Item 1. Business
Item
1. Business.
In
this annual report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”), references to the “SPAC,” “Aimei Health,”
“Company” and to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Aimei Health Technology Co., Ltd.
Overview
We
are a blank check company incorporated on April 27, 2023 as a Cayman Islands exempted company and incorporated for the purpose of effecting
a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
We seek to acquire small cap businesses in the biopharmaceutical, medical technology and device industries, as well as in the diagnostic
and other services sector. Our efforts in identifying prospective target businesses will not be limited to a particular geographic region.
On
December 6, 2023, we consummated our initial public offering (“IPO”) of 6,000,000 units (the “IPO Units”). Each
IPO Unit consists of one ordinary share, $0.0001 par value (the “Ordinary Share”), and one right (“Right”) to
receive one-fifth (1/5) of one Ordinary Share upon the consummation of an initial business combination. The IPO Units were sold at an
offering price of $10.00 per IPO Unit, generating gross proceeds of $60,000,000. Pursuant to that certain underwriting agreement, dated
December 1, 2023, we granted Spartan Capital Securities, LLC, the representative of the underwriters, a 45-day option to purchase up
to an additional 900,000 units solely to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Option Units,” together with the IPO Units,
the “Public Units”). Each Public Unit consists of one Ordinary Share (“Public Share”) and one right to receive
one-fifth (1/5) of one Ordinary Share upon the consummation of an initial business combination (“Public Right”). Simultaneously
with the consummation of the IPO, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full, generating total proceeds of $9,000,000.
Simultaneously
with the closing of the IPO on December 6, 2023, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with Aimei Investment
Ltd. (the “Sponsor”) of 332,000 units (the “Private Units,” and collectively with the Public Units, the “Units”),
generating total proceeds of $3,320,000. The Private Units are identical to the Public Units sold as part of the Public Units in this
offering. Additionally, the Sponsor agreed not to transfer, assign, or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except
in limited circumstances, as described in the registration statement on Form S-1 (File Number 333-272230), as amended (the “IPO
Registration Statement”) for our IPO) until the completion of our initial business combination. The Sponsor was granted certain
demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the purchase of the Private Units.
On
December 6, 2023, a total of $69,690,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO and the Private Placement, were placed
in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the U.S. and held as cash items or may be invested in U.S. government
securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in
any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment
Company Act, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a business combination or (ii) the distribution of the
funds in the Trust Account to our shareholders.
We
paid a total of $1,380,000 in underwriting discounts (excluding deferred underwriting discount of $690,000) and $550,000 for other costs
and expenses related to the IPO.
Additionally,
the underwriters are entitled to $690,000, equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds of this offering, payable to the underwriters as deferred
underwriting discounts at the closing of our initial business combination from the funds to be placed in the Trust Account. Such funds
will be released to the underwriters only upon consummation of an initial business combination, as described in the IPO Registration
Statement. If the business combination is not consummated, such deferred discounts will be forfeited by the underwriters. The underwriters
will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discount.
We
initially had until December 6, 2024 to consummate our initial business combination (namely, within 12 months of the closing date of
our IPO), with the option to extend up to 12 times, each by an additional one-month period (for a total of up to 24 months from the closing
date of our IPO), if we require additional time to consummate our initial business combination, subject to the authorization by our board
of directors and the deposit of additional funds into the Trust Account by the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees as described elsewhere
in this Annual Report. On February 6, 2025, the Company executed an amendment to the Trust Agreement (as defined below), which revised
the extension terms to allow up to 24 one-month extensions (for a total of up to 36 months from the closing date of our IPO to complete
a business combination). In the event we are unable to consummate a business combination within the allotted time period, we will cease
operations and liquidate the Trust Account and distribute the funds included therein to the holders of our securities sold in the IPO
and dissolve.
1
Proposed
Business Combination with United Hydrogen
On
June 19, 2024, we entered into a definitive business combination agreement (as amended, the “Business Combination Agreement”)
for a business combination with (i) United Hydrogen Group Inc., an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman
Islands (“United Hydrogen”), (ii) United Hydrogen Global Inc., an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in
the Cayman Islands (“Pubco”), (iii) United Hydrogen Victor Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability
in the Cayman Islands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (the “First Merger Sub”); (iv) United Hydrogen Worldwide Limited,
an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (the “Second
Merger Sub”) ; and (v) Aimei Investment Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, in
the capacity as, from and after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (the “Closing”),
the representative for our Company and our shareholders.
The
Business Combination Agreement and related agreements are further described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 20, 2024. Other than as specifically discussed, this Annual Report does not assume
the closing of the proposed business combination with United Hydrogen or the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.
The following description of the Business Combination Agreement and related agreements do not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the full text of the corresponding agreements, the forms of which are filed with our Current Report on
Form 8-K on June 20, 2024 as Exhibit 2.1 and Exhibits 10.1 through 10.5 and the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Business
Combination Agreement
Pursuant
to the Business Combination Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, (i) the First Merger Sub will merge with
and into United Hydrogen (the “First Merger”), whereby the separate existence of the First Merger Sub will cease, and United
Hydrogen will be the surviving corporation of the First Merger and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco; and (ii) following confirmation
of the effective filing of the First Merger, and as part of the same overall transaction as the First Merger, the Second Merger Sub will
merge with and into our Company (the “Second Merger,” and together with the First Merger, the “Mergers”), whereby
the separate existence of the Second Merger Sub will cease, and we will be the surviving corporation of the Second Merger as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Pubco.
As
a result of the Mergers, among other things, (i) all outstanding ordinary shares of United Hydrogen, except for the United Hydrogen Specially
Designated Ordinary Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and the United Hydrogen Dissenting Shares (as defined in
the Business Combination Agreement), will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive such number of Pubco Class A Ordinary
Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) as determined in accordance with the exchange ratio provided for in the Business
Combination Agreement (the “Exchange Ratio”), (ii) all United Hydrogen Specially Designated Ordinary Shares will be canceled
and converted into the right to receive the number of Pubco Class B Ordinary Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement)
as determined in accordance with the Exchange Ratio, (iii) each convertible note of United Hydrogen that is issued and outstanding immediately
prior to effective time of the First Merger, will be converted into such number of ordinary shares of United Hydrogen pursuant to the
terms thereof, which resulting shares will be converted into the right to receive such number of Pubco Class A Ordinary Shares based
on the Exchange Ratio, (iv) each issued and outstanding Unit of our Company shall be automatically detached and the holder thereof will
be deemed to hold one Ordinary Share and one Right, (v) each Ordinary Share shall be cancelled and converted automatically into the right
to receive one Pubco Class A Ordinary Share, and (vi) every five issued and outstanding Rights shall be cancelled and automatically converted
into one Pubco Class A Ordinary Share. The Mergers, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement
and the other agreements contemplated thereby may be referred to in this Annual Report as the “Transactions.”
The
proposed business combination with United Hydrogen (the “Business Combination”) has been unanimously approved by the boards
of directors of our Company and United Hydrogen.
