that the company has already committed to, the business purpose of the transaction and the benefits of the transaction to the company and to the relevant related party. Any member of the committee who has an interest in the related party transaction under review by the committee shall abstain from voting on the approval of the related party transaction, but may, if so requested by the chairman of the committee, participate in some or all of the committee’s discussions of the related party transaction. Upon completion of its review of the related party transaction, the committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the related party transaction. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the audit committee, present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, will be required in order to approve a related party transaction. A majority of the members of the entire audit committee will constitute a quorum. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the audit committee will be required to approve a related party transaction. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or any of their affiliates.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer. To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our sponsor, officers or directors unless we, or a committee of independent directors, have obtained an opinion from either an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
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Except as provided herein, no finder’s fees, reimbursements, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers or directors or any affiliate of our sponsor, officers or directors prior to, for services rendered to us prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, the following payments will be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination:
| ● | Repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses; | |
| ● | Payment to HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., our sponsor, of $10,000 per month, for up to 18 months (subject to extension up to an additional six months), for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; | |
| ● | Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and | |
| ● | Repayment of non-interest-bearing 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, the terms of which (other than as described above) have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. |
Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers, directors or our or their affiliates.
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We are a Cayman Islands exempted company (company number 406731) and our affairs are governed by our 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, our authorised share capital is $50,000.00 divided into 500,000,000.00 ordinary shares of $0.0001 each. The following description summarizes certain terms of our shares as will be set out more particularly in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, when adopted. 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 ordinary share and one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus.
We expect the ordinary shares and rights comprising 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 our underwriter informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the ordinary shares and 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 ordinary shares and rights.
In no event will the ordinary shares and rights be traded separately until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the completion of this offering, which closing is anticipated to take place three business days after the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Placement Units
The placement units are identical to the units sold in this offering except that (a) the placement units and their component securities will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination except to permitted transferees, (b) the placement shares and placement rights, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) will not be redeemable by us, (ii) may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis, and (iii) will be entitled to registration rights.
Ordinary Shares
Prior to the date of this prospectus, there were 1,437,500 founder shares issued and outstanding, all of which were held of record by our initial shareholders. The founder shares held by our initial shareholders will represent approximately 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering (excluding any placement units and assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any public shares in this offering), with the potential to own as a result of their founder shares in the aggregate up to 23.30% of the outstanding ordinary shares upon completion of this offering (including the placement shares and assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any public shares in this offering) based on certain triggering events.
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Upon the closing of this offering, 6,584,000 ordinary shares will be issued and outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and the corresponding forfeiture of 187,500 founder shares by our sponsor), consisting of:
| ● | 5,284,000 ordinary shares underlying the units being offered in this offering and the placement units; and | |
| ● | 1,250,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders and representative. | |
| ● | 50,000 ordinary shares issuable to the underwriter as the representative shares. |
Shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Unless 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, a resolution of a duly constituted general meeting of the Company passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders who (being entitled to do so) vote in person or by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at that meeting is required to approve any such matter voted on by our shareholders.
Because our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of up to 500,000,000 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 ordinary shares which we will be authorized to issue at the same time as our shareholders vote on the initial business combination to the extent we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination.
The members of our board of directors serve until the next annual general meeting. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors. After the completion of an initial business combination, the Company may by ordinary resolution appoint any person to be a director or may by ordinary resolution remove any director Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
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 the 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 appoint 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 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 calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and if needed dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.05 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.
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The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial owner must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. Our sponsor, directors and each member of our management team 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 and any public shares held by them in connection with (i) the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect 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 completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination. Unlike many blank check companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon completion of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange rule and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other 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 requires these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange rule, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their respective 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 the majority of our outstanding ordinary shares, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained.
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 will 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. 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 of 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, pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement entered into with us, our sponsor, directors and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering, in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in the event that only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum is present at a shareholders’ meeting held to vote on our initial business combination, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares and placement shares, and the 50,000 ordinary shares issued to underwriter, as the representative shares, we would need 62,000, or 1.24% of the 5,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the proposed transaction or abstained from voting.
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Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and if needed dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Our sponsor and members of our management team have entered into letter agreements 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 if we do not complete an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination. However, if our sponsor or members of our 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 do not 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 unit price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and if needed dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein.
Founder Shares and Placement Shares
The founder shares and placement shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares and placement shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (i) the founder shares and placement shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, (ii) our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed (A) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, placement shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (B) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, placement shares, and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (i) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions after the closing of the offering by depositing into the trust account, for each one-month extension, $166,500, or up to $191,475 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (representing $0.0333 per share of the total units sold in this offering) or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (C) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares or placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions of time, as set forth in this prospectus), 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 (iii) are entitled to registration rights. If we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed (and its permitted transferees will agree) pursuant to the letter agreement to vote any founder 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.
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Register of Members
Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there will be entered therein:
| ● | the names and addresses of the members and a statement of the shares held by each member, which shall distinguish each share by its number (so long as the share has a number); confirm the amount paid, or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member; confirm the number and category of shares held by each member; and confirm whether each relevant category of shares held by a member carries voting rights under the articles of association of the Company, 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. |
For these purposes, “voting rights” means rights conferred on shareholders in respect of their shares to vote at general meetings of the Company on all or substantially all matters. A voting right is conditional where the voting right arises only in certain circumstances.
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e., the 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 Cayman Islands law 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 record and give effect to the issuance of shares by us to the custodian or its nominee. 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 shareholder of our company, the person or shareholder aggrieved (or any shareholder 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 the 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.
Placement Units
The placement units (and underlying placement shares and placement rights) are identical to the units sold in this offering except as described below. The placement rights (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the placement rights) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except, among other limited exceptions as described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Placement Units,” to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor). Permitted transferees of the shares held by our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers and directors would be subject to the same restrictions.
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. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The units would be identical to the placement units. See also “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Placement Units” made to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor.
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Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. If we increase or decrease the size of the offering we may effect a share dividend or a share contribution back to capital or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our founder shares immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial shareholders at 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares (excluding the placement units and the underlying securities and assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering) upon the consummation of this offering. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Our Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our ordinary shares is Transhare Corporation. We have agreed to indemnify Transhare Corporation in its role as transfer 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 claims and losses due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
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 a majority of two-thirds of the votes of shareholders, who, being entitled to do so, attend and vote 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 votes at a general meeting of 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 Grand Court of the Cayman Islands 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
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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; and (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 consolidation 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 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 Grand Court of the Cayman Islands 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),
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the arrangement in question must be approved by each class of shareholders and a majority in number of each class of creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent seventy-five percent 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 a meeting, or 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
In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company and as a general rule, a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English law authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge:
| ■ | an act which is illegal or ultra vires with respect to the company and is therefore incapable of ratification by the shareholders; | |
| ■ | an act which, although not ultra vires, requires authorization by a qualified (or special) majority (that is, more than a simple majority) which has not been obtained; and | |
| ■ | an act which constitutes a “fraud on the minority” where the wrongdoers are themselves in control of the company. |
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Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
Cayman Islands
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 our Cayman Islands legal counsel that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and (ii) entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
There is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a foreign judgment, without any re-examination or re-litigation of matters adjudicated upon, provided such judgment:
| (a) | is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; |
| (b) | imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; |
| (c) | is final; |
| (d) | is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; |
| (e) | was not obtained by fraud; and |
| (f) | is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. |
Subject to the above limitations, in appropriate circumstances, a Cayman Islands court may give effect in the Cayman Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
Hong Kong
A judgment of a court in the United States predicated upon U.S. federal or state securities laws may be enforced in Hong Kong at common law by bringing an action in a Hong Kong court on that judgment for the amount due thereunder, and then seeking summary judgment on the strength of the foreign judgment, provided that the foreign judgment, among other things, is (1) for a debt or a definite sum of money (not being taxes or similar charges to a foreign government taxing authority or a fine or other penalty) and (2) final and conclusive on the merits of the claim, but not otherwise. Such a judgment may not, in any event, be so enforced in Hong Kong if (a) it was obtained by fraud; (b) the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; (c) its enforcement or recognition would be contrary to the public policy of Hong Kong; (d) the court of the United States was not jurisdictionally competent; or (e) the judgment was in conflict with a prior Hong Kong judgment.
