UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission
file number: 001-41718
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 87-4000684 |
(State of Other Jurisdiction of incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
228 Park Ave S, Suite 89898 New York, NY | | 10003 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: 212-287-5022
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name
Of Each Exchange On Which Registered |
Units | | ESHAU | | The Nasdaq Global Market |
Class A shares | | ESHA | | The Nasdaq Global Market |
Rights | | ESHAR | | The Nasdaq Global Market |
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No
☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No
☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.0405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Smaller reporting company ☒ |
| | | Emerging growth company ☒ |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐
As
of December 31, 2023, there were 11,787,500 shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value and 2,875,000 shares of Class B common
stock, $0.0001 par value, issued and outstanding.
Documents
Incorporated by Reference
The
information contained in the registrant’s prospectus dated June 13, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on June 15, 2023, pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) (SEC File No. 333-265226) is incorporated into certain portions of Part I, as disclosed
herein.
Table
of Contents
PART
I
ITEM
1. BUSINESS
In
this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”), references to the “Company” and to “we,”
“us,” and “our” refer to ESH Acquisition Corp.
ESH
Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a blank check company that was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on November
17, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization
or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities that the Company has not yet identified (the “Initial
Business Combination”).
We
intend to effectuate our Initial Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of the initial public offering (the “IPO”)
and the private placement of the private placement warrants (“Private Placement Warrants”), the proceeds of the sale
of our shares in connection with our Initial Business Combination (which may include sales pursuant to a forward purchase agreement),
shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the
foregoing.
On
June 16, 2023, the Company consummated the IPO of 11,500,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of
Class A common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), which includes the full exercise by
the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 1,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the sale of 7,470,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”)
at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, in a private placement to the Company’s Sponsor, ESH Sponsor LLC, a limited
liability company, which is an affiliate of members of the Board of Directors and management team (the “Sponsor”),
and I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (“I-Bankers”) and Dawson James (“Dawson James”), the representative
of the underwriters of the IPO, generating gross proceeds of $7,470,000. $116,725,000 ($10.15 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the
sale of the Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the trust account (“Trust Account”)
with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
On
December 17, 2021, the Sponsor subscribed to purchase 8,625,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001
per share (the “Founder Shares”) for a subscription price of $25,000. Such subscription receivable was paid in full
on March 9, 2022. On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor surrendered an aggregate of 5,750,000 shares of its Class B common stock for no consideration,
which were cancelled, resulting in the Initial Stockholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 Founder Shares. The holders of the Founder
Shares prior to our IPO (the “Initial Stockholders”) agreed to forfeit up to 375,000 Founder Shares to the extent
that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters. The forfeiture was to be adjusted to the extent that the
over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters so that the Founder Shares would represent 20.0% of the Company’s
issued and outstanding shares after the IPO (excluding the Representative Shares, as defined below). On June 16, 2023, the underwriters
exercised their over-allotment option in full as part of the initial closing of the IPO. As such, the 375,000 Founder Shares are no longer
subject to forfeiture.
Each
whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one whole share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion
of the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor was added to the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust
Account so that the Trust Account holds $10.15 per unit sold. If the Company does not complete an Initial Business Combination within
the Combination Period (as defined below), the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will
be redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis.
The
Company incurred offering costs amounting to $5,368,092 as a result of the IPO consisting of a $2,300,000 cash underwriting discount,
$2,239,466 fair value of Representative Shares (as defined below), and $828,626 of other offering costs.
For
further details regarding our business, see the section titled “Proposed Business” contained in our Prospectus dated June
13, 2023, incorporated by reference herein (the “Prospectus”)
Effecting
our Initial Business Combination
General
We
are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations until after the consummation of the Initial Business Combination.
We intend to effectuate our Initial Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the private placement of the Private
Placement Warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our Initial Business Combination (which may include sales
pursuant to a forward purchase agreement or backstop agreement we may enter into following the consummation of the IPO or otherwise),
shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the
foregoing. We may seek to complete our Initial Business Combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in
its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
If
our Initial Business Combination is paid for using equity or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the Trust Account
are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our Initial Business Combination or used for redemptions of our Class A
common stock, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the Trust Account for general corporate purposes, including for
maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred
in completing our Initial Business Combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We
may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities in connection with the completion of our Initial
Business Combination, and we may effectuate our Initial Business Combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the
amounts held in the Trust Account. In addition, we intend to target businesses larger than we could acquire with the net proceeds of
the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, and may as a result be required to seek additional financing to complete such
proposed Initial Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would expect to complete such financing
only simultaneously with the completion of our Initial Business Combination. In the case of an Initial Business Combination funded with
assets other than the Trust Account assets, our proxy materials or tender offer documents disclosing the Initial Business Combination
would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There are
no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our Initial Business Combination. At this
time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through
the sale of securities or otherwise.
Sources
of Target Businesses
We
anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers
and investment professionals. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited
by us by calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited
basis, since many of these sources will have read the Prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and
directors, as well as our Sponsor and their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware
of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade
shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily
be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors and our Sponsor and their respective industry
and business contacts as well as their affiliates.
We
will pay a marketing fee (in an amount equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of our IPO) to I-Bankers and Dawson James, collectively,
($500,000 of such fee shall be payable to another advisor of our choice who is a member of FINRA or regulated broker-dealer) upon the
closing of our Initial Business Combination pursuant to our business combination marketing agreement with I-Bankers and Dawson James.
In addition, if a business combination is consummated with a target introduced to us by I-Bankers, we will pay I-Bankers a finder
fee equal to 1% of the consideration issued to the target. See the Prospectus section titled “Underwriting” for a description
of underwriting compensation payable to the underwriters.
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an Initial Business Combination with a company that is affiliated with our Sponsor, officers or directors,
or their respective affiliates. In the event we seek to complete our Initial Business Combination with a company that is affiliated with
our Sponsor, officers or directors, or their respective affiliates, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that our Initial Business
Combination is fair to our Company and our stockholders from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion
in any other context. As more fully discussed in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Management-Conflicts of Interest,”
if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of an Initial Business Combination opportunity that falls within the line of business
of any entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business
combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Our officers and directors currently
have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
Fair
Market Value of Target Business
So
long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”), our Initial Business
Combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the
value of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the marketing fee and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account)
at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our Initial Business Combination. If our board 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 FINRA or an independent accounting firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Additionally, pursuant
to Nasdaq rules, any Initial Business Combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
We
anticipate structuring our Initial Business Combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares
will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our Initial
Business Combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target
business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons. However, we will only
complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities
of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”). Even if the post-transaction
company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively
own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination
transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the
outstanding capital stock 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 stockholders 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 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 and we will
treat the target businesses together as the Initial Business Combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval,
as applicable.
Lack
of Business Diversification
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 risks. 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. |
Shareholders
May Not Have the Ability to Approve an Initial Business Combination
We
may conduct redemptions without a stockholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC. However, we will seek stockholder
approval if it is required by law or applicable stock exchange rule, or we may decide to seek stockholder approval for business or other
legal reasons. Presented in the table below is a graphic explanation of the types of Initial Business Combinations we may consider and
whether stockholder approval is currently required under Delaware law for each such transaction
Type of Transaction | |
Whether Stockholder Approval is Required |
Purchase of assets | |
No |
Purchase of stock 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 listing rules, stockholder approval would be required for our Initial Business Combination if, for example:
| ● | we
issue shares of Class A common stock that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of our Class A common
stock then outstanding (other than in a public offering); |
| ● | any
of our directors, officers or substantial stockholders (as defined by Nasdaq 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 Class A common stock could result in an increase in outstanding common shares or voting power of 5% or
more; or |
| ● | the
issuance or potential issuance of Class A common stock will result in our undergoing a change of control. |
Liquidation
if No Initial Business Combination
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will have only the Combination Period to complete our Initial Business
Combination (the “Combination Period”). If we are unable to complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination
Period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more
than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then
on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest
to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public
stockholders’ rights as stockholders (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 stockholders and
our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware 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 our rights,
which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our business combination within the Combination Period.
Our
Initial Stockholders, directors, officers and I-Bankers and Dawson James have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the
Trust Account with respect to their Founder Shares and Representative Shares if we fail to complete our Initial Business Combination
within the Combination Period. However, if our Initial Stockholders, directors, officers and I-Bankers and Dawson James acquire Public
Shares after our IPO, 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 Combination Period.
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 certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our
Public Shares if we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period or (ii) with respect to any other
provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless we provide our public stockholders with
the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock 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. 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 both immediately before and after the consummation of our Initial Business Combination
(so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules).
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 $2,320,000 of proceeds held outside the Trust Account after the payment of liability insurance
premiums for D&O insurance, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. However, if those
funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there
is any interest accrued in the Trust Account not required to pay taxes, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount
of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If
we were to expend all of the net proceeds of our IPO and the private placement, 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 stockholders
upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.15. 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 stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual
per-share redemption amount received by stockholders will not be substantially less than $10.15. Under Section 281(b) of
the DGCL, 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 stockholders. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient
to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although
we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute
agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit
of our public stockholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that
they would be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of
fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order
to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third party refuses
to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives
available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such
third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where
we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise
or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver
or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver.
In
addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising
out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. In order
to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, 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 amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.15 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 which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, 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 our IPO 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, then our Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability
for such third-party claims. We have not asked our Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, and 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.
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.
In
the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below (i) $10.15 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 which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our Sponsor asserts that it is unable to
satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent
directors would determine whether to take legal action against our Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently
expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations
to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular
instance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will
not be substantially less than $10.15 per share.
We
will seek to reduce the possibility that our Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring
to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements
with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account. Our Sponsor will also not
be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
Because
we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known
to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against
us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations
will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors
(such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. 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) $10.15 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 our IPO 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 petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the
Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of
third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, we cannot
assure you we will be able to return $10.15 per share to our public stockholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an
involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed
under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.”
As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board 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 stockholders 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 stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion
of our Initial Business Combination, (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder
vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem
100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period or (B) with respect
to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption
of all of our Public Shares if we are unable to complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, subject to applicable
law. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the Trust Account. In the event we
seek stockholder approval in connection with our Initial Business Combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the business
combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the Trust Account.
Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above.
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 stockholders who exercise their
redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our Initial Business Combination and our outstanding warrants, and the
future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place
us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an Initial Business Combination.
Human
Capital Resources
We
currently have two executive officers. Members of our management team 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 that any member of our management team will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target
business has been selected for our Initial Business Combination and the current stage of the business combination process.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
Summary
of Risk Factors
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Below is a summary of the principal risk factors that make an investment
in our securities speculative or risky. This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of the risks
summarized in this summary of risk factors, and other risks that we face, can be found below in “Risk Factors” and should
be carefully considered, together with other information in this Form 10-K. Our principal risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, the following risks, uncertainties and other factors:
| ● | newly
formed company without an operating history; |
| ● | delay
in receiving distributions from the Trust Account; |
| ● | lack
of opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination; |
| ● | lack
of protections afforded to investors of blank check companies; |
| ● | deviation
from acquisition criteria; |
| ● | issuance
of equity and/or debt securities to complete a business combination; |
| ● | lack
of working capital; |
| ● | third-party
claims reducing the per-share redemption price; |
| ● | our
stockholders being held liable for claims by third parties against us; |
| ● | failure
to enforce our Sponsor’s indemnification obligations; |
| ● | warrant
holders limited to exercising warrants only on a “cashless basis;” |
| ● | dependence
on key personnel; |
| ● | conflicts
of interest of our Sponsor, officers and directors; |
| ● | the
delisting of our securities by the Nasdaq; |
| ● | dependence
on a single target business with a limited number of products or services; |
| ● | shares
being redeemed and warrants becoming worthless; |
| ● | our
competitors with advantages over us in seeking business combinations; |
| ● | ability
to obtain additional financing; |
| ● | our
Initial Stockholders controlling a substantial interest in us; |
| ● | warrants’
adverse effect on the market price of our common stock; |
| ● | disadvantageous
timing for redeeming warrants; |
| ● | registration
rights’ adverse effect on the market price of our common stock; |
| ● | impact
of COVID-19 and related risks; |
| ● | changes
in laws or regulations; |
| ● | uncertain
tax consequences; and |
| ● | the
other risks and uncertainties discussed below in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere
in this Form 10-K. |
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together
with the other information contained in this filing, before making a decision to invest in our Units. If any of the following events
occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price
of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks
Relating to Our Search For, Consummation of, or Inability to Consummate, our Initial Business Combination
We
may engage our underwriters or one of their respective affiliates to provide additional services to us, which may include acting as financial
advisor in connection with an Initial Business Combination or as placement agent in connection with a related financing transaction.
These financial incentives may cause our underwriters to have potential conflicts of interest in rendering any such additional services
to us, including, for example, in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an Initial Business Combination.
We
may engage our underwriters or one of their respective affiliates to provide additional services to us, including, for example, identifying
potential targets, providing financial advisory services, acting as a placement agent in a private offering or arranging debt financing
transactions. We may pay such underwriters or their respective affiliate fair and reasonable fees or other compensation that would be
determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation. Such underwriters or their respective affiliates’ financial interests
tied to the consummation of a business combination transaction may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in providing any such
additional services to us, including potential conflicts of interest in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an Initial Business
Combination.
We
may not be able to complete an Initial Business Combination with certain potential target companies if a proposed transaction with the
target company may be subject to review or approval by regulatory authorities pursuant to certain U.S. or foreign laws or regulations.
Certain
acquisitions or business combinations may be subject to review or approval by regulatory authorities pursuant to certain U.S. or
foreign laws or regulations. In the event that such regulatory approval or clearance is not obtained, or the review process is extended
beyond the period of time that would permit an Initial Business Combination to be consummated with us, we may not be able to consummate
a business combination with such target.
Among
other things, the U.S. Federal Communications Act prohibits foreign individuals, governments, and corporations from owning more
than a specified percentage of the capital stock of a broadcast, common carrier, or aeronautical radio station licensee. In addition,
U.S. law currently restricts foreign ownership of U.S. airlines. In the United States, certain mergers that may affect
competition may require certain filings and review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, and investments or
acquisitions that may affect national security are subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
(“CFIUS”). 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.
Outside
the United States, laws or regulations may affect our ability to consummate our Initial Business Combination with potential target
companies incorporated or having business operations in jurisdiction where national security considerations, involvement in regulated
industries (including telecommunications), or in businesses relating to a country’s culture or heritage may be implicated. Our
Sponsor is a U.S. entity, and the managing member of our Sponsor is a U.S. person. Our Sponsor is not controlled by and does
not have substantial ties with a non-U.S. person.
U.S. and
foreign regulators generally have the power to deny the ability of the parties to consummate a transaction or to condition approval of
a transaction on specified terms and conditions, which may not be acceptable to us or a target. In such event, we may not be able to
consummate a transaction with that potential target.