2
Conditions
to Closing
The
consummation of the Business Combination is conditioned upon, among other things: (i) the approval of the Business Combination Agreement
and the Transactions and related matters by the requisite vote of our shareholders; (ii) the approval of the Transactions by the requisite
vote of United Hydrogen’s shareholders; (iii) obtaining material regulatory approvals; (iv) the expiration or termination of any
waiting period applicable to the consummation of the Transactions under any antitrust laws; (v) no law or order preventing or prohibiting
the Transactions; (vi) we having at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets as of the Closing, after giving effect to the completion
of the redemption and any PIPE Investment (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) that has been funded at or prior to Closing;
(vii) the adoption by the shareholder of Pubco of Pubco’s amended memorandum and articles of association; (viii) the effectiveness
of a registration statement on Form F-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Registration Statement”) in connection
with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) of the Pubco securities to be issued
under the Business Combination Agreement ; (ix) appointment of the post-closing directors of Pubco; (x) satisfaction of Nasdaq listing
requirements for Pubco’s ordinary shares; (xi) United Hydrogen and we each receiving evidence reasonably satisfactory to them that
Pubco qualifies as a foreign private issuer pursuant to Rule 3b-4 of the Exchange Act as of the Closing; and (xii) to the extent applicable,
United Hydrogen’s receipt of all necessary approvals from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”).
In
addition, the obligations of United Hydrogen, the Pubco, the First Merger Sub and the Second Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination
are also conditioned upon, among other things: (i) the representations and warranties of our Company being true and correct on and as
of the Closing (subject to certain materiality standards set forth in the Business Combination Agreement); (ii) we having performed in
all material respects our obligations and complied in all material respects with our covenants and agreements under the Business Combination
Agreement required to be performed or complied with by us on or prior the date of the Closing; (iii) the absence of any Material Adverse
Effect (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) with respect to us since the date of the Business Combination Agreement which
is continuing and uncured; (iv) the paid-off of all Expenses (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) incurred by us and unpaid
fees in connection with IPO (other than the deferred underwriting commission) and all Sponsor Loan (as defined in the Business Combination
Agreement) on or prior to the Closing; (v) receipt by United Hydrogen and Pubco of the Founder Amended and Restated Registration Rights
Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement); (vi) receipt by each of the Sellers of the Seller Registration Rights Agreement
(as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) duly executed by Pubco; (vii) we having delivered copies of the written resignations
of all our directors and officers prior to the Second Merger, effective as of the Closing; and (viii) receipt of certain customary certificates
and other closing deliveries as specified under the Business Combination Agreement.
Further,
our obligation to consummate the Business Combination is also conditioned upon, among other things: (i) the representations and warranties
of United Hydrogen, Pubco, the First Merger Sub, and the Second Merger Sub being true and correct on and as of the Closing (subject to
certain materiality standards set forth in the Business Combination Agreement); (ii) United Hydrogen, Pubco, the First Merger Sub, and
the Second Merger Sub having performed in all material respects the respective obligations and complied in all material respects with
their respective covenants and agreements under the Business Combination Agreement required to be performed or complied with on or prior
the date of the Closing; (iii) absence of any Material Adverse Effect (as defined below) with respect to the Target Companies (as defined
in the Business Combination Agreement) since the date of the Business Combination Agreement which is continuing and uncured; (iv) each
Employment Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and each Seller Lock-Up Agreement (as defined in the Business
Combination Agreement) being in full force and effect from the Closing; (v) as of or prior to the Closing, the board of directors and
shareholders of Pubco having adopted and approved an equity incentive plan which will provide that the total pool of awards under such
equity incentive plan will be a number of Pubco’s ordinary shares equal to five percent (5%) of the aggregate number of Pubco’s
ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after the Business Combination and shall include a customary evergreen provision;
(vi) receipt by us of the Founder Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement),
duly executed by Pubco; (vii) completion of the Reorganization (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) pursuant to the Reorganization
Documents (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) by the Completion Date (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement);
(viii) United Hydrogen’s timely payments for any Extension (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) pursuant to the terms
of the Business Combination Agreement; and (ix) receipt of certain customary certificates and other closing deliveries as specified under
the Business Combination Agreement.
3
Covenants
The
Business Combination Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to efforts to satisfy conditions to the consummation
of the Business Combination. The covenants under the Business Combination Agreement include, among other things, covenants providing
for the following: (i) United Hydrogen’s agreement to (a) operate its business in the ordinary course prior to the Closing (with
certain exceptions) and not to take certain specified actions without our prior written consent, and (b) subject to certain customary
legal and other exceptions, provide us with access to the books, records and financial records of United Hydrogen and its subsidiaries,
and information about the operations and other affairs of United Hydrogen and its subsidiaries; (ii) United Hydrogen acknowledging and
agreeing that it has no claim against the Trust Account established for the benefit of our shareholders; and (iii) our agreement to operate
our business in the ordinary course prior to the Closing (with certain exceptions) and not to take certain specified actions without
the prior written consent of United Hydrogen.
The
Business Combination Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others, (i) a covenant providing for
Pubco, us and United Hydrogen to cooperate in the preparation of the Registration Statement in connection with the Transactions and the
registration of the Pubco Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, including, in the case of United Hydrogen
providing such information and responding in a timely manner to comments relating to the proxy statement, including preparation for inclusion
in the proxy statement of pro forma financial statements in compliance with the requirements of Regulation S-X and the SEC; (ii) requiring
us to establish a record date for, duly call and give notice of, convene and hold an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders
as promptly as practicable following the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act;
(iii) requiring our board of directors to recommend to our shareholders the adoption and approval of the proposals contemplated by the
Business Combination Agreement; (iv) prohibiting United Hydrogen and us from, among other things, soliciting or negotiating with third
parties regarding alternative transactions and agreeing to certain related restrictions and ceasing discussions regarding alternative
transactions; (v) each party using its commercially reasonable efforts, and cooperating fully with the other parties, shall take, or
cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the Transactions;
(vi) United Hydrogen seeking the approval of its shareholders for the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and other transaction
documents and the Transactions; and (vii) the parties also taking all necessary actions to cause Pubco’s board of directors immediately
after the Closing to consist of a board of five directors, including three members who shall qualify as an independent director under
Nasdaq rules.
Representations
and Warranties
In
the Business Combination Agreement, United Hydrogen made certain customary representations and warranties to us, including among others,
related to the following: (1) corporate matters, including due organization, existence, and good standing; (2) authority and binding
effect relative to execution and delivery of the Business Combination Agreement and Ancillary Documents to which it is a party; (3) capitalization;
(4) subsidiaries and investments; (5) governmental approvals; (6) non-contravention; (7) financial statements; (8) absence of certain
changes; (9) compliance with laws; (10) company permits; (11) litigation; (12) material contracts; (13) intellectual property; (14) taxes
and returns; (15) real property; (16) personal property; (17) title to and sufficiency of assets; (18) employee matters; (19) benefit
plans; (20) environmental matters; (21) transactions with related persons; (22) insurance; (23) top vendors; (24) certain business practices;
(25) Investment Company Act; (26) finders and brokers; (27) books and records; (28) takeover statues and charter provisions; (29) powers
of attorney; (30) information supplied; (31) board approval; (32) independent investigation; and (33) exclusivity of representations
and warranties.