Hong Kong has no arrangement for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments with the United States. As a result, there is uncertainty as to the enforceability in Hong Kong, in original actions or in actions for enforcement, of judgments of United States courts of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any State or territory within the United States.
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Mainland China
As of the date of this prospectus, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of mainland China would (1) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or (2) be competent to hear original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction, against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are mainly provided for under the Chinese Civil Procedure Law. Chinese courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the Chinese Civil Procedure Law and other applicable laws and regulations based either on treaties between mainland China and the country where the judgment is made or in reciprocity between jurisdictions. Accordingly, there is uncertainty whether courts of mainland China will recognize or enforce judgments of United States or Cayman Islands Courts because mainland China does not have any treaties or other agreements with the Cayman Islands or the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments as of the date of this prospectus. Further, under Chinese Civil Procedure Law, Chinese courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our officers and directors if the court decides that such judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or social public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands.
Under the PRC Civil Procedure Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against a company in mainland China for disputes if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. However, it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in the PRC in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders, by virtue only of holding our ordinary shares, to establish a connection to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction as required under the PRC Civil Procedure Law.
All of the Company’s directors reside in China including its current directors, Xiaodong Wang, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Caihong Chen, our Chief Financial Officer and Director, as do our three independent directors, Zheng “Terrence” Wu, Shuding Zeng, and Lei Xiong.
As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against us or them, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. It will also be costlier and time-consuming for the investors to effect service of process outside the United States, or to enforce judgments obtained from the U.S. courts in the courts of the jurisdictions where our directors and officers reside. For example, to enforce a foreign judgment in Hong Kong, you will be required to apply to the Hong Kong High Court to enforce a foreign judgment for which you will be required to engage a local counsel to facilitate or prepare the application, together with its various supporting documents. You will then be required to go through the standard litigation process to sue on the judgment as a debt. In addition, a judgment of a United States court for civil liabilities predicated upon the federal securities laws of the United States may also not be enforceable in or recognized by the courts of the jurisdictions where our directors and officers reside. As such, it may be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors.
As a result of the foregoing, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken against the management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States-based company.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies
We are an exempted company with limited liability (meaning our public shareholders have no liability, as members of the Company, for liabilities of the Company over and above the amount paid for their shares) 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:
| ■ | annual reporting requirements are minimal and consist mainly of a statement that the company has conducted its operations mainly outside of the Cayman Islands and has complied with the provisions of the Companies Act; | |
| ■ | an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection; |
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| ■ | an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting; | |
| ■ | an exempted company may issue negotiable or bearer shares or 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. |
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 the votes of a company’s shareholders who, being entitled to do so, attend and vote 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 will provide that any special resolutions require approval by at least two-thirds of the votes of our shareholders (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 20% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide, among other things, that:
| ■ | if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions of time, as set forth in this prospectus), we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) 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 (less taxes payable and up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law; | |
| ■ | 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 or a valuation or appraisal firm that such a business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; |
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| ■ | 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; | |
| ■ | 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 18 months from the closing of this offering (subject to six one-month extensions of time, as set forth in this prospectus) 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 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein; and | |
| ■ | we will not effectuate our initial business combination solely with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. 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 requirement.
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.
Anti-Money Laundering—Cayman Islands
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity and source of funds. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In some cases, the directors may be satisfied that no further information is required since an exemption applies under the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as amended and revised from time to time (the “Regulations”). Depending on the circumstances of each application, a detailed verification of identity might not be required where:
| ● | the subscriber makes the payment for their investment from an account held in the subscriber’s name at a recognized financial institution; or |
| ● | the subscriber is regulated by a recognized regulatory authority and is based or incorporated in, or formed under the law of, a recognized jurisdiction; or |
| ● | the application is made through an intermediary which is regulated by a recognized regulatory authority and is based in or incorporated in, or formed under the law of a recognized jurisdiction and an assurance is provided in relation to the procedures undertaken on the underlying investors. |
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For the purposes of these exceptions, recognition of a financial institution, regulatory authority, or jurisdiction will be determined in accordance with the Regulations by reference to those jurisdictions recognized by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority as having equivalent anti-money laundering regulations.
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.
We also reserve the right to refuse to make any payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment 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 our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
If any person resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or is involved with terrorism or terrorist 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) a nominated officer (appointed in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands) or the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (Revised), if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering or (ii) to a police constable or a nominated officer (pursuant to the Terrorism Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands) or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (Revised), if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and terrorist 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.
Cayman Islands Data Protection
Data Protection — Cayman Islands – Privacy Notice
This privacy notice explains the manner in which the Company collects, processes and maintains personal data about investors of the Company pursuant to the Data Protection Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as amended from time to time and any regulations, codes of practice or orders promulgated pursuant thereto (the “DPA”).
The Company is committed to processing personal data in accordance with the DPA. In its use of personal data, the Company will be characterized under the DPA as a ‘data controller,’ whilst certain of the Company’s service providers, affiliates and delegates may act as ‘data processors’ under the DPA. These service providers may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to the Company.
By virtue of making an investment in the Company, the Company and certain of the Company’s service providers may collect, record, store, transfer and otherwise process personal data by which individuals may be directly or indirectly identified.
Your personal data will be processed fairly and for lawful purposes, including (a) where the processing is necessary for the Company to perform a contract to which you are a party or for taking pre-contractual steps at your request (b) where the processing is necessary for compliance with any legal, tax or regulatory obligation to which the Company is subject or (c) where the processing is for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by the Company or by a service provider to whom the data are disclosed. As a data controller, we will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it. If we need to use your personal data for an unrelated purpose, we will contact you.
We anticipate that we will share your personal data with the Company’s service providers for the purposes set out in this privacy notice. We may also share relevant personal data where it is lawful to do so and necessary to comply with our contractual obligations or your instructions or where it is necessary or desirable to do so in connection with any regulatory reporting obligations. In exceptional circumstances, we will share your personal data with regulatory, prosecuting and other governmental agencies or departments, and parties to litigation (whether pending or threatened), in any country or territory including to any other person where we have a public or legal duty to do so (e.g. to assist with detecting and preventing fraud, tax evasion and financial crime or compliance with a court order).