As
a result of these various restrictions, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an Initial Business Combination could
be limited and we may be adversely affected in terms of competing with other SPACs 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 public stockholders may only receive $10.15 per share, and our warrants and 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
I-Bankers
and Dawson James may have a conflict of interest in rendering services to us in connection with our Initial Business Combination.
We
have engaged I-Bankers and Dawson James to assist us in connection with our Initial Business Combination. We will pay I-Bankers
and Dawson James the marketing fee for such services upon the consummation of our Initial Business Combination in an aggregate amount
equal to $0.35 per unit, or $3,500,000 in the aggregate (or up to 4,025,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised
in full). In addition, we will pay I-Bankers a finder’s fee equal to 1.0% of the consideration issued to a target if the Initial
Business Combination is consummated with a target introduced by I-Bankers. The Representative Shares and the Private Placement Warrants
owned by I-Bankers and Dawson James will also be worthless if we do not consummate an Initial Business Combination. These financial
interests may result in I-Bankers and Dawson James having a conflict of interest when providing the services to us in connection
with an Initial Business Combination.
Changes
in the market for directors and officers’ liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate
and complete an Initial Business Combination.
In
recent months, the market for directors and officers’ liability insurance for blank check companies has changed in ways adverse
to us and our officers and directors. Fewer insurance companies are offering quotes for directors and officers liability coverage, the
premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. These
trends may continue into the future.
The
increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers’ liability insurance could make it more difficult and more
expensive for us to negotiate and consummate an Initial Business Combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance
or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense,
accept less favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an
adverse impact on the post business combination entity’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In
addition, even after we were to complete an Initial Business Combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential
liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the Initial Business Combination. As a result, in order
to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect to
any such claims (“Run-Off Insurance”). The need for Run-Off Insurance would be an added expense for the post-business
combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an Initial Business Combination on terms favorable
to our stockholders.
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) at a price of $10.15 per share or which approximates the per-share amounts in our Trust Account at such time, which is
generally approximately $10.15. 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 therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price
for our shares at such time.
Our
public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed Initial Business Combination, and even if we hold a vote,
holders of our Founder Shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our Initial Business Combination even though
a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.
We
may not hold a stockholder vote to approve our Initial Business Combination unless the business combination would require stockholder
approval under applicable state law or the rules of Nasdaq or if we decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons.
For instance, the Nasdaq rules currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a stockholder meeting but would still require
us to obtain stockholder approval if we were seeking to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares to a target business as consideration
in any business combination. Therefore, if we were structuring a business combination that required us to issue more than 20% of our
outstanding shares, we would seek stockholder approval of such business combination. However, except for as required by law, the decision
as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders 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 stockholder approval. Even if we seek stockholder
approval, the holders of our Founder Shares will participate in the vote on such approval. Accordingly, we may consummate our Initial
Business Combination even if holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock do not approve of the business
combination we consummate. Please see the section entitled “Proposed Business — Stockholders May Not Have the Ability
to Approve Our Initial Business Combination” in the Prospectus for additional information.
If
we seek stockholder approval of our Initial Business Combination, our Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote in favor of
such Initial Business Combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.
Unlike
many other blank check companies in which the Initial Stockholders agree to vote their Founder Shares in accordance with the majority
of the votes cast by the public stockholders in connection with an Initial Business Combination, our Sponsor, officers and directors
have agreed to vote their Founder Shares, as well as any Public Shares they may purchase, in favor of our Initial Business Combination.
Our Sponsor will own 20% of our outstanding shares of common stock (excluding the Representative shares). As a result, in addition to
the Founder Shares held by our Sponsor and the 250,000 Representative shares, we would need 3,625,001, or approximately 36.3%, of the
10,000,000 Public Shares sold in the IPO, to be voted in favor of a transaction (assuming all outstanding shares are voted) in order
to have our Initial Business Combination approved (assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised). Furthermore,
assuming only the minimum number of stockholders required to be present at the stockholders’ meeting held to approve our Initial
Business Combination are present at such meeting, in addition to the Founder Shares held by our Sponsor and the 250,000 Representative
shares, we would need only 437,501 of the 10,000,000 Public Shares, or approximately 4.4% of the shares sold as part of the Units in
the IPO, to be voted in favor of our Initial Business Combination in order to have such transaction approved (assuming the underwriters’
over-allotment option is not exercised). In addition, in the event that our Board of Directors amends our bylaws to reduce the number
of shares required to be present at a meeting of our stockholders, we would need even fewer Public Shares to be voted in favor of our
Initial Business Combination to have such transaction approved.
Accordingly,
if we seek stockholder approval of our Initial Business Combination, it is more likely that the necessary stockholder approval will be
received than would be the case if our Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers and Dawson James agreed to vote their shares in accordance with
the majority of the votes cast by our public stockholders.
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, unless we seek stockholder approval of the business combination.
At
the time of your investment in us, you may 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 stockholder approval, public stockholders
may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such stockholder vote. Accordingly, if we do
not seek stockholder approval, 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 stockholders in which we describe our Initial Business Combination.
The
ability of our public stockholders 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 stockholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not
be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. The amount of the
marketing fee payable to I-Bankers, Dawson James and an advisor of our choice (who is a member of FINRA or regulated broker-dealer) will
not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed in connection with a business combination and such amount of the marketing fee is not
available for us to use as consideration in an 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 both immediately before and after the consummation 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. Consequently, if accepting
all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 both immediately before and
after the consummation of our Initial Business Combination 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. If we are able to consummate an Initial Business Combination, the per-share value of shares held by non-redeeming stockholders
will reflect our obligation to pay the marketing fee.
The
ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete
the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At
the time we enter into an agreement for our Initial Business Combination, we will not know how many stockholders 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 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 is submitted for redemption
than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the Trust Account
or arrange for third party financing. Raising additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence
of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. Furthermore, this dilution would increase to the extent that the anti-dilution provision
of the Class B common stock results in the issuance of Class A shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of
the Class B common stock at the time of our business combination. The amount of the marketing fee payable to I-Bankers and
Dawson James will not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed in connection with an Initial Business Combination. The above considerations
may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure, or may incentivize
us to structure a transaction whereby we issue shares to new investors and not to sellers of target businesses.
The
ability of our public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability
that our Initial Business Combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your stock.
If
our Initial Business Combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the Trust Account to pay the purchase price, or
requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our Initial Business Combination would be unsuccessful
is increased. If our Initial Business Combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the Trust Account until
we liquidate the Trust Account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your stock in the open market; however,
at such time our stock may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the Trust Account. In either situation, you may suffer
a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or you
are able to sell your stock in the open market.
The
requirement that we complete our Initial Business Combination within the prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses leverage
over us in negotiating a business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination
targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our business combination on terms that
would optimize value for our stockholders.
Any
potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must complete
our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating
a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our Initial Business Combination with that particular target business, we
may be unable to complete our Initial Business Combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the
timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our Initial Business Combination
on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We
may not be able to complete our Initial Business Combination within the 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 stockholders may only
receive $10.15 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances.
We
must complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and
complete our Initial Business Combination within such time period. Furthermore, our ability to complete our Initial Business Combination
may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein,
including the impact of events such as the war between Russia and the Ukraine.
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 ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public
Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest
(which interest shall be net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number
of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (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 stockholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate,
subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable
law. In such case, our public stockholders may only receive $10.15 per share and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances,
our public stockholders may receive less than $10.15 per share on the redemption of their shares.
If
we seek stockholder approval of our Initial Business Combination, our Initial Stockholders, directors, executive officers, advisors and
their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from public stockholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination
and reduce the public “float” of our Class A common stock.
If
we seek stockholder approval of our Initial Business Combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, our Initial Stockholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their 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, although they are under no obligation to do so. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage
in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the Trust Account
will be used to purchase shares in such transactions. Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder,
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 Initial Stockholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately
negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders
would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be to vote such shares
in favor of the business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the business combination
or to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash
at the closing of our business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the
completion of a business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the
completion of our Initial Business Combination that may not otherwise have been possible. 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 Class A common stock and the number of beneficial holders
of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities
on a national securities exchange. However, in the event we conduct redemptions in connection with our Initial Business Combination pursuant
to the tender offer rules, if our Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, executive officers, advisors or their affiliates
were to purchase shares or warrants from public stockholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance with the requirements
of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
| ● | the
Company’s registration statement/proxy statement filed for its business combination transaction would disclose the possibility
that the Company’s Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, officers, advisors or their or its respective
affiliates may purchase shares from public stockholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases; |
| ● | if
the Company’s Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, officers, advisors or their or its respective 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 Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors,
officers, advisors or their or its respective affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction; |
| ● | the
Company’s Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, officers, advisors or their or its respective 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: |
| ● | 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 Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, officers, advisors or
their or its respective affiliates; |
| ● | the
impact, if any, of the purchases by the Company’s Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, officers, advisors
or their or its respective 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
Initial Stockholders, I-Bankers, Dawson James, directors, officers, advisors or their or its respective affiliates; and |
| ● | the
number of Company securities for which the Company has received redemption requests pursuant to its redemption offer. |
If
a stockholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our Public Shares in connection with our business combination, or fails
to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We
will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our business combination.
Despite our compliance with these rules, if a stockholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, such stockholder
may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the tender offer documents or proxy materials, 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 redeem Public Shares. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with these
procedures, its shares may not be redeemed. See the section in the Prospectus titled “Proposed Business — Business
Strategy — Tendering stock certificates in connection with a tender offer or redemption rights.”
You
will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since
the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants are intended to be used to complete an Initial Business Combination
with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States
securities laws. However, because we have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 and we have filed 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, if we 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 in the
Prospectus titled “Proposed Business — Comparison of Our initial offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject
to Rule 419.”
If
we seek stockholder approval of our Initial Business Combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules,
and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold 15% or more of our Class A common stock, you will lose the
ability to redeem all such shares equal to or in excess of 15% of our Class A common stock.
If
we seek stockholder 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 certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder,
together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder 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 an aggregate
of 15% or more of the shares sold in the IPO, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” However, we would not be restricting
our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our business combination. Your inability
to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our business combination and you could suffer a material
loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions
with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of
shares equal to or exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your stock in open market transactions,
potentially at a loss.
Because
of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete
our Initial Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our Initial Business Combination, our public stockholders may receive
only approximately $10.15 per share, on our redemption, and our rights will expire worthless.
We
expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors
(which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing
for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience
in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries.
Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial
resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target
businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, our ability
to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources.
This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore,
if we are obligated to pay cash for the shares of Class A common stock redeemed and, in the event we seek stockholder approval of
our business combination, we make purchases of our Class A common stock, the resources available to us for our Initial Business
Combination will potentially be reduced. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating
a business combination. If we are unable to complete our Initial Business Combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately
$10.15 per share on the liquidation of our Trust Account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders
may receive less than $10.15 per share upon our liquidation.
If
the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants not being held in the Trust Account are insufficient to allow
us to operate for at least the duration of the Combination Period, we may be unable to complete our Initial Business Combination, in
which case our public stockholders may only receive $10.15 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights
will expire worthless.
We
believe that the funds available to us outside of the Trust Account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the duration
of the Combination Period; 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 designed to keep
target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses)
with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into
a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit
such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct
due diligence with respect to, a target business. If we are unable to complete our Initial Business Combination, our public stockholders
may receive only approximately $10.15 per share on the liquidation of our Trust Account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain
circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.15 per share upon our liquidation.
If
the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants not being held in the Trust Account are insufficient, it could
limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our Initial Business Combination and we
will depend on loans from our Initial Stockholders or management team to fund our search, to pay our taxes and to complete our business
combination.
If
we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our Initial Stockholders, management team or other third
parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. None of our Initial Stockholders, members of our management team or any of their affiliates
is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Any such advances would be repaid only from funds held outside
the Trust Account or from funds released to us upon completion of our Initial Business Combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such working
capital loans may be convertible into private placement-equivalent warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender.
Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period
of the underlying warrants. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our Initial Stockholders or an affiliate of our Initial
Stockholders 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 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. Consequently, our public stockholders may
only receive approximately $10.15 per share on our redemption of our Public Shares, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain
circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.15 per share upon our liquidation.
We
may seek acquisition opportunities in companies that may be outside of our management’s areas of expertise.
We
will consider a business combination outside of our management’s areas of expertise if a business combination candidate is presented
to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our Company. 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 filing 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 stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following our
business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders 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 tender offer materials or proxy statement relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement
or material omission.
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may
enter into our Initial Business Combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target
business with which we enter into our Initial Business Combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria
and guidelines.
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business
with which we enter into our Initial Business Combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our Initial
Business Combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a
combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business
combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of stockholders 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 stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide
to obtain stockholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain stockholder 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 stockholders may receive only approximately $10.15 per share on the liquidation of our Trust
Account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.15 per share
upon our liquidation.
We
are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from an independent accounting 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 Company from a financial
point of view.
Unless
we complete our 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 investment banking firm that is a member
of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm that the price we are paying for a target is fair to our Company from a financial point
of view. If no opinion is obtained, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our Board of Directors, who will determine fair
market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer
documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our Initial Business Combination.
Resources
could be wasted in researching acquisitions 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 stockholders may
receive only approximately $10.15 per share 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 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 stockholders may receive only
approximately $10.15 per share on the liquidation of our Trust Account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances,
our public stockholders may receive less than $10.15 per share upon our liquidation.
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’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities
of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities
we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company,
the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose
to remain stockholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders 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 tender offer materials or proxy statement relating to the business combination contained an actionable
material misstatement or material omission.
The
officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our Initial Business Combination. The departure 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.
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 and directors which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In
light of the involvement of our Sponsor, executive officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses
affiliated with our Sponsor, executive officers and directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities,
including, without limitation, those described under the Prospectus section titled “Management — Conflicts of Interest.”
Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Our Sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware
of any specific opportunities for us to complete our Initial Business Combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and
there have been no preliminary discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be
specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined
that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting
our Initial Business Combination — Selection of a target business and structuring of our Initial Business Combination “
and such transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent
investment banking firm, 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 executive officers or directors,
potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to
our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
We
will likely only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants,
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.
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 risks. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit
from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several
business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may
be:
| ● | solely
dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or |
| ● | dependent
upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services. |
This
lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial
adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our Initial Business Combination.
We
may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete
our Initial Business Combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If
we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers
to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make
it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our Initial Business Combination. With multiple business combinations, we
could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence
investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations
and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks,
it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
We
may attempt to complete our Initial Business Combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may
result in an Initial Business Combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In
pursuing our Initial Business Combination strategy, we may seek to effectuate our Initial Business Combination with a privately held
company. Very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether
to pursue a potential Initial Business Combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in an Initial Business Combination
with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We
may reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with an Initial Business Combination and such reincorporation may result in taxes
imposed on stockholders.