In
the Business Combination Agreement, we made certain customary representations and warranties to United Hydrogen and Pubco, including
among others, related to the following: (1) corporate matters, including due organization, existence, and good standing; (2) authority
and binding effect relative to execution and delivery of the Business Combination Agreement and Ancillary Documents to which it is a
party; (3) governmental approvals; (4) non-contravention; (5) capitalization; (6) the SEC filings, our financials, and internal controls;
(7) absence of certain changes; (8) compliance with laws; (9) actions, orders and permits; (10) taxes and returns; (11) employees and
employee benefit plans; (12) properties; (13) material contracts; (14) transactions with affiliates; (15) Investment Company Act and
the JOBS Act; (16) finders and brokers; (17) certain business practices; (18) insurance; (19) information supplied; (20) independent
investigation; (21) the trust account; (22) registration and listing; (23) termination of prior merger agreements; (24) PIPE investment;
and (25) exclusivity of representations and warranties.
4
In
the Business Combination Agreement, Pubco, the First Merger Sub, and the Second Merger Sub made customary representations and warranties
to us, including among others, related to the following: (1) organization, incorporation, and good standing; (2) authority and binding
effect relative to execution and delivery of the Business Combination Agreement and Ancillary Documents to which they are parties; (3)
governmental approvals; (4) non-contravention; (5) capitalization; (6) activities of Pubco, the First Merger Sub, and the Second Merger
Sub; (7) actions; (8) finders and brokers; (9) Investment Company Act; (10) intended tax treatment; (11) information supplied; (12) independent
investigation; and (13) exclusivity of representations and warranties.
The
representations and warranties made in the Business Combination Agreement will not survive the Closing.
Termination
The
Business Combination Agreement may be terminated under certain customary and limited circumstances prior to the consummation of the Closing,
including: (i) by mutual written consent of our Company and United Hydrogen; (ii) by either us or United Hydrogen if any law or governmental
order (other than a temporary restraining order) is in effect that permanently restrains, enjoins, makes illegal or otherwise prohibits
the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; (iii) by either us or United Hydrogen if any
of the conditions to Closing have not been satisfied or waived by September 30, 2025, or such other date as may be extended
pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Termination Date”); (iv) by either us or United Hydrogen upon a material
breach of any representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements set forth in the Business Combination Agreement by the other
party if such breach gives rise to a failure of certain closing conditions to be satisfied and cannot or has not been cured within the
earlier of 20 days’ following the receipt of notice from the non-breaching party and the Termination Date; (v) by either us or
United Hydrogen if our shareholder approval is not obtained at our shareholder meeting; (vi) by us if the United Hydrogen shareholder
approval is not obtained within ten (10) business days after the Registration Statement becomes effective; or (vii) by us, if the Reorganization
is not completed by December 31, 2024.
Extraordinary
General Meeting Approving the Business Combination
On
November 6, 2025, we held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, at which the shareholders approved the Board’s proposal
to enter into the Business Combination with United Hydrogen, together with certain related proposals. In addition, on January 23, 2024,
United Hydrogen initially filed a Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-284430) with the SEC in connection with the proposed
Business Combination, which was declared effective on September 26, 2025. While we continue to use our best efforts to complete the Business
Combination as soon as practicable, the Board determined that completion of the Business Combination remains subject, among other conditions,
to United Hydrogen obtaining required approvals from the CSRC, which are currently pending. The CSRC has been reviewing United Hydrogen’s
materials since August 12, 2024, and has required United Hydrogen to provide supplementary materials on several occasions. See “ Item
1. Business – Initial Business Combination – CSRC Approval. ” As of the date of this Annual Report, United Hydrogen
has submitted supplementary materials in accordance with the CSRC’s requirements and is awaiting further review. As of the date
of this Annual Report, we currently expect to close the Business Combination by May 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary
closing conditions. See “ Item 1. Business – Proposed Business Combination with United Hydrogen – Conditions to Closing. ”
Extension
of Deadline to Complete Initial Business Combination
Our
currently effective amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we have 12 months from the closing of our
IPO to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business
combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our board of directors if requested by the Sponsor, extend the period of time
to consummate a business combination up to 24 times, each by an additional one month, for a total of up to 36 months to complete a business
combination, subject to the sponsor depositing additional funds into the Trust Account as set out below. Pursuant to the terms of our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement dated December 1, 2023 entered into between us and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trust Agreement”), in order for the time available for us to consummate
our initial business combination to be extended, the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the
applicable deadline, must deposit into the Trust Account an monthly extension fee of an amount equal to an amount equal to the lesser
of (i) $80,000 for all outstanding Public Shares and (ii) $0.033 for each outstanding Public Share (for each monthly extension), on or
prior to the date of the applicable deadline for each extension. The Sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund
the Trust Account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. Shareholders will not be granted any right
to approve or disapprove any such monthly extension, or redeem their securities in connection with any decision by us to extend the time
frame to complete a business combination from 12 months to up to 36 months.
Any
such payments would be made in the form of a loan. Any such loans will be non-interest bearing and payable upon the consummation of our
initial business combination. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds
of the Trust Account released to us. If we do not complete a business combination, we will not repay such loans. Furthermore, the letter
agreement with our initial shareholders—including the Sponsor and our directors and officers as of the closing our IPO (collective,
“Initial Shareholders”)—contains a provision pursuant to which our Sponsor has agreed to waive its right to be repaid
for such loans out of the funds held in the Trust Account in the event that we do not complete a business combination. Our Sponsor and
its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the Trust Account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination.
You will not be able to vote on or redeem your shares in connection with any such extension.
5
On
December 11, 2024 and January 13, 2025, the Sponsor and United Hydrogen caused the first and second then-applicable monthly extension
fee of $227,700 (equivalent to $0.033 per Public Share), respectively, to be deposited into the Trust Account in accordance with the
terms set forth in the Trust Agreement, to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination from December
6, 2024 to February 6, 2025. On February 5, 2025, we held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, which approved the proposal
by our board of directors to amend the monthly fee payable by the Sponsor and/or its designee into the Trust Account to extend the date
by which we must consummate our initial business combination, from $0.033 per Public Share (for each monthly extension) to an amount
equal to $150,000 for all outstanding Public Shares (for each monthly extension). On February 6, 2025, March 6, 2025, April 4, 2025,
May 6, 2025, June 6, 2025, July 6, 2025, August 6, 2025, September 5, 2025, October 8, 2025, and November 4, 2025, the Sponsor and United
Hydrogen caused the third through twelfth monthly extension fee of $150,000, respectively, to be deposited into the Trust Account, to
further extend the deadline from February 6, 2025 to December 6, 2025. On November 26, 2025, we held an extraordinary general meeting
of shareholders, which approved the proposal by our board of directors to amend the monthly fee payable by the Sponsor and/or its designee
into the Trust Account to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination, from $150,000 for all outstanding
Public Shares (for each monthly extension) to an amount equal to an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $80,000 for all outstanding Public
Shares and (ii) $0.033 for each outstanding Public Share (for each monthly extension). On December 5, 2025, January 5, 2026, February
12, 2026, March 4, 2026, and April 7, 2026, the Sponsor and United Hydrogen caused the thirteenth through seventeenth monthly extension
fee of $34,330.96, respectively, to be deposited into the Trust Account, to further extend the deadline from December 6, 2025 to May
6, 2026. As of the date of this Annual Report, the deadline for completing an initial business combination was extended to May 6, 2026
and the Sponsor currently intends to continue to deposit additional funds as described herein to further extend such deadline to up to
36 months from the closing of the IPO, to complete the initial business combination. However, there is no guarantee that the Sponsor
or United Hydrogen will make such deposit timely or at all as described above.