Your personal data shall not be held by the Company for longer than necessary with regard to the purposes of the data processing. We will not sell your personal data. Any transfer of personal data outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA. Where necessary, we will ensure that separate and appropriate legal agreements are put in place with the recipient of that data. The Company 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.
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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 to your investment into the Company, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should inform such individuals of the content.
You have certain rights under the DPA, including (a) the right to be informed as to how we collect and use your personal data (and this privacy notice fulfils the Company’s obligation in this respect) (b) the right to obtain a copy of your personal data (c) the right to require us to stop direct marketing (d) the right to have inaccurate or incomplete personal data corrected (e) the right to withdraw your consent and require us to stop processing or restrict the processing, or not begin the processing of your personal data (f) the right to be notified of a data breach (unless the breach is unlikely to be prejudicial) (g) the right to obtain information as to any countries or territories outside the Cayman Islands to which we, whether directly or indirectly, transfer, intend to transfer or wish to transfer your personal data, general measures we take to ensure the security of personal data and any information available to us as to the source of your personal data (h) the right to complain to the Office of the Ombudsman of the Cayman Islands and (i) the right to require us to delete your personal data in some limited circumstances.
If you consider that your personal data has not been handled correctly, or you are not satisfied with the Company’s responses to any requests you have made regarding the use of your personal data, you have the right to complain to the Cayman Islands’ Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can be contacted by calling +1 (345) 946-6283 or by email at info@ombudsman.ky.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our authorized but unissued ordinary 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 ordinary 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.
Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles Of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contains provisions designed to provide certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of a special resolution, being a resolution passed by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a duly constituted (quorate) general meeting of the Company. Our initial shareholders and their permitted transferees, if any, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering (excluding any placement units and assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any public shares in this offering), 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. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide, among other things, that:
| ● | If we have not completed an initial business combination within the period to consummate the initial business combination, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and if needed dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under the Companies Act to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law; |
| ● | Prior to or in connection with 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 or on any other proposal presented to shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination; |
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| ● | 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 executive officers, we are not prohibited from doing so, and in the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from either an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; | |
| ● | Furthermore, in the event that we seek such a business combination, we expect that the independent members of our board of directors would be involved in the process for considering, and approving the transaction; | |
| ● | If a shareholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by applicable law or stock exchange rule and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other 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; |
| ● | In accordance with Nasdaq rules, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination; | |
| ● | If our shareholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect 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 period to consummate the initial business combination, or with respect to any other 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 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay taxes and if needed, dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein; and | |
| ● | We will not effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide that under no circumstances will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.
Advance notice requirements for shareholder proposals and director nominations
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that our shareholders who are seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of shareholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of shareholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice will need to be received by the company secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a shareholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our shareholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of shareholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of shareholders.
Board of directors
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that our directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. The directors shall also have power at any time to appoint any person who is willing to act as a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director.
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Securities Eligible for Future Sale
Immediately after the consummation of this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option) we will have 6,584,000 ordinary shares (or 7,544,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) issued and outstanding. Of these shares, the ordinary shares sold in this offering (5,000,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 5,750,000 ordinary 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 ordinary shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the issued and outstanding founder shares (up to 1,250,000 founder shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and up to 1,437,500 founder shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and all of the outstanding placement units (284,000 placement units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 299,000 placement units 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. These restricted securities will be subject to registration rights, as more fully described below under “— Registration Rights.”
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.
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 ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 65,840 shares immediately after this offering (or 75,440 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full); or | |
| ● | the average weekly reported trading volume of 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; and | |
| ● | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. |
As a result, our initial shareholders will be able to sell their founder shares and placement units (including component securities contained therein), as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
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Registration Rights
The holders of the founder shares, placement units (including securities contained therein), units (including securities contained therein) that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans, any ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the placement rights any ordinary shares and rights (and underlying ordinary shares) that may be issued upon conversion of the units issued as part 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 this offering, requiring us to register such securities for resale. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to two 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 and rights to require us to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the underwriters may not exercise their demand and “piggyback” registration rights after five (5) and seven (7) years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and may not exercise their demand rights on more than one occasion. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lockup period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, as described in the following paragraph, and (ii) in the case of the placement rights, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidated damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering our securities. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Except as described herein, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (a) twelve months after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) upon completion of our initial business combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per unit (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, 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 after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
Listing of Securities
Our public shares, units and rights have been approved for listing on Nasdaq under the symbols “FVN,” “FVNNU,” and “FVNNR.” We expect that our public units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Following the date that the ordinary shares and rights are eligible to trade separately, the ordinary shares and rights will be separately listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “FVN,” and “FVNNR” respectively.
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The following summary of certain Cayman Islands and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our units, each consisting of one ordinary share and one right, 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 ordinary shares and rights, 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 securities 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 the securities of the Company. 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 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 ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of such shares provided that they are executed and remain outside the Cayman Islands and except those companies which hold interests in land in the Cayman Islands.
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 expects to obtain an undertaking from the Financial Secretary of the Cayman Islands in the following form:
The Tax Concessions Act (Revised)
Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the provision of Section 6 of The Tax Concessions Act (Revised), the Financial Secretary undertakes with Future Vision II Acquisition Corp. (“the Company”):
| 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 (Revised). |
These concessions shall be for a period of twenty years from the date of issue.
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United States Federal Income Taxation
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 ordinary share and one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share of upon consummation of our initial business combination) that are purchased in this offering, which we refer to collectively as our securities, 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 ordinary share and rights components of the unit. As a result, the discussion below with respect to holders of ordinary shares and rights should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying ordinary shares 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 a unit pursuant to this offering and hold the unit and each component of the unit as a capital asset under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion assumes that the ordinary shares and rights will trade separately and that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion is a summary only and does not consider all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a unit by a prospective investor in light of its particular circumstances, including:
| ● | our founders, the sponsor, officers or directors or holders of our private placement rights; | |
| ● | financial institutions or financial services entities; | |
| ● | broker-dealers; | |
| ● | taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market tax accounting rules; | |
| ● | S corporations; | |
| ● | 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 ten percent or more of our voting shares or ten percent or more of the total 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 or in connection with services; | |
| ● | persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction; |
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| ● | persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to ordinary shares or rights as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement; | |
| ● | U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; | |
| ● | controlled foreign corporations; or | |
| ● | passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). |
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, so as to 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 alternative minimum gift, estate or Medicare contribution tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the 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 change the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of units, ordinary shares or rights who or that is for United States federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.
This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or arrangements treated as partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our securities and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their own tax advisors.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY MATTERS NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN AND DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATION OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. 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 STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AS WELL AS UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
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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 share of our ordinary shares and one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of ordinary share upon consummation of our 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 ordinary share and one 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 tax advisor regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each ordinary share should be the shareholder’s tax basis in such share or right. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the ordinary share or right comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the ordinary share or 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). Neither the separation of the ordinary shares nor the one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share of upon consummation of our initial business combination constituting a should be a taxable event for United States federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing treatment of the units, ordinary shares and 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. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its 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 described above is respected for United States federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income, in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes, as dividends the amount of any distribution of cash or other property paid on our 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). Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares.