We
may effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target
company or business is located or reincorporate in another jurisdiction. Such transactions may result in tax liability for a stockholder
in the jurisdiction in which the stockholder 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 distribution to shareholders
to pay such taxes. Stockholders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.
Our
management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our Initial Business Combination. We cannot provide assurance
that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably
operate such business.
We
may structure our Initial Business Combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders 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 stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business
combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could
pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares of Class A common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding
capital stock 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 shares of Class A common stock, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority
of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently
combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially
acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.
We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or
abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We
do not have 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 both immediately before and after the consummation of our Initial Business Combination.
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 stockholders do not agree.
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation does 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 both immediately before
and after the consummation of our Initial Business Combination (such that we become 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
stockholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek stockholder 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 Initial Stockholders, including our officers or directors, or
their advisors or their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A
common stock that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the
proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem
any shares, all shares of Class A common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead
may search for an alternate business combination.
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.
Although
we believe that the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants is sufficient to allow us to complete our
Initial Business Combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements
for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants prove to be insufficient,
either because of the size of our Initial Business Combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business,
the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders who elect redemption in connection with our Initial
Business Combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our Initial Business Combination,
we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing
will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete
our Initial Business Combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination
and seek an alternative target business candidate. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our business
combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional
financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors
or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our business combination. If we are unable to
complete our Initial Business Combination, our public stockholders may only receive approximately $10.15 per share on the liquidation
of our Trust Account, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.15
per share upon our liquidation.
Because
we must furnish our stockholders 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. 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 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 financial statements in time for us to disclose such financial
statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our Initial Business Combination within the prescribed time frame.
Risks
Relating to the Post-Initial 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 stock price,
which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even
if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will surface
all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues
through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later
arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment
or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected
risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though
these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature
could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may 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 stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the business
combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders 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 tender
offer materials or proxy statement relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
Because
we are not limited to a particular industry or 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’ operations.
Although
we expect to focus our search for a target business on entities in the global entertainment, sports and hospitality (“ESH”)
sectors, we may seek to complete a business combination with an operating company in any industry or sector. However, we are not, under
our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, permitted to effectuate our business combination with another blank check company
or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business with respect
to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations,
results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our business combination, we
may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially
unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business
and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. These risks include investing in a business without a proven
business model and with limited historical financial data, volatile revenues or earnings, intense competition 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 cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate
time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control
or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our Units
will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination
target. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in
the value of their shares. Such stockholders 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 tender offer materials or proxy statement relating
to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
We
may face risks related to companies in the global ESH sectors.
Business
combinations with companies in the global ESH sectors entail special considerations and risks. If we are successful in completing a business
combination with such a target business, we may be subject to, and possibly adversely affected by, the following risks:
| ● | an
inability to build or maintain strong brand identity and reputation and to improve customer and supporter satisfaction and loyalty; |
| ● | a
dependence in part on relationships with third parties and an inability to attract or retain Sponsorships, advertisers, or partners; |
| ● | changes
in pricing, including changes in the demand for tickets, media rights or consumer products associated with our target business; |
| ● | an
inability to sell, license, market, protect and enforce the intellectual property and other rights on which our target business may depend; |
| ● | seasonality
and weather conditions that may cause our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter; |
| ● | potential
liability for negligence, copyright, or trademark infringement or other claims based on the nature and content of materials that we may
distribute; and |
| ● | business
interruptions due to natural disasters, terrorist incidents, outbreak of disease (including the recent COVID-19 pandemic and related
shelter-in-place orders, travel, social distancing and quarantine policies, boycotts, curtailment of trade and other business restrictions),
and other events. |
| ● | Business
combinations with companies in the global sports sector entail special considerations and risks, including potential limitations and
restrictions on our ability to complete business combinations imposed by professional sports leagues with which prospective target businesses
may be associated: |
| ● | the
popularity of any sports franchises that we control or with whom we partner, and, in varying degrees, the ability of those franchises
to achieve competitive success, depends on the viability and the popularity of the sports leagues and sports with which such franchises
are associated, which can generate or impact supporter enthusiasm, resulting in increased or decreased revenues; |
| ● | an
inability to attract or retain key personnel, including players for any sports franchises we may control, and an inability of professional
sports leagues to maintain labor relations or successfully negotiate new collective bargaining agreements with unionized players, referees
or other employees on favorable terms; |
| ● | an
inability to negotiate and control pricing of key media contracts for any sports franchises we may control; |
| ● | an
inability of any sports franchises that we control or with which we have partnerships to qualify for playoffs or certain competitions; |
| ● | special
rules and regulations imposed by sports leagues on franchises, including rules and regulations regarding confidentiality, investments
and sales of interests in sports franchises, financing transactions (including the ability to incur indebtedness, make distributions
or engage in other liquidity transactions) and insolvency and bankruptcy; |
| ● | the
ability of the member teams of sports leagues to take actions contrary to the interests of sports franchises, including asserting control
over certain matters such as telecast rights, licensing rights, the length and format of the playing season, the operating territories
of member teams, admission of new members, franchise relocations, labor relations with players associations, collective bargaining, free
agency, and luxury taxes and revenue sharing, and the imposition of sanctions or suspension on sports franchises; and |
Any
of the foregoing, and others, could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination. However, our efforts in
identifying prospective target businesses will not be limited to the sports and entertainment sectors. Accordingly, if we acquire a target
business in another industry, these risks will likely not affect us and we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific
industry in which we operate or target business which we acquire, none of which can be presently ascertained.
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 stockholders’ investment in us.
Although
we have no commitments as of the date of this filing to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt
following the IPO, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our Initial Business Combination. We 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 Class A common stock; |
| ● | 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 Class A common stock if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
| ● | limitations
on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate; |
| ● | increased
vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; |
| ● | limitations
on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of
our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt; and |
| ● | other
disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
If
we effect our Initial Business Combination with a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States, we would
be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If
we effect our Initial Business Combination with a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States, we would
be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the
following:
| ● | higher
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; |
| ● | laws
governing the manner in which future business combinations may be affected; |
| ● | tariffs
and trade barriers; |
| ● | regulations
related to customs and import/export matters; |
| ● | local
or regional economic policies and market conditions; |
| ● | unexpected
changes in regulatory requirements; |
| ● | tax
issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States; |
| ● | currency
fluctuations and exchange controls; |
| ● | challenges
in collecting accounts receivable; |
| ● | cultural
and language differences; |
| ● | underdeveloped
or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems; |
| ● | protection
of intellectual property; |
| ● | social
unrest, crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, regime changes, 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, our operations might suffer, which may adversely
impact our results of operations and financial condition.
If
our management following our Initial Business Combination is unfamiliar with U.S. 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, any or all of our management could resign from their positions as officers of the Company, and the
management of the target business at the time of the business combination could remain in place. Management of the target business may
not be familiar with U.S. securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with U.S. 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.
Risks
Relating to our Management and Directors
Past
performance by our management team, including investments and transactions which they have participated in and businesses with which
they have been associated, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.
Information
regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, our management team is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience
and performance of our management team is not a guarantee either: (a) that we will be able to successfully identify a suitable candidate
for our Initial Business Combination ; or (b) of any results with respect to any Initial Business Combination we may consummate.
You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s performance as indicative of the future performance of an
investment in us or the returns we will, or are likely to, generate going forward. The market price of our securities may be influenced
by numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, and our stockholders may experience losses on their investment in our securities.
We
are dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their departure could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our
operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of
our executive officers and directors, at least until we have completed our 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 management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring
the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or
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 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.
Our
key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination.
These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following 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 the company after the completion of our Initial Business Combination only if they are able to
negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously
with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments
and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. The personal and financial
interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. 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 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
is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation and our executive officers are
not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. In particular, certain members of our management
team are officers and directors of Twelve Seas Investment Company II and Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corp. In addition, our Sponsor,
officers and directors 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, including Twelve Seas Investment Company II and Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition
Corp., may compete with us for business combination opportunities. 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 Prospectus section titled “Management — Directors and
Executive Officers.”
Certain
of our executive officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business
activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us following our Initial Business Combination and, accordingly, may have conflicts
of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Until
we consummate our Initial Business Combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses.
Our executive officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in business activities
similar to those intended to be conducted by us following our Initial Business Combination. See a description of our executive officers’
and directors’ current affiliations under the Prospectus headings “Management” and “Management — Conflicts
of Interest.”
Our
officers and directors also may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other
entities to which they owe certain fiduciary or contractual duties. For example, certain members of our management team presently have,
and in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including fiduciary and contractual duties
to Twelve Seas Investment Company II and Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corp. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining
to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential
target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation
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 we are legally
and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.
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 Prospectus sections titled “Management — Directors and Executive Officers,”
“Management — Conflicts of Interest” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
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 executive officers, directors, security holders and their respective 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 directors or executive officers, although we do not currently intend to do so. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits
any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or
entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
Since
our Initial Stockholders, including our Sponsor, executive officers and directors, will lose their entire investment in us if our Initial
Business Combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target
is appropriate for our Initial Business Combination.
Our
Sponsor holds 2,875,000 Founder Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per share (up to 375,000 of
which are subject to forfeiture). Certain members of our management team also have a financial interest in our Sponsor. The Founder
Shares held by our Sponsor will be worthless if we do not complete an Initial Business Combination. In addition, our Sponsor has purchased
6,320,000 Private Placement Warrants, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,320,000. All of the foregoing Private Placement Warrants
will also be worthless if we do not consummate our Initial Business Combination. The personal and financial interests of our Sponsor,
executive 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 end of the Combination Period nears.
Since
our Sponsor, executive officers and directors will not be eligible to be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses if our business
combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate
for our Initial Business Combination.
At
the closing of our Initial Business Combination, 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. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf. These financial interests of our Sponsor, executive officers
and directors, may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination and completing an Initial Business
Combination.
Risks
Relating to Our Securities
You
will not have any rights or interests in funds from the Trust Account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your
investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your Public Shares or rights, potentially at a loss.
Our
public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion
of our Initial Business Combination, (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder
vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem
100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period or (B) with respect
to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity and (iii) the redemption of all
of our Public Shares if we are unable to complete our business combination within the Combination Period, subject to applicable law and
as further described herein. Stockholders who do not exercise their rights to the funds in connection with an amendment to our certificate
of incorporation would still have rights to the funds in connection with a subsequent business combination. In no other circumstances
will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in the Trust Account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you
may be forced to sell your Public Shares or rights, potentially at a loss.
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.
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 stockholders may be less than $10.15 per share.
Our
placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all
vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving
any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of our public stockholders,
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. We are not aware of any product or service providers who have not or will
not provide such waiver other than the underwriters of the IPO.
Examples
of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant
whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would
agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition,
there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of,
any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption
of our Public Shares, if we are unable to complete our business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of
a redemption right in connection with our business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that
were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount
received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.15 per share initially held in the Trust Account, due to claims of such creditors.
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 amount of funds
in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.15 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 the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest
which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, 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 indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO 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. We have not asked our Sponsor to reserve
for such indemnification obligations, and 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.
A
provision of our warrant agreement for our Private Placement Warrants may make it more difficult for us to consummate an Initial Business
Combination.
If
(x) we issue additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection
with the closing of our Initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A
common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and, in the case
of any such issuance to our Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by our Sponsor or its affiliates,
as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such
issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our Initial Business
Combination on the date of the completion of our Initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted
average trading price of our Class A common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to
the day on which we complete our Initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20
per share, the exercise price of the Private Placement Warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher
of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent)
to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate
an Initial Business Combination with a target business.
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 stockholders.
In
the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.15 per share or (ii) other than due
to the failure to obtain a waiver from a vendor 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 stockholders, such lesser amount per share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the
liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn
to pay taxes, 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 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 stockholders may be reduced below $10.15 per share.
We
may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and officers.
We
have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, our officers and directors have
agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account and to not seek recourse against
the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by us only if (i)
we have sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account or (ii) we consummate an Initial Business Combination. Our obligation to indemnify
our officers and directors may discourage stockholders 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 stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’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 stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy 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 stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor
and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy
court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. 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 stockholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
If,
before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our
stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be
reduced.
If,
before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy
law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders.
To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders
in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
Our
stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption
of their shares.
Under
the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by
them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our Public
Shares in the event we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period may be considered a liquidation
distribution under Delaware law. If a corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended
to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party
claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional
150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a
liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to
the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. However, it is
our intention to redeem our Public Shares as soon as reasonably possible following the end of the Combination Period in the event we
do not complete our business combination and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures.
Because
we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known
to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against
us within the 10 years following our dissolution. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company,
and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be
from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. If our plan of distribution complies with
Section 281(b) of the DGCL, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser
of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder
would likely be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that
may be potentially brought against us. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions
received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend beyond the third anniversary of such date. Furthermore,
if the pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our Public Shares in the event
we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period is not considered a liquidation distribution under
Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a
party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute
of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years,
as in the case of a liquidation distribution.
We
may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after our consummation of a business combination and you will not be entitled to
any of the corporate protections provided by such a 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. Under Section 211(b) of the DGCL, we are, however, required to hold
an annual meeting of stockholders for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with a company’s bylaws unless such election
is made by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior
to the consummation of our Initial Business Combination, and thus, we may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL,
which requires an annual meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to our consummation of a business
combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with
Section 211(c) of the DGCL. Until we hold an annual meeting of stockholders, public stockholders may not be afforded the opportunity
to discuss company affairs with management. Accordingly, you may not have any say in the management of our Company prior to the completion
of an Initial Business Combination.
The
grant of registration rights to our Initial Stockholders and holders of our Private Placement Warrants may make it more difficult to
complete our Initial Business Combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A
common stock.
Pursuant
to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in the IPO, our Initial Stockholders and
their permitted transferees can demand that we register their shares of our Class A common stock at the time of our Initial Business
Combination. In addition, holders of our Private Placement Warrants and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the Private
Placement Warrants and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, and holders
of securities that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans may demand that we register such warrants or the Class A
common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability
of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A
common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our Initial Business Combination more costly or difficult
to conclude. This is because the stockholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or
ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our Class A common stock that is expected when
the Class A common stock owned by our Initial Stockholders, holders of our Private Placement Warrants or holders of our working
capital loans or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
We
may issue additional shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock to complete our Initial Business Combination or under an
employee incentive plan after completion of our Initial Business Combination, and any such issuances would dilute the interest of our
stockholders and likely present other risks.
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par
value $0.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated
preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after the IPO, there were 89,750,000 and 7,500,000 authorized but unissued
shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, available for issuance, which amount does not take into
account the shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of outstanding rights and/or exercise of outstanding
Private Placement Warrants. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock initially
at a one-for-one ratio but subject to adjustment as set forth herein, including in certain circumstances in which we issue
Class A common stock or equity-linked securities related to our Initial Business Combination. Shares of Class B common stock
are also convertible at the option of the holder at any time.