Legal
and Operational Risks Related to Potential Business Combinations with PRC-Based Companies
Our
Chief Financial Officer is a citizen of Hong Kong. Additionally, one of our three independent directors, resides in China. As of the
date of this Annual Report, we are seeking to consummate the Business Combination with United Hydrogen, which is a Cayman Islands exempted
company that conducts substantially all of its operations through its PRC operating subsidiaries. If we do not consummate the Business
Combination with United Hydrogen, we may consider a business combination with another entity or business with a physical presence or
other significant ties to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, which may subject the post-business combination business to the laws,
regulations and policies of China. Any alternative target we may consider for a business combination may conduct operations through subsidiaries
in China. The legal and regulatory risks associated with doing business in China discussed in this report may make us a less attractive
partner in an initial business combination than other special purpose acquisition companies that do not have any ties to China. As such,
our ties to China may make it harder for us to complete an initial business combination with a target company without any such ties.
In addition, we will not conduct a business combination with any target company that conducts operations through variable interest entities
(“VIEs”), which are a series of contractual arrangements used to provide the economic benefits of foreign investment in Chinese-based
companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. As a result, this may limit the pool of acquisition
candidates we may acquire in the PRC, in particular, relative to other special purpose acquisition companies that are not subject to
such restrictions, which could make it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating
in the PRC relative to such other companies.
If
we consummate the proposed Business Combination with United Hydrogen, or if we consummate our initial business combination with another
target business based in and primarily operating in the PRC, the combined company could be subject to certain legal and operational risks
associated with or having the majority of post-business combination operations in China. PRC laws and regulations governing PRC based
business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain, and as a result these risks may result in material changes in the operations of
any post-business combination subsidiaries, significant depreciation of the value of our ordinary shares, or a complete hindrance of
our ability to offer, or continue to offer, our securities to investors, including investors in the United States. Over the past few
years, the PRC government has adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China with
little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, adopting new measures to extend the scope
of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These enacted measures, and new measures which may
be implemented, could materially and adversely affect the operations of any post-business combination company which we may acquire as
our initial business combination.
In
addition, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation-making bodies will respond and what existing or new
laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact
such modified or new laws and regulations will have on a China-based target company’s daily business operation, the ability to
accept foreign investments and list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange. Additionally, if we effect our initial business combination
with a business located in the PRC, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may
not be able to enforce our legal rights. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and
regulations which may have a material adverse impact on the value of our securities. If we enter into a business combination with a target
business operating in China, cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including the IPO, may be transferred by us to
any future PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution or shareholder loans, as the case may be. All these risks could result in a material
change in our or the target company’s post-combination operations and/or the value of our ordinary shares or could significantly
limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to
significantly decline or become worthless.
Furthermore,
the PRC government has significant authority to exert influence on the ability of a China-based company to conduct its business, make
or accept foreign investments or list on a U.S. stock exchange. For example, if we enter into a business combination with a target business
operating in China, the combined company may face risks associated with regulatory approvals of the proposed business combination between
us and the target, offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, cybersecurity and data privacy. The PRC government may also
intervene with or influence the combined company’s operations at any time as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory,
political and societal goals.
6
Over
the past few years, the PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the
education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies
regarding any industry that could adversely affect our potential business combination with a PRC operating business and the business,
financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. Any such action, once taken by the PRC government, could make
it more difficult and costly for us to consummate a business combination with a target business operating in the PRC, result in material
changes in the combined company’s post-combination operations and cause the value of the combined company’s securities to
significantly decline, or in extreme cases, become worthless or completely hinder the combined company’s ability to offer or continue
to offer securities to investors. Please see those factors described under the heading “ Risk Factors ” in our filings
with the SEC from time to time and the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File Number 333-284430) filed by United Hydrogen Group Inc.
with the SEC.
On
February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies
(the “Trial Measures”), which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede the prior rules and clarified and
emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect overseas offering
and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form” and particularly,
an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are met at the same
time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited
consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main parts of the
issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland China, or
the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland China; (2)
exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed in foreign
securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform the
regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas securities
offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing procedures
as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative list
of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized
by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted
of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership;
(4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’
filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering
to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change
of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders
between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing
fraud and misrepresentation.
We
believe we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities, including the CSRC or the Cyberspace Administration
of China (“CAC”), or any other government entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange
or to search for a target company. As of the date of this report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory
objection to the IPO from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations
of the PRC may change or we could be mistaken about these rules applicability, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a
different conclusion and may subject us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with the
IPO, continued listing on a U.S. exchange, the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status
as a publicly listed company outside China, and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination
target is a PRC Target Company. If the CSRC or the CAC, or any other governmental or regulatory body subsequently determines that its
approval is needed for the IPO, a business combination, the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights, or maintaining
our status as a publicly listed company outside China, we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC, CAC and/or
other PRC regulatory agencies. It is uncertain whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to
list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including
pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities
to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would
materially affect our ability to complete a business combination in which case we may have to liquidate which would be adverse to the
interests of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law, regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after
the IPO. The use of the term “operate” and “operations” includes the process of searching for a target business
and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct the process of searching for a potential target company
in China.
7
There
are numerous risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China including:
●
Adverse
changes in political and economic policies or political or social conditions of the PRC government could have a material adverse
effect on the overall economic growth of China;
●
Uncertainties
with respect to the PRC legal system could limit legal protections available to you and us;
●
It
may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China
●
PRC
companies in certain business sectors are required to undergo national security review or obtain clearance from relevant authorities
if necessary before making any filings with the CSRC.
●
PRC
companies must comply with national secrecy and data security laws with respect to any data disclosure.
●
CSRC
has the authority to and may block offshore listings that: (1) are explicitly prohibited by law; (2) may endanger national security;
(3) involve criminal offenses such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property by the issuer, its controlling
persons (with a three-year lookback); (4) involve the issuer under investigations for suspicion of criminal offenses or major violations
of laws and regulations; or (5) involve material ownership disputes.