Dividends paid by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as described above generally 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, under tax laws currently in effect and subject to certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), dividends generally will be treated as “qualified dividend income” and taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Rights” below) only if our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, the Company is not treated as a PFIC at the time the dividend was paid or in the preceding year and certain other requirements are met (including with respect to holding period). It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period 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 ordinary shares.
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Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and 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 ordinary shares or rights (including on our dissolution and liquidation if we do not consummate an initial business combination within the required time period). 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 ordinary shares and rights exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. If the running of the holding period 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 taxable disposition of our ordinary shares or rights would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at ordinary income rates.
The amount of gain or loss recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the ordinary shares or 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 ordinary shares or rights based upon the then fair market values of the ordinary shares and rights included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares or rights so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares or rights generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to an ordinary share or one right entitling the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share of upon consummation of our initial business combination, as described above under “Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) reduced, in the case of an ordinary share by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder is currently eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, in the event that a U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares are redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in this prospectus under “Description of Securities — Ordinary Shares” or if we purchase a U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares in an open market transaction (in either case referred to herein as a “Redemption”), the treatment of the transaction for United States federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption or purchase by us qualifies as a sale or exchange of the ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption or purchase by us qualifies as a sale or exchange of ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as described under “Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Rights” above. If the redemption or purchase by us does not qualify as a sale of 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 or purchase by us qualifies for treatment as a sale or exchange will depend largely on the total number of our shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any ordinary shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder described in the following paragraph) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption or purchase. The redemption or purchase by us of ordinary shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the ordinary shares (rather than as a corporate distribution) if such redemption or purchase by us (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. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our issued and
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outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption or purchase by us of ordinary shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80 percent of the percentage of our issued and outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption or purchase by us. Prior to our initial business combination, the 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 of our shares and otherwise complies with specific conditions. Whether the redemption or purchase by us of the ordinary shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption or purchase by us results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption or purchase by us is essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a U.S. Holder generally will depend on the particular facts and circumstances applicable to the U.S. Holder, but generally 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 its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption or purchase by us of any ordinary shares.
If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption or purchase by us of any 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 ordinary shares will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining shares. If there are no remaining shares, a U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the allocation of any remaining tax basis.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A 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 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. Cash generally is considered to be held for the production of passive income and thus is considered a passive asset.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active operating business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. However, pursuant to a startup exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income (the “startup year”), if (i) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (ii) 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 (iii) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the startup exception to us will not be known until after the close of our current taxable year and, perhaps, until the end of our two taxable years following our startup year (within the meaning of the startup exception). Further, 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 (or we do not complete a business acquisition by the end of the first taxable year after the taxable year of our formation), 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 not 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.
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Although our PFIC status is determined annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held (or is deemed to have held) ordinary shares or rights 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 in the case of our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election or a mark-to-market election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) 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 ordinary shares or rights 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 greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares). The PFIC QEF election or mark-to-market election is not available with respect to the rights, however.
Under these rules:
| ● | the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares or rights; | |
| ● | the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income; | |
| ● | the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and | |
| ● | 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 certain PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our ordinary shares by making and maintaining 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.
Notwithstanding any such QEF election, the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired ordinary shares 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 shares at their fair market value and any gain recognized on such deemed sale will be treated as an excess distribution, as described above. Under another type of purging election, an electing U.S. Holder will be treated as having received as an excess distribution its ratable share of our earnings and profits determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In order for a U.S. Holder to make the second election, we must also be a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in the Code, and there are no assurances that we will so qualify. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the applicability of the rules governing purging elections to their particular circumstances.
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 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.
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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 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 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 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 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) 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 PFIC rules described above in respect of its ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include for each of its taxable years as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of such year over its adjusted basis in its 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 will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” generally, 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 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 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 ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC. 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 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.
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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 U.S. Treasury Department. 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 and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares or 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 U.S. 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 the ordinary shares and 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 U.S. federal income taxes will generally 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 ordinary shares and 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, ordinary shares or rights (other than a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) 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 disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of our securities.
Dividends (including constructive distributions treated as dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of our 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 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 ordinary shares or 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 holder maintains in the United States).
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Dividends (including constructive distributions treated as 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.
The characterization for United States federal income tax purposes of the redemption or purchase by us of a Non-U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares will generally correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption or purchase by us of a U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares, as described under “—U.S. Holders — Redemption of Ordinary Shares” above, and the consequences of the redemption or purchase by us to the Non-U.S. Holder will be as described in the paragraphs above under the heading “—Non-U.S. Holders” based on such characterization.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ordinary shares 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. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status may be required to provide such certification on IRS Form W-9. 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. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is included for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder’s particular situation. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares and rights, including the tax consequences under U.S. federal, state and local, estate, non-U.S. and other tax laws and tax treaties and the possible effects of changes in U.S. or other tax laws.
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Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC is acting as lead underwriter, deal manager and investment banker for this offering. We are offering the public units described in this prospectus through the underwriter named below. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriter. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, through the representative, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, the following respective number of units set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.
| Underwriters | Number of Shares | |||
| Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC | 5,000,000 | |||
| Total | 5,000,000 | |||
The underwriters are committed to purchase all of the units offered by us, other than those covered by the over-allotment option to purchase additional units described below. The obligations of the underwriters may be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the underwriting agreement. Furthermore, pursuant to the underwriting agreement, the underwriters’ obligations are subject to customary conditions, representations, and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, such as receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. The underwriters are offering the units subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public, and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option. This option, which is exercisable for up to 45 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase up to 750,000 additional units at the initial public offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The purchase price to be paid per additional unit shall be equal to the initial public offering price of one unit, less the underwriting discount. If this option is exercised in full, the total price to the public will be $57,500,000 and the total net proceeds, before expenses, to us will be $60,490,000.
Discounts, Commissions and Reimbursement
The following table shows the per unit and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option:
| No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||||
| Per unit | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | ||||
| Total(1) | $ | 1,250,000 | $ | 1,437,500 | ||||
| (1) | Includes $0.1 per unit, or $500,000 (or $575,000 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 representative of the underwriters only upon completion of an initial business combination, as described in this prospectus, which does not include certain fees and expenses payable to the underwriters in connection with this offering. In addition, designees of the representative of the underwriters will receive an aggregate of 75,000 ordinary shares (or up to 86,250 ordinary shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) as compensation in connection with this offering and initial business combination. Of these shares, 50,000 representative shares (or up to 57,500 representative shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be issued at the closing of this offering, and 25,000 deferred compensation shares (or up to 28,750 deferred compensation shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be issued upon the closing of an initial business combination of the Company. |
The underwriters propose to offer the shares to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. In addition, the underwriters may offer some of the shares to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of $0.10 per unit. If all of the shares offered by us are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representative may change the offering price and other selling terms by means of a supplement to this prospectus.