We
may issue a substantial number of additional shares of Class A common stock, and may issue shares of preferred stock, in order to
complete our Initial Business Combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our Initial Business Combination (although
our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we may not issue securities that can vote with Class A common
stockholders on matters related to our pre-business combination activity). The price at which we issue any shares may be lower than the
price you paid for the Units in the IPO or at a price lower than the trading price of our common stock at the time we commit to such
issuance or at the actual issuance of such shares. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, among other
things, that prior to our Initial Business Combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders
thereof to (i) receive funds from the Trust Account or (ii) vote on any Initial Business Combination. These provisions of our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation, like all provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, may
be amended with a stockholder vote. However, 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 certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance
or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination
Period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless
we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock 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 shares
of common or preferred stock:
| ● | may
significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in the IPO; |
| ● | may
subordinate the rights of holders of Class A common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our
Class A common stock; |
| ● | could
cause a change in control if a substantial number of Class A common stock is issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability
to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
and |
| ● | may
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Units, Class A common stock and/or rights. |
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. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated certificate
of incorporation or governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our Initial Business Combination that
our stockholders may not support.
In
order to effectuate a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters
and modified governing instruments. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business combination, increased
redemption thresholds and extended the time period in which the company must consummate its Initial Business Combination. We cannot assure
you that we will not seek to amend our charter or governing instruments in order to effectuate our Initial Business Combination.
Certain
agreements related to the IPO may be amended without stockholder approval.
Certain
agreements, including the underwriting agreement relating to the IPO, the investment management trust agreement between us and Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the letter agreements and the registration rights agreement among us and our Sponsor, executive
officers and directors, and the administrative services agreement between us and an affiliate of our officers may be amended without
stockholder approval. These agreements contain various provisions that our public stockholders might deem to be material. While we do
not expect our Board of Directors to approve any amendment to any of these agreements prior to our Initial Business Combination, it may
be possible that our Board of Directors, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve
one or more amendments to any such agreement in connection with the consummation of our Initial Business Combination. Any such amendment
may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our securities.
Our
Initial Stockholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder
vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon
the closing of the IPO, our Initial Stockholders owned 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (excluding the Representative
shares). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you
do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of major corporate transactions.
If our Initial Stockholders purchase any additional shares of Class A common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated
transactions, this would increase their influence.
Our
Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 for the Founder Shares, or approximately $0.009 per founder share. As a result of this low initial
price, our Sponsor, its affiliates and our management team and advisors stand to make a substantial profit even if an Initial Business
Combination subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public stockholders.
As
a result of the low acquisition cost of our Founder Shares, our Sponsor, its affiliates and our management team and advisors 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 stockholders. 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.
Unlike
many other similarly structured blank check companies, our Initial Stockholders will receive additional shares of Class A common
stock if we issue shares to consummate an Initial Business Combination.
The
Founder Shares will automatically convert into Class A common stock at the time of our Initial Business Combination, or earlier
at the option of the holders, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of
Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities convertible or exercisable for Class A common stock, are issued or deemed
issued in excess of the amounts offered in this filing and related to the closing of the Initial Business Combination, the ratio at which
Founder Shares shall convert into Class A common stock will be adjusted so that the number of Class A common stock issuable
upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the total number of all outstanding
shares of common stock upon completion of the Initial Business Combination, excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued,
or to be issued, to any seller in the business combination and any private placement-equivalent warrants issued to our Sponsor or its
affiliates upon conversion of loans made to us. This is different from most other similarly structured blank check companies in which
the initial stockholder will only be issued an aggregate of 20% of the total number of shares to be outstanding prior to the Initial
Business Combination. Additionally, the aforementioned adjustment will not take into account any shares of Class A common stock
redeemed in connection with the business combination. Accordingly, the holders of the Founder Shares could receive additional shares
of Class A common stock even if the additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities convertible or exercisable
for Class A common stock, are issued or deemed issued solely to replace those shares that were redeemed in connection with the business
combination. The foregoing may make it more difficult and expensive for us to consummate an Initial Business Combination.
We
may amend the terms of the rights in a manner that may be adverse to holders of rights with the approval by the holders of at least 65%
of the then outstanding rights.
Our
rights will be issued in registered form under a rights agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights
agent, and us. The rights agreement provides that the terms of the rights may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any
ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding rights
to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of rights. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the
rights in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding rights approve of such amendment. Although
our ability to amend the terms of the rights with the consent of at least 65% of the then outstanding rights is unlimited, examples of
such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, adjust the conversion ratio of such rights.
Our
rights and Private Placement Warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock and make it more
difficult to effectuate our Initial Business Combination.
To
the extent we issue shares of Class A common stock to effectuate a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial
number of additional shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of these rights and Private Placement Warrants could make us a
less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Such rights and warrants, if and when exercised, would increase the number
of issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and reduce the value of the shares of Class A common stock issued
to complete the business combination. Therefore, our rights and Private Placement Warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a
business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The
nominal purchase price paid by our Sponsor for the Founder Shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your Public
Shares upon the consummation of our Initial Business Combination.
The
value of your Public Shares may be significantly diluted upon the consummation of our Initial Business Combination, when the Founder
Shares are converted into Public Shares. For example, the following table shows the dilutive effect of the Founder Shares on the implied
value of the Public Shares upon the consummation of our Initial Business Combination, assuming that our equity value at that time is
$98,000,000, which is the amount we would have for our Initial Business Combination in the Trust Account after payment of $3,500,000
for the marketing fee, assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised, none of the rights are converted into
Class A common stock, no interest is earned on the funds held in the Trust Account, and no Public Shares are redeemed in connection with
our Initial Business Combination, and without taking into account any other potential impacts on our valuation at such time, such as
the trading price of our Public Shares, the business combination transaction costs, any equity issued or cash paid to the target’s
sellers or other third parties, or the target’s business itself, including its assets, liabilities, management and prospects, as
well as the value of our private warrants. At such valuation, each of our shares of common stock would have an implied value of $7.69
per share upon consummation of our Initial Business Combination, which would be a 23% decrease as compared to the initial implied value
per public share of $10.00 (the price per unit in the IPO, assuming no value to the rights).
Public shares | |
| 10,000,000 | |
Founder shares (plus 250,000 Representative shares) | |
| 2,750,000 | |
Total shares | |
| 12,750,000 | |
Total funds in Trust available for Initial Business Combination (less the marketing fee) | |
$ | 98,000,000 | |
Initial implied value per Public share | |
$ | 10.15 | |
Implied value per share upon consummation of Initial Business Combination | |
$ | 7.69 | |
The
value of the Founder Shares following completion of our Initial Business Combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal
price paid for them, even if the trading price of our common stock at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.
Assuming
a trading price of $10.00 per share upon consummation of our Initial Business Combination, the 2,500,000 Founder Shares would have an
aggregate implied value of $25,000,000. Even if the trading price of our common stock was as low as $2.54 per share, and the Private
Placement Warrants were worthless, the value of the Founder Shares would be approximately equal to the Sponsor’s initial investment
in us. As a result, our Sponsor is likely to be able to recoup its investment in us and make a substantial profit on that investment,
even if our Public Shares have lost significant value. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interests in our Sponsor, may have
an economic incentive that differs from that of the public shareholders to pursue and consummate an Initial Business Combination rather
than to liquidate and to return all of the cash in the trust to the public shareholders, even if that business combination were with
a riskier or less-established target business. For the foregoing reasons, you should consider our management team’s financial incentive
to complete an Initial Business Combination when evaluating whether to redeem your shares prior to or in connection with the Initial
Business Combination.
Provisions
in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors
might be willing to pay in the future for our Class A common stock and could entrench management.
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders
may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include the ability of the Board of Directors to designate the terms of
and issue new series of preferred stock, 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 Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions
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.
Provisions
in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors
and officers.
Our
amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, that
(i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty
owed by any director, officer or other employee to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us, our directors,
officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws,
or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us, our directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine
may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, except any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery of
the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the
indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination),
(B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court
of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act, as to which the Court
of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction. If an action is brought outside
of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel.
Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of
lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision
may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have
waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits
brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive
jurisdiction. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty
or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although we believe this provision benefits us
by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may
have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
We may be subject to a 1% excise tax in connection
with redemptions of our shares.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction
Act of 2022 was signed into federal law. The Inflation Reduction Act provides for, among other things, a U.S. federal 1%
excise tax on certain repurchases of stock by publicly traded U.S. domestic corporations and certain U.S. domestic subsidiaries
of publicly traded foreign corporations, with certain exceptions. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not
its stockholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares
repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted
to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable
year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. Because we are a Delaware corporation and our securities trade on the Nasdaq
we are a “covered corporation” within the meaning of the Inflation Reduction Act andit is possible that the excise tax will
apply to any redemptions of our shares, including redemptions in connection with an Initial Business Combination, extension vote or otherwise,
unless an exemption is available. Whether and to what extent the Company would be subject to the excise tax in connection with a business
combination, extension vote or otherwise would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions
and repurchases in connection with the business combination, extension or otherwise, (ii) the structure of a business combination,
(iii) the nature and amount of any “PIPE” or other equity issuances in connection with a business combination (or otherwise
issued not in connection with a “business combination” but issued within the same taxable year of a business combination)
and (iv) the content of regulations and other guidance from the Treasury. The excise tax could cause a reduction in the cash available
on hand to complete a business combination and in the Company’s ability to complete a 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.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has been given
authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax and, on December
27, 2022, released Notice 2023-2, which provides taxpayers with interim guidance on the 1% excise tax that may be relied upon until the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service issues proposed Treasury regulations on such matter. Notice 2023-2 includes as one of its exceptions to
the 1% excise tax, a distribution in complete liquidation of a “covered corporation” to which Section 331 of the Code applies
(so long as Section 332(a) of the Code also does not apply). Consequently, we would not expect the 1% excise tax to apply to redemptions
of our shares that occur during a taxable year in which we completely liquidate under Section 331 of the Code. Nonetheless, we are not
permitted to use the proceeds placed in the Trust Account and the interest earned thereon to pay any excise taxes or any other similar
fees or taxes in nature that may be imposed on the company pursuant to any current, pending or future rules or laws, including without
limitation any excise tax imposed under the Inflation Reduction Act on any redemptions or stock buybacks by our Company.
General
Risks
We
are a newly formed 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 newly formed company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through the IPO. 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 fail to complete
our Initial Business Combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
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 business combination.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including, without limitation,
restrictions on the nature of our investments, and restrictions on the issuance of our securities, each of which may make it difficult
for us to complete our business combination. In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including, without limitation,
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 to which they are not currently subject.
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 in securities and that our activities
do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our
total 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. The proceeds held in the Trust
Account may be invested by the trustee only in United States government treasury bills with a maturity of 185 days or less
or in money market funds investing solely in United States Treasuries and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under
the Investment Company Act. Because the investment of the proceeds will be restricted to these instruments, we believe we will meet the
requirements for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act. 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. The Trust Account is intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of:
(i) the completion of our Initial Business Combination ; (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares properly submitted in connection with
a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation
to offer redemption rights in connection with any proposed Initial Business Combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto
or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our Initial Business Combination within the combination period; (B) with
respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-Initial Business Combination activity; or (iii) absent an
Initial Business Combination within the combination period, our return of the funds held in the Trust Account to our public stockholders
as part of our redemption of the Public Shares. Stockholders who do not exercise their redemption rights in connection with an amendment
to our certificate of incorporation would still be able to exercise their redemption rights in connection with a subsequent business
combination. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be an investment company and this to be subject
to the Investment Company Act.
We
are aware of litigation against certain SPACs asserting that, notwithstanding the foregoing, those special purpose acquisition companies
should be considered investment companies. Although we believe that these claims are without merit, we cannot guarantee that we will
not be considered an investment company and thus be subject to the Investment Company Act.
If
we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens
would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and could increase the costs and time needed to complete a business
combination or impair our ability to consummate a business combination. If we have not completed our Initial Business Combination within
the combination period, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.15 per share, or less in certain circumstances, on
the liquidation of our Trust Account and our rights will expire worthless.
An
investment in our Company may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An
investment in our Company may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, because there are no authorities
that directly address instruments similar to the Units we have issued, the allocation an investor makes with respect to the purchase
price of a unit among the share of Class A common stock and the right included in each unit could be challenged by the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) or the courts. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our shares of Class A common
stock 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 common stock is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would
be considered “qualified dividends” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See the section in the Prospectus titled “United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a summary of certain 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.
Market
conditions, economic uncertainty or downturns could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and our ability
to consummate a business combination.
In
recent years, the United States and other markets have experienced cyclical or episodic downturns, and worldwide economic conditions
remain uncertain, including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, instability
in the U.S. and global banking systems, rising fuel prices, increasing interest rates or foreign exchange rates and high inflation and
the possibility of a recession.
A
significant downturn in economic activity, particular affecting the real estate market, may cause potential targets to react by reducing
their capital and operating expenditures in general or by specifically reducing their spending on their real estate development plans
and related technologies.
We
cannot predict the timing, strength, or duration of any economic slowdown or any subsequent recovery generally, or in any industry. If
the conditions in the general economy and the markets in which we operate worsen from present levels, our business, financial condition,
and operating results and our ability to consummate a business combination could be adversely affected. For example, in January 2023,
the outstanding national debt of the U.S. government reached its statutory limit. The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that, since
then, it has been using extraordinary measures to prevent the U.S. government’s default on its payment obligations, and to extend
the time that the U.S. government has to raise its statutory debt limit or otherwise resolve its funding situation. The failure by Congress
to raise the federal debt ceiling could have severe repercussions within the U.S. and to global credit and financial markets. If Congress
does not raise the debt ceiling, the U.S. government could default on its payment obligations, or experience delays in making payments
when due. A payment default or delay by the U.S. government, or continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S. debt ceiling, could result
in a variety of adverse effects for financial markets, market participants and U.S. and global economic conditions. In addition, U.S.
debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns have increased the possibility a downgrade in the credit rating of the U.S. government and could
result in economic slowdowns or a recession in the U.S. Although U.S. lawmakers have passed legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling
on multiple occasions, ratings agencies have lowered or threatened to lower the long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States
as a result of disputes over the debt ceiling. The impact of a potential downgrade to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating
or its perceived creditworthiness could adversely affect economic conditions, as well as our business, financial condition, operating
results and our ability to consummate a business combination.
Changes
in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results
of operations.
We
are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply
with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult,
time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and
those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to
comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results
of operations.
On
January 24, 2024, the SEC issued a final rule relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions
involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell
companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions;
and increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions. This rule may materially
adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our Initial Business Combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
We
are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure
requirements available to emerging growth companies, which could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more
difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We
are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we 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 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 stockholder approval of any
golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may
deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that
status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 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 December 31.
We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors
find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower
than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may
be more volatile.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial
accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective
or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial
accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the
requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt
out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for
public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt
the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging
growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because
of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Compliance
obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our Initial Business Combination, require substantial
financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an 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 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 company 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.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not
applicable.