Please
see those factors described under the heading “ Risk Factors ” in our filings with the SEC from time to time and the
Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File Number 333-284430) filed by United Hydrogen Group Inc. with the SEC.
Each
of our officers and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition company with a class of securities
intended to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, even before we have entered into
a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. For more information, see the section of this report entitled “ Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance — Conflicts of Interest. ”
Business
Strategy
Although
there is no restriction or limitation on what industry our target operates in, it is our intention to pursue prospective targets that
are focused on healthcare innovation. We anticipate targeting what are traditionally known as “small cap” companies domiciled
in North America, Europe and/or the Asia Pacific regions that are developing assets in the biopharmaceutical, medical technology/medical
device, and diagnostics space which aligns with our management team’s experience in operating health care companies and in drug
and device technology development as well as diagnostic and other services. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will
not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region. As such, although we are not targeting target companies in China, we may
consider an initial business combination with a target business with its principal business operations in China (including Hong Kong
and Macau). We believe that we will add value to these businesses primarily by providing them with access to the U.S. capital markets.
We
will seek to capitalize on the strength of our management team. Our team consists of experienced professionals and senior operating executives.
Collectively, our officers and directors have decades of experience in financial oversight and operating companies in Asia. We believe
we will benefit from their accomplishments, and specifically their current and recent activities with companies that have a connection
to the Asian market, in identifying attractive acquisition opportunities. However, there is no assurance that we will complete a business
combination.
We
believe that the members of our management team and board of directors have valuable and applicable experience for sourcing and analyzing
potential acquisition candidates across various industries and on an international basis based upon their professional experience. See
“ Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ” for details of the background of our directors and
officers.
Investment
Criteria
Our
operating experience and industry contacts place us in a position to optimize our chances of identifying high-value targets in these
areas. Our target of small cap healthcare-based companies has been based on the concept of value investing and therefore focused on quality
businesses with specific and time-based catalysts. We will remain opportunistic at considering opportunities throughout the healthcare
space however, our primary focus has been on small cap healthcare companies with one or more of the following characteristics:
●
Late-stage
development or revenue-generating businesses
●
High
growth prospects with a sustainable proprietary position
●
Experienced
management teams with previous successes, especially where we can add critical public company expertise
●
Addressable
conditions that are clinically important and under-diagnosed or treated
●
Independent
companies or corporate spin-offs
●
Domestic
or International base of business
8
The
focus of our management team has been to create shareholder value by leveraging its experience to efficiently guide an emerging healthcare
company towards commercialization. Consistent with our strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that
we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. While we intend to use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating
prospective businesses, we may deviate from these criteria and guidelines should we see fit to do so:
●
We
believe that there are a substantial number of potential target businesses domestically and internationally with appropriate valuations
that can benefit from a public listing and new capital for growth to support significant revenue and earnings growth or to advance
clinical programs.
●
We
have been seeking target companies that have significant and underexploited expansion opportunities in a niche sector. This can be
accomplished through a combination of accelerating organic growth and finding attractive add-on acquisition targets. Our management
team has significant experience in identifying such targets. Similarly, our management has the expertise to assess the likely synergies
and a process to help a target integrate acquisitions. Additionally, our management team has extensive experience assisting healthcare
companies raise money as they navigate the regulatory approval process.
●
We
have been seeking target companies that should offer attractive risk-adjusted equity returns for our shareholders. We aim to acquire
a target on terms and in a manner that leverages our experience. We have evaluated, and expect to evaluate, a target based on its
potential to successfully achieve regulatory approval and commercialize its product(s). We have also evaluated, and expect to evaluate,
financial returns based on (i) risk-adjusted peak sales potential (ii) the potential of pipeline products and the scientific platform
(iii) the ability to achieve the system cost savings, (iv) the ability to accelerate growth via other options, including through
the opportunity for follow-on acquisitions and (v) the prospects for creating value through other value creation initiatives. Potential
upside, for example, from the growth in the target business’ earnings or an improved capital structure will be weighed against
any identified downside risks.
●
We
aim to invest in businesses that have a track record of success. We look for companies with shareholder-friendly governance and low
leverage, which are valued at what we think are low prices relative to their earnings potential and where we see attractive return
potential over the long run. We believe this investment approach constitutes our competitive advantage and can potentially offer
both meaningful upside potential and a degree of downside protection in periods of financial market turbulence.
These
criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be
based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management
may deem relevant.
Sources
of Target Businesses
We
anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers,
venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community.
Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or
mailings that will not commence until after the completion of the IPO. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses they
think we may be interested in on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this report and know what types of
businesses we are targeting.
9
Our
officers and directors, as well as their respective 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. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals
that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which
event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based
on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will any of our existing officers, directors or Initial Shareholders, or any entity
with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they
render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination (regardless of the type of transaction). Some of our officers
and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-transaction company following our initial business combination.
The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an initial business
combination candidate.
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our Initial Shareholders, officers
or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a target that is affiliated with our Initial Shareholders,
officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would 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 (or
shareholders) from a financial point of view.
Transfers
of Cash to and from our Post Business Combination Subsidiaries
As
of the date of this Annual Report, we are seeking to consummate the Business Combination with United Hydrogen, which is a Cayman Islands
exempted company that conducts substantially all of its operations through its PRC operating subsidiaries. There have not been any capital
contributions or shareholder loans by us to any PRC entities, we do not yet have any subsidiaries, and we have not received, declared
or made any dividends or distributions. If we consummate the proposed Business Combination with United Hydrogen, or if we consummate
our initial business combination with another target business based in and primarily operating in the PRC, the combined company, whose
securities will be listed on a U.S. stock exchange, may make capital contributions or extend loans to its PRC subsidiaries through intermediate
holding companies subject to compliance with relevant PRC foreign exchange control regulations.
After
the initial business combination, the combined company’s ability to pay dividends, if any, to the shareholders and to service any
debt it may incur will depend upon dividends paid by its PRC subsidiaries. Under PRC laws and regulations, PRC companies are subject
to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to offshore entities. In particular,
under the current PRC laws and regulations, dividends may be paid only out of distributable profits. Distributable profits are the net
profit as determined under Chinese accounting standards and regulations, less any recovery of accumulated losses and appropriations to
statutory and other reserves required to be made.
Current
PRC regulations permit a potential PRC target company’s indirect PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to an overseas subsidiary, for
example, a subsidiary located in Hong Kong, only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting
standards and regulations. In addition, each of the target’s subsidiaries in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its
after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. As a result,
the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries may not have sufficient distributable profits to pay dividends to the combined company.
Furthermore, each such entity in China is also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee
welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory
reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings
of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation.
The
PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of the Renminbi (“RMB”), the legal currency of the PRC, into foreign
currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Our initial business combination target may be a PRC company with substantially
all of its revenues in RMB. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of the PRC subsidiaries to remit
sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations.
Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments
and expenditures from trade-related transactions can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with
certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into
foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies.
The PRC government may also, at its discretion, restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions.
If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands post business
combination, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our security-holders. Furthermore, if our target’s subsidiaries
in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make
other payments.
Cash
dividends, if any, on our ordinary shares will be paid in U.S. dollars. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes,
any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders may be regarded as China-sourced income and, as a result, may be subject to PRC withholding
tax at a rate of up to 10.0%.
The
PRC government may take measures at its discretion from time to time to restrict access to foreign currencies for current account or
capital account transactions. If the foreign exchange control regulations prevent the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company from obtaining
sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy their foreign currency demands, the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company may not be able
to pay dividends or repay loans in foreign currencies to their offshore intermediary holding companies and ultimately to the combined
company. We cannot assure you that new regulations or policies will not be promulgated in the future, which may further restrict the
remittance of RMB into or out of the PRC. We cannot assure you, in light of the restrictions in place, or any amendment to be made from
time to time, that the PRC subsidiaries of the combined company will be able to satisfy their respective payment obligations that are
denominated in foreign currencies, including the remittance of dividends outside of the PRC. Please see those factors described under
the heading “ Risk Factors ” in our filings from time to time with the SEC and the Registration Statement on Form F-4
(File Number 333-284430) filed by United Hydrogen Group Inc. with the SEC.
10
Initial
Business Combination
We
currently have until May 6, 2026 (or up to 36 months from the closing of the IPO if we extend the period of time to consummate a business
combination by the full amount of time, as described in more detail in this report) to consummate our initial business combination. If
we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible
but not more than five business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account
and as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board
of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors
and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the rights will be worthless.
Nasdaq
rules provide that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value
equal to at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned)
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 or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. 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% fair market value
test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate
value of all of the target businesses. If our securities are not listed on Nasdaq after the IPO, we would not be required to satisfy
the 80% requirement. However, we intend to satisfy the 80% requirement even if our securities are not listed on Nasdaq at the time of
our initial business combination.
We
anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares
will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial
business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target
business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete
such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target
or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company
under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target,
our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending
on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which
we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of
a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target.
However,
as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination
could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination.
We
are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our Initial Shareholders, officers
or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our Initial Shareholders,
officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm
or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions that our initial business combination is fair to our company (or
shareholders) from a financial point of view.
Members
of our management team and our independent directors and their affiliates will directly or indirectly own our Ordinary Shares following
the IPO, and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business
with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest
with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included
by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Additionally, each of our officers
and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity,
including other blank check companies similar to our company, pursuant to which such officer or director may be required to present a
business combination opportunity to such entity. Specifically, our executive officers are affiliated with our Sponsor and other entities
that make, or are looking to make, investments in companies. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business
combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor
his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it
to us if such entity rejects the opportunity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our
executive officers will materially affect our ability to complete our business combination. For additional information regarding our
executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and potential conflicts of interest, see “ Directors, Executive
Officers and Corporate Governance. ” Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that, subject
to fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law, 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.
11
PRC
Approvals
Below
is a summary of potential PRC laws and regulations that could be interpreted by the in-charge PRC government authorities, namely, the
CSRC, the CAC and their enforcement agencies, to require us to obtain permission or approval in order to issue securities to foreign
investors in connection with a business combination or offer securities to foreign investors. We do not believe that any permission or
approval is required under the PRC laws or regulations to offer securities to non-PRC investors. However, there is no assurance that
such approval or permission will not be required under the PRC laws, regulations or policies if the relevant governmental authorities
take a contrary position, nor can we predict whether or how long it will take to obtain such approval if so required.
CSRC
Approval
The
Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies, including
the MOFCOM, the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration
for Industry and Commerce (the “SAMR”), the CSRC, and the SAFE in 2006 and amended in 2009, as well as some other regulations
and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions (collectively, the “M&A Rules”) include provisions that purport to require
that an offshore special purpose vehicle that is controlled by PRC domestic companies or individuals and that has been formed for the
purpose of an overseas listing of securities through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain the approval of the CSRC
prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006,
the CSRC published its approval procedures for overseas listings by special purpose vehicles. However, substantial uncertainty remains
regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose vehicles. While the application of the M&A
Rules remains unclear, we believe that the CSRC approval would not be required in the context of a business combination because (1) the
M&A Rules provide that the acquisition of the equity held by the shareholders of a “domestic company” (i.e., a non-foreign
investment company) or the subscription for the new shares issued by a “domestic company” by the shareholders of an offshore
special purpose vehicle with the equity of such offshore special purpose vehicle, or by the offshore special purpose vehicle with its
new shares for the purpose of the overseas listing of such offshore special purpose vehicle, shall be subject to the approval of the
CSRC; while we currently are a foreign-invested enterprise rather than a “domestic company” as defined under the M&A
Rules, and (2) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether a transaction of the kind contemplated
herein is subject to the M&A Rules. However, uncertainties still exist as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted and implemented.
On
February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Measures, which took effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures supersede the prior
rules and clarified and emphasized several aspects, which include but are not limited to: (1) comprehensive determination of the “indirect
overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies” in compliance with the principle of “substance over form”
and particularly, an issuer will be required to go through the filing procedures under the Trial Measures if the following criteria are
met at the same time: (a) 50% or more of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented
in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year comes from PRC domestic companies, and (b) the main
parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in mainland China, or its main places of business are located in mainland
China, or the senior managers in charge of its business operation and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in mainland
China; (2) exemptions from immediate filing requirements for issuers that (a) have already been listed or registered but not yet listed
in foreign securities markets, including U.S. markets, prior to the effective date of the Trial Measures, (b) are not required to re-perform
the regulatory procedures with the relevant overseas regulatory authority or the overseas stock exchange, and (c) whose such overseas
securities offering or listing shall be completed before September 30, 2023, provided however that such issuers shall carry out filing
procedures as required if they conduct refinancing or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC; (3) a negative
list of types of issuers banned from listing or offering overseas, such as (a) issuers whose listing or offering overseas has been recognized
by the State Council of the PRC as a possible threat to national security, (b) issuers whose affiliates have been recently convicted
of bribery and corruption, (c) issuers under ongoing criminal investigations, and (d) issuers under major disputes regarding equity ownership;
(4) issuers’ compliance with web security, data security, and other national security laws and regulations; (5) issuers’
filing and reporting obligations, such as the obligation to file with the CSRC after it submits an application for initial public offering
to overseas regulators, and the obligation after offering or listing overseas to report to the CSRC material events including a change
of control or voluntary or forced delisting of the issuer; and (6) the CSRC’s authority to fine both issuers and their shareholders
between 1 and 10 million RMB for failure to comply with the Trial Measures, including failure to comply with filing obligations or committing
fraud and misrepresentation.
We
believe we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities, including the CSRC or the CAC, or any other government
entity, to issue our securities to foreign investors and to list on a U.S. exchange or to search for a target company. As of the date
of this Annual Report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to the IPO from the CSRC
or any other PRC governmental authorities. However, applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations of the PRC may change or we could
be mistaken about these rules applicability, and the relevant PRC government agencies could reach a different conclusion and may subject
us to a stringent approval process from the relevant government entities in connection with the IPO, continued listing on a U.S. exchange,
the potential business combination, the issuance of shares or the maintenance of our status as a publicly listed company outside China,
and the post business combination entity’s PRC operations if our business combination target is a PRC company. If the CSRC or the
CAC, or any other governmental or regulatory body subsequently determines that its approval is needed for the IPO, a business combination,
the issuance of our ordinary shares upon exercise of the rights, or maintaining our status as a publicly listed company outside China,
we may face approval delays, adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC, CAC and/or other PRC regulatory agencies. It is uncertain whether
we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to continue to list on a U.S. exchange in the future and offer our securities
to foreign investors. If approval is required in the future, including pursuant to the Trial Measures, and we are denied permission from
Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges or offer our securities to foreign investors, we may not be able to continue listing on
a U.S. exchange or be subject to other severe consequences, which would materially affect our ability to complete a business combination
in which case we may have to liquidate which would be adverse to the interests of the investors. In addition, any changes in PRC law,
regulations, or interpretations may severely affect our operations after the IPO. The use of the term “operate” and “operations”
includes the process of searching for a target business and conducting related activities. To that extent, we may not be able to conduct
the process of searching for a potential target company in China.
12
On
the other hand, although we are not required to obtain approvals from any PRC government authorities to issue our securities to foreign
investors and to list on a U.S. exchange or to search for a target company, United Hydrogen, our current target in the proposed Business
Combination, is required to complete filing procedures with the CSRC in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination
and listing of Pubco’s ordinary shares, since United Hydrogen and its subsidiaries generated over 50% of each of their revenue,
net income, total assets, and net assets from the PRC within the most recent completed fiscal year. United Hydrogen made the required
filings under the Trial Measures with the CSRC on August 12, 2024. The CSRC has been reviewing United Hydrogen’s materials since
August 12, 2024, and has required United Hydrogen to provide supplementary materials on several occasions. As of the date of this Annual
Report, United Hydrogen has submitted supplementary materials in accordance with the CSRC’s requirements and is awaiting further
review. Due to the uncertainties surrounding the timing and content of the CSRC’s review, United Hydrogen cannot predict the exact
timing and the outcome of obtaining the CSRC filing notice. For more details, please refer to the Registration Statement on Form F-4,
as amended (File Number 333-284430), which was initially filed with the SEC by United Hydrogen Group Inc. on January 23, 2024.
Our
Sponsor
Our
Sponsor is Aimei Investment Ltd, a Cayman Islands exempted company whose ultimate beneficial owner is Ms. Huang Han. Ms. Han is a resident
of the PRC. The Sponsor has no business operations and only serves as a vehicle that holds equity interests in our Company. As of the
date of this Annual Report, we do not have any other promoters other than the Sponsor and its affiliate.
The
Sponsor holds an aggregate of 1,905,000 Ordinary Shares as of the date of this Annual Report. The Sponsor has invested an aggregate of
$3,345,000 in our Company, comprised of (i) $25,000 for 1,725,000 founder shares (approximately $0.014 per share), which were issued
to the Sponsor prior to our IPO (the “Founder Shares”), of which 152,000 Founder Shares were transferred to the then-officers
and directors of our Company on May 25, 2023, and (ii) $3,320,000 for 332,000 Private Units.
Status
as a Public Company
We
believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to prospective target businesses. As a publicly listed
company, we will offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering. We believe that target businesses
will favor this alternative, which we believe is less expensive, while offering greater certainty of execution than the traditional initial
public offering. During an initial public offering, there are typically expenses incurred in marketing, which would be costlier than
a business combination with us. Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is approved by our shareholders (if applicable) and
the transaction is consummated, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always
subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions that could prevent the offering
from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would have greater access to capital and additional means of creating management
incentives that are better aligned with shareholders’ interests than it would as a private company. A target business can offer
further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented management
staffs.
13
Effecting
Our Initial Business Combination
We
are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following the IPO. We intend
to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placement of the Private Units,
new debt, or a combination of these, as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to consummate 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, although we will not be permitted to effectuate
our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
If
our initial business combination is paid for using shares or debt securities, or not all of the funds released from the Trust Account
are used for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination or used for redemptions of purchases of our Ordinary
Shares, we may apply the cash released to us from the Trust Account that is not applied to the purchase price for general corporate purposes,
including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness
incurred in consummating 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 consummation 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. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would consummate such financing
only simultaneously with the consummation of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets
other than the Trust Account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose
the terms of the financing and, only if required by law or the rules of Nasdaq, we would seek shareholder 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.
Selection
of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination
Subject
to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair
market value of at least 80% of the value of the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest
earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, our management has virtually unrestricted flexibility
in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business
combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. In any case, we will only consummate an initial
business combination in which we become the majority shareholder of the target or are otherwise not required to register as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act. There is no basis for investors in the IPO to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any
target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business
combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected
by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular
target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.
In
evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things,
meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available
to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although
we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.
14
The
time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently
be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target
business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available
to otherwise complete a business combination.
Lack
of Business Diversification
For
an indefinite period of time after the consummation of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely
on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with
multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate
the risks of being in a single line of business. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack
of diversification may:
●
subject
us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the
particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and
●
Cause
us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or a limited number of products or services.
Limited
Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team
Although
we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial
business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’ management may not prove to be correct. The future
role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. Consequently, members
of our management team may not become a part of the target’s management team, and the future management may not have the necessary
skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Further, it is also not certain whether one or more of our directors
will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination. Moreover, members of our management team
may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business. Our key personnel may
not remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel
will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following
our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business.
We may not have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or
experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholders
May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
In
connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at
a general meeting called for such purpose at which shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for
or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the
Trust Account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our shareholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender
offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit
in the Trust Account (net of taxes payable), in each case calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the business
combination and subject to the limitations described herein. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured
so that each shareholder may tender all of his, her or its shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision
as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to
us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the
transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. Unlike other blank check
companies which require shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and
related redemptions of Public Shares for cash upon consummation of such initial business combination even when a vote is not required
by law, we will have the flexibility to avoid such shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule
13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with
the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required
under the SEC’s proxy rules. If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will consummate our initial
business combination only if we obtain an affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting
of the company.
15
If
we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition
or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the Trust Account upon consummation of such initial business combination,
we may be forced to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not
be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable
time period, if at all. Public shareholders may therefore have to wait 12 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 36 months from
the closing of the IPO if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by the full amount of time, as described
in more detail in this report) in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our
Initial Shareholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of any proposed
business combination, (2) not to redeem any Ordinary Shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business
combination and (3) not sell any Ordinary Shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination.
None
of our officers, directors, Initial Shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase Units or Ordinary Shares
from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a general meeting to approve a proposed business combination
and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination or to redeem
their shares, our officers, directors, Initial Shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private
transactions in order to increase the likelihood of satisfying the necessary closing conditions to such transaction. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, our officers, directors, Initial Shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of Ordinary Shares if the purchases
would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s
stock, shares or other equity securities.
Redemption
Rights for Public Shareholders Upon Consummation of Our Initial Business Combination
We
will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion their shares upon the consummation of our initial
business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including
interest (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of the then issued and outstanding Public Shares, subject to the limitations described
herein. The amount in the Trust Account is initially anticipated to be $10.10 per share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors
who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our Initial
Shareholders have agreed to waive their right to receive liquidating distributions if we fail to consummate our initial business combination
within the requisite time period. However, if our Initial Shareholders or any of our officers, directors or affiliates acquires Public
Shares in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions with respect to such Public Shares if we fail
to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period.
Manner
of Conducting Redemptions
At
any general meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless
of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate
amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, less
any taxes then due but not yet paid. Alternatively, we may provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their Ordinary
Shares to us through a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of
the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid.
16
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a
“group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect
to 20% or more of the shares sold in the IPO. Such a public shareholder would still be entitled to vote against a proposed business combination
with respect to all shares owned by him or his affiliates. We believe this restriction will prevent shareholders from accumulating large
blocks of shares before the vote held to approve a proposed business combination and attempt to use the redemption right as a means to
force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then current market price. By limiting a shareholder’s
ability to redeem no more than 20% of the shares sold in the IPO, we believe we have limited the ability of a small group of shareholders
to unreasonably attempt to block a transaction that is favored by our other public shareholders.
Our
Initial Shareholders, officers and directors will not have redemption rights with respect to any Ordinary Shares owned by them, directly
or indirectly, whether acquired prior to the IPO or purchased by them in the IPO or in the aftermarket.
We
may require public shareholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either (i) tender
their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or (ii) deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository
Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case prior to a date set forth
in the proxy materials sent in connection with the proposal to approve the business combination.
There
is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced delivery process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through
the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker a nominal amount and it would be up to the broker whether
or not to pass this cost on to the holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking
to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to a specified date. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising
redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require shareholders seeking
to exercise redemption rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed
business combination is not consummated this may result in an increased cost to shareholders.
Any
proxy solicitation materials we furnish to shareholders in connection with a vote for any proposed business combination will indicate
whether we require shareholders to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the
time the shareholder received our proxy statement up until the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination to deliver his
shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his redemption rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction.
However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held
in “street name,” in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his
shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, we cannot assure you of this
fact. Please see those factors described under the heading “ Risk Factors ” in our filings from time to time with the
SEC.
Any
request to redeem such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or the expiration
of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of Public Shares delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their redemption
and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent
return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If
the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their
redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the Trust Account as of two business
days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public
holders.
17
Permitted
Purchases of Our Securities by Our Affiliates
If
we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, our Initial Shareholders, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately
negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such
a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer
the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our Initial Shareholders,
directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already
elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their
shares. Although very unlikely, our Initial Shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates could purchase sufficient shares so
that the initial business combination may be approved without the majority vote of Public Shares held by non-affiliates.
The
purpose of such purchases would be to satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net
worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise
not be met. This may result in the consummation of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. Further,
any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject
to such reporting requirements.
In
addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Ordinary Shares and the number of beneficial holders of our
securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to obtain or maintain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on
a national securities exchange.
We
do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the
Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine
at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers: (a) would purchase the Public Shares
at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process; (b) would represent in writing that such Public Shares will
not be voted in favor of approving the business combination; and (c) would waive in writing any redemption rights with respect to the
Public Shares so purchased.
To
the extent any such purchases by our Initial Shareholders or any of their respective affiliates are made in situations in which the tender
offer rules’ restrictions on purchases apply, we will disclose such sales, in a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to the security
holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction.
Redemption
of Public Shares and Liquidation If No Initial Business Combination
We
have a period of 12 months from the closing of our IPO to consummate our initial business combination and thereafter, if we require additional
time to consummate our initial business combination, our board of directors may extend the period of time to consummate a business combination
up to 24 times, each by an additional one-month period (for a total of up to 36 months to complete a business combination), subject to
the authorization by our board of directors and the deposit of additional funds into the Trust Account by the Sponsor or its affiliates
or designees as described elsewhere in this Annual Report. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the
allotted time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate
amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro
rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs. This
redemption of public shareholders from the Trust Account shall be effected as required by function of our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the Companies Act.
Our
Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares if we fail to consummate our initial
business combination within the applicable period from the closing of the IPO. However, if our Initial Shareholders, or any of our officers,
directors or affiliates acquire Public Shares in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to such Public
Shares if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period. There will be no redemption rights
or liquidating distributions with respect to our Rights, which will expire worthless in the event we do not consummate our initial business
combination within the allotted time period.
18
If
we were to expend all of the net proceeds of the IPO, other than the proceeds deposited in the Trust Account, and without taking into
account interest, if any, earned on the Trust Account, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution
would be approximately $10.10. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced
by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could, however,
become subject to the claims of our creditors, which would have higher priority than the claims of our public shareholders. The actual
per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.10, plus interest (net of any taxes payable, and less up to
$50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses).
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 shareholders, there is no guarantee (i) that they will execute such agreements, or (ii) 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. Making such a request
of potential target businesses may make our acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses
refuse to execute such a waiver, it may limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue. Our independent registered
public accounting firm will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, nor will 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. 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 amounts in the Trust Account to below $10.10 per share, 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 the 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.
However, our Sponsor may not be able to satisfy those obligations. Other than as described above, none of our officers or directors will
indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. We have
not independently verified whether our Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations. We therefore believe it is
unlikely our Sponsor would be able to satisfy its indemnity obligations if it was required to do so. However, 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 $10.10 per share and our Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy
any applicable obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would
determine whether to take legal action to enforce such indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors
would take legal action on our behalf to enforce such 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, due to claims of creditors, the
actual value of the per-share redemption price may be less than $10.10 per share.
19
If
we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed,
the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy
or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any
bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.10 per share to our public
shareholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed
against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or
bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer”, a “fraudulent conveyance”, a “fraud
in anticipation of winding up”, a “transaction in fraud of creditors” or a “misconduct in the course of winding
up”. As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore,
our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby
exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing
the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our
public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only (i) in the event of a redemption of the Public Shares
prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within the allotted time period, (ii) if they
redeem their shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection
with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing
of our obligation to allow redemption rights or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination
within the allotted time period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination
activity. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting
in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable
pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above.
Competition
In
identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from
other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups, venture capital
funds leveraged buyout funds, and operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and
have significant experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors
possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited
by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business.
Furthermore, the requirement that we acquire a target business or businesses having a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the
value of the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the agreement
to enter into the business combination, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public shareholders who exercise their redemption
rights and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these factors
may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial business combination.
Employees
We
currently have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but
they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination.
The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial
business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior
to the consummation of our initial business combination.
For
additional discussion of the general development of our business, see our final prospectus on Form 424B4 filed with the SEC on December
5, 2023.
20
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.