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We have also agreed to pay all expenses relating to the offering, including: (a) all filing fees and expenses relating to the registration of the shares with the Commission; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the shares on Nasdaq; (c) all fees associated with the review of the offering by FINRA, including legal fees and background checks of our principals; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of shares offered under “blue sky” securities laws or the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions designated by the Representative, including the reasonable fees and expenses of the Representative’s blue sky counsel; (e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the shares under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions; (f) the costs of mailing and printing the offering materials; (g) transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon our transfer of the shares to the Representative; and (h) the fees and expenses of our accountants; and (i) actual accountable expenses of the Representative not to exceed $150,000, which amount includes expenses for the Representative’s legal counsel and road show expenses.
We have paid a $50,000 advance to the representative, which shall be applied against actual out-of-pocket-accountable expenses, which will be returned to us to the extent such out-of-pocket accountable expenses are not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding the total underwriting discount, and including the above-referenced advance to the Representative, will be approximately $895,000.
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.
If we do not complete our initial business combination within the time period required by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the underwriters have agreed that (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account, and (ii) that the deferred underwriters’ discounts and commissions will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares.
Discretionary Accounts
The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the securities offered hereby to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.
Lock-Up Agreements
We and each of our successor entities have agreed that, for a period of no less than 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of the representative, except in this offering, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to any units, ordinary shares or rights or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, ordinary shares, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any units, ordinary shares or rights or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, ordinary shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii), subject to certain exceptions. The representative in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to the lock-up agreement at any time without notice, other than in the case of the officers and directors, which shall be with notice. Our sponsor, officers and directors are also subject to separate transfer restrictions on their founder shares and placement units pursuant to the letter agreement as described herein.
Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) twelve months after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, if the reported last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing 150 days after 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 Units”). The placement units and placement shares (including the ordinary shares issuable upon the automatic conversion of the placement rights) will not be transferable, assignable or salable 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 Units”).
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Pricing of the Offering
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 underwriters. 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 the equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, ordinary shares or 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, ordinary shares or rights will develop and continue after this offering.
Listing
Our units have been approved for listing on Nasdaq under the symbol “FVNNU.” We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Our ordinary shares or rights will be listed under the symbols “FVN” and “FVNNR” respectively once the ordinary shares or rights begin separate trading.
Representative Shares
We have agreed to issue to the representative and/or its designees, 75,000 (or 86,250 if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering and initial business combination. Of these representative shares, 50,000 representative shares (or up to 57,500 representative shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be issued at the closing of this offering, and such shares will be registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. 25,000 deferred compensation shares (or up to 28,750 deferred compensation shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be issued upon the closing of an initial business combination of the Company. The representative has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares until 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of this offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), subject to exceptions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2). In addition, the representative has agreed (i) to waive its redemption rights with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering (or up to 24 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).
The representative shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of commencement of sales of this offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), these securities will not be sold during the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the public offering, subject to exceptions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2).
Right of First Refusal
Subject to certain conditions, we granted the representative, for a period of 18 months after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, a right of first refusal to act as sole book runner, and/or sole placement agent, at the representative’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings for us or any of our successors or subsidiaries. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(6)(A), such right of first refusal shall not have a duration of more than three years from the commencement of sales of this offering or the termination date of the engagement between the representative and us.
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Stabilization
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate-covering transactions, penalty bids, and purchases to cover positions created by short sales.
| ● | Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum and are engaged in for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress. | |
| ● | Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of securities in excess of the number of securities the underwriters are obligated to purchase. This creates a syndicate short position which may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of securities over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of securities that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of securities involved is greater than the number of securities in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any short position by exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing securities in the open market. | |
| ● | Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase securities through exercise of the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more securities than could be covered by exercise of the over-allotment option and, therefore, have a naked short position, the position can be closed out only by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. | |
| ● | Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions. |
These stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the price of our securities in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may be effected on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Passive Market Making
In connection with this offering, underwriters, and selling group members may engage in passive market making transactions in our securities on Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of the shares and extending through the completion of the distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, then that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.
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Other
Except as specifically set forth with respect to the right of first refusal, we are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, but we may do so at our discretion. However, any of the underwriters may introduce us to potential target businesses, provide financial advisory services to us in connection with a business combination or assist us in raising additional capital in the future, including by acting as a placement agent in a private offering or underwriting or arranging debt financing. 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 60 days from the date of this prospectus, unless such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with this offering. 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. Any fees we may pay the underwriters or their affiliates for services rendered to us after this offering may be contingent on the completion of a business combination and may include non-cash compensation. The underwriters or their affiliates that provide these services to us may have a potential conflict of interest given that the underwriters are entitled to the deferred portion of their underwriting compensation for this offering only if an initial business combination is completed within the specified timeframe.
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, including in connection with acting in an advisory capacity or as a potential financing source in conjunction with our potential acquisition of a company. 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
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (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 that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant state or, where 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 our units may be made to the public in that relevant state at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
| ● | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation; |
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| ● | to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representative for any such offer; or | |
| ● | in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation; |
provided that no such offer of units shall require the issuer or the representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
Each person in a relevant state who initially acquires any units or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the Company and the representative that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any units being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the units acquired by it in the offer 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 to the public other than their offer or resale in a relevant state to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representative has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.
We, the representative and each of our and the representative’s respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any 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.
References to the Prospectus Regulation include, in relation to the United Kingdom, the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The above selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out below. In connection with the offering, the representative is not acting for anyone other than the issuer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the issuer for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the offering.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the People’s Republic of China
This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in China and the units may not be offered or sold, and will not offer or sell to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any resident of China except pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations of China. For the purpose of this paragraph only, China does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The units have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the units has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, 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 of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities 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” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in Taiwan
The units have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of (“Taiwan”), pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be offered or sold in Taiwan through a public offering or in any manner which would constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or would otherwise require registration with or the approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The units have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the units were not offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not be offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the units, has not been circulated or distributed, nor will it be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) 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, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) 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 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
(ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
(iii) where the transfer is by operation of law; or
(iv) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.
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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 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) 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.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The securities to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale.
Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act. Any offer in Australia of the securities may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The securities applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring securities must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions. This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (“FINMA”), and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Israel
In the State of Israel, this prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase securities under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authority, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions (the “Addressed Investors”); or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 –1968, subject to certain conditions (the “Qualified Investors”). The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors. The Company has not and will not take any action that would require it to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968. We have not and will not distribute this prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our securities to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.
Qualified Investors may have to submit written evidence that they meet the definitions set out in of the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968. In particular, we may request, as a condition to be offered securities, that Qualified Investors will each represent, warrant and certify to us and/or to anyone acting on our behalf: (i) that it is an investor falling within one of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968; (ii) which of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968 regarding Qualified Investors is applicable to it; (iii) that it will abide by all provisions set forth in the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968 and the regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with the offer to be issued securities; (iv) that the securities that it will be issued are, subject to exemptions available under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968: (a) for its own account; (b) for investment purposes only; and (c) not issued with a view to resale within the State of Israel, other than in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968; and (v) that it is willing to provide further evidence of its Qualified Investor status. Addressed Investors may have to submit written evidence in respect of their identity and may have to sign and submit a declaration containing, inter alia, the Addressed Investor’s name, address and passport number or Israeli identification number.