Item
1C. Cybersecurity
We
are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations until after the consummation of the Initial Business Combination
that could face material cybersecurity threats. However, we do depend on the digital technologies of third parties, including information
systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services. Any sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, systems
or infrastructure or the cloud that we utilize, including those of third parties, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our
assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. Because of our reliance on the technologies of third parties, we
also depend upon the personnel and the processes of third parties to protect against cybersecurity threats, and we have no personnel
or processes of our own for this purpose.
In
the event of a cybersecurity incident impacting us, the Board of Directors will address and mitigate any risks associated with such an
incident. As an early-stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected
against such occurrences. We also lack 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 material adverse consequences
on our business and lead to financial loss.
ITEM
2. PROPERTY
Our
executive offices are located at 228 Park Avenue S, Suite 89898, New York, NY 10003 and our telephone number is 212-287-5022. Our executive
offices are provided to us by an affiliate of one of our officers. Effective as of June 13, 2023, we agreed to pay a total of $5,000
per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. We consider our current office space adequate for our
current operations.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
To
the knowledge of our management team, there is no litigation currently pending, or contemplated by governmental authorities, against
us, any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such or against any of our property.
ITEM
4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not
applicable.
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market
Information
Our
Units, Class A common stock and warrants are listed on the Nasdaq under the symbols ESHAU, ESHA and ESHAR, respectively.
Holders
As of December 31, 2023, there were 3 holders
of record of our Class A ordinary shares and 3 holders of record of our warrants.
Dividends
We
have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock 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. 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.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
There
were no unregistered securities to report which have not been previously included in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report
on Form 8-K.
Use
of Proceeds from Registered Securities
The
registration statement for the IPO was declared effective on June 13, 2023. On June 16, 2023, we consummated an IPO of 11,500,000 Units
at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $115 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately
$5.3 million, inclusive of $2.3 million in cash underwriting discount.
Following
the IPO, the full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $116,725,000 ($10.15
per Unit) was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $5,368,092 in IPO related costs, consisting of $2,300,000 of cash underwriting
discount, $2,239,466 fair value of Representative Shares, and $828,626 of other offering costs.
For
the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $796,580. Net income of $1,946,899 was affected by interest
earned on investments held in the Trust Account of $3,275,366. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $531,887 of cash
for operating activities.
For
the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $43,418. Net loss of $19,468 was affected by changes in
operating assets and liabilities which used $23,950 of cash for operating activities.
As
of December 31, 2023, we had investments held in the Trust Account of $120,000,366 (including approximately $3,275,366 of interest
income) consisting of U.S. Treasury securities. Interest income on the balance in the Trust Account may be used by us to pay taxes. Through
December 31, 2023, we have not withdrawn any interest earned from the Trust Account.
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 income taxes payable), to complete our Initial Business Combination. To the extent that our capital stock 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.
As
of December 31, 2023, we had cash of $1,879,227. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify
and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants
or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements
of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete an Initial Business Combination.
ITEM
6. [RESERVED]
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction
with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth
below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements
as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factor
Summary,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We
are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 17, 2021 for the purpose of effecting a merger,
capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses
or entities. We intend to effectuate our Initial Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private
Placement Warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.
We
expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete
an Initial Business Combination will be successful.
Results
of Operations
We
have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities from November 17, 2021 (inception) through
December 31, 2023 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the IPO, described below, and identifying a target
company for our Initial Business Combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our Initial
Business Combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on investments held in the Trust Account. We incur
expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due
diligence expenses.
For
the year ended December 31, 2023, we had a net income of $1,946,899, which consists of interest income on investments held in the
Trust Account of $3,275,366, offset by operating costs of $393,732, provision for income taxes of $819,453, and franchise tax expense
of $115,282.
For
the year ended December 31, 2022, we had a net loss of $19,468, which consists of operating costs and franchise tax expense.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
On
June 16, 2023, we consummated the IPO of 11,500,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of
their over-allotment option in the amount of 1,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000. Simultaneously
with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 7,470,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, in a private
placement to the Sponsor and I-Bankers Securities, Inc. and Dawson James, generating gross proceeds of $7,470,000.
Following
the IPO, the full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $116,725,000 ($10.15
per Unit) was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $5,368,092 in IPO related costs, consisting of $2,300,000 of cash underwriting
discount, $2,239,466 fair value of Representative Shares, and $828,626 of other offering costs.
For
the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $796,580. Net income of $1,946,899 was affected by interest
earned on investments held in the Trust Account of $3,275,366. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $531,887 of cash
for operating activities.
For
the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $43,418. Net loss of $19,468 was affected by changes in
operating assets and liabilities which used $23,950 of cash for operating activities.
As
of December 31, 2023, we had investments held in the Trust Account of $120,000,366 (including approximately $3,275,366 of interest
income) consisting of U.S. Treasury securities. Interest income on the balance in the Trust Account may be used by us to pay taxes. Through
December 31, 2023, we have not withdrawn any interest earned from the Trust Account.
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 income taxes payable), to complete our Initial Business Combination. To the extent that our capital stock 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.
As
of December 31, 2023, we had cash of $1,879,227. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify
and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants
or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements
of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete our Initial Business Combination.
In
order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with our Initial Business Combination, the Sponsor,
or certain of our officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete
our Initial Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our Initial Business Combination does not close,
we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust
Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant,
at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.
We
do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However,
if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our 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
or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our Public Shares upon consummation of our Initial Business Combination,
in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Initial Business Combination.
We have determined that mandatory liquidation,
should a business combination not occur by December 16, 2024, and potential subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about our ability
to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time which is considered to be one year from the date of the issuance of the
financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification
of the liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2023. We
do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to
as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have
not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments
of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Contractual
Obligations
We
do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement
to pay an affiliate of one of our officers a monthly fee of $5,000 for office space, utilities, secretarial support and other administrative
and consulting services. We began incurring these fees on June 13, 2023 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier
of the completion of the Initial Business Combination and our liquidation.
In
addition, the 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 the Company’s behalf such as identifying potential partner businesses and performing
due diligence on suitable Initial Business Combinations. Any such payments prior to an Initial Business Combination will be made using
funds held outside the Trust Account.
The
underwriters are entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $2.3 million in the aggregate, which was paid upon the closing
of the IPO.
We
entered into an Initial Business Combination marketing agreement (the “Marketing Agreement”) with the underwriters,
I-Bankers and Dawson James, to assist us in holding meetings with the stockholders to discuss the potential Initial Business Combination
and the target business’ attributes, introduce us to potential investors that are interested in purchasing our securities in connection
with the Initial Business Combination, assist us in obtaining stockholder approval for the Initial Business Combination and assist us
with its press releases and public filings in connection with the Initial Business Combination. Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement,
we will pay I-Bankers and Dawson James, collectively, 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the IPO, or $4.03 million in the aggregate (the “Marketing
Fee”). The Marketing Fee will become payable to I-Bankers and Dawson James from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely
in the event that we complete an Initial Business Combination with a target introduced to us by I-Bankers.
Critical
Accounting Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual
results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting estimates:
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption
in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from
Equity.” Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value.
Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that are within the control of the holder
or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified in temporary equity. At
all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Our Class A common stock features certain redemption rights
that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at December 31, 2023,
11,500,000 shares of Class A common stock are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity
section of our balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption amounts to $119,068,570.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We evaluate the equity-linked financial instruments to determine if
such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives
and Hedging.” For derivative financial instruments that are classified as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recognized
at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations each reporting period. The classification
of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be classified as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end
of each reporting period. We accounted for the rights issued in connection with the IPO as equity-classified instruments in accordance
with ASC 815 as rights did not meet the liability criteria (i.e. cashless exercises). Fair value of public rights at issuance amounted
to $1,398,400.
Recent
Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards
Update (“ASU”) 2016-13—Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial
Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). This update requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the
net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including
historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount.
Since June 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard including changing the effective date for smaller reporting companies.
The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early
adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on its financial
statements.
Management
does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect
on our financial statements.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not
required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
This
information appears following Item 15 of this Report and is included herein by reference.
ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure
controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded,
processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons
performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under
the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting
officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 2023, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our
principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report,
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level and, accordingly, provided reasonable assurance
that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Management’s
Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
This
Annual Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation
report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public
companies.
ITEM
9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM
9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
PART
III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Directors
and Executive Officers
Our
officers and directors are as follows:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Allen Weiss |
|
69 |
|
Chairman |
Christopher Ackerley |
|
54 |
|
Director |
Christina Francis |
|
55 |
|
Director |
James Francis |
|
61 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Director |
Jonathan Gordon |
|
36 |
|
Director |
Jonathan Morris |
|
47 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Director |
Thomas Wolber |
|
64 |
|
Director |
Allen
Weiss, Chairman; Allen serves as the Sponsoring Founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Weiss is General
Partner and Chairman of Global Blockchain Ventures Fund. From 1972 to 2011, Mr. Weiss had a career at Disney in various roles. From
1994 to 2003, Mr. Weiss served as President of Walt Disney World and from 2003 to 2011 served as the President of World Wide Operations
for Disney’s $10 Billion/95,000 employee Walt Disney Parks and Resorts business. Mr. Weiss was responsible for the company’s
theme parks and resorts including the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disneyland Resort Paris, Disney Cruise Line, Disney
Vacation Club, “Adventures by Disney, “and the line-of-business responsibility for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Tokyo
Disney Resort.
Mr. Weiss
began his Disney career overseeing cash control on Main Street and rose through the ranks to President, Worldwide operations, for Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts. His vision and results-focused leadership contributed to the significant growth of the top-line revenue and
expanded margins in a thoughtful and strategic way while protecting the Disney brand, Cast, and overall guest experience. During his
tenure as President, Mr. Weiss directed the largest resort expansion in Walt Disney World history, resulting in double-digit percentage
revenue growth, seven consecutive years of records and higher profits. Leading the organization through one of the toughest recessions
in that the world has faced. Mr. Weiss positioned the organization for major growth while significantly reducing the downturn which
was occurring throughout the theme park industry.
From
November 2011 to January 2019, Mr. Weiss was a consultant for Apollo Investment Consulting. Mr. Weiss was involved
in company analyses to support potential acquisitions and management. During his time in his role, he had direct involvement in the acquisition
of Chuck E. Cheese Entertainment in 2014 and served on the Board of Directors until December 2020. Mr. Weiss was also engaged
in acquisition and negotiations for the sale of Great Wolf Resorts where he subsequently became Chairman of the Board of Directors for
Great Wolf and later Executive Chairman. Mr. Weiss was also involved in the acquisition of Diamond Resorts International, which
closed in September 2016, and ClubCorp.
Mr. Weiss
has served on the Alticor Board of Directors since 2012. He also served on the Diamond Resorts International Board of Directors from
2014 until 2021 when the company was sold and on the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission Governor’s Council from 2004
to 2007, was a National Board Member of Sanford — Burnham Medical Research Institute and was appointed by the U.S. Commerce
Secretary as a founding member to the Corporation for Travel Promotion Board of Directors. He was named “Most Influential Businessman
in Central Florida” by the Orlando Business Journal in 2005.
Christopher
Ackerley, Director; Christopher is a co-founder and Managing Director of Ackerley Partners, LLC, a private investment holding company
based in Seattle, WA. Portfolio exits since inception have included College Sports Television to CBS, Withoutabox to IMDb (an Amazon
company), ScreenLife, LLC to Paramount and Sparq.it to Yahoo.
Prior
to co-founding Ackerley Partners in 2002, Mr. Ackerley was the President of The Ackerley Group, Inc. where he oversaw the daily
operations of the national media and entertainment company. He served in a variety of operational roles for the company for more than
15 years, and was also a member of the company’s Board of Directors. In 2002, Mr. Ackerley successfully led the merger
of The Ackerley Group, Inc. with Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCU) and the prior year, he led the negotiations and
completion of The Ackerley Group’s sale of the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm to The Basketball
Club of Seattle led by Starbucks Chairman and CEO — Howard Schultz.
Mr.
Ackerley began his career in the Capital Markets Group at Bank of America in London, England. He has and continues to serve as a
director or advisor to a number of corporate boards including Washington Trust Bank, the Space Needle Corporation, The Four Seasons
Hotel & Residences — Seattle, and Solius, and served on the Board of Directors of Limeade (ASX: LME) for
fifteen years until 2022. He is a minority owner and serves on the Executive Committee for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey
League.
Christina
Francis, Director; Christina was named the President of Magic Johnson Enterprises in January 2019. In this role, she is responsible
for managing and directing the corporation’s day-to-day operations including strategy, business development, and overseeing
the organization’s prestigious partnerships.
Prior
to Magic Johnson Enterprises, Ms. Francis was the Vice President of Marketing & Events for NFL PLAYERS INC., where she led the
group’s brand and event marketing initiatives, including innovative player promotions, special events, advertising, digital and
broadcast media, and public relations. She was instrumental in helping NFL PLAYERS INC. continue its evolution from a licensing division
to a sports and entertainment marketing leader.
Before
joining NFL PLAYERS, INC., Ms. Francis served as Chief Marketing Officer for the Orange Bowl Committee. During her four-year tenure,
the Orange Bowl brand experienced record growth and visibility while the affiliated events attracted tens of thousands of visitors who
fueled South Florida with millions of dollars in economic impact. Her reputation as one of the top minds in sports and entertainment
was forged on both the client and agency side including strategic marketing roles with Fortune 500 companies such as Walt Disney World,
Nissan Motor Corporation, and IBM.
Ms.
Francis also has a long work history with basketball legend and entrepreneur, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. While at Burger King
Corporation, she created and managed the marketing and public relations programs for his 30 Burger King restaurants and she spearheaded
the national advertising and promotional campaigns for Lincoln Mercury which included Mr. Johnson.
Ms.
Francis’ board and committee memberships have included Impact Circle of Big Brother/Big Sister of Miami, National Black MBA and
Links Incorporated. She currently serves on the board of her alma mater Xavier University of Louisiana and Citi Trends, an American retail
clothing chain. In 2019, Ms. Francis was honored with the “Visionary Award” from C-Suite Quarterly and named one of 500 most
influential people in Los Angeles by Los Angeles Business Journal.
A
native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ms. Francis received her B.A. from Xavier University of Louisiana, an MBA from the University of New
Orleans, and was a Fellow for the Consortium in Graduate Study and Management at the University of Texas.
James
Francis, Chief Executive Officer and Director; James is the recently retired President, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of
Chesapeake Lodging Trust, a lodging REIT (Nasdaq: CHSP) which he founded in January 2010 and sold to Park Hotels and Resorts
in September 2019 for $2.7B.
Prior
to Chesapeake, Mr. Francis founded and served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of Highland Hospitality Corporation,
a lodging REIT (Nasdaq: HIH), positions that he held from its founding in December 2003 to its sale in July 2007. Following
the sale of Highland, Mr. Francis served as a consultant to the affiliate of JER Partners that acquired Highland until September 2008.
From June 2002 until founding Highland in December 2003, Mr. Francis served as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of Barceló Crestline Corporation, and prior to that was the co-founder and served as Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Crestline Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: CLJ) from December 1998 to June 2002. Prior to the
spin-off of Crestline Capital from Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (formerly Host Marriott Corporation), Mr. Francis held various
finance and strategic planning positions with Host Marriott and Marriott International, Inc.
From
June 1997 to December 1998, Mr. Francis held the position of Assistant Treasurer and Vice President Corporate Finance
for Host Marriott, where he was responsible for Host Marriott’s corporate finance function, business strategy and investor relations.
Over a period of ten years, Mr. Francis served in various capacities with Marriott International’s lodging business,
including Vice President of Finance for Marriott Lodging from 1995 to 1997; Brand Executive, Courtyard by Marriott from 1994 to 1995;
Controller for Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn from 1993 to 1994; Director of Finance and Strategic Planning for Courtyard by
Marriott and Fairfield Inn from 1991 to 1993; and Director of Hotel Development Finance from 1987 to 1991.
Mr. Francis
also served from 2013 to 2018 on the board of trustees and was the compensation committee chairman of Gramercy Property Trust and Chambers
Street Properties, publicly traded REITs focused on acquiring and operating industrial properties. Mr. Francis received his B.A.
in Economics and Business (Summa Cum Laude) from McDaniel College and received an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University.
Mr. Francis ranked #1 on the November 1988 CPA exam in the commonwealth of Virginia.
Jonathan
Gordon, Director; Jonathan is a co-founder of Ruttenberg Gordon Investments (RGI). Mr. Gordon is an experienced entrepreneur
and investor in the entertainment sector, having founded multiple music publishing, production, and management companies, including 1916
MGMT, Rare Behavior, Patchbay, and Run + Gun. He is Manager of 1916 Enterprises LLC, which is partners in Safari Riot, Maison Arts, Jet
Management and many other music focused businesses and sits on the board of Film Production, Acquisition and Distribution company Utopia.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Mr. Gordon has received 6 ASCAP awards.
Jonathan
Morris, Chief Financial Officer and Director; Jonathan is the Chief Financial Officer of the company. Mr. Morris has prior SPAC
experience as CFO of Twelve Seas Investment Company II. Mr. Morris has over 23 years of experience as a finance executive
as a principal, operator and advisor, and led principal investments and structuring at a large private family office. He also served
as an investment executive at Blackstone Group, Inc., from 2012 to 2016, and on the Board of SunGard AS, from 2014 to 2016. Mr. Morris
was formerly with Credit Suisse TMT Investment Banking Group from 2005 to 2012 and the private equity division of Lombard, Odier et Cie.
Thomas
Wolber, Director; Thomas has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ROW Management Ltd. (ROW), as announced
by The World Resident Holdings Ltd. (TWRH), effective January 3, 2022. Mr. Wolber was most recently the CEO of Crystal Cruises.
In
1989, Mr. Wolber joined Disneyland Paris and remained associated with The Walt Disney Company for 28 years. During his initial years
at Disney, Tom was General Manager at Disneyland Paris, Director of the Disney Vacation Club, and Vice President of MGM Studios Theme
Park in Orlando. In 2004 Tom began a 9-year assignment as Senior Vice President and COO of Disney Cruise Line. In this capacity Tom oversaw
a fleet of 4 ships with 4,600 crew and a guest capacity of 13,500. He was responsible for all shoreside and shipboard departments, including
Hotel Operations, Entertainment, Merchandise, Marine and Technical Operations, operational integration, industrial engineering, shore
excursions and destination development. He directed the design and delivery of two new ships and oversaw the operations of the Disney
private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. In 2014, he returned to Disneyland Paris as President and CEO for two years. During
this period, he led the business strategy overhaul, implemented a much-needed new capital investment plan, and oversaw the re-capitalization
of the business. Guest satisfaction soared. In 2016 he returned to the Disney Cruise line as COO, executed the largest dry dock in Disney
Cruise Lines history, and directed a major fleet expansion program. In 2017 Genting Hong Kong Ltd. recruited him to become the President
and CEO of Crystal Cruises. Over the next three years he greatly improved luxury service while increasing profitability, oversaw
the re-design of Crystal Serenity, oversaw the launch of 4 river cruise vessels and the development of the Endeavor luxury expedition
yacht. He led the difficult initial phase of Crystal’s COVID-19 response plan. In September of 2020, Mr. Wolber made the decision
to leave Crystal and spent the last year consulting and advising various businesses internationally in the maritime and hospitality industry.
Mr.
Wolber received his bachelor’s degree in tourism economics from Breda University in 1986.
We
believe that all of our current board members possess the professional and personal qualifications necessary for board service, and we
have highlighted in the individual biographies above the specific experience, attributes, and skills that led to the conclusion that
each board member should serve as a director.
Director
Independence
The
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 each of Tom Wolber, Chris Ackerely, Christina
Francis, Jonathan Gordon and Al Weiss “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC
rules to serve on our Board of Directors. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent
directors are present.
Audit
Committee
The
members of our audit committee are Tom Wolber, Chris Ackerely and Al Weiss. Tom Wolber serves as chairperson of the audit committee.
Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members on the audit committee. 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. Tom Wolber, Chris Ackerely and Al Weiss qualify as independent directors under applicable rules. Each member
of the audit committee is financially literate and our Board of Directors has determined that Tom Wolber qualifies as an “audit
committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
The
audit committee’s duties, which are specified in our audit committee charter, include, but are not limited to:
| ● | the
appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered accounting firm and any other
independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us; |
| ● | pre-approving all
audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered accounting firm or any other registered public accounting
firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures; |
| ● | reviewing
and discussing with the independent registered accounting firm all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their
continued independence; |
| ● | setting
clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered accounting firm; |
| ● | setting
clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
| ● | obtaining
and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered
accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities,
within, the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with
such issues; |
| ● | reviewing
and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated
by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and |
| ● | reviewing
with management, the independent registered accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance
matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise
material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules
promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |
Compensation
Committee
We
have established a compensation committee of the Board of Directors consisting of three members. The members of our Compensation Committee
are Chris Ackerley, Christina Francis, and Tom Wolber. Chris Ackerley serves as chairman of the compensation committee. Under the Nasdaq
listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members on the compensation committee, all of whom must
be independent. Each of Chris Ackerley, Christina Francis, and Tom Wolber are 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 approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers; |
| ● | reviewing
our executive compensation policies and plans; |
| ● | implementing
and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans; |
| ● | assisting
management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements; |
| ● | approving
all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and
employees; |
| ● | producing
a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and |
| ● | reviewing,
evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors. |
The
charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant,
legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such
adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the
compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
We
have established a nominating and corporate governance committee. The members of our nominating and corporate governance are Christina
Francis, Jonathan Gordon and Al Weiss. Christina Francis serves as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each of
Christina Francis, Jonathan Gordon and Al Weiss are independent.
The
primary purposes of our nominating and corporate governance committee is to assist the board in:
| ● | identifying,
screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommending to the Board of Directors candidates for nomination
for election at the annual meeting of stockholders or to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors; |
| ● | developing,
recommending to the Board of Directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines; |
| ● | coordinating
and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the Board of Directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the
governance of the company; and |
| ● | reviewing
on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary. |
The
nominating and corporate governance committee is governed by a charter that complies with the rules of Nasdaq.
Code
of Business Conduct and 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. You are able to 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.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We
pay an affiliate of our officers a total of up to $5,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and other administrative
and consulting services. Upon completion of our Initial Business Combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
We may pay consulting, finder or success fees to our Initial Stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates for assisting us in
consummating our Initial Business Combination. Other than these consulting, finder or success fees, no compensation of any kind is paid
by us to our Initial Stockholders, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior
to or in connection with the completion of an Initial Business Combination. The 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 the Company’s
behalf such as identifying potential partner businesses and performing due diligence on suitable Initial Business Combinations. Any such
payments prior to an Initial Business Combination will be made using funds held outside the Trust Account.
We
do not have a policy that prohibits our Sponsor, executive officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, from negotiating
for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses by a target business. 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 payments, 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 identifying and consummating an Initial Business Combination. Our audit committee will review on
a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our Sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates.
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 stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender
offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. 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 stockholder 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 officer
and director compensation.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure
that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our Initial Business Combination, although
it is possible that some or all of our 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 team’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability
of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our Initial Business Combination will be a determining factor in our decision
to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for
benefits upon termination of employment.
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of December 31, 2023 by:
| ● | each
person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock; |
| ● | each
of our executive officers and directors that beneficially owns shares of our common stock;
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 shares
of common stock beneficially owned by them.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | | |
Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock | |
James Francis | |
| 2,500,000 | | |
| 19.8 | % |
Jonathan Morris | |
| | | |
| | |
Allen Weiss | |
| | | |
| | |
Christopher Ackerley | |
| | | |
| | |
Christina Francis | |
| | | |
| | |
Jonathan Gordon | |
| | | |
| | |
Thomas Wolber | |
| | | |
| | |
ESH Sponsor LLC(2) | |
| 2,500,000 | | |
| 19.8 | % |
(1) | Unless
otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is c/o ESH Sponsor, LLC, 228 Park Ave S, Suite
89898, New York, New York 10003-1502. |
(2) | Shares
are held by ESH Sponsor LLC, a limited liability company. Members of this limited liability company include certain officers and directors
of the Company. Mr. Francis is the sole manager of ESH Sponsor LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares. |
(3) | Does
not include any securities held by ESH Sponsor LLC, a limited liability company, of which each person is a direct or indirect member.
Each such person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
For
a complete discussion regarding certain relationships and related transactions, see the section titled “Certain Relationships and
Related Party Transactions” contained in our Prospectus on form S-1 filed with the SEC on June 15, 2023, incorporated by reference
herein.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The
firm of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, or Withum, acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees
paid to Withum for services rendered.
Audit
Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and
services that are normally provided by Withum in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Withum for professional
services rendered for the audit of our Form 8-K financial statements and other required filings with the SEC during the years ended December
31, 2023 and 2022 totaled $97,240 and $27,560, respectively.
Audit-Related
Fees. Audit-related services consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance
of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest
services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. We
did not pay Withum for consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards during the years ended December 31, 2023
and 2022.
Tax
Fees. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Withum did not render services to us for tax compliance, tax advice and
tax planning.
All
Other Fees. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Withum did not render any services to us other than those set forth
above.
Pre-Approval
Policy
Our
audit committee was formed in connection with the effectiveness of our registration statement for our IPO. As a result, the audit committee
did not pre-approve all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were
approved by our Board of Directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has
and will pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and
terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved
by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
(1) Financial Statements:
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules:
None.
(3)
Exhibits
We
hereby file as part of this Report the exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index. Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference
can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C.
20549. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates or on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
No. |
|
Description
of Exhibit |
1.1 |
|
Underwriting Agreement,
dated June 13, 2023, by and among the Company, I-Bankers and Dawson James.(1) |
1.2 |
|
Initial Business Combination
Marketing Agreement, dated June 13, 2023, by and among the Company, I-Bankers and Dawson James Securities, Inc. (1) |
3.1 |
|
Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation(1) |
3.2 |
|
By-Laws of ESH Acquisition Corp.(2) |
4.1 |
|
Rights Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and CST(1) |
4.2 |
|
Warrant Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between CST and the Company. (1) |
4.3 |
|
Description
of Company Securities. (3) |
10.1 |
|
Investment Management Trust
Agreement, dated June 13, 2023, by and between CST and the Company. (1) |
10.2 |
|
Registration and Rights
Agreement, dated June 13, 2023, by and among the Company, the Sponsor, I-Bankers and Dawson James. (1) |
10.3 |
|
Private Placement Warrants
Purchase Agreement, dated June 13, 2023, by and among the Company, the Sponsor, I-Bankers and Dawson James. (1) |
10.4 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and James Franics. (1) |
10.5 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and Jonathan Morris. (1) |
10.6 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and Thomas Wolber. (1) |
10.7 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and Jonathan Gordon. (1) |
10.8 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and Christina Francis. (1) |
10.9 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and Christopher Ackerley. (1) |
10.10 |
|
Indemnity Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and between the Company and Allen Weiss. (1) |
10.11 |
|
Administrative Services
Agreement, dated June 13, 2023, between the Company and the Sponsor. (1) |
10.12 |
|
Letter Agreement, dated
June 13, 2023, by and among the Company, the Sponsor, I-Bankers, Dawson James and the Company’s officers and directors. (1) |
13.1 |
|
The Company’s Current
Report on form 10-Q filed with the SEC November 14, 2023 |
31.1* |
|
Certification of Principal
Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 |
31.2* |
|
Certification of Principal
Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 |
32.1* |
|
Certification of Principal
Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.2* |
|
Certification of Principal
Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101.INS* |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Schema Document |
101.CAL* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Labels Linkbase Document |
101.PRE* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Presentation Linkbase Document |
104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive
Data File |
(1) | Previously
filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 20, 2023 and incorporated by reference herein. |
(2) | Previously
filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2023 and incorporated by reference herein. |
(3) | Incorporated by reference to “Description of Securities” section
of Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed by the registrant on June 9, 2023. |
ITEM
16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
ESH Acquisition Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ESH Acquisition Corp.
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’
equity, and cash flows for the period December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial
statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company
as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period December 31, 2023 and 2022 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 that
the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1 to the financial statements, if the company is unable
to complete a business combination by December 16, 2024, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating.
The date for mandatory liquidation raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s
plans in regard to this matter is also described in Note 1. 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 entity’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 ESH Acquisition Corp. 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. ESH Acquisition Corp. 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 entity’s internal
control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures
included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation
of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as ESH Acquisition Corp.’s auditor since 2022.