We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on our behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters and their respective affiliates, with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this document. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of shares on our behalf or on behalf of the underwriters.
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Rimon, P.C., Washington DC, is acting as our 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 the rights. Ogier 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, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, McLean, Virginia, is acting as counsel to the underwriters.
Our financial statements for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through February 29, 2024 included in this prospectus have been audited by ZH CPA, LLC, independent registered public accounting and advisory services firm, as set forth in their report, thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given upon such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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.
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Upon request, we will provide electronic copies of our public filings free of charge.
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FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET
JUNE 30, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$), except for number of shares
| ASSETS | ||||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash | $ | 186,934 | ||
| Total current assets | 186,934 | |||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Deferred offering costs | 208,338 | |||
| Total non-current assets | 208,338 | |||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 395,272 | ||
| Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity | ||||
| Promissory note – related party | $ | 375,000 | ||
| Total Liabilities | 375,000 | |||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7) | - | |||
| Shareholder’s Equity: | ||||
| Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 1,437,500 shares issued and outstanding(1) | 144 | |||
| Additional paid-in capital | 24,856 | |||
| Accumulated deficit | (4,728 | ) | ||
| Total Shareholder’s Equity | 20,272 | |||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY | $ | 395,272 |
| (1) | This number includes up to 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 5). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-2
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$), except for number of shares
| Formation and operating costs | $ | 4,728 | ||
| Net loss | $ | (4,728 | ) | |
| Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding(1) | 1,250,000 | |||
| Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share | $ | (0.00 | ) |
(1) | This number excludes up to 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 5). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-3
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CHANGES STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$), except for number of shares
| Ordinary Shares | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Shareholder’s | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 30, 2024 (inception) | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||||
| Founder shares issued to Sponsor(1) | 1,437,500 | 144 | 24,856 | - | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | (4,728 | ) | (4,728 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2024 | 1,437,500 | $ | 144 | $ | 24,856 | $ | (4,728 | ) | $ | 20,272 | ||||||||||
| (1) | This number includes up to 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 5). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-4
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$)
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (4,728 | ) | |
| Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (4,728 | ) | ||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||
| Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Sponsor | 25,000 | |||
| Proceeds from issuance of promissory note to related party | 375,000 | |||
| Payment of deferred offering costs | (208,338 | ) | ||
| Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 191,662 | |||
| Net Change in Cash | 186,934 | |||
| Cash, Beginning of Period | - | |||
| Cash, End of Period | $ | 186,934 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-5
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Business Operation
Future Vision II Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on January 30, 2024. 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 (the “Business Combination”). The Company has not selected any Business Combination target and it has not, nor has anyone on its behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any Business Combination target with respect to the Business Combination.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had not commenced any operations. For the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through June 30, 2024, the Company’s efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to the Proposed Public Offering (as defined 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 Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The Company’s founder and sponsor is HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., a British Virgin Island business company with limited liability (the “Sponsor”). The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of 5,000,000 units (the “Public Units”) (or 5,750,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per unit (the “Proposed Public Offering,” see Note 3) and the sale of 284,000 units (the “Private Placement Units”) (or 299,000 units if the over-allotment is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit in a private placement to the Sponsor (the “Private Placement,” see Note 4).
The Company’s initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes, if permitted, and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in trust) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires an interest in the target sufficient for the post-transaction company 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 complete a Business Combination successfully.
Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that $10.05 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering, including a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Private placement units, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company. The proceeds from this offering held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account (1) to the Company, until the completion of the initial business combination, or (2) to public shareholders, until the earliest of: (a) the completion of the initial Business Combination, (b) the redemption of any ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering (the “public shares”) properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of the Company’s ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the Company’s initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company does not complete the initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or up to 24 months from the closing of the initial public offering (an “Extension Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, and (c) the redemption of the Company’s public shares if it has not consummated the business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period, subject to applicable law. Public shareholders who redeem their ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (b) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business combination or liquidation if the Company has not consummated an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering, with respect to such ordinary shares so redeemed. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the Company’s public shareholders.
F-6
The ordinary shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. The Company will have only 18 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering or during any Extension Period to complete the initial Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company for working capital purposes or to pay the Company’s taxes (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete the Business Combination within the 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period.
The Founder shares except as described below, are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of Founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (a) prior to the initial business combination, only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors and holders of a majority of the founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason; (b) in a vote to continue the company in a jurisdiction outside of the Cayman Islands, holders of founder shares will have ten votes for every founder share and holders of ordinary shares will have one vote for every ordinary share; (c) the Founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; (d) the Company’s initial shareholder has entered into an agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder shares in connection with the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder shares and public shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide for the redemption of the Company’s public shares in connection with an initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period, and (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights, and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their Founder shares if w the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period, (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any public shares they hold if the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination within the prescribed time frame), and I are entitled to registration rights. If the Company submits its initial Business Combination to its public shareholders for a vote, its founder has agreed (and its permitted transferees will agree) to vote their Founder shares, private shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering in favor of its initial Business Combination. The other members of the Company’s management team have entered into agreements similar to the one entered into by the Company’s Sponsor with respect to any public shares acquired by them in or after this offering.
The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than our independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or by a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.05 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 $10.05 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then the Company’s Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims.
F-7
Going Concern Consideration
On June 30, 2024, the Company had cash balance of $186,934, and a net loss of $4,728 for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) to June 30, 2024. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the unaudited financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Proposed Public Offering as discussed in Note 3. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to raise capital or to consummate a Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period. On February 22, 2024, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate amount of $500,000 to be used, in part, for transaction costs incurred in connection with the Proposed Public Offering. The unaudited financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the Company’s inability to consummate the Proposed Public Offering or a Business Combination to continue as a going concern.
Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and 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 unaudited financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 unaudited financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
F-8
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 unaudited financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents.
Deferred Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A — Expenses of Offering. Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to shareholder’s equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents and promissory note - related party each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption
The Company will account for its ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (ASC 480). Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) will be classified as a liability instrument and will be measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) will be classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares will be classified as stockholders’ equity. In accordance with ASC 480-10-S99, the Company will classify the ordinary shares subject to redemption outside of permanent equity as the redemption provisions are not solely within the control of the Company.
Related parties
Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.
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Net Loss Per Ordinary Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating income per share of ordinary shares. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 187,500 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). As of June 30, 2024, the Company only issue one class of shares and did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and 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. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
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. 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 determined that the Cayman Islands is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction.
The Company may be subject to potential examination by taxing authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through June 30, 2024.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s unaudited financial statements.
Note 3 — Proposed Public Offering
Pursuant to the Proposed Public Offering, the Company intends to offer for sale 5,000,000 units, (or 5,750,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full). Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share (“Public Share”) and one right (“Public Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of the initial business combination.
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Note 4 — Private Placement
The Sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 284,000 units (or 299,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per share for approximately $2,840,000 in the aggregate (or $2,990,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The Private Placement Units are identical to the Public Units sold in this proposed public offering, subject to limited exceptions. The holder of the Private Placement Units will be entitled to registration rights. In addition, these Private Placement Units may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold until the later of the completion of our initial business combination or 12 months following the closing of the initial public offering.