New York, NY
April 1, 2024
PCAOB ID Number: 100
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE
SHEETS
| |
December 31, 2023 | | |
December 31, 2022 | |
| |
| | |
| |
ASSETS | |
| | |
| |
Current assets | |
| | |
| |
Cash | |
$ | 1,879,227 | | |
$ | 44,963 | |
Due from Sponsor | |
| 25,796 | | |
| — | |
Prepaid expenses | |
| 18,082 | | |
| — | |
Short-term prepaid insurance | |
| 281,681 | | |
| — | |
Total Current Assets | |
| 2,204,786 | | |
| 44,963 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Deferred offering costs | |
| — | | |
| 414,030 | |
Long-term prepaid insurance | |
| 127,539 | | |
| — | |
Investments held in Trust Account | |
| 120,000,366 | | |
| — | |
TOTAL ASSETS | |
$ | 122,332,691 | | |
$ | 458,993 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES, COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
| | | |
| | |
Current liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | |
$ | 107,954 | | |
$ | 203,265 | |
Franchise tax payable | |
| 112,343 | | |
| 1,500 | |
Income taxes payable | |
| 819,453 | | |
| — | |
Promissory note – related party | |
| — | | |
| 249,560 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | |
| 1,039,750 | | |
| 454,325 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Commitments and Contingencies | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION | |
| | | |
| | |
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, 11,500,000 shares at redemption value of approximately $10.35 per share at December 31, 2023 and none at 2022 | |
| 119,068,570 | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
| | | |
| | |
Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized: 287,500 and none issued and outstanding (excluding 11,500,000 and none shares subject to possible redemption) at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively(1) | |
| 28 | | |
| — | |
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022(1) | |
| 288 | | |
| 288 | |
Additional paid-in capital | |
| 297,488 | | |
| 24,712 | |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | |
| 1,926,567 | | |
| (20,332 | ) |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
| 2,224,371 | | |
| 4,668 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES, COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
$ | 122,332,691 | | |
$ | 458,993 | |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
| |
Years Ended December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
General and administrative expenses | |
$ | 393,732 | | |
$ | 18,418 | |
Franchise tax expense | |
| 115,282 | | |
| 1,050 | |
Loss from operations | |
| (509,014 | ) | |
| (19,468 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Other income: | |
| | | |
| | |
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account | |
| 3,275,366 | | |
| — | |
Total other income | |
| 3,275,366 | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | |
| 2,766,352 | | |
| (19,468 | ) |
Provision for income taxes | |
| (819,453 | ) | |
| — | |
Net income (loss) | |
$ | 1,946,899 | | |
$ | (19,468 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A common stock | |
| 6,411,882 | | |
| — | |
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | — | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding, Class B common stock(1) | |
| 2,703,984 | | |
| 2,500,000 | |
Basic net income (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | (0.01 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B common stock(1) | |
| 2,875,000 | | |
| 2,500,000 | |
Diluted net income (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | (0.01 | ) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS
OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022
| |
Class A Common Stock | | |
Class B Common Stock | | |
Additional Paid-in | | |
Stock Subscription | | |
Accumulated | | |
Total Stockholders’ | |
| |
Shares | | |
Amount | | |
Shares(1) | | |
Amount | | |
Capital | | |
Receivable | | |
Deficit | | |
Equity | |
Balance — January 1, 2022 | |
| — | | |
$ | — | | |
| 2,875,000 | | |
$ | 288 | | |
$ | 24,712 | | |
$ | (25,000 | ) | |
$ | (864 | ) | |
$ | (864 | ) |
Collection of subscription receivable | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 25,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 25,000 | |
Net loss | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (19,468 | ) | |
| (19,468 | ) |
Balance – December 31, 2022 | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,875,000 | | |
| 288 | | |
| 24,712 | | |
| — | | |
| (20,332 | ) | |
| 4,668 | |
Sale of 7,470,000 Private Placement Warrants | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 7,470,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 7,470,000 | |
Fair value of rights included in Public Units | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1,398,400 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1,398,400 | |
Allocated value of transaction costs to Class A shares | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (115,203 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (115,203 | ) |
Issuance of Representative Shares | |
| 287,500 | | |
| 28 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,239,438 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,239,466 | |
Remeasurement of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (10,719,859 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (10,719,859 | ) |
Net income | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 1,946,899 | | |
| 1,946,899 | |
Balance – December 31, 2023 | |
| 287,500 | | |
$ | 28 | | |
| 2,875,000 | | |
$ | 288 | | |
$ | 297,488 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 1,926,567 | | |
$ | 2,224,371 | |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
1,946,899 |
|
|
$ |
(19,468 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest earned on investments held in Trust Account |
|
|
(3,275,366 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
6,918 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Short-term prepaid insurance |
|
|
(281,681 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Long term prepaid insurance |
|
|
(127,539 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Due from Sponsor |
|
|
(25,796 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
29,689 |
|
|
|
(25,000 |
) |
Franchise tax payable |
|
|
110,843 |
|
|
|
1,050 |
|
Income taxes payable |
|
|
819,453 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(796,580 |
) |
|
|
(43,418 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment of cash into Trust Account |
|
|
(116,725,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(116,725,000 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid |
|
|
112,700,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from sale of Private Placements Warrants |
|
|
7,470,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Repayment of promissory note - related party |
|
|
(249,560 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds received for stock subscription receivable |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Proceeds from promissory note - related party |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
222,000 |
|
Payment of offering costs |
|
|
(564,596 |
) |
|
|
(158,619 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
119,355,844 |
|
|
|
88,381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Change in Cash |
|
|
1,834,264 |
|
|
|
44,963 |
|
Cash – Beginning of period |
|
|
44,963 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cash – End of period |
|
$ |
1,879,227 |
|
|
$ |
44,963 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering costs included in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
147,851 |
|
Offering costs paid via promissory notes |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
27,560 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
ESH
ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2023
NOTE 1.
DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
ESH
Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated as a Delaware corporation on November 17, 2021. The Company was
incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar
business combination with one or more businesses or entities that the Company has not yet identified (the “Initial Business
Combination”).
As
of December 31, 2023, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from November 17, 2021 (inception) through
December 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and the IPO (the “IPO”), which is described below, and
subsequent to the IPO, identifying a target company for our Initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating
revenues until after the completion of our Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income
in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the IPO. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The
registration statement for the Company’s IPO was declared effective on June 13, 2023. On June 16, 2023, the Company consummated
the IPO of 11,500,000 Units (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units
being offered, the “Public Shares”), which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment
option in the amount of 1,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000 which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously
with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the sale of 7,470,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”)
at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, in a private placement to the Company’s Sponsor, ESH Sponsor LLC, a limited
liability company, which is an affiliate of members of the Board of Directors and management team (the “Sponsor”),
and I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (“I-Bankers”) and Dawson James (“Dawson James”), the representative
of the underwriters of the initial Public Offering, generating gross proceeds of $7,470,000, which is described in Note 4.
Transaction
costs amounted to $5,368,092, consisting of $2,300,000 of cash underwriting discount, $2,239,466 fair value of Representative Shares,
and $828,626 of other offering costs.
The
Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of its IPO and the sale
of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating
our Initial Business Combination. The Company’s Initial Business Combination must be 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 (as defined below) (net of amounts disbursed
to management for working capital purposes and excluding the amount of any Marketing Fee, as defined in Note 6, held in Trust Account)
at the time the Company signs a definitive agreement in connection with the Initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only
complete our Initial Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities
of the target or otherwise is not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act 1940, as amended (the
“Investment Company Act”).
Following
the closing of the IPO on June 16, 2023, an amount of $116,725,000 ($10.15 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in
the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account (“Trust Account”) with Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee and invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning
of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions
under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined
by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of our Initial Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account
as described below.
The
Company will provide holders of the Company’s outstanding Public Shares sold in the IPO (the “Public Stockholders”)
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 stockholder meeting called to approve the Initial Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The
decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of our Initial Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will
be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata
portion of the amount then held in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.15 per Public Share). The per-share amount to be
distributed to Public Stockholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the Marketing Fee the Company will pay to the
underwriters (as discussed in Note 6).
The
Public Shares will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity, in accordance with the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing
Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”). In such case, the Company will proceed with our Initial Business Combination
if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of our Initial Business Combination and a majority
of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Initial Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law or
stock exchange requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will,
pursuant to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation adopted by the Company upon the consummation of the IPO (the “Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our Initial
Business Combination. If, however, a stockholder approval of the transactions is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder
approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to
the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares
irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with
our Initial Business Combination, the holders of the Founder Shares prior to our IPO (the “Initial Stockholders”)
agreed to vote their Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the IPO in favor of our Initial
Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Stockholders agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares
and Public Shares in connection with the completion of our Initial Business Combination. In addition, the Company agreed not to enter
into a definitive agreement regarding an Initial Business Combination without the prior consent of the Sponsor.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate
of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder 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 Public
Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The
Initial Stockholders will agree not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (A) in a manner that would affect
the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete our
Initial Business Combination within the time frame described below or (B) with respect to any other material provision relating to
the rights of holders of Public Shares or pre-Initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public
Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon approval of any such amendment.
The
Company will have only the Combination Period, or until December 16, 2024, to complete the Initial Business Combination.
On July 20, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing that,
on July 21, 2023, the Units would no longer trade, and that the Company’s common stock and rights, which together comprise the Units
will commence trading separately. The common stock and rights will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market and trade with the ticker symbols
“ESHA,” and “ESHAR,” respectively. This is a mandatory and automatic separation, and no action was required by
the holders of Units.
If
the Company is unable to complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period (the “Combination Period”),
the Company will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more
than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then
on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest
to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public
Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (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 the remaining stockholders and
the Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware 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 warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete the Initial Business Combination within the
Combination Period.
The
Initial Stockholders will not be entitled to liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete our
Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Initial Stockholders should acquire Public Shares in or after
the IPO, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company
fails to complete our Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters will agree to waive their rights to
the Marketing Fee (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete our Initial Business Combination
within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will
be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value
of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be only $10.15. In order to protect
the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third
party (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company,
or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement
or business combination agreement (a “Target”), reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser
of (i) $10.15 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of
the trust assets as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, in each case including interest earned on the funds held in
the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its franchise and income taxes, less franchise and income taxes payable.
This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party or Target that executed an agreement waiving any and all rights
to seek access to the Trust Account (whether or not such agreement is enforceable) or to any claims under the Company’s indemnity
of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”). The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims
of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving
any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Risks
and Uncertainties
Management
is currently evaluating the impact of the current global economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, high inflation, high energy prices,
supply chain disruptions, the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war (including the impact of any sanctions imposed in response
thereto) and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that any of these could have a negative effect on our financial position,
results of operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial
statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. We cannot
at this time fully predict the likelihood of one or more of the above events, their duration or magnitude, or the extent to which they
may negatively impact our business and our ability to complete an Initial Business Combination.
Going
Concern Consideration
As
of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $1,879,227 and working capital of $1,165,036.
Until
the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will be using the funds held outside the Trust Account for identifying and evaluating
target businesses, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, reviewing corporate documents
and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structuring, negotiating and completing a Business Combination.
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with our Initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or
certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working
Capital Loans”). If the Company completes our Initial Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out
of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds
held outside the Trust Account. In the event that our Initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds
held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the
Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written
agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of our Initial Business
Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1.5 million of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible
into warrants of the post Initial Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the
Private Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
In
connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards
Board’s (“FASB’s”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties
about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that if the Company is unable to complete
a Business Combination by December 16, 2024, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The date
for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern. Management plans to consummate a business combination prior to the mandatory liquidation date. No adjustments have been made
to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after December 16, 2024.
NOTE
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Emerging
Growth Company
The
Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our
Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting
requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not
being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from
the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments
not previously approved.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting
standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do
not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting
standards. The JOBS Act provides that 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 statement 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 the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making
estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of
a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating
its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ
significantly from those estimates.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company had $1,879,227 and $44,963 of cash as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and no cash equivalents.
Investments
Held in Trust Account
At December 31, 2023, all of the assets held in
the Trust Account were held in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. treasury securities. The investments held in Trust
Account are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the balance sheet at fair value at the end of each reporting
period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of investments held in Trust Account are included in interest earned
on investments held in Trust Account in the accompanying statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the
Trust Account are determined using available market information.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the FASB ASC 820, “Fair
Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Fair
value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs
used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The Company’s financial
instruments are classified as either Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3. These tiers include:
|
● |
Level
1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets; |
|
|
|
|
● |
Level
2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted
prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active;
and |
|
|
|
|
● |
Level
3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions,
such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
Offering
Costs
Offering
costs consisted of legal, accounting, and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that were directly related to the IPO.
Upon completion of the IPO, offering costs were allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the IPO based on a relative
fair value basis, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs allocated to the warrants were charged to equity. Offering costs
allocated to the Class A common stock were charged against the carrying value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption
upon the completion of the IPO.
Class
A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The
Public Shares contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s
liquidation, or if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Company’s Initial Business Combination. In
accordance with ASC 480-10-S99, the Company classifies Public Shares subject to redemption outside of permanent equity as the redemption
provisions are not solely within the control of the Company. The Public Shares sold as part of the Units in the IPO were issued with
other freestanding instruments (i.e., Public Rights) and as such, the initial carrying value of Public Shares classified as temporary
equity are the allocated proceeds determined in accordance with ASC 470-20. The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately
as it occurs and will adjust the carrying value of redeemable shares to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period.
Immediately upon the closing of the IPO, the Company recognized the accretion from initial book value to redemption amount value. The
change in the carrying value of redeemable shares will result in charges against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
Accordingly, at December 31, 2023, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary
equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
The
Company’s Class A common stock feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control
and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2023, 11,500,000 Class A common stock subject
to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the accompanying balance
sheets. There were none outstanding at December 31, 2022.
Gross proceeds | |
$ | 115,000,000 | |
Less: | |
| | |
Proceeds allocated to Public Rights | |
| (1,398,400 | ) |
Class A common stock issuance costs | |
| (5,252,889 | ) |
Plus: | |
| | |
Remeasurement of carrying value to redemption value | |
| 10,719,859 | |
Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption, December 31, 2023 | |
$ | 119,068,570 | |
Derivative
Financial Instruments
The
Company evaluates its equity-linked financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify
as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” For derivative financial instruments
that are classified as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recognized at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value
recognized in the statements of operations each reporting period. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such
instruments should be classified as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. The Company accounted
for the rights issued in connection with the IPO and the warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement as equity-classified
instruments in accordance with ASC 815 as they did not meet the liability criteria (i.e. cashless exercises).
Income
Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for
income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities
and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets
and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances
are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Deferred tax assets were deemed
de minimis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
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 December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company is currently not aware of
any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.
The
Company has identified the United States as its only “major” tax jurisdiction. The Company is subject to income taxation
by major taxing authorities since inception. These 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.
Net
Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
The Company has two classes of shares, which are
referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares.
The Company has not considered the effect of the rights and warrants sold in the IPO and the Private Placement to purchase an aggregate
of 8,620,000 shares of its Class A common stock in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share, since their exercise is contingent
upon future events. The table below presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net income
(loss) per share for each class of common stock:
| |
Years Ended December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
| |
Class A | | |
Class B | | |
Class A | | |
Class B | |
Basic net income (loss) per share | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Numerator: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Allocation of net income (loss) | |
$ | 1,369,402 | | |
$ | 577,497 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (19,468 | ) |
Denominator: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | |
| 6,411,882 | | |
| 2,703,984 | | |
| — | | |
| 2,500,000 | |
Basic net income (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (0.01 | ) |
| |
Years Ended December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
| |
Class A | | |
Class B | | |
Class A | | |
Class B | |
Diluted net income (loss) per share | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Numerator: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Allocation of net income (loss) | |
$ | 1,344,185 | | |
$ | 602,714 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (19,468 | ) |
Denominator: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | |
| 6,411,882 | | |
| 2,875,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 2,500,000 | |
Diluted net income (loss) per share | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | 0.21 | | |
$ | — | | |
$ | (0.01 | ) |
Recent
Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards
Update (“ASU”) 2016-13—Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial
Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). This update requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the
net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including
historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount.
Since June 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard including changing the effective date for smaller reporting companies.