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
On February 27, 2024, the Sponsor acquired 1,437,500 ordinary shares (“Founder shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.
As of June 30, 2024, there were 1,437,500 Founder shares issued and outstanding, among which, up to 187,500 Founder Shares are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised.
The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their Founder Shares (excluding any units or shares comprising the units acquired in the offering) until the earlier to occur of (a) twelve months after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) upon completion of our initial business combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per unit (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, 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 after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor, directors and executive officers with respect to any founder shares.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On February 22, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 (the “Promissory Note”) to be used for a portion of the expenses for the Proposed Public Offering.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company has an outstanding balance of $375,000. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and is due at the earlier of (1) September 30, 2024 or (2) the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the Trust Account.
Working Capital Loans
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, the Sponsor, the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required. If the Company completes the initial Business Combination, it intends to repay such loaned amount at closing. In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans (“Working Capital Loans”) made by the Sponsor, the Company’s officers and directors, or the Company’s or their affiliates to the Company prior to or in connection with its initial Business Combination may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of its initial Business Combination. The units would be identical to the Placement Units.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
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Administrative Support Services
Commencing on the effective date of the registration statement of the Proposed Public Offering, the Company has agreed to pay an affiliate of the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of its initial Business Combination or its liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.
Note 6 — Shareholder’s Equity
Ordinary shares
The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On January 30, 2024, the Company issued 10,000 ordinary shares to the Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $1. On February 27, 2024, the Company issued 1,437,500 ordinary shares to the Sponsor including an aggregate of 187,500 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial shareholder will own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares (excluding the Private Placement Units and Representative shares (See Note 7) and assuming the initial shareholder does not purchase any shares in the Proposed Public Offering). Meanwhile, the Sponsor irrevocably surrendered to the Company for cancellation and for nil consideration 10,000 ordinary shares.
As of June 30, 2024, there were 1,437,500 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, among which, up to 187,500 Founder Shares are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised.
Rights
Except in cases where the Company is not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of the initial business combination. In the event the Company will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one-tenth (1/10) of a share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination unless otherwise waived in the course of the business combination. No fractional shares will be issued upon exchange of rights. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive its additional shares upon consummation of a business combination. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman Law.
Note 7 — Commitments & Contingencies
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares and Private Placement Units (and their underlying securities) 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 Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 750,000 units to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Public Offering price.
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The underwriters will be entitled to an underwriting discount of 4.00% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering, of which (i) 1.5% will be paid in cash at the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, (ii) 1.0% will be paid in the form of representative shares (the “Representative shares”) at the closing of the Proposed Public Offering (such representative shares shall be registered so as to circumvent reliance on the Rule 144 exemption and shall only therein be subject to FINRA’s 180-day lock-up period rule), (iii) 1.0% in cash and 0.5% in the form of representative shares will be paid as the deferred underwriting commission at the consummation of a Business Combination.
Representative shares
The Company will issue 50,000 Representative shares (or 57,500 Representative shares if the underwriter exercises over-allotment option in full) to the representative of the underwriters (and/or its designees) as part of the underwriting compensation. The representative shares have deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the commencement of sales in this offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110I(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110I(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales in this offering, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the commencement of sales in this offering except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their officers, partners, registered persons or affiliates.
Note 8 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date of this report when the unaudited financial statements were issued. Other than as described in the unaudited financial statements, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would require adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-13
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Future Vision II Acquisition Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Future Vision II Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) as of February 29, 2024, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through February 29, 2024, 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 February 29, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through February 29, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph — Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has no revenue, its business plan is dependent on the completion of a financing transaction and the Company’s cash and working capital as of February 29, 2024 are not sufficient to complete its planned activities. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 1 to the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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) (“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 audit 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/ ZH CPA, LLC | |
| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024. | |
| Denver, Colorado | |
| March 28, 2024 |
999 18th Street, Suite 3000, Denver, CO, 80202 USA. Phone: 1.303.386.7224 Fax: 1.303.386.7101 Email: admin@zhcpa.us
F-14
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE SHEET
FEBRUARY 29, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$), except for number of shares
| ASSETS | ||||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash | $ | 280,530 | ||
| Total current assets | 280,530 | |||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Deferred offering costs | 117,400 | |||
| Total noncurrent assets | 117,400 | |||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 397,930 | ||
| Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity | ||||
| Promissory note – related party | $ | 375,000 | ||
| Total Liabilities | 375,000 | |||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7) | ||||
| Shareholder’s Equity: | ||||
| Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 1,437,500 shares issued and outstanding(1) | 144 | |||
| Additional paid-in capital | 24,856 | |||
| Accumulated deficit | (2,070 | ) | ||
| Total Shareholder’s Equity | 22,930 | |||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY | $ | 397,930 |
| (1) | This number includes up to 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 5). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH FEBRUARY 29, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$), except for number of shares
| Formation and operating costs | $ | 2,070 | ||
| Net loss | $ | (2,070 | ) | |
| Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding(1) | 1,250,000 | |||
| Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share | $ | (0.00 | ) |
| (1) | This number excludes up to 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 5). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH FEBRUARY 29, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$), except for number of shares
| Ordinary Shares | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Shareholder’s | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 30, 2024 (inception) | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||||
| Founder shares issued to Sponsor(1) | 1,437,500 | 144 | 24,856 | - | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | (2,070 | ) | (2,070 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance as of February 29, 2024 | 1,437,500 | $ | 144 | $ | 24,856 | $ | (2,070 | ) | $ | 22,930 | ||||||||||
| (1) | This number includes up to 187,500 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 5). |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 30, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH FEBRUARY 29, 2024
Currency expressed in United States dollars (“US$)
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (2,070 | ) | |
| Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (2,070 | ) | ||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||
| Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Sponsor | 25,000 | |||
| Proceeds from issuance of promissory note to related party | 375,000 | |||
| Payment of deferred offering costs | (117,400 | ) | ||
| Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 282,600 | |||
| Net Change in Cash | 280,530 | |||
| Cash, Beginning of Period | - | |||
| Cash, End of Period | $ | 280,530 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-18
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Organization and Business Operation
Future Vision II Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on January 30, 2024. 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 (the “Business Combination”). The Company has not selected any Business Combination target and it has not, nor has anyone on its behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any Business Combination target with respect to the Business Combination.
As of February 29, 2024, the Company had not commenced any operations. For the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through February 29, 2024, the Company’s efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to the Proposed Public Offering (as defined 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 Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The Company’s founder and sponsor is HWei Super Speed Co. Ltd., a British Virgin Island business company with limited liability (the “Sponsor”). The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of 5,000,000 units (the “Public Units”) (or 5,750,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per unit (the “Proposed Public Offering,” see Note 3) and the sale of 284,000 units (the “Private Placement Units”) (or 299,000 units if the over-allotment is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per unit in a private placement to the Sponsor (the “Private Placement,” see Note 4).
The Company’s initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes, if permitted, and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in trust) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires an interest in the target sufficient for the post-transaction company 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 complete a Business Combination successfully.
Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that $10.05 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering, including a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Private placement units, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company. The proceeds from this offering held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account (1) to the Company, until the completion of the initial business combination, or (2) to public shareholders, until the earliest of: (a) the completion of the initial Business Combination, (b) the redemption of any ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering (the “public shares”) properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of the Company’s ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the Company’s initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company does not complete the initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or up to 24 months
F-19
from the closing of the initial public offering (an “Extension Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, and (c) the redemption of the Company’s public shares if it has not consummated the business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period, subject to applicable law. Public shareholders who redeem their ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (b) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business combination or liquidation if the Company has not consummated an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering, with respect to such ordinary shares so redeemed. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the Company’s public shareholders.
The ordinary shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. The Company will have only 18 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering or during any Extension Period to complete the initial Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company for working capital purposes or to pay the Company’s taxes (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
The Founder shares except as described below, are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of Founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (a) the Founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; and (b) the Company’s initial shareholder has entered into an agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder shares in connection with the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder shares and public shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide for the redemption of the Company’s public shares in connection with an initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period, and (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights, and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their Founder shares if w the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering or during any Extension Period, (although they will be entitled
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to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any public shares they hold if the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination within the prescribed time frame), and I are entitled to registration rights. If the Company submits its initial Business Combination to its public shareholders for a vote, its founder has agreed (and its permitted transferees will agree) to vote their Founder shares, private shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering in favor of its initial Business Combination. The other members of the Company’s management team have entered into agreements similar to the one entered into by the Company’s Sponsor with respect to any public shares acquired by them in or after this offering.
The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than our independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or by a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.05 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 $10.05 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then the Company’s Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims.
Going Concern Consideration
On February 29, 2024, the Company had cash balance of $280,530, and a net loss of $2,070 for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) to February 29, 2024. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Proposed Public Offering as discussed in Note 3. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to raise capital or to consummate a Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period. On February 22, 2024, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate amount of $500,000 to be used, in part, for transaction costs incurred in connection with the Proposed Public Offering. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the Company’s inability to consummate the Proposed Public Offering or a Business Combination to continue as a going concern.
Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
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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 U.S. 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 period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents.
Deferred Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A — Expenses of Offering. Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to shareholder’s equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents and promissory note - related party each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
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Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption
The Company will account for its ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (ASC 480). Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) will be classified as a liability instrument and will be measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that features redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) will be classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares will be classified as stockholders’ equity. In accordance with ASC 480-10-S99, the Company will classify the ordinary shares subject to redemption outside of permanent equity as the redemption provisions are not solely within the control of the Company.
Related parties
Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.
Net Loss Per Ordinary Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating income per share of ordinary shares. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 187,500 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). As of February 29, 2024, the Company only issue one class of shares and did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740 Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and 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. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
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 February 29, 2024. 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 determined that the Cayman Islands is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction.
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The Company may be subject to potential examination by taxing authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands for the period from January 30, 2024 (inception) through February 29, 2024.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3 — Proposed Public Offering
Pursuant to the Proposed Public Offering, the Company intends to offer for sale 5,000,000 units, (or 5,750,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full). Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share (“Public Share”) and one right (“Public Right”) to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of the initial business combination.
Note 4 — Private Placement
The Sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 284,000 units (or 299,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per share for approximately $2,840,000 in the aggregate (or $2,990,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The Private Placement Units are identical to the Public Units sold in this proposed public offering, subject to limited exceptions. The holder of the Private Placement Units will be entitled to registration rights. In addition, these Private Placement Units may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold until the later of the completion of our initial business combination or 18 months following the closing of the initial public offering.
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
On February 27, 2024, the Sponsor acquired 1,437,500 ordinary shares (“Founder shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.
As of February 29, 2024, there were 1,437,500 Founder shares issued and outstanding, among which, up to 187,500 Founder Shares are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised.
The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their Founder Shares (excluding any units or shares comprising the units acquired in the offering) until the earlier to occur of (a) twelve months after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) upon completion of our initial business combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per unit (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, 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 after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor, directors and executive officers with respect to any founder shares.
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Promissory Note — Related Party
On February 22, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 (the “Promissory Note”) to be used for a portion of the expenses for the Proposed Public Offering.
As of February 29, 2024, the Company has an outstanding balance of $375,000. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and is due at the earlier of (1) September 30, 2024 or (2) the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the Trust Account.
Working Capital Loans
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, the Sponsor, the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required. If the Company completes the initial Business Combination, it intends to repay such loaned amount at closing. In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans (“Working Capital Loans”) made by the Sponsor, the Company’s officers and directors, or the Company’s or their affiliates to the Company prior to or in connection with its initial Business Combination may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender, upon consummation of its initial Business Combination. The units would be identical to the Placement Units.
As of February 29, 2024, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
Administrative Support Services
Commencing on the effective date of the registration statement of the Proposed Public Offering, the Company has agreed to pay an affiliate of the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of its initial Business Combination or its liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.
Note 6 — Shareholder’s Equity
Ordinary shares
The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On January 30, 2024, the Company issued 10,000 ordinary shares to the Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $1. On February 27, 2024, the Company issued 1,437,500 ordinary shares to the Sponsor including an aggregate of 187,500 shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriter’s over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part, so that the initial shareholder will own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares (excluding the Private Placement Units and Representative shares (See Note 7) and assuming the initial shareholder does not purchase any shares in the Proposed Public Offering). Meanwhile, the Sponsor irrevocably surrendered to the Company for cancellation and for nil consideration 10,000 ordinary shares.
As of February 29, 2024, there were 1,437,500 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, among which, up to 187,500 Founder Shares are subject to forfeiture if the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised.
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Rights
Except in cases where the Company is not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of the initial business combination. In the event the Company will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one-tenth (1/10) of a share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination unless otherwise waived in the course of the business combination. No fractional shares will be issued upon exchange of rights. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive its additional shares upon consummation of a business combination. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Cayman Law.
Note 7 — Commitments & Contingencies
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares and Private Placement Units (and their underlying securities) 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 Public Offering, requiring the Company to register such securities for resale. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 750,000 units to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Public Offering price.
The underwriters will be entitled to an underwriting discount of 4.00% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering, of which (i) 1.5% will be paid in cash at the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, (ii) 1.0% will be paid in the form of representative shares (the “Representative shares”) at the closing of the Proposed Public Offering (such representative shares shall be registered so as to circumvent reliance on the Rule 144 exemption and shall only therein be subject to FINRA’s 180-day lock-up period rule), and (iii) 1.0% in cash and 0.5% in the form of representative shares will be paid as the deferred underwriting commission at the consummation of a Business Combination.
Representative shares
The Company will issue 50,000 Representative shares (or 57,500 Representative shares if the underwriter exercises over-allotment option in full) to the representative of the underwriters (and/or its designees) as part of the underwriting compensation. The representative shares have deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the commencement of sales in this offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110I(1). Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110I(1), these securities will not be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales in this offering, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the commencement of sales in this offering except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their officers, partners, registered persons or affiliates.
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Note 8 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date of this report when the financial statements were issued. Other than as described in the financial statements, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would require adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
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$50,000,000
FUTURE VISION II ACQUISITION CORP.
5,000,000 Units
PROSPECTUS
September 12, 2024
Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC
Until October 7, 2024 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade these 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.