The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early
adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on
its financial statements.
Management
does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect
on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE
3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant
to the IPO, the Company sold 11,500,000 Units, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in
the amount of 1,500,000 Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one right.
Each Public Right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one shares of Class A common stock upon the consummation
of the Initial Business Combination.
NOTE
4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously
with the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor, I-Bankers and Dawson James purchased an aggregate of 7,470,000 Private Placement Warrants,
at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, or $7,470,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement.
Each
whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one whole share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion
of the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor was added to the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust
Account so that the Trust Account holds $10.15 per unit sold. If the Company does not complete our Initial Business Combination within
the Combination Period, the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable and exercisable
on a cashless basis.
The
Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors will agree, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any
of their Private Placement Warrants until 30 days after the completion of the Initial business Combination.
NOTE
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder
Shares
On
December 17, 2021, the Sponsor subscribed to purchase 8,625,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001
per share (the “Founder Shares”) for a subscription price of $25,000. Such subscription receivable was paid in full
on March 9, 2022. On May 8, 2023, the Sponsor surrendered an aggregate of 5,750,000 shares of its Class B common stock for no consideration,
which were cancelled, resulting in the Initial Stockholders holding an aggregate of 2,875,000 Founder Shares. The Initial Stockholders
agreed to forfeit up to 375,000 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters.
The forfeiture was to be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters so that
the Founder Shares would represent 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the IPO (excluding the Representative
Shares). If the Company increased or decreased the size of the offering, the Company would effect a stock dividend or share contribution
back to capital, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO in such amount as to maintain the Founder Share ownership
of the Company’s stockholders prior to the IPO at 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock upon the consummation
of the IPO (excluding the Representative Shares, as defined below). On June 16, 2023, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment
option in full as part of the initial closing of the IPO. As such, the 375,000 Founder Shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.
The
Initial Stockholders will agree not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year
after the completion of the Initial Business Combination or (B) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock
exchange or other similar transaction after the Initial Business Combination that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the
right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Lock-Up”).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least
150 days after the Initial Business Combination, the Founder Shares will be released from the Lock-Up.
Related
Party Loans
Promissory
Note to Sponsor
On
December 17, 2021 and as amended on May 9, 2023, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to $300,000 pursuant to a promissory note
(the “Note”). The Note is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due upon the earlier of (x) June 30, 2023 (as amended),
and (y) the closing of the IPO. The outstanding balance of $249,560 was repaid at the closing of the IPO on June 16, 2023. As of December
31, 2023, this facility is no longer available.
Due
from Sponsor
At
the closing of the IPO on June 16, 2023, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants in the amount of $45,440
was due to the Company to be held outside of the Trust Account for working capital purposes. On June 21, 2023, the Sponsor paid the Company
an amount of $30,292 to partially settle the outstanding balance. In July 2023, the Sponsor paid $13,712 expense reimbursements on behalf
of the Company. In October and December 2023, the Company paid a total of $24,360 of Sponsor’s expenses on behalf of the Sponsor.
As of December 31, 2023, the Sponsor owes the Company an outstanding amount of $25,796.
Working
Capital Loan
In
addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with our Initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the
Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required
(“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes our Initial Business Combination, the Company would repay the
Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be
repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that our Initial Business Combination does not close, the Company
may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account
would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not
been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation
of our Initial Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1.5 million of such Working
Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Initial Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants
would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no borrowings under the Working
Capital Loans.
Administrative
Services Agreement
The
Company entered into an agreement, commencing on June 13, 2023 through the earlier of consummation of the Initialbusiness Combination
and the Company’s liquidation, to reimburse an affiliate of the Company’s officers $5,000 per month for office space, utilities,
secretarial support and other administrative and consulting services.
In
addition, the 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 the Company’s behalf such as identifying potential partner businesses and performing
due diligence on suitable Initial Business Combinations. Any such payments prior to an Initial Business Combination will be made using
funds held outside the Trust Account.
For
the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred and paid $32,795 in fees for these services. For the year ended December 31, 2022,
the Company did not incur any such fees for these services.
NOTE
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Registration
and Stockholder Rights
The
holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants (and underlying securities) and Private Placement Warrants that may be issued upon
conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any underlying securities) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration
rights agreement to be signed prior to the consummation of the IPO. These holders will be entitled to certain demand and “piggyback”
registration rights. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting
Agreement
On
June 16, 2023, the Company issued to I-Bankers 258,750 shares of Class A common stock and to Dawson James 28,750 shares of Class A common
stock at the closing of the IPO (collectively, the “Representative Shares”). The Company determined the fair value
of the 287,500 Representative Shares to be $2,239,466 (or $7.789 per share) using the Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method (PWERM)
Model. The fair value of the shares granted to the underwriters utilized the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 5.7%,
(2) risk-free interest rate of 5.15%, (3) expected life of 1.17 years, and (4) implied discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) of 1.4%.
Accordingly, the fair value of $2,239,466 were accounted for as offering costs at the closing of the IPO.
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 commencement of sales in our IPO. Pursuant to FINRA
Rule 5110(e)(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
our IPO, nor may they be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement
of sales in our IPO, except to any underwriters and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners.
The
underwriters were also entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $2.3 million in the aggregate, which was paid upon
the closing of the IPO.
Initial
Business Combination Marketing Agreement
The
Company entered into the Marketing Agreement with the underwriters, I-Bankers and Dawson James, to assist the Company in holding meetings
with the stockholders to discuss the potential Initial Business Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce the
Company to potential investors that are interested in purchasing the Company’s securities in connection with the Initial Business
Combination, assist the Company in obtaining stockholder approval for the Initial Business Combination and assist the Company with its
press releases and public filings in connection with the Initial Business Combination. Pursuant to the Initial Business Combination Marketing
Agreement, the Company will pay I-Bankers and Dawson James, collectively, 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the IPO, or $4.03 million in
the aggregate (the “Marketing Fee”). The Marketing Fee will become payable to I-Bankers and Dawson James from the
amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an Initial Business Combination with a target introduced
to the Company by I-Bankers.
NOTE
7. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred
Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, with such
designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Class
A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001
per share. At December 31, 2023, there were 287,500 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, excluding 11,500,000 shares
of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption. At December 31, 2022, there were no shares of Class A common stock issued or
outstanding.
Class
B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001
per share. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. At December 31,
2022, the issued and outstanding Class B common stock included up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment
option was not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters, so that the Founder Shares would represent 20.0% of the Company’s
issued and outstanding shares after the IPO (excluding the Representative Shares). As a result of the underwriters’ election to
fully exercise their over-allotment option on June 16, 2023, 375,000 Founder Shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.
Holders
of the Class B common stock will have the right to appoint all of the Company’s directors prior to an Initialbusiness Combination.
On any other matter submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders, holders of the Class A common stock and holders of the Class
B common stock will vote together as a single class, except as required by law or stock exchange rule; provided, that the holders of
Class B common stock will be entitled to vote as a separate class to increase the authorized number of shares of Class B common stock.
Each share of common stock will have one vote on all such matters.
The
shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at the time of the
Company’s Initialbusiness Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations,
recapitalizations and the like, and subject to further adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked
securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered and related to the closing of the Initialbusiness Combination,
the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed
issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal,
in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion
of the IPO (excluding the Representative Shares) plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed
issued in connection with the Initialbusiness Combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued,
to any seller in the Initialbusiness Combination, any private placement-equivalent warrants issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon
conversion of loans made to the Company).
Rights
— At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 11,500,000 and 0 rights outstanding, respectively. Each holder of a right will
receive one-tenth (1/10) of a share of Class A common stock upon consummation of the Initialbusiness Combination. In the event the Company
will not be the survivor upon completion of the Initialbusiness Combination, each holder of a right will be required to convert his,
her or its rights in order to receive the 1/10 share underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration) upon consummation
of the Initial Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete an Initialbusiness Combination within the required time period
and it liquidates 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. No fractional shares will be issued upon conversion of any rights. As a result, a holder must have 10 rights
to receive one share of common stock at the closing of the Initial Business Combination.
Warrants — At
December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 7,470,000 and 0 warrants outstanding, respectively. No public warrants were sold in the IPO. The
Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be
transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the Initialbusiness Combination.
Each
Private Placement Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of the Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share,
at any time commencing on the later of 12 months from the closing of the IPO or 30 days after the completion of the Initialbusiness Combination.
The Private Placement Warrants will expire five years after the completion of the Initialbusiness Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The
Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of the Initial Initial
Business Combination, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to file, and within 60 business days after the closing the Initial
Initial Business Combination, to have declared effective, a registration statement relating to the shares of Class A common stock
issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current
Prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the Private Placement Warrants expire. Notwithstanding the above,
if the Company’s shares of Class A common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities
exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities
Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of the Private Placement Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless
basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, it will not
be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but the Company will be required to use its best efforts to qualify
the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Redemption
of warrants. Once the Private Placement Warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:
| ● | in
whole and not in part; |
| ● | at
a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
| ● | upon
not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day Redemption Period”) to each
warrant holder; and |
| ● | if,
and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock
splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period
ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
The
Company may not redeem the Private Placement Warrants when a holder may not exercise such warrants. The Company has established the last
of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium
to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and the Company issues a notice of redemption of the Private
Placement Warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date.
However, the price of the Class A common stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise
price (for whole shares) after the redemption notice is issued.
If
the Company calls the Private Placement Warrants for redemption as described above, the management will have the option to require any
holder that wishes to exercise their warrant to do so on a “cashless basis”. In determining whether to require all holders
to exercise their Private Placement Warrants on a “cashless basis,” the Company will consider, among other factors, the cash
position, the number of Private Placement Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on the stockholders of issuing the maximum
number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants. If the Company takes advantage
of this option, all holders of the Private Placement Warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number
of shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A
common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market
value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale
price of the Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption
is sent to the holders of warrants.
NOTE
8. INCOME TAXES
The
Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:
| |
December 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Deferred tax assets | |
| | |
| |
Net operating loss carryforward | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 272 | |
Startup Costs | |
| 106,912 | | |
| 4,778 | |
Total deferred tax assets | |
| 106,912 | | |
| 5,050 | |
Valuation allowance | |
| (106,912 | ) | |
| (5,050 | ) |
Deferred tax assets, net of allowance | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
The
income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consists of the following:
| |
December 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Federal | |
| | |
| |
Current | |
$ | 819,453 | | |
$ | — | |
Deferred | |
| (82,464 | ) | |
| (4,088 | ) |
State | |
| | | |
| | |
Current | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
Deferred | |
| (19,398 | ) | |
| (962 | ) |
Change in valuation allowance | |
| 101,862 | | |
| 5,050 | |
Income tax provision | |
$ | 819,453 | | |
$ | — | |
As
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a total of $0 and $1,050, respectively, of U.S. federal net operating loss carryovers
available to offset future taxable income. The federal net operating loss can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31,
2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any state net operating loss carryovers available to offset future taxable income.
In
assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all
of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of
future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible.
Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies
in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty
exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. For the
years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the change in the valuation allowance were $101,862 and $5,050, respectively.
A
reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
| |
December 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Statutory federal income tax rate | |
| 21.0 | % | |
| 21.0 | % |
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | |
| 4.9 | % | |
| 4.9 | % |
Change in valuation allowance | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| (25.9 | )% |
Income tax provision | |
| 29.6 | % | |
| 0.0 | % |
The
Company’s effective tax rates for the periods presented differ from the expected (statutory) rates due to changes in fair value
in warrants, transaction costs associated with warrants and the recording of full valuation allowances on deferred tax assets.
The
Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction in various state and local jurisdictions and is subject to examination
by the various taxing authorities.
NOTE
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The
fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would
have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company
seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable
inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is
used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and
liabilities:
|
Level
1: |
Quoted
prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions
for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. |
|
Level
2: |
Observable
inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities
and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
|
Level
3: |
Unobservable
inputs based on an assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. |
At
December 31, 2023, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $120,000,366 in money market funds which are invested primarily
in U.S. Treasury Securities. Through December 31, 2023, the Company has not withdrawn any income earned from the Trust Account to
pay certain tax obligations.
The
following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December
31, 2023 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
Description | |
Level | | |
December 31, 2023 | |
Assets: | |
| | |
| |
Investments held in Trust Account – U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund | |
| 1 | | |
$ | 120,000,366 | |
The following table presents
information about the Company’s equity instruments that are measured at fair value at June 16, 2023, and indicates the fair value
hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
| |
Level | | |
June 16,
2023 | |
Equity: | |
| | |
| |
Representative shares | |
| 3 | | |
$ | 2,239,466 | |
Fair Value of Public Rights for common stock subject to redemption allocation | |
| 3 | | |
$ | 1,398,400 | |
The Company determined the fair value of the 287,500
representative shares to be $2,239,466 (or $7.789 per share) using the PWERM Model. The following assumptions were used in valuing the
representative shares:
| |
June 16,
2023 | |
Risk-free rate | |
| 5.15 | % |
Volatility | |
| 5.7 | % |
Implied DLOM (Discount for Lack of Marketability) | |
| 1.4 | % |
Restricted term (in years) | |
| 1.17 | |
The Company determined the fair value of the 11,500,000
public rights to be $1,398,400 (or $0.122 per public right). The rights were valued based on market comparables. The following criteria
was utilized to select comparable Special Purpose Acquisition Companies who were pre-business combination and included rights as part
of their units that were publicly trading with significant time remaining to complete their initial business combination:
Criteria | |
Low | | |
High | |
IPO Proceeds (in millions of dollars) | |
| 50 | | |
| 240 | |
Warrant Coverage | |
| — | | |
| 1.0 | |
Rights Coverage (per unit) | |
| 0.06 | | |
| 0.20 | |
Remaining Months to Complete | |
| — | | |
| 10 | |
NOTE
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The
Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheets date up to the date that the financial statements
were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure
in the financial statements.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Section 13 or 15 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 1st day of April, 2024.
|
ESH
Acquisition Corp. |
|
|
|
Date: April 1, 2024 |
By: |
/s/
James Francis |
|
Name: |
James Francis |
|
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
Date: April 1, 2024 |
By: |
/s/
Jonathan Morris |
|
Name: |
Jonathan Morris |
|
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) |
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, this annual report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Name |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ James Francis |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
April 1, 2024 |
James Francis |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jonathan Morris |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
April 1, 2024 |
Jonathan Morris |
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Allen Weiss |
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
|
April 1, 2024 |
Allen Weiss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christopher Ackerley |
|
Director |
|
April 1, 2024 |
Christopher Ackerley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christina Francis |
|
Director |
|
April 1, 2024 |
Christina Francis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jonathan Gordon |
|
Director |
|
April 1, 2024 |
Jonathan Gordon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thomas Wolber |
|
Director |
|
April 1, 2024 |
Thomas Wolber |
|
|
|
|
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In connection with the Annual Report of ESH Acquisition
Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Report”), I, James Francis, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350,
as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:
In connection with the Annual Report of ESH Acquisition
Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Report”), I, Jonathan Morris, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350,
as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge: