Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together
with the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any
of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that
event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described
below are not necessarily exhaustive and you are encouraged to perform your own investigation with respect to us and our business.
Additionally,
if we consummate our initial business combination with Goodvision, we will be subject to the risks facing such company, which risks would
be disclosed in the Form S-4.
Risks
Related to our Search for, Consummation of, or Inability to Consummate, a Business Combination
We
are a Cayman Islands exempted company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability
to achieve our business objective.
We
are a Cayman Islands exempted company with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through
the offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective
of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We may be unable to complete an initial business combination.
If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Our
independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about
our ability to continue as a “going concern.”
As
of December 31, 2025, we had a working capital of $503,036. Further, we expect to incur significant costs in pursuit of
our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through the offering are discussed in the section of
this Annual Report titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Our plans to raise capital and to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful. These factors, among others, raise
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this Annual Report
do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate the offering or our inability to continue as a going
concern.
Our
public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may complete our
initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
We
may not hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination unless the business combination would require shareholder
approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements or if we decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other
legal reasons. Except as required by law, the decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination
or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based
on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to
seek shareholder approval. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public
shares do not approve of the business combination we complete.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote in favor of such initial
business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Our
initial shareholders have agreed to vote their founder shares and private shares, as well as any public shares purchased in or after
the offering (subject to applicable securities laws), in favor of our initial business combination. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder
approval of our initial business combination, it is more likely that the necessary shareholder approval will be received than would be
the case if our initial shareholders agreed to vote their founder shares and private shares in accordance with the majority of the votes
cast by our public shareholders.
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Your
only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination will be limited to the exercise of your
right to redeem your shares from us for cash, unless we seek shareholder approval of the business combination.
At
the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more
target businesses. Since our board of directors may complete a business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders
may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder vote. Accordingly, if we do
not seek shareholder approval, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may
be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our
tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
The
ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business
combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We
may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that
we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we might not
be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, might not be able to proceed with the business combination. Furthermore, we
will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately
prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock”
rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business
combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than
$5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon completion of our initial business combination or such greater amount necessary to satisfy
a closing condition, each as described above, we might not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may
instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to
enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete
the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At
the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders will exercise their
redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will
be submitted for redemption. If the agreement for our initial business combination requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust
account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the
cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third-party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares
are submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the
cash in the trust account or arrange for third-party financing. Raising additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity
issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete
the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure.
The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability
that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.
If
the agreement for our initial business combination requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase
price or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful
is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until
we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your share in the open market; however,
at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In either situation, you may suffer
a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or you
are able to sell your shares in the open market.
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Our
search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially
adversely affected by new outbreaks, or continuation of any existing outbreaks, of any infectious disease (such as COVID-19) and other
events, and the status of debt and equity markets.
Any
new outbreaks, or continuation of any existing outbreaks, of any infectious disease (such as COVID-19) or other events (such as terrorist
attacks, armed conflicts or natural disasters) could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business
of any potential target business with which we consummate an initial business combination could be materially and adversely affected.
Furthermore, we may be unable to complete an initial business combination if concerns relating to any outbreak of a disease restricts
travel or limits the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services
providers. The extent to which any new outbreak or the continuation of any existing situation impacts our search for an initial business
combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If any such event (such as terrorist
attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases) continues for an extensive period of time, our ability
to consummate an initial business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate an initial
business combination, may be materially adversely affected.
In
addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing, which may be impacted
by outside events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of infectious diseases), including as a result
of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at
all.
As
the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may
be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in
our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
Since
the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have completed initial public offerings has increased
substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination,
and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many
such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time,
more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination. In addition, the competition
for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause target companies to demand improved
financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical
tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination.
This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination,
and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
If
our initial business combination involves a company organized under the laws the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia, it is possible a 1% U.S. federal excise tax will be imposed on us in connection with redemptions of our ordinary shares after
or in connection with such initial business combination.
On
August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 became law in the United States, which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise
tax on the fair market value of certain repurchases (including certain redemptions) of shares by publicly traded domestic (i.e., United
States) corporations (and certain non-U.S. corporations treated as “surrogate foreign corporations”). The excise tax will
apply to share repurchases occurring in 2023 and beyond. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the
shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations
and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of, the excise tax. For instance, the U.S. Department of the Treasury
recently issued interim guidance addressing certain key aspects of the 1% excise tax, pending forthcoming regulations which are expected
to be retroactive to January 1, 2023 when finalized. The interim guidance clarified that certain repurchases would be exempt from the
excise tax, such as where the repurchases occur in the same year that the repurchasing company undertakes a complete liquidation (as
described in Section 331 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). However, only limited guidance has been issued to date.
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As
an entity incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company, the 1% excise tax is not expected to apply to redemptions of our ordinary
shares (absent any regulations and other additional guidance that may be issued in the future with retroactive effect). However, in connection
with an initial business combination involving a company organized under the laws of the United States, it is possible that we domesticate
and continue as a U.S. corporation prior to certain redemptions and, because our securities are trading on Nasdaq, it is possible that
we will be subject to the excise tax with respect to any subsequent redemptions, including redemptions in connection with the initial
business combination, that are treated as repurchases for this purpose (other than, pursuant to recently issued guidance from the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, redemptions in complete liquidation of the company). In all cases, the extent of the excise tax that may
be incurred will depend on a number of factors, including the fair market value of our shares redeemed, the extent such redemptions could
be treated as dividends and not repurchases, and the content of any regulations and other additional guidance from the U.S. Department
of the Treasury that may be issued and applicable to the redemptions. Issuances of shares by a repurchasing company in a year in which
such company repurchases shares may reduce the amount of excise tax imposed with respect to such repurchase. The excise tax is imposed
on the repurchasing company itself, not the shareholders from which or whom shares are repurchased. The imposition of the excise tax
as a result of redemptions in connection with the initial business combination or in connection with any extension of time to consummate
an initial business combination could, however, reduce the amount of cash available to pay redemptions or reduce the cash contribution
to the target business in connection with our initial business combination, which could cause the other shareholders of the combined
company to economically bear the impact of such excise tax.
Changes
in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and
complete an initial business combination.
The
market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies is subject to continual change. For instance,
at various times in recent years, the premiums charged for such policies have increased and the terms of such policies have become less
favorable. There can be no assurance that such changes will not occur in the future.
The
increased cost of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial
business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify coverage as a result of becoming a public
company, the post-business combination entity may need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. Any failure to
obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability
to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In
addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential
liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order
to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect to
any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The cost of run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination
entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
The
requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses leverage
over us in negotiating a business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination
targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms
that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any
potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must complete
our initial business combination by April 23, 2027. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business
combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable
to complete our initial business combination with any other target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe
described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on
terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
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We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations
except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may only
receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we must complete our initial business combination by April
23, 2027. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period.
Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital
and debt markets and the other risks described herein. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period,
we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten
business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes
(less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation and dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares,
which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further
liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption,
subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our
obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our
public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share or less in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain
circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and their affiliates may elect to purchase
shares or rights from public shareholders, which may make it more likely that we are able to consummate such initial business combination
or reduce the public “float” of our ordinary shares or rights.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business
combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsors, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may
purchase public shares or rights in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market prior to the completion of our initial business
combination, although they are under no obligation or duty to do so. Any price paid for such securities may be less (but not more) than
the amount a public shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination.
In the event that our sponsors, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of 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.
Additionally,
at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material
nonpublic information), our sponsors, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may enter into transactions
with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares or rights or not redeem their public shares. However,
they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions
for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase securities in such transactions.
The
purpose of any such transactions could be to (1) decrease the number of shares to be redeemed thereby leaving more cash available for
the post-combination company or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net
worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise
not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise
have been possible.
In
addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our ordinary shares or public rights 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.
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If
a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or
fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We
will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business
combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable,
such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the tender offer documents or proxy materials,
as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe
the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares. For example, we may require our
public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street
name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed
to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination in the event we distribute
proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with
these or any other procedures, its shares may not be redeemed.
You
will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your
investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your public shares or rights, potentially at a loss.
Our
public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion of
an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those public shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem,
subject to the limitations described in this Annual Report, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection
with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing
of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we
do not complete our initial business combination by April 23, 2027 or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’
rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete an initial
business combination by April 23, 2027, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if we are unable to complete
an initial business combination by April 23, 2027 for any reason, compliance with Cayman Islands law may require that we submit a plan
of dissolution to our then-existing shareholders for approval prior to the distribution of the proceeds held in our trust account. In
that case, public shareholders may be forced to wait beyond April 23, 2027 before they receive funds from our trust account. In no other
circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment,
you may be forced to sell your public shares or rights, potentially at a loss.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules,
and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our ordinary shares, you will lose the ability
to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our ordinary shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business
combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that a public
shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as
a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect
to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our IPO, which we refer to as the “excess shares.” However, our amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association does not restrict our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including
excess shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the excess shares will reduce your influence
over our ability to complete our initial business combination. Accordingly, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding
15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
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Because
of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete
our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive
only approximately $10.00 per share on our redemption of our public shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our
rights will expire worthless.
We
expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors
(which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing
for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying
and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these
competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources
will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. As a result, our ability to compete with respect
to the acquisition of certain target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation
gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses.
If
we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share,
or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances,
our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share upon our liquidation.
If
the net proceeds of the offering and the sale of the private units not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to
operate until April 23, 2027, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public shareholders may
only receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
We
believe that the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate until April 23, 2027; however,
we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate. If the available funds are not sufficient, we might not have sufficient funds to
continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business and we may be forced to liquidate. If we are unable
to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share or less in certain
circumstances on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders
may receive less than $10.00 per share upon our liquidation.
We
do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete
a business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association does not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that we
will only redeem our public shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately
prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination (such that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock”
rules). As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders
do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares.
If
third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received
by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
Our
placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all
vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving
any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders,
such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims
against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar
claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim
against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our
acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may
limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue.
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Upon
redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon
the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of
claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share
redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.00 per share initially held in the trust account, due to
claims of such creditors. Our sponsors have agreed that they will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services
rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement,
reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held
in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each
case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect 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 offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that
an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then our sponsors will not be responsible to the extent of any
liability for such third-party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsors have sufficient funds to satisfy their
indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsors’ only assets are securities of our company. We have not asked our sponsors
to reserve for such indemnification obligations. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that our sponsors would be able to satisfy those
obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business
combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our
initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares.
None of our officers or directors are required to indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors
and prospective target businesses.
Our
independent directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsors, resulting in a reduction in the amount
of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In
the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount
per share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account due to reductions in the value of the trust
assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our sponsors assert that they are unable to satisfy
their obligations or that they have no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine
whether to take legal action against our sponsors to enforce their indemnification obligations.
While
we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsors to enforce their indemnification
obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so. For example,
they may determine that the cost of such legal action is too high relative to the amount recoverable or that a favorable outcome is not
likely. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account
available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.
If,
after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy court may seek to recover such proceeds, and we and our board may be
exposed to claims of punitive damages.
If,
after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor
and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy
court could seek to recover all amounts received by our shareholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached
its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by
paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
19
If,
before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our
shareholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be
reduced.
If,
before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy
petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy
law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders.
To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders
in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
Our
shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption
of their shares.
If
we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment
if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall
due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders.
Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad
faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing
the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and
officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were
unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable for a fine
of approximately $18,000 and imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
Because
we are not limited to a particular industry, sector, or geographic region in which to pursue our initial business combination, you will
be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We
may seek to complete a business combination with a target business in any industry or sector or geographical location. Because we have
not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the
possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial
condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in
the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an
established record of revenues or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially
unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular
target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all the significant risk factors or that we will have
adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability
to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to
remain shareholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.
We
may seek acquisition opportunities in industries or sectors which may be outside of our management’s area of expertise.
We
will consider a business combination outside of our management’s area of expertise if a business combination candidate is presented
to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue
an acquisition outside of the areas of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable
to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this Annual Report regarding the areas of our management’s expertise
would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately
ascertain or assess all the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following our initial
business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.
20
We
are not required under the securities laws or Nasdaq listing requirements to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking
firm or from an independent accounting firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we
are paying for the business is fair to our company from a financial point of view.
Unless
we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity or our board cannot independently determine the fair market value
of the target business or businesses, we are not required under the securities laws or Nasdaq listing requirements to obtain an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the price
we are paying is fair to our company from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the
judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community.
Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, related to our initial business
combination.
Resources
could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate
and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may
receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account
and our rights will expire worthless.
We
anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements,
disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants,
attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the
proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we
may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will
result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire
or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only
approximately $10.00 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances,
our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares.
We
may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete
our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If
we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers
to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make
it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we
could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence
investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations
and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks,
it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
We
may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may complete our initial business
combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company,
which could, in turn, negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
When
evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the
target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources, or information. Our assessment of the capabilities
of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications, or abilities
we suspected. Should the target’s management not possess the skills, qualifications, or abilities necessary to manage a public
company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any shareholders
who choose to remain shareholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such shareholders
are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
21
The
officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The departure of a
business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained
at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated
with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition
candidate will not wish to remain in place.
If
we complete a business combination with a single target business, we may be solely dependent on such single business which may have a
limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including
the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that
present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis.
By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic,
competitive, and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading
of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different
industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be solely dependent upon the performance
of a single business, property, or asset, or dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products,
processes, or services.
This
lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive, and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a
substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our business combination.
Our
ability to complete a business combination may be impacted by the fact that certain of our sponsors’ limited partners are non-U.S.
persons, and a majority of our officers and directors are located in, or have significant ties to, China. This may make us a less attractive
partner to potential target companies outside the PRC, thereby limiting our pool of acquisition candidates and making it harder for us
to complete an initial business combination with a non-China-based target company.
Certain
of our sponsors’ limited partners are non-U.S. persons. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are located in, or
have significant ties to, China. As a result, we may be a less attractive partner to potential target companies outside the PRC, thereby
limiting our pool of acquisition candidates. This would impact our search for a target company and make it harder for us to complete
an initial business combination with a non-China-based target company. For example, we may not be able to complete an initial business
combination with a U.S. target company if such initial business combination is subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review
by a U.S. government entity. Certain federally licensed businesses in the United States, such as broadcasters and airlines, may be subject
to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership. In addition, CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions
involving foreign investment in the United States by foreign persons in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national
security of the United States. We may be considered a “foreign person” under such rules and regulations and any proposed
business combination between us and a U.S. business engaged in a regulated industry or which may affect national security could be subject
to such foreign ownership restrictions and/or CFIUS review.
22
The
scope of CFIUS was expanded by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”) to include certain
non-passive, non-controlling investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and certain acquisitions of real estate even with no underlying
U.S. business. FIRRMA and subsequent implementing regulations that are now in force also subject certain categories of investments to
mandatory filings. If our potential initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within the scope of foreign ownership restrictions,
we may be unable to consummate a business combination with such business.
In
addition, if our potential business combination falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, we may be required to make a mandatory filing,
determine to submit a voluntary notice to CFIUS, or proceed with the initial business combination without notifying CFIUS and then bear
the risk of CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the initial business combination. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our initial
business combination, impose conditions to mitigate national security concerns with respect to such initial business combination or order
us to divest all or a portion of a U.S. business of the combined company if we had proceeded without first obtaining CFIUS clearance.
The foreign ownership limitations, and the potential impact of CFIUS, may limit the attractiveness of a transaction with us or prevent
us from pursuing certain initial business combination opportunities that we believe would otherwise be beneficial to us and our stockholders.
As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited and we may be
adversely affected in terms of competing with other special purpose acquisition companies which do not have similar foreign ownership
issues.
Moreover,
the process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because we only have until April 23, 2027 to complete
our initial business combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may prevent us from completing
the transaction and require us to liquidate. If we liquidate, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share initially, and
our rights will expire worthless. Our public shareholders may also lose the potential investment opportunity in a target company and
the opportunity of realizing future gains on such investments through any price appreciation in the combined company.
Risks
Related to Our Securities
Nasdaq
may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities
and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our
securities are traded on Nasdaq. However, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future
or prior to our initial business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq prior to our initial business combination,
we must maintain certain financial, distribution and share price levels. Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination,
we will be required to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than Nasdaq’s
continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq.
If
Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities
exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material
adverse consequences, including:
●
a
limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
●
reduced
liquidity for our securities;
●
a
determination that our ordinary shares is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares to
adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our
securities;
●
a
limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
●
a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
23
The
National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the
sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our units, ordinary shares and rights
are listed on Nasdaq, they are covered securities. Although the states are pre-empted from regulating the sale of our securities, the
federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent
activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. Additionally, certain state securities
regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of
securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not be covered
securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
We
may issue additional ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive
plan after completion of our initial business combination. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely
present other risks.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of up to 266,666,666 ordinary shares, par value $0.000075
per share and 2,666,666 preference shares, par value $0.000075 per share. We may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares
or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial
business combination. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides, among other things, that prior
to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital share that would entitle the holders thereof to: (i)
receive funds from the trust account; or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association, like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with
the approval of our shareholders. However, our executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us,
that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance
or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or
to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by April 23, 2027 or (B) with respect to any
other material provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public
shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in
cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, as of two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to
approve such amendment, including interest not released to us to pay taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.
The
issuance of additional ordinary shares or preference shares:
●
may
significantly dilute the equity interest of investors;
●
may
subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary
shares;
●
could
cause a change of control if a substantial number of our ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability
to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and
directors; and
●
may
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, ordinary shares and/or rights.
We
may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely
affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although
we have no commitments as of the date of this Annual Report issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding
debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We have agreed that we will not incur any
indebtedness prior to the business combination unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim
of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for
redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
●
default
and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt
obligations;
24
●
acceleration
of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants
that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
●
our
immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
●
our
inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such
financing while the debt security is outstanding;
●
our
inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares;
●
using
a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends
on our ordinary shares if declared, our ability to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, and fund other general
corporate purposes;
●
limitations
on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
●
increased
vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
and
●
other
disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
The
grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders and EBC may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination,
and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Pursuant
to an agreement entered into concurrently with the initial public offering, holders of the founder shares, EBC founder shares, private
units and any units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans may demand that we register such units and/or underlying
securities. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of
securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the existence
of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders
of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the
negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares that is expected when the founder shares, EBC founder shares, private units
and any units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans are registered.
Our
initial shareholders paid an aggregate of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.011 per founder share. As a result of this
low initial price, our initial shareholders stand to make a substantial profit even if an initial business combination subsequently declines
in value or is unprofitable for our public shareholders.
As
a result of the low acquisition cost of our founder shares, our initial shareholders could make a substantial profit even if we select
and consummate an initial business combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for
our public shareholders. Thus, such parties may have more of an economic incentive for us to enter into an initial business combination
with a riskier, weaker-performing or financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings,
than would be the case if such parties had paid the full offering price for their founder shares.
25
We
may amend the terms of the rights in a manner that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of at least a majority
of the then outstanding rights.
Our
rights have been issued in registered form under a rights agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights
agent, and us. The rights agreement provides that the terms of the rights may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any
ambiguity or correct any defective provision. The rights agreement requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the
then outstanding rights in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the holders of the rights.
Our
rights may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and make it more difficult to complete our initial business
combination.
We
have issued rights entitling the holders to receive an aggregate of 600,000 ordinary shares. Simultaneously with the closing of the offering,
we issued as part of the private units rights entitling the holders to receive an aggregate of 25,250 ordinary shares. In addition, if
our initial shareholders or their affiliates make any working capital loans, up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted into working
capital units, at the price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender. Such working capital units would be identical to the private
units sold in the private placement.
To
the extent we issue ordinary shares to complete a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional
ordinary shares upon conversion of the rights could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance
will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the ordinary shares issued to complete the
business combination. Therefore, our rights may make it more difficult to complete a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring
the target business.
Because
we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous
initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The
federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance
tests include target historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure. We will include the same financial statement disclosure
in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements
may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America, or “GAAP”, or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board, or “IFRS”, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in
accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses
we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements in time for us to disclose such financial statements
in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Risks
Related to Our Management
Our
ability to successfully complete our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the
efforts of members of our management team, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of such people
could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our
ability to successfully complete our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of members of our management team. The
role of members of our management team in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some members of our
management team may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination,
it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any
individuals we engage after our initial business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove
to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause
us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
26
In
addition, the officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The
departure of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination
business. The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be
ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain
associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of
an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability
of our post-combination business.
Members
of our management team may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business
combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result,
may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Members
of our management team may be able to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to
negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously
with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments
and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. The personal and financial
interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the
ability of such individuals to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor
in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. We cannot assure you that any members of
our management team will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any members of our
management team will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Our
officers and directors may allocate their time to other businesses and may become officers or directors of other special purpose acquisition
companies, thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs and whether to present
a target to us instead of our competitors. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial
business combination.
Our
officers and directors have fiduciary responsibilities to dedicate substantially all their business time to their respective affairs
and their respective employers. These responsibilities may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations
and our search for a business combination and their other businesses, including other business endeavors for which he or she may be entitled
to substantial compensation. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs
in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs; or if they have fiduciary duty
to present a target company to our competitor instead of us, which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial
business combination .
Our
initial shareholders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We
have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates from having a direct or indirect
pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or
have an interest. We do not have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities
of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
27
We
may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated
with our initial shareholders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In
light of the involvement of our officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated
with our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates. Our initial shareholders are not currently aware of any specific opportunities
for us to complete our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary
discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we are not specifically focusing on, or targeting,
any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that acquiring such affiliated entity
would be beneficial and such transaction was approved by a majority of our independent directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an
opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, regarding
the fairness to our company from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses
affiliated with our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result,
the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts of
interest.
Since
our initial shareholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed, a conflict of
interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our
sponsors own an aggregate 2,000,000 founder shares which they paid an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for. In addition, our sponsors
and EBC purchased an aggregate of 252,500 private units at a price of $10.00 per unit ($2,525,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement
that will close simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering. The founder shares and private units will be worthless
if we do not complete an initial business combination. Our initial shareholders have agreed (A) to vote any shares owned by them in favor
of any proposed business combination (subject to applicable securities laws) and (B) not to redeem any founder shares or private shares
in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination. In addition, we may obtain loans from our initial
shareholders. The personal and financial interests of our initial shareholders may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting
a target business combination, completing an initial business combination, and influencing the operation of the business following the
initial business combination.
Our
initial shareholders and other insiders may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner
that you do not support.
Our
initial shareholders and their affiliates may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a
manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approval
of major corporate transactions. If our initial shareholders purchase any units or ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately
negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would
include consideration of the current trading price of our ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were elected
by certain of our initial shareholders, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three
years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. We may not hold an annual meeting of shareholders to elect new directors
prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until
at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board
of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our initial shareholders, because of their
ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome.
Post
Business Combination Risks
Subsequent
to the completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment
or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our share price,
which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even
if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will surface
all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues
through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later
arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment
or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected
risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though
these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature
could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate
net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue
of our obtaining post-combination debt financing. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the business
combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.
28
The
combined company’s success will ultimately depend upon market acceptance of its products and services, its ability to develop and
commercialize existing and new products and services and generate revenues, and its ability to identify new markets for its technology.
Ultimately,
the success of the combined company after the business combination is consummated will depend on the acceptance of its products and services
in the target markets. We are faced with the risk that the marketplace will not be receptive to its products and services over competing
products and that it will be unable to compete effectively. It will face challenges of developing (or acquiring externally-developed)
technology solutions that are adequate and competitive in meeting the requirements of next-generation design challenges.
We
cannot assure investors that the products and services of the company with which we conduct a business combination, or any future products
and services, will gain broad market acceptance. If the market for the combined company’s products and services fails to develop
or develops more slowly than expected, or if any of the services and standards supported by it do not achieve or sustain market acceptance,
its business and operating results would be materially and adversely affected.
If
the combined company fails to adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changing regulations
and payment methods, demand for product enhancements, new product features, and changing business needs, requirements or preferences,
its products may become less competitive.
Regardless
of our target business’ industry, it will likely be subject to ongoing technological change, evolving industry standards, changing
regulations, and changing customer needs, requirements, and preferences. The success of the combined company’s business will depend,
in part, on its ability to adapt and respond effectively to these changes on a timely basis, including launching new products and services.
The success of any new product and service, or any enhancements, features, or modifications to existing products and services, depends
on several factors, including the timely completion, introduction, and market acceptance of such products and services, enhancements,
modifications, and new product features. If the combined company is unable to enhance its products or develop new products that keep
pace with technological and regulatory change and changes in customer preferences and achieve market acceptance, or if new technologies
emerge that are able to deliver competitive products and services at lower prices, more efficiently, more conveniently, or more securely
than its products, its business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected. Furthermore, modifications to
its existing platform, products, or technology would increase its research and development expenses. Any failure of its products and
services to operate effectively could reduce the demand for its services, result in customer dissatisfaction and adversely affect its
business. This could have a negative impact of the value of the shares held by any shareholders who choose not to redeem their shares
in connection with or prior to the business combination.
Technology
platforms may not operate properly or as we expect them to operate.
Technology
platforms are expensive and complex, their continuous development, maintenance and operation may entail unforeseen difficulties including
material performance problems or undetected defects or errors. The combined company may encounter technical obstacles, and it is possible
that we may discover additional problems that prevent our technology from operating properly. If the combined company’s technology
platform does not function reliably, it may not be able to provide any products or services. Errors could also cause customer dissatisfaction
with it, which could cause customers to stop purchasing or working with it. Any of these eventualities could result in a material adverse
effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.
29
New
or changing technologies could cause a disruption in the combined company’s business model, which may materially impact its results
of operations and financial condition.
If
the combined company fails to anticipate the impact on our business of changing technology, its ability to operate successfully may be
materially impaired. Its business could also be affected by potential technological changes. Such changes could disrupt the demand for
products from current customers, create coverage issues or impact the frequency or severity of losses, or reduce the size of the ultimate
market, causing its business to decline. It may not be able to respond effectively to these changes, which could have a material effect
on our results of operations and financial condition.
We
may face additional and distinctive risks if we enter into a business combination with a business in certain industries, such as technology.
Business
combinations with businesses in certain industries, such as technology, may involve special considerations and risks. If we complete
our initial business combination with a technology business, the combined company may be subject to the following risks, any of which
could be detrimental to us and the business with which we enter into a business combination:
●
If
the combined company is unable to keep pace with evolving technology and changes in the technology services industry, its revenues
and future prospects may decline;
●
Any
business or company with which we enter into a business combination could be vulnerable to cyberattack or theft of individual identities
or personal data;
●
Difficulties
with any products or services the combined company provides could damage its reputation and business;
●
A
failure to comply with privacy regulations could adversely affect relations with customers and have a negative impact on business;
●
The
combined company may not be able to protect its intellectual property and it may be subject to infringement claims; and
●
We
and any business or company we acquire may not be able to adapt to the complex and evolving regulatory environment for financial
technology services in China.
Any
of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination. However, our efforts in identifying
prospective target businesses will not be limited to technology businesses. Accordingly, if we acquire a target business in another industry,
these risks will likely not affect us and we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific industry in which we operate
or target business which we acquire, none of which can be presently ascertained.
Risks
Related to Acquiring and Operating a Business Outside of the United States
We
may effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States and if we do, we would be subject to a variety
of additional risks that may negatively impact our business operations and financial results.
If
we consummate a business combination with a target business located outside of the United States, the combined company would be subject
to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ governing jurisdiction, including
any of the following:
●
rules
and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
●
tariffs
and trade barriers;
●
regulations
related to customs and import/export matters;
●
longer
payment cycles than in the United States;
●
inflation;
●
economic
policies and market conditions;
●
unexpected
changes in regulatory requirements;
30
●
challenges
in managing and staffing international operations;
●
tax
issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
●
currency
fluctuations;
●
challenges
in collecting accounts receivable;
●
cultural
and language differences;
●
protection
of intellectual property; and
●
employment
regulations.
We
cannot assure you that the combined company would be able to adequately address these additional risks. If it were unable to do so, its
operations might suffer.
Because
of the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, the combined company’s results of operations
may be negatively impacted.
Managing
a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that the combined company may
have (whether based abroad or in the U.S.) may be inexperienced in cross-border business practices and unaware of significant differences
in accounting rules, legal regimes and labor practices. Even with a seasoned and experienced management team, the costs and difficulties
inherent in managing cross-border business operations, personnel and assets can be significant (and much higher than in a purely domestic
business) and may negatively impact its financial and operational performance.
If
social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, or policy changes or enactments
occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect our initial business combination, it may result in a negative impact on the
combined company’s business.
Political
events in another country may significantly affect the combined company’s business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of
terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact
its business in a particular country. For instance, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas may have
short and long term effects on the financial markets and business conditions worldwide.
The
economic, political, and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our potential target’s operations
are located could affect our business. The economy in such target’s country may differ greatly from the economies of most developed
countries in many respects. Such country’s economic growth may be uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the
economy, and such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such target’s country’s economy experiences
a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand
for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect the ability of that target business to become profitable after
our initial business combination.
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Many
countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption
and inexperience, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
The
combined company’s ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property
rights, or to defend itself with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could
adversely impact its operations, assets or financial condition.
Rules
and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at
the municipal, state, regional and federal levels. The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to
predict and inconsistent.
Delay
with respect to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor,
could cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact the combined company’s results.
If
we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such company will likely
govern all of the combined company’s material agreements and it may not be able to enforce its legal rights.
If
we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which such company operates
will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able
to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this new jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement
of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability
to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of the combined company’s future agreements could result in a significant loss of business,
business opportunities or capital. Additionally, if we acquire a company located outside of the United States, it is likely that substantially
all of the combined company’s assets would be located outside of the United States and some of its officers and directors might
reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights,
to effect service of process upon the combined company’s directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts
predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of its directors and officers under Federal securities laws.
If
relations between the United States and foreign governments deteriorate, it could cause potential target businesses or their goods and
services to become less attractive.
The
relationship between the United States and foreign governments could be subject to sudden fluctuation and periodic tension. For instance,
the United States may announce its intention to impose quotas on certain imports. Such import quotas may adversely affect political relations
between the two countries and result in retaliatory countermeasures by the foreign government in industries that may affect our ultimate
target business. Changes in political conditions in foreign countries and changes in the state of U.S. relations with such countries
are difficult to predict and could adversely affect the combined company’s operations or cause potential target businesses or their
goods and services to become less attractive. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, there is no basis for investors in
the offering to evaluate the possible extent of any impact on the combined company’s ultimate operations if relations are strained
between the United States and a foreign country in which we acquire a target business or to which its principal manufacturing or service
operations are moved.
If
any dividend is declared in the future by the combined company and paid in a foreign currency, you may be taxed on a larger amount in
U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that what you actually receive.
If
you are a U.S. holder of the combined company’s ordinary shares, you will be taxed on the U.S. dollar value of your dividends,
if any, at the time you receive them, even if you actually receive a smaller amount of U.S. dollars when the payment is in fact converted
into U.S. dollars. Specifically, if a dividend is declared and paid in a foreign currency, the amount of the dividend distribution that
you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the payments made in the foreign currency, determined
at the spot rate of the foreign currency to the U.S. dollar on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless
of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Thus, if the value of the foreign currency decreases before you actually
convert the currency into U.S. dollars, you will be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will
actually ultimately receive.
32
If
the combined company’s management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws,
they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following
our initial business combination, certain members of our management team will likely resign from their positions as officers or directors
of the combined company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management
of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws and regulations. If new management is unfamiliar with U.S.
laws and regulations, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws and regulations. This could be expensive
and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues, which may adversely affect the combined company’s operations.
Currency
policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
In
the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, the dollar equivalent
of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value
of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions.
Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business
or, following consummation of our initial business combination, the combined company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the
cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.
Many
of the economies in Asia are experiencing substantial inflationary pressures which may prompt the governments to take action to control
the growth of the economy and inflation that could lead to a significant decrease in our profitability following our initial business
combination.
There
is no restriction in the geographic location of targets that we can pursue, although we intend to initially focus on target businesses
in Asia. In the event that our target business is in Asia, while many of the economies in Asia have experienced rapid growth over the
last two decades, they currently are experiencing inflationary pressures. As governments take steps to address the current inflationary
pressures, there may be significant changes in the availability of bank credits, interest rates, limitations on loans, restrictions on
currency conversions and foreign investment. There also may be imposition of price controls. If prices for the products of our ultimate
target business rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect
on the combined company’s profitability. If these or other similar restrictions are imposed by a government to influence the economy,
it may lead to a slowing of economic growth. Because we are not limited to any specific industry, the ultimate industry in which the
combined company operates may be affected more severely by such a slowing of economic growth.
Many
industries in Asia are subject to government regulations that limit or prohibit foreign investments in such industries, which may limit
the potential number of acquisition candidates.
Governments
in many Asian countries have imposed regulations that limit foreign investors’ equity ownership or prohibit foreign investments
altogether in companies that operate in certain industries. As a result, the number of potential acquisition candidates available to
us may be limited or our ability to grow and sustain the business, which we ultimately acquire will be limited.
33
If
a country in Asia enacts regulations in industry segments that forbid or restrict foreign investment, our ability to consummate our initial
business combination could be severely impaired.
Many
of the rules and regulations that companies face concerning foreign ownership are not explicitly communicated. If new laws or regulations
forbid or limit foreign investment in industries in which we want to complete our initial business combination, they could severely impair
our candidate pool of potential target businesses. Additionally, if the relevant central and local authorities find us or the target
business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination to be in violation of any existing or future laws or regulations,
they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:
●
levying
fines;
●
revoking
the business and other licenses of the combined company;
●
requiring
that the combined company restructure its ownership or operations; and
●
requiring
that it discontinue any portion or all of its business.
Any
of the above could have an adverse effect on the combined company post-business combination and could materially reduce the value of
your investment.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a PRC Target Company, we may be subject to certain risks associated with acquiring and
operating businesses in the PRC.
We
may be subject to certain risks associated with acquiring and operating a business in the PRC in our search for a business combination
and operation of any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination.
First,
certain rules and regulations concerning mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors in the PRC may make merger and acquisition activities
by foreign investors more complex and time consuming, including, among others:
●
the
requirement that the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC (the “MOFCOM”) be notified in certain circumstances in advance of
any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise or the requirement that
the antitrust enforcement agency of the State Council (currently the “Antitrust Bureau of the State Administration for Market
Regulation”) be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered;
●
the
authority of certain government agencies to have scrutiny over the economics of an acquisition transaction and requirement for consideration
in a transaction to be paid within stated time limits; and
●
the
requirement for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and
mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national
security” concerns to be subject to strict review by the MOFCOM.
Complying
with these and other requirements could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the
MOFCOM or its local counterparts, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to acquire
PRC-based businesses. A business combination we propose may not be able to be completed if the terms of the transaction do not satisfy
aspects of the approval process and may not be completed, even if approved, if they are not consummated within the time permitted by
the approvals granted.
In
addition, the PRC currently prohibits and/or restricts foreign ownership in certain “restricted industries,” including but
not limited to, for example, certain value-added telecommunications services. There is no assurance that the PRC government will not
apply restrictions in other industries. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based in and
primarily operating in China, the combined company may face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties after the business
combination. We will not consummate our initial business combination with an entity or business with China operations consolidated through
a VIE structure. As a result, the prohibitions and/or restrictions of foreign ownership in certain “restricted industries”
may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in China.
34
Our
potential future subsidiaries and affiliated entities or acquisitions of offshore entities that conduct operations through affiliates
in the PRC may be subject to a high level of scrutiny by the relevant tax authorities.
Under
the laws of the PRC, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the relevant tax authorities.
If any of the transactions we enter into with potential future subsidiaries and affiliated entities are found not to be on an arm’s-length
basis, or to result in an unreasonable reduction in tax under local law, the relevant tax authorities may have the authority to disallow
any tax savings, adjust the profits and losses of such potential future local entities and assess late payment interest and penalties.
A finding by the relevant tax authorities that we are ineligible for any such tax savings, or that any of our possible future affiliated
entities are not eligible for tax exemptions, would substantially increase the combined company’s possible future taxes and thus
reduce its net income and the value of a shareholder’s investment. In addition, in the event that, in connection with an acquisition
of an offshore entity that conducted its operations through affiliates in the PRC, the sellers of such entities failed to pay any taxes
required under local law, the relevant tax authorities could require us to withhold and pay the tax, together with late-payment interest
and penalties. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a negative impact on the combined company’s operating results
and financial condition.
General
corporate governance standards in some countries are weak in that they do not prevent certain business practices that may be harmful
to an operating business. Local laws often do not go far enough to prevent improper business practices. In our evaluation of a target
business, we will have to evaluate the corporate governance of a target and the business environment, and in accordance with United States
laws for reporting companies take steps to implement practices that will cause compliance with all applicable rules and accounting practices.
Notwithstanding these intended efforts, there may be endemic practices and local laws that could add risk to a business combination with
that target and that could result in an adverse effect on the combined company’s operations and financial results.
PRC
regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit the combined company’s ability to inject capital
in its Chinese subsidiaries and Chinese subsidiaries’ ability to change their registered capital or distribute profits to the combined
company or otherwise expose the combined company or its PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC laws.
In
July 2014, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, or “SAFE” promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues
Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special
Purpose Vehicles, or “SAFE Circular 37”. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate
entities as well as foreign individuals that are deemed as PRC residents for foreign exchange administration purpose) to register with
SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable
to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that the combined company may make in the
future. Under SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who make, or have prior to the implementation of SAFE Circular 37 made, direct or indirect
investments in offshore special purpose vehicles, or SPVs, will be required to register such investments with SAFE or its local branches.
In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an SPV is required to update its filed registration with the
local branch of SAFE with respect to that SPV to reflect any material change, including, among other things, any major change of a PRC
resident shareholder, name or term of operation of the SPVs, or any increase or reduction of the SPVs’ registered capital, share
transfer or swap, merger or division. Moreover, any subsidiary of such SPV in China is required to urge the PRC resident shareholders
to update their registration with the local branch of SAFE. If any PRC shareholder of such SPV fails to make the required registration
or to update the previously filed registration, the subsidiary of such SPV in China may be prohibited from distributing its profits or
the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, and the SPV may also be prohibited from making additional
capital contributions into its subsidiary in China. On February 13, 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving
Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, which became effective on June 1, 2015. Under SAFE Notice
13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including
those required under SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE or its branches. The qualified banks will directly
examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.
35
We
cannot provide assurance that our shareholders that are PRC residents comply with all of the requirements under SAFE Circular 37 or other
related rules. Failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to comply with the registration procedures set forth in these regulations
may subject the combined company to fines and legal sanctions, restrict its cross-border investment activities, limit the ability of
its wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in China to distribute dividends and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or
liquidation to it, and it may also be prohibited from injecting additional capital into the subsidiary. Moreover, failure to comply with
the various foreign exchange registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for circumventing applicable
foreign exchange restrictions. As a result, the combined company’s business operations and its ability to distribute profits to
you could be materially and adversely affected.
Furthermore,
as these foreign exchange regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation has been constantly evolving,
it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted,
amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. For example, the combined company may be subject to a more stringent
review and approval process with respect to its foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated
borrowings, which may adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC
domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary
approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability
to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Compliance
with the PRC Antitrust law may limit our ability to effect our initial business combination.
The
PRC Antitrust Law became effective on August 1, 2008. The government authorities in charge of antitrust matters in China are the Antitrust
Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation and other antitrust agencies. The PRC Antitrust Law regulates (1) monopoly agreements,
including decisions or actions in concert that preclude or impede competition, entered into by business operators; (2) abuse of dominant
market position by business operators; and (3) concentration of business operators that may have the effect of precluding or impeding
competition. To implement the Antitrust Law, in 2008, the State Council formulated the Rules of the State Council on Declaration Threshold
for Concentration of Business Undertakings (as amended on January 22, 2024), pursuant to which concentration of business operators refers
to (1) merger with other business operators; (2) gaining control over other business operators through acquisition of equity interest
or assets of other business operators; and (3) gaining control over other business operators through exerting influence on other business
operators through contracts or other means.
On
August 1, 2022, the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to Amend the Antitrust Law of the People’s
Republic of China, or the “Decision to Amend the Antitrust Law,” became effective. The Decision to Amend the Antitrust Law
strengthens the regulation on the internet platforms, requiring that companies shall not use data and algorithms, technologies, capital
advantages, platform rules and other means to engage in monopolistic conduct and also escalates the administrative penalties for monopolistic
conduct and for the failure to notify the antitrust agencies on proposed transactions that will lead to concentration of businesses.
The State Council Antitrust Enforcement Agency may order to reinstate the original status prior to the concentration and impose a fine
on the operators. On March 24, 2023, the SAMR promulgated four regulations ancillary to the Antitrust Law, namely the Review Measures
of Concentration of Undertakings, the Provisions on the Prohibition of Monopoly Agreements, the Provisions on the Prohibitions of Acts
of Abuse of Dominant Market Positions, and the Provisions on Curbing the Abuse of Administrative Power to Exclude or Restrict Competition,
all of which took effect from April 15, 2023. These regulations have, among other things, elaborated the specific requirements under
the Antitrust Law, optimized the regulatory and enforcement procedures and imposed more stringent legal responsibilities on the relevant
parties. Specifically, the Review Measures of Concentration of Undertakings have clarified the factors to be considered for the recognition
of “control” and “implementation of concentration” under the review mechanism of concentration of undertakings,
and elaborate the implementation rules regarding the suspension of review. According to the Review Measures of Concentration of Undertakings,
where a concentration of undertakings does not meet the threshold for declaration, but there is evidence that the concentration of undertakings
has or may have the effect of excluding or limiting competition, the SAMR may order the operators to file the concentration of undertakings.
Besides, the Provisions on the Threshold of Filings for Undertaking Concentrations issued by the State Council in 2008, with its latest
amendment on January 22, 2024, further adjusts the filing threshold for concentration of undertaking as, during the previous fiscal year,
(i) the total global turnover of all operators participating in the transaction exceeded RMB12 billion in the preceding fiscal year and
at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB800 million within China in the preceding fiscal year, or (ii) the
total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the concentration exceeded RMB4 billion in the preceding fiscal year,
and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB800 million within China in the preceding fiscal year.
36
Since
such provisions are relatively new, uncertainty still remains as to the interpretation and implementation of such laws and regulations.
The business combination we contemplate may be considered the concentration of business operators, and, to the extent required by the
Antitrust Law and the criteria established by the State Council, we must file with the antitrust authority under the PRC State Council
prior to entering into the contemplated business combination. If the antitrust authority decides not to further investigate whether the
contemplated business combination has the effect of precluding or impeding competition or fails to make a decision within 30 days from
receipt of relevant materials, we may proceed to consummate the contemplated business combination. If the antitrust authority decides
to prohibit the contemplated business combination after further investigation, we must terminate such business combination and would
then be forced to either attempt to complete a new business combination or we would be required to return any amounts which were held
in the trust account to our shareholders. When we evaluate a potential business combination, we will consider the need to comply with
the Antitrust Law and other relevant regulations which may limit our ability to effect an acquisition or may result in our modifying
or not pursuing a particular transaction. Since we must consummate an initial business combination by April 23, 2027, and the approval
process may take a period longer than we expect before we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company, we may be unable to
complete a business combination within the required time period. In that event, we may be required to liquidate.
We
may be restricted or prevented from using the proceeds of the offering to acquire a target company in PRC and to utilize our cash flow
effectively following our initial business combination, if we or the combined company fail to stay in compliance with relevant PRC foreign
exchange regulations. Our substantial ties to China coupled with the existing and any new PRC laws or regulations on cash flows may affect
our initial business combination and shareholders adversely.
SAFE
promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement
of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant
Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested
Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration
of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration
of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from
foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for
the issuance of RMB-entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of banks loans that have been transferred
to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested
enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated
capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear
whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of
the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital
Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition
against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted
loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of Circular 19 and Circular
16 could result in administrative penalties.
37
As
such, Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the proceeds of the offering to a PRC target company
and the use of such proceeds by the PRC target company. In addition, if we enter into an initial business combination with a PRC target
company, we will be subject to the PRC’s rules and regulations on currency conversion following that business combination. In the
PRC, the SAFE regulates the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. Currently, Foreign Invested Enterprises (“FIEs”) are
required to apply to the SAFE for “Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs.” If we enter into an initial business
combination with a PRC target company, we will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure following that business combination.
With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually, FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including
a “basic account” and “capital account.” Currency conversion within the scope of the “basic account,”
such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. However,
conversion of currency in the “capital account,” including capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities,
still require approval of the SAFE. Furthermore, our substantial ties to China, coupled with the existing and any new PRC laws or regulations
on cash flows. may affect our initial business combination and shareholders adversely. However, the funds held in our trust account are
not held in China and are instead held in U.S. dollars in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting
as trustee. As a result, shareholder redemption rights are not expected to be impacted.
We
cannot assure you the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB due to our failure or
the combined company’s failure to comply with the PRC’s rules and regulations on currency conversion, which may limit our
ability to use the proceeds of the offering in an initial business combination with a PRC target company and the use of the combined
company’s cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations it may have outside of the PRC.
If
we choose to acquire a PRC Target Company, our initial business combination may be subject to national security review by the PRC government,
and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such business combination or be prevented
from pursuing certain investment opportunities.
On
March 3, 2011, the Notice Concerning the Establishment of Security Review Procedure on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises
by Foreign Investors, or “Security Review Regulations,” became effective. The Security Review Regulations cover acquisitions
by foreign investors of a broad range of PRC enterprises if such acquisitions could result in de facto control by foreign investors.
On January 18, 2021, the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investments (the “New FISR Measures”), which was made
pursuant to the National Security Law and the Foreign Investment Law, became effective. The New FISR Measures further expand the scope
of national security review on foreign investment, while leaving substantial room for interpretation and speculation. Foreign investors
or the relevant parties in China (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “parties concerned”) are required to provide
advance notice to the office of the working mechanism relating to a proposed foreign investment within the following categories so that
it can consider whether to permit such an investment: (a) military industry, military industrial supporting and other fields relating
to the security of national defense, and investments in areas surrounding military facilities and military industry facilities; and (b)
important agricultural products, important energy and resources, important equipment manufacturing, important infrastructure, important
transport services, important cultural products and services, important information technology and internet products and services, important
financial services, key technologies and other important fields relating to national security. Prior to a decision being made by the
office of the working mechanism, the parties concerned shall not consummate the proposed investment.
The
Security Review Regulations and the New FISR Measures will potentially subject a large number of mergers and acquisitions transactions
by foreign investors in China to an additional layer of regulatory review. Currently, there is significant uncertainty as to the implication
of the Security Review Regulations and the New FISR Measures. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and
other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes may delay or inhibit
our ability to complete our potential initial business combination, and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional
time delays to complete any such acquisition. There is no guarantee that we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and we may
also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will
result in a significant national security issue. If, for example, our potential initial business combination is with a PRC Target Company
in any of the sensitive sectors identified above, the transaction will be subject to the Security Review Regulations, and we may have
to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such acquisition. We may also be prevented from pursuing
certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national
security issue. If obtained, since we must complete our initial business combination by April 23, 2027, and if the approval process takes
a period longer than we expect before we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company, we may be unable to complete a business
combination.
38
Our
initial business combination may be subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity and data protection,
and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional time delays to complete any such business combination or be prevented
from pursuing certain investment opportunities.
Our
initial business combination may be subject to PRC laws relating to the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of
confidential and private information, such as personal information and other data. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government
may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities.
Pursuant
to the PRC Cybersecurity Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and took effect
on June 1, 2017, personal information and important data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator in
the course of its operations in China must be stored in China, and if a critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet
products and services that affects or may affect national security, it should be subject to cybersecurity review by the CAC. In April
2020, the CAC and certain other PRC regulatory authorities promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which requires that operators
of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which do or may
affect national security. On January 4, 2022, the CAC, in conjunction with 12 other government departments, issued the New Measures for
Cybersecurity Review (the “New Measures”). The New Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022, amend the Measures
for Cybersecurity Review (Draft Revision for Comments) released on July 10, 2021. The New Measures require that certain operators of
data processing activities that affect or may affect national security or that handle personal information of more than one million users
must apply for cybersecurity review to the Cybersecurity Review Office when they go public abroad. The PRC Data Security Law, which took
effect on September 1, 2021, imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals that carry out data activities,
provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions
on certain data and information.
If,
for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target business operating in the PRC and if the aforementioned laws
and regulations mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by the target business, we may face
uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be obtained on a timely basis or at all, and we may incur additional time delays to complete
any such acquisition. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our initial business combination and
diversion of our managerial and financial resources. There is no guarantee that we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and
we may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments
will result in a significant national security issue. If obtained, since we must complete our initial business combination by April 23,
2027, and if the approval process takes a period longer than we expect before we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company,
we may be unable to complete an initial business combination.
In
light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the CAC over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign
exchange, some internet and technology companies, may not be willing to list on a U.S. exchange or enter into a definitive business combination
agreement with us. Further, we may also have to avoid a business combination with a company with more than one million users’ personal
information in China due to the limited timeline for us to complete a business combination.
Companies
in China are subject to various risks and costs associated with the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential
and private information, such as personal information and other data. This data is wide ranging and relates to our investors, employees,
contractors and other counterparties and third parties. If we decide to initiate a business combination with a company in China, our
compliance obligations include those relating to the Data Protection Act (As Revised) Cayman Islands and the relevant PRC laws in this
regard. Non-compliance could result in penalties, delays affecting our ability to timely consummate a business combination, or other
significant legal liabilities.
39
These
PRC laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between a holding company and its subsidiaries.
These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules and restrictions in the future. These laws may have a material
adverse affect on companies in the PRC being willing to complete a business combination with us, may make it more difficult for us to
identify a PRC based company with which to consummate a business combination, and may materially narrow the selection of companies available
in the PRC from which we could otherwise complete a business combination without material adverse affects in the absence of the CAC data
security restrictions, rules, and regulations.
If,
subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination, we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens,
they may be required to register with the SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity
compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws.
On
February 15, 2012, SAFE issued the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating
in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Share Option Rules. Under the Share Option Rules, PRC residents
who are granted shares or share options by companies listed on overseas stock exchanges under share incentive plans are required to (i)
register with SAFE or its local branches, (ii) retain a qualified PRC agent, which may be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas listed company
or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to
the share incentive plans on behalf of the participants, and (iii) retain an overseas institution to handle matters in connection with
their exercise of share options, purchase and sale of shares or interests and funds transfers.
Upon
consummation of business combination with a PRC Target Company, we may adopt an equity incentive plan and make share option grants under
the plan to our officers, directors and employees, whom may be PRC citizens and be required to register with SAFE. If it is determined
that any of our equity compensation plans are subject to the Share Option Rules, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us
and participants of our equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant
equity compensation to our PRC employees. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation
would be hindered and our business operations may be adversely affected.
Enhanced
scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions the combined company
may pursue in the future.
On
February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of
Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 7. SAT Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving the
transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Circular 7 has introduced
safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Circular 7
also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable
assets. On October 17, 2017, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Withholding of Income Tax of Non-resident
Enterprises at Source, or SAT Circular 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. SAT Circular 37 further clarifies the practice
and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.
Where
a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which
is known as an indirect transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns
the taxable assets, may report such indirect transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle,
the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was
established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be
subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold
the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor
and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails
to pay the taxes.
40
The
combined company would face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of future transactions where PRC taxable assets
are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. The combined company may
be subject to filing obligations or taxed if it is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if
it is transferee in such transactions, under SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37. As a result, the combined company may be required to
expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37 or to establish that it should not be taxed under these circulars,
which may have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
The
Chinese government may be authorized by PRC laws to regulate the manner in which our post-combination entity must conduct its business
activities in ways that we cannot expect when we enter into a definitive agreement with a target company with major operation in China,
which could result in a material change in the operations of the combined company and/or the value of its securities, and could significantly
limit or completely hinder its ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of its securities to
significantly decline or become worthless. If the Chinese government establishes some new policies, regulations, rules, or laws affecting
the industries that the post-combination entity is in, it may materially and adversely affect its operations and the value of its ordinary
shares.
Our
post-combination entity’s ability to operate in China may be influenced by changes in its laws and regulations, including those
relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property, and other matters. The central or local governments of these
jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures
and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.
As
such, the post-combination entity’s business segments may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the provinces
in which they operate. The post-combination entity could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including
various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. We and our post-combination entity may incur increased costs necessary
to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply.
Furthermore,
it is uncertain when and whether we and our post-combination entity will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to
list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Although we
are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government and have not received any denial to list
on the U.S. exchange, our post-combination operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws
and regulations relating to our business or industry.
PRC
laws and regulations governing our post-combination entity’s business operations are still rapidly evolving and subject to interpretation
and changes and any changes in such laws and regulations may impair our ability to search for a target business and consummate an initial
business combination.
There
are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to,
the laws and regulations governing the post-combination entity’s business and the enforcement and performance of its arrangements
with customers in certain circumstances. The laws and regulations are still rapidly evolving and may be subject to future changes, and
their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. The effectiveness and interpretation of newly enacted
laws or regulations, including amendments to existing laws and regulations, may be delayed, and the post-combination entity’s business
may be affected if we rely on laws and regulations which are subsequently adopted or interpreted in a manner different from our understanding
of these laws and regulations. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on
our post-combination entity’s business.
The
PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions under the civil
law system may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the
PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and the
enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules may be subject to future changes. Any failure to respond to changes in these laws, regulations
and rules in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our post-combination entity’s ability to continue
its operations.
41
Changes
in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may occur quickly and could have a significant
impact upon the combined company’s ability to operate profitably in the PRC.
Our
post-combination entity may conduct most of its operations and most of its revenue may be generated in the PRC. Accordingly, economic,
political and legal developments in the PRC will significantly affect our post-combination entity’s business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects. Policies, regulations, rules and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government can have significant
effects on economic conditions in the PRC and the ability of businesses to operate profitably. Our post-combination entity’s ability
to operate profitably in the PRC may be adversely affected by changes in policies by the PRC government, including changes in laws, regulations
or their interpretation.
Since
a majority of our directors and officers are based in or have significant ties to China, the Chinese government may have potential oversight
and discretion over the conduct of our directors’ and officers’ search for a target company. The Chinese government may intervene
or influence our operations at any time through our directors and officers who are based in or have significant ties in China, which
could result in a material adverse change in our search for a target business and the value of the securities we are offering or in the
PRC Target Company’s business operations post-business combination. Changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement
of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly with little advance notice and could have a significant impact upon our ability
to search for a target business and consummate an initial business combination. Currently, even if we do not complete a business combination
with a China-based target, these risks may adversely affect us because a majority of our directors and officers are based in or have
significant ties to the PRC.
We
and our directors and officers who are based in or have significant ties to China may be subject to certain risks relating to regulatory
oversight by the PRC government. This may significantly limit our ability to search for targets for our initial business combination.
In particular, changes in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may be adopted quickly
with little advance notice. The Chinese government may also intervene or influence our search for a target business or the completion
of an initial business combination at any time through our directors and officers who are based in or have significant ties to China.
This could significantly and negatively impact our search for a target business and the value of the securities we are offering for sale
or in the PRC Target Company’s business operations post-business combination.
In
addition, the Chinese government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas
by and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and initiated various regulatory actions and made various public statements, some
of which are published with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing
supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding
efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. These existing measures, and additional pending or future new measures which may be implemented,
could materially and adversely affect our operations and the operations of any post-business combination company. Furthermore, the Chinese
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 PRC Target Company,
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. These risks could result in a material change in our operations, our search for a target company and/or the value of the securities
that we are registering for sale or could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities
to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
We
currently do not hold any equity interest in any PRC company or operate any business in China. Therefore, we do not believe we are required
to obtain any permission from any PRC governmental authorities to operate our business as currently conducted or to conduct the offering
and offer securities to foreign investors. As of the date of this Annual Report, we and our directors and officers have not applied for
or received any permission or approvals for the offering or for our search for an initial business combination target company post offering.
We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in China regarding any necessary approvals from the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC
governmental authorities required for overseas listings, including the offering and a potential business combination with a target business
based in and primarily operating in China. As of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions
or regulatory objection to the offering from the CSRC, the CAC or any other governmental authorities. However, there remains significant
uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings
and other capital markets activities.
42
If
it is determined in the future that the approval of the CSRC, the CAC or any other regulatory authority is required for the offering,
we or our post-business combination company may face sanctions by the CSRC, the CAC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory
agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations
in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from the offering into China or take other actions that could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities,
and could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value
of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. The CSRC, the CAC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions
requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt the offering before settlement and delivery of our units. Consequently, if you engage
in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement
and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC, the CAC or other regulatory PRC agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that
we obtain their approvals for the offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures
are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a
material adverse effect on the trading price of our securities.
Currently,
since a majority of our directors and officers are based in or have significant ties to China, we face various legal and operational
risks and uncertainties related to these significant ties to China even if we do not complete a business combination with a China-based
target. These risks could result in a material change in the value of our securities. In addition, these legal and operational risks
could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or may result in a
material adverse change in our operations which could cause the value of our securities to decline significantly or even be worthless.
The
Chinese government may be authorized by PRC laws to regulate a PRC company’s business operations at any time or the offerings conducted
overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers in ways that we cannot expect if we consummate an initial business combination
with a PRC Target Company. This could result in a material change in a PRC company’s business operations post business combination
and/or the value of its securities. Additionally, governmental and regulatory interference could significantly limit or completely hinder
a target company’s ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors post-business combination and cause the value
of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The
PRC regulatory authorities have in recent years strengthened the oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. According to the institutional
reform plan of the State Council approved by the National People’s Congress on March 10, 2023, the National Data Bureau will be
established under the administration of the NDRC. The National Data Bureau will be responsible for, among other things, advancing the
development of data-related fundamental institutions, coordinating the integration, sharing, development and application of data resources,
and pushing forward the planning and building of a digital China, the digital economy and a digital society. The National Data Bureau
was subsequently established in October 2023.
On
September 30, 2024, the State Council of China published the Regulations on Network Data Security Administration, which took effect on
January 1, 2025. The Regulations on Network Data Security Administration provides that data processing operators engaging in data processing
activities that affect or may affect national security must be subject to network data security review by the relevant cyberspace administration
of the PRC. Network data processing activities refer to the collection, retention, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure,
deletion, and other activities of network data. Network data processing activities refers to the collection, retention, use, processing,
transmission, provision, disclosure, deletion, and other activities of network data. On December 28, 2021, the CAC, jointly with 12 departments
under the State Council, implemented the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which became effective on February 15, 2022. According to
the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, operators of critical information infrastructure purchasing network products and services, and
data processors carrying out data processing activities that affect or may affect China’s national security, are required to conduct
a cybersecurity review. Operators, including operators of critical information infrastructure and data processors, who control more than
1 million users’ personal information must report to the Cyber Security Review Office for a cybersecurity review if it intends
to be listed in a foreign country.
43
Effective
September 2021, the PRC Data Security Law was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress, or SCNPC.
The PRC Data Security Law imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities and
introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development,
and the degree of harm it will cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations
when such data is tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or used. The PRC Data Security Law also provides for a national
security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information.
Effective November 1, 2021, the SCNPC adopted the Personal Information Protection Law. The Personal Information Protection Law includes
the basic rules for personal information processing, the rules for cross-border provision of personal information, the rights of individuals
in personal information processing activities, the obligations of personal information processors, and the responsibilities for collection,
processing, and use of personal information.
Because
laws, regulations, or policies in the PRC could change rapidly in the future, any future action by the PRC government expanding the categories
of industries, persons and companies whose foreign securities offerings are subject to review by the CSRC or the CAC could significantly
limit or completely hinder our ability or the ability of the post-combination company to offer or continue to offer securities to investors
and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. Since none of our officers and directors has engaged
in data activities or the processing of personal information in China, we believe our officers and directors are in full compliance with
the regulations and policies that have been issued by the CAC to date.
Even
if we do not undertake an initial business combination with any entity that is based or located in or that conducts its principal business
operations in China (including Hong Kong and Macau), our potential target may, or its customers, vendors or business partners may, collect
or generate data in China. There is a risk that any potential target business of ours may be subject to cybersecurity review or other
regulatory actions even though it is not based or located in and does not conduct its principal business operations in China; and in
the event of such a review, our consummation of a business combination could be materially delayed. To avoid such risk, we may avoid
completing an initial business combination with such a target business and instead pursue other opportunities, which may limit the pool
of attractive targets. As a result, our search for a target company may be adversely affected.
The
PRC governmental authorities may take the view now or in the future that an approval from them is required for an overseas offering by
a company affiliated with Chinese businesses or persons or a business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating
in China.
The
M&A Rules include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for the
purpose of an overseas listing of securities in a PRC company 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 on its official website
procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by special purpose vehicles seeking CSRC’s approval
of overseas listings. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules and the CSRC
approval requirement to offshore special purpose vehicles.
On
September, 2024, the NDRC and the MOFCOM jointly promulgated the Special Administrative Measure (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign
Investment (2024 Version), or the Negative List, which became effective on November 1, 2024. According to Article 6 of the Negative List,
domestic enterprises engaging in businesses in which foreign investment is prohibited shall obtain approval from the relevant authorities
before offering and listing their shares on an overseas stock exchange. In addition, certain foreign investors shall not be involved
in the operation or management of the relevant enterprise, and shareholding percentage restrictions under relevant domestic securities
investment management regulations shall apply to such foreign investors.
44
Effective
March 31, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures and five supporting guidelines. According to the Trial Administrative
Measures, among other requirements, (a) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly,
must comply with the filing procedures of the Trial Administrative Measures with the CSRC. If the issuer meets both of the following
conditions, the overseas offering and listing shall be determined as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company
and be required to comply with the filing procedures: (i) any of the total assets, net assets, revenues or profits of the domestic operating
entities of the issuer in the most recent fiscal year accounts for more than 50% of the corresponding figure in the issuer’s audited
consolidated financial statements for the same period; or (ii) its major operational activities are carried out in China or its main
places of business are located in China, or the senior managers in charge of operation and management of the issuer are mostly Chinese
citizens or are domiciled in China. If a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedure, such domestic company may be subject
to administrative penalties.
Based
on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations in effect at the time of this Annual Report, no prior permission is required
under the M&A Rules, the Negative List or the Trial Administrative Measures from any PRC governmental authorities (including the
CSRC) for consummating the offering by our company, given that: (a) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation
concerning whether offerings like ours under this Annual Report are subject to the M&A Rules; and (b) our company is a blank check
company incorporated in the Cayman Islands rather than China and currently the company conducts no business in China. However, there
remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules, the Negative List or the Trial Administrative Measures will be interpreted or implemented
in the context of an overseas offering or if we decide to consummate the business combination with a target business based In and primarily
operating in China. If the CSRC or another PRC governmental authority subsequently determines that its approval is needed for the offering
or for a business combination with a target business based in and primarily operating in China, we may face approval delays, adverse
actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities. In any such event, these governmental authorities may delay the
offering or a potential business combination, impose fines and penalties, limit our operations in China or take other actions that could
materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading
price of our securities.
As
of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to the offering
from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities.
Our
company is a blank check company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We currently do not hold any equity interest in any
PRC company or operate any business in China. Therefore, we are not required to obtain any permission from any PRC governmental authorities
to operate our business as currently conducted. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based
in and primarily operating in China, the combined company’s business operations in China through its subsidiaries are subject to
relevant requirements to obtain applicable licenses from PRC governmental authorities under relevant PRC laws and regulations.
If
we select a business combination target that operates in the PRC, the approval of the Cybersecurity Review Office (“CRO”),
the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and/or other PRC authority may be required for our initial business combination under PRC law.
In
April 2020, the CAC and certain other PRC regulatory authorities promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which requires that
operators of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which
do or may affect national security. On January 4, 2022, the CAC, in conjunction with 12 other government departments, issued the New
Measures. The New Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022, amend the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Draft Revision
for Comments) released on July 10, 2021. The New Measures require that certain operators of data processing activities that affect or
may affect national security or that handle personal information of more than one million users must apply for cybersecurity review to
the Cybersecurity Review Office when they go public abroad. The PRC Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021, imposes
data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals that carry out data activities, provides for a national security review
procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information. On August
20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Personal Information Protection Law (the “PIPL”),
which took effect on November 1, 2021. The PIPL sets out the regulatory framework for the handling and protection of personal information
and the transmission of personal information overseas. If our potential future target business in China involves collecting and retaining
internal or customer data, such target might be subject to the relevant cybersecurity laws and regulations, including the PRC Cybersecurity
Law and the PIPL, and the cybersecurity review before effecting a business combination. The cybersecurity review might impact the timetable
of our initial business combination and the certainty of our initial business combination, if the target company we have identified is
subject to the aforementioned cybersecurity related laws and regulations.
45
As
of the date of this Annual Report, we do not identify ourselves as a critical information infrastructure operator. As these regulations
were newly issued and the governmental authorities may further enact detailed rules or guidance with respect to the interpretation and
implementation of such regulations, it remains unclear whether we will be identified as a critical information infrastructure operator.
Subsequent to our initial business combination, we, or our post-combination entity may be identified as a critical information infrastructure
operator, and as such, our business activities could become subject to the regulatory framework of Chinese law. Many of these laws and
regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation. Failure to comply with existing or future laws and regulations related
to cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection could lead to government enforcement actions, which could include
civil or criminal fines or penalties, investigation or sanction by regulatory authorities, private litigation, other liabilities, and/or
adverse publicity. Compliance or failure to comply with such laws could increase the costs of our products and services, could limit
their use or adoption, and could otherwise negatively affect our operating results and business.
There
remains uncertainty as to how the above-mentioned initiatives will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies,
including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or further detailed implementation and interpretation related thereto. As
we do not have any assets or operations at this time in PRC, we may become subject to such processes, procedures and reviews following
an initial business combination with a PRC entity. We will take all reasonable measures and actions to comply with any such laws, regulations
or rules that are or come into effect, and to minimize the adverse effect of such laws on us. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will
not be subject to cybersecurity review in the future. During such review, we may be required to suspend our operation or experience other
disruptions to our operations. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our Company and diversion
of our managerial and financial resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions, and results
of operations. Furthermore, if any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation require cybersecurity review
and clearance or other specific actions to be completed by a potential acquisition target based in the PRC, we may face delays and uncertainties
as to whether such clearance can be obtained within the timeframe described in this Annual Report for our initial business combination,
and we may be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities as a result thereof. In anticipation of the strengthened implementation
of cybersecurity laws and regulations and the continued expansion of our business, we face potential risks if we provide or are deemed
to provide network products and services to critical information infrastructure operators, or we are deemed as a laws and regulations.
In such case, we would be required to follow the relevant cybersecurity review procedures and could be subject to cybersecurity review
by the CAC and other relevant PRC regulatory authorities. As of the date of the offering memorandum, we have not been involved in any
investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions
in such respect.
For
the further purposes of regulating data processing activities, safeguarding data security, promoting data development and utilization,
protecting the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and maintaining national sovereignty, security, and development
interests, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, or the SCNPC, published the Data Security Law, which
took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on
the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it may cause to national security, public interests,
or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations if such data are tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired
or illegally used. The appropriate level of protection measures is required to be taken for each respective category of data. Moreover,
the Data Security Law provides a national security review procedure for those data activities which affect or may affect national security
and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information. In addition, the Data Security Law also provides that any organization
or individual within the territory of the PRC shall not provide any foreign judicial body and law enforcement body with any data without
the approval of the competent PRC governmental authorities.
46
The
M&A Rules and certain other People’s Republic of China regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese
companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue an acquisition in China.
The
M&A Rules and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements
that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some
instances that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC
domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Antitrust Law requires that the Antitrust Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation
and other antitrust agencies shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In
addition, the New FISR Measures issued by the NDRC and MOFCOM specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national
defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic
enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the office of the working mechanism,
and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy
or contractual control arrangement. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete
such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the office of the working
mechanism or its local counterparts, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to
complete our initial business combination.
Substantial
uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact our ability
to pursue an acquisition in China.
Although
we have not identified any potential business combination target or any country in which we may source any target business, we may eventually
identify and submit for shareholder approval an initial business combination with a PRC Target Company.
On
March 15, 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020
and replaces the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in the PRC, namely, the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise
Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation
rules and ancillary regulations, and become the legal foundation for foreign investment in the PRC. Meanwhile, the Implementation Regulation
of the Foreign Investment Law and the Measures for Reporting of Information on Foreign Investment, which came into effect as of January
1, 2020, clarified and elaborated the relevant provisions of the Foreign Investment Law.
The
Foreign Investment Law sets out the basic regulatory framework for foreign investments and proposes to implement a system of pre-entry
national treatment with a negative list for foreign investments, pursuant to which (i) foreign entities and individuals are prohibited
from investing in the areas that are not open to foreign investments, (ii) foreign investments in the restricted industries must satisfy
certain requirements under the law and (iii) foreign investments in business sectors outside of the negative list will be treated equally
with domestic investments. The Foreign Investment Law also sets forth necessary mechanisms to facilitate, protect and manage foreign
investments and proposes to establish a foreign investment information reporting system, through which foreign investors or foreign-invested
enterprises are required to submit initial report, report of changes, report of deregistration and annual report relating to their investments
to MOFCOM or its local branches.
Substantial
uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact our ability
to pursue an acquisition in China. This could make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
47
If,
after our initial business combination, substantially all of the combined company’s assets will be located in China and substantially
all of its revenue will be derived from its operations there, its results of operations and prospects and trading prices of its securities
will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in China as well
as litigation and publicity surrounding China-based companies listed in the United States.
The
economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of China, after our initial business combination, could affect
the combined company’s business. The economies in Asia differ from the economies of most developed countries in many respects.
For the most part, such economies have grown at a rate in excess of the United States; however, (1) such economic growth has been uneven,
both geographically and among various sectors of the economy, and (2) such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future
such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in
certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find
an attractive target business with which to consummate our initial business combination and, if we effect our initial business combination,
the ability of that target business to become profitable.
We
believe that litigation and negative publicity surrounding companies with operations in China that are listed in the United States have
negatively impacted stock prices for these companies. Various equity-based research organizations have published reports on China-based
companies after examining their corporate governance practices, related party transactions, sales practices and financial statements,
and these reports have led to special investigations and listing suspensions on U.S. national exchanges. Any similar scrutiny of the
combined company’s assets and operations, in China, if any, regardless of its lack of merit, could result in a diversion of management
resources and energy, potential costs to defend itself against rumors, decreases and volatility in the trading price of its securities
and increased directors and officers insurance premiums and could have an adverse effect upon its business, including its results of
operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.
China’s
economic, political and social conditions, as well as changes in any government policies, laws and regulations, could have a material
adverse effect on the combined company’s business.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a PRC Target Company, a substantial portion of the combined company’s operations
may be conducted in China, and a significant portion of its net revenues may be derived from customers where the contracting entity is
located in China. Accordingly, after our initial business combination, the combined company’s business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects and certain transactions it may undertake may be subject, to a significant extent, to economic, political
and legal developments in China.
China’s
economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level
of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant
growth in the past two to three decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Demand
for target services and products depends, in large part, on economic conditions in China. Any slowdown in China’s economic growth
may cause the combined company’s potential customers to delay or cancel their plans to purchase its services and products, which
in turn could reduce our net revenues.
Although
China’s economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy since the late 1970s, the PRC government
continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. Changes in any of these policies,
laws and regulations could adversely affect the economy in China and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The
PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage foreign investment and sustainable economic growth and to guide the allocation
of financial and other resources. However, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not repeal or alter these measures or introduce
new measures that will have a negative effect on us. China’s social and political conditions may change and become unstable. Any
sudden changes to China’s political system or the occurrence of widespread social unrest could have a material adverse effect on
the combined company’s business and results of operations.
48
If
we successfully consummate our initial business combination with a PRC Target Company, we will be subject to restrictions on dividend
payments following the consummation of our initial business combination.
After
we consummate our initial business combination, we may rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide
us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations. Current regulations in China would permit an operating company in China to pay dividends
to its parent company only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards
and regulations.
In
addition, if we consummate an initial business combination with a PRC Target Company, our operating company in China would be required
to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Such
cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. In addition, if our post-business combination operating company in China incurs
debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments
to us.
If
we merge with a China-based operating company, then PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding
companies and governmental control in currency conversion may delay or prevent the post-combination company from making loans to or making
additional capital contributions to the PRC entity, if any, which could materially and adversely affect its liquidity and its ability
to fund and expand its business.
We
are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability structured as a blank check company and may conduct
our post-business combination operations in China through a PRC entity. As permitted under PRC laws and regulations, the combined company
may make loans to that PRC entity subject to the approval from governmental authorities and limitation of amount, or it may make additional
capital contributions to that PRC entity. Furthermore, loans by the combined company to that PRC entity to finance its activities cannot
exceed the difference between their respective total project investment amount and registered capital or a multiple of 2.5 times their
net worth and capital contributions to that PRC entity will be subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign
Investment Comprehensive Management Information System and registration with other governmental authorities in China.
The
SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement
of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant
Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested
Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration
of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration
of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from
foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for
the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of bank loans that have been transferred
to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested
enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated
capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear
whether the SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. The SAFE promulgated the Notice
of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital
Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition
against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted
loans to a prohibition against using such capital to grant loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of Circular 19 and Circular
16 could result in administrative penalties. Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit the combined company’s ability
to transfer any foreign currency it holds, including the net proceeds from the offering, to its PRC entity, which may adversely affect
its liquidity and its ability to fund and expand its business in the PRC.
In
light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding
companies, we cannot assure you that the combined company will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the
necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by it to its PRC entity or with respect to
future capital contributions by it to its PRC entity. If we merge with a China-based operating company, and if we fail to complete such
registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds from the offering and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC
operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand the
post-combination company’s business.
49
If
we successfully consummate a business combination with a target business with primary operations in the PRC, the combined company will
be subject to restrictions on dividend payments following consummation of our initial business combination.
After
we consummate our initial business combination, the combined company may rely on dividends and other distributions from its operating
company to provide it with cash flow and to meet its other obligations. Current regulations in China would permit its operating company
in China to pay dividends to it only out of the operating company’s accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance
with Chinese accounting standards and regulations.
In
addition, the operating company in China will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered
capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Each of the combined company’s PRC subsidiaries, as a foreign invested enterprise,
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 its discretion. Such cash reserve may not be distributed as cash dividends. In addition, if the operating
company in China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends
or make other payments to us.
In
addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable
to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties
or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises
are incorporated.
The
foregoing rules may subject the combined company to restrictions on dividend payments following consummation of our initial business
combination and impact its ability to effectively utilize its cash flow.
Governmental
control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our net revenue effectively and affect the value of your investment.
Following
our initial business combination with a PRC target company, the combined company will be subject to the PRC’s rules and regulations
on currency conversion. In the PRC, the SAFE regulates the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The PRC government imposes controls
on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China.
Under
PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and
service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with certain
procedural requirements. Under existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated from PRC subsidiaries in
China may be used to pay dividends.
However,
approval from or registration with 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. If the foreign exchange
control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not pay dividends
in foreign currencies to our shareholders.
PRC
regulatory authorities could impose further restrictions on the convertibility of RMB. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges
may limit our ability to use the proceeds of the offering in an initial business combination with a PRC target company and the use the
combined company’s cash flow for the distribution of dividends to its shareholders or to fund operations it may have outside of
the PRC.
50
If
we merge with a China-based operating company, then there are significant uncertainties under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law relating
to the withholding tax liabilities of the PRC entity, and dividends payable by the PRC entity to an offshore entity may not qualify for
certain treaty benefits.
Under
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (“PRC EIT Law”) and its implementation rules, if following our initial business combination
the combined company is a non-resident enterprise, that is, an enterprise lawfully incorporated pursuant to the laws of a foreign country
(region) that has an office or premises established in China with no actual management functions performed in China, or an enterprise
that has income derived from or accruing in China although it does not have an office or premises in China, the combined company will
be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%. Under the Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues regarding the Administration
of the Dividend Provision in Tax Treaties promulgated on February 20, 2009, the taxpayer needs to satisfy certain conditions to utilize
the benefits under a tax treaty, including but not limited to (1) the taxpayer must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends
and (2) the corporate shareholder to receive dividends from the PRC entity must have continuously met the direct ownership thresholds
during the 12 consecutive months preceding the receipt of the dividends. Further, under Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation
on Issues Relating to “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which took effect on April 1, 2018, a “Beneficial Owner”
shall mean a person who has ownership and control over the income and the rights and property from which the income is derived. To determine
the “beneficial owner” status of a resident of the treaty counterparty who needs to take advantage of the tax treaty benefits,
a comprehensive analysis must be carried out, taking into account actual conditions of the specific case.
Entitlement
to a lower tax rate on dividends according to tax treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other
countries or regions is subject to Announcement of State Taxation Administration on Promulgation of the Administrative Measures on Non-resident
Taxpayers Enjoying Treaty Benefits, or Circular 35. Circular 35 provides that non-resident enterprises are not required to obtain pre-approval
from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, non-resident enterprises and their withholding
agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply
the reduced withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject
to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities.
In
addition, in response to the persistent capital outflow in China and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth
quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and SAFE promulgated a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months,
including stricter vetting procedures for domestic companies to remit foreign currency for overseas investments, dividends payments and
shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial
vetting process may be put forward by SAFE for cross-border transactions falling under both the current account and the capital account.
Any limitation on the combined company’s ability to pay dividends or to make other kinds of payments following our initial business
combination could materially and adversely limit the combined company’s ability to grow or to make investments or acquisitions
that could be beneficial to its business, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct its business.
U.S.
laws and regulations, including the HFCAA and the AHFCAA, may restrict or eliminate our ability to complete a business combination with
certain companies.
Future
developments in U.S. laws may restrict our ability or willingness to complete certain business combinations with companies. For instance,
the HFCAA and AHFCAA would restrict our ability to consummate a business combination with a target business unless that business met
certain standards of the PCAOB and would require delisting of a company from U.S. national securities exchanges if the PCAOB is unable
to inspect its public accounting firm for two consecutive years. The HFCAA also requires public companies to disclose, among other things,
whether they are owned or controlled by a foreign government, specifically, those based in China.
The
documentation we may be required to submit to the SEC proving certain beneficial ownership requirements and establishing that we are
not owned or controlled by a foreign government in the event that we use a foreign public accounting firm not subject to inspection by
the PCAOB or where the PCAOB is unable to completely inspect or investigate our accounting practices or financial statements because
of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction could be onerous and time-consuming to prepare. The HFCAA mandates the
SEC to identify issuers of SEC-registered securities whose audited financial reports are prepared by an accounting firm that the PCAOB
is unable to inspect due to restrictions imposed by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction where the audits are performed. If such
identified issuer’s auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the trading of such issuer’s securities
on any U.S. national securities exchanges, as well as any over-the-counter trading in the U.S., will be prohibited.
51
On
November 5, 2021, the SEC approved the PCAOB’s Rule 6100, Board Determinations Under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act. Rule 6100 provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCAA, whether it is unable to inspect
or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or
more authorities in that jurisdiction.
On
December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the Holding
Foreign Companies Accountable Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit
report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or
investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions.
On
December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it was unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered
public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by Chinese authorities in those
jurisdictions. The PCAOB made its determinations pursuant to PCAOB Rule 6100, which provides a framework for how the PCAOB fulfills its
responsibilities under the HFCAA. The report further listed in its Appendix A and Appendix B, Registered Public Accounting Firms Subject
to the Mainland China Determination and Registered Public Accounting Firms Subject to the Hong Kong Determination, respectively.
On
August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol with the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Finance
of the PRC, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered
in mainland China and Hong Kong completely, consistent with U.S. law. The Statement of Protocol gives the PCAOB sole discretion to select
the firms, audit engagements and potential violations it inspects and investigates and put in place procedures for PCAOB inspectors and
investigators to view complete audit work papers with all information included and for the PCAOB to retain information as needed. In
addition, the Statement of Protocol grants the PCAOB direct access to interview and take testimony from all personnel associated with
the audits the PCAOB inspects or investigates. While significant, uncertainties still exist as to how the Statement of Protocol will
be implemented and whether the applicable parties will comply with the framework.
Our
auditor MaloneBailey, LLP is headquartered in Houston, TX, and was not identified in the PCAOB’s report as a firm subject to the
PCAOB’s determination. However, if it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely the combined
company’s auditor because of a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction (including, without limitation, PRC government),
the combined company will be required by the HCFAA and, if enacted, the AHFCAA, to delist from Nasdaq because the PCAOB is unable to
conduct inspections on such auditor, and the combined company’s securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange
by the time of such potential delisting, then such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase the securities
of the combined company (if you do not redeem your shares at the time of the business combination or at another time when redemption
is permitted) when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact
on the price of the combined company’s securities.
In
the event that we complete a business combination with a company with substantial operations in a foreign jurisdiction, such as a PRC
Target Company, and any of the legislative actions or regulatory changes discussed above were to proceed in ways that are detrimental
to issuers based in that jurisdiction, it could cause the combined company to fail to be in compliance with U.S. securities laws and
regulations, it could cease to be listed on a U.S. securities exchange, and U.S. trading of its shares could be prohibited. Any of these
actions, or uncertainties in the market about the possibility of such actions, could adversely affect our prospects to successfully complete
a business combination, the combined company’s access to the U.S. capital markets and the price of our or the combined company’s
shares.
Other
developments in U.S. laws and regulatory environment, including but not limited to executive orders such as Executive Order (E.O.) 13959,
“Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments That Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies,” may further restrict
our ability to complete a business combination with certain businesses.
52
General
Risk Factors
Unanticipated
changes in our or the combined company’s effective tax rate or challenges by tax authorities could harm our or its future results.
We
or the combined company may become subject to income taxes in various other jurisdictions in the future. Our or the combined company’s
effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the allocation of our or its pre-tax earnings and losses among countries
with differing statutory tax rates, in certain non-deductible expenses as a result of acquisitions, in the valuation of our or its deferred
tax assets and liabilities, or in federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax laws and accounting principles, including increased tax rates,
new tax laws or revised interpretations of existing tax laws and precedents. Increases in our or the combined company’s effective
tax rate would adversely affect our or its operating results. In addition, we or the combined company may be subject to income tax audits
by various tax jurisdictions throughout the world. The application of tax laws in such jurisdictions may be subject to diverging and
sometimes conflicting interpretations by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. Although we believe our income tax liabilities are reasonably
estimated and accounted for in accordance with applicable laws and principles, an adverse resolution of one or more uncertain tax positions
in any period could have a material impact on the results of operations for that period.
We
may be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences
to U.S. Holders.
If
we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our
securities, the U.S. Holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and may be subject to additional reporting
requirements. Our PFIC status for our current and subsequent taxable years may depend on whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception.
Depending on the particular circumstances, the application of the start-up exception may be subject to uncertainty, and there cannot
be any assurance that we will qualify for the start-up exception. Accordingly, there can be no assurances with respect to our status
as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not
be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Moreover, if we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, upon written
request, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may require,
including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund”
election, but there can be no assurance that we will timely provide such required information, and such election possibly would be unavailable
with respect to our rights. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules.
Because
we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to
protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
We
are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service
of process within the United States upon our directors or executive officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the U.S. courts against
our directors or officers.
Upon
the closing of the offering, our corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association,
the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. We will also
be subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions
by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed
by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial
precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are
not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under
Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in
the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and
certain states, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies
may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a federal court of the United States. As a result, you may face
difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited. You
should consider these factors carefully before deciding whether to invest in our securities.
53
Because
some of our officers and directors are residents of China, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to
protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
Our
Chairwoman of the Board, Na Gai, and one of our directors, Jun Zhang, are residents of China. China has no arrangement for the reciprocal
enforcement of judgments with the United States. PRC courts may only recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements
of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of
reciprocity between jurisdictions. This is reflected in a number of bilateral treaties signed by China, which provide that lack of jurisdiction
of the judgment court can be a ground for refusal to enforce the foreign judgment. Further, a foreign judgment cannot be recognized and
enforced in China if a Chinese court has rendered a judgment on the same subject matter or recognized and enforced another foreign judgment
or arbitral award on the same subject matter. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce
a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws
or national sovereignty, security, or public interest. China has no treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United States
that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect
service of process within the United States upon us or our Chairman and our directors who are residents of China, or to enforce judgments
in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) that are obtained in U.S. courts against us or such individuals, including judgments predicated
upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Even with proper service of process,
the enforcement of judgments obtained in U.S. courts or foreign courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities
laws would be extremely difficult given the PRC Civil Procedures Law and the lack of a treaty or principles of reciprocity providing
for the recognition and enforcement of U.S. judgments. Furthermore, there would be added costs and issues with bringing an original action
in foreign courts to enforce liabilities based on the U.S. federal securities laws against us or our officers and directors, and they
still may be fruitless.
We
have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders
of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the U.S. In addition, there is uncertainty with
regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities
laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such determination is made, the courts
of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts
of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil
liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Although
there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands
will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits of the
underlying dispute based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation
to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman
Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty,
was not obtained by fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public
policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). The courts of
the Cayman Islands will apply the rules of Cayman Islands private international law to determine whether the foreign court is a court
of competent jurisdiction.
As
a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken
by management, members of the Board of Directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.
54
Changes
in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results
of operations.
We
are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. These governing bodies may seek to change laws
and regulations, as well as adopt new policies, including tariffs and other economic policies, that could negatively impact us or a target
business with which we seek to consummate an initial business combination. We will also be required to comply with certain SEC and other
legal requirements and numerous complex tax laws. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult,
time consuming and costly.
Those
laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material
adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations and ability to consummate our initial business combination. In
addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on
our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and results of operations.
We
are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of
certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies, this could make
our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We
are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage
of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth
companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and
exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden
parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including
if the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case
we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities
less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance
on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading
market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting
standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do
not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting
standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements
that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such
extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or
private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new
or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth
company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of
the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally,
we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take
advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements.
We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares
held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of the prior June 30 th , and (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100
million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as
of the prior June 30 th . To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison
of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
55
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements
and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
●
restrictions
on the nature of our investments; and
●
restrictions
on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
In
addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
●
registration
as an investment company;
●
adoption
of a specific form of corporate structure; and
●
reporting,
record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
In
order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must
ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our activities
do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our
total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and
complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not plan to
buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to
be a passive investor.
We
do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held
in the trust account may only be held in demand deposit or cash accounts or invested in United States “government securities”
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting
certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury
obligations. Pursuant to the trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the
investment of the proceeds to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long
term (rather than on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being
deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The offering is not intended for persons
who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding
place for funds pending the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of our primary business objective, which is a business combination;
(ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association to modify (A) the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial
business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by April 23, 2027
or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; or (iii)
absent a business combination, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption
of the public shares. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act.
Even if we do invest the proceeds as discussed above, we nevertheless could be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act.
56
We
are aware of litigation claiming that certain SPACs should be considered to be investment companies. Although we believe that these claims
were without merit, we cannot guarantee that we will not be deemed to be an investment company and thus subject to the Investment Company
Act. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require
additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete a business combination. If we are unable
to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share on the liquidation
of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless, and our public shareholders would also lose the possibility of an investment
opportunity in a target company as well as any potential price appreciation in the combined company following a business combination.
In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we could be forced to liquidate and investors in
our company would not be able to participate in any benefits of owning stock in an operating business, including the potential appreciation
of our stock following a business combination and our rights would expire worthless.
As
indicated above, we must consummate an initial business combination by April 23, 2027. It is possible that a claim in the future could
be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company. It is also possible that the investment of funds from the
offering and private placement of units during our life as a blank check company, and the earning and use of interest from such investment,
both of which will likely continue until we consummate an initial business combination, could increase the likelihood of us being found
to have been operating as an unregistered investment company more than if we sought to potentially mitigate this risk by holding such
funds as cash or in an interest bearing demand deposit account.
To
mitigate the risk of us being deemed to be an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A)
of the Investment Company Act) and thus subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time (based on our management
team’s ongoing assessment of all factors related to our potential status under the Investment Company Act), instruct Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the trust account, to liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations
or money market funds held in the trust account and thereafter to hold all funds in the trust account in an interest bearing demand deposit
account at a bank until the earlier of the consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. Following such liquidation,
we will likely receive less interest on the funds held in the trust account than we would earn if the trust account remained invested
in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government
treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. However, interest previously earned
on the funds held in the trust account still may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any, and certain other expenses as permitted.
As a result, any decision to liquidate the investments held in the trust account and thereafter to hold all funds in the trust account
in an interest-bearing demand deposit at a bank could reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption
or liquidation of the Company as compared to what they would have received had the investments not been so liquidated.
Furthermore,
the longer the funds are invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the
Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated
under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, the greater the risk could be that
we are considered an investment company. If we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act and
found to have been operating as an unregistered investment company, it could cause us to liquidate. If we are forced to liquidate, investors
in our company would not be able to participate in any benefits of owning stock in an operating business, including the potential appreciation
of our stock following a business combination and our rights would expire worthless. If the facts and circumstances relating to our status
as an investment company change over time, we will update our disclosure to reflect how those changes impact the risk that we may be
considered to be operating as an unregistered investment company. As disclosed above, we may determine, in our discretion, to liquidate
the securities held in the trust account at any time and instead hold all funds in the trust account in an interest bearing demand deposit
account or as cash or cash items at a bank, which could further reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any
redemption or liquidation of the Company as compared to what they would have received had the investments not been so liquidated. Were
we to liquidate the Company, our rights would expire worthless, and our securityholders would lose the investment opportunity associated
with an investment in the target company with which we could have consummated an initial business combination. In addition, upon moving
the funds from the trust account to a deposit account, we will maintain the cash items in bank accounts which, at times, may exceed federally
insured limits as guaranteed by the FDIC. While we intend to place our deposits in high-quality banks, only a small portion of the funds
in our trust account will be guaranteed by the FDIC.
57
Compliance
obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination, require substantial
financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2026. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated
filer will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control
over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent
registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank
check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public
companies because a target company with which we seek to complete our business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to
achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
Provisions
in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors
might be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares and could entrench management.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that
shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the
board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred shares, which may make the removal of management more
difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
We
may not hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the
opportunity for our shareholders to elect directors.
In
accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until no later than one year
after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual
or general meetings to appoint directors. Accordingly, until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded
the opportunity to discuss company affairs with management. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class
of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting)
serving a three-year term. In addition, as holders of our ordinary shares, our public shareholders will not have the right to vote on
the appointment of directors until after the consummation of our initial business combination. In addition, prior to our initial business
combination, only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors, including in connection with
the completion of our initial business combination. Accordingly, you may not have any say in the management of our company prior to the
consummation of an initial business combination.
Adverse
developments affecting the financial services industry could adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations,
either directly or through adverse impacts on certain of our vendors and customers.
Adverse
developments that affect financial institutions, such as events involving liquidity that are rumored or actual, have in the past and
may in the future lead to bank failures and/or market-wide liquidity problems. These events could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations, either directly or through an adverse impact on certain of our vendors and customers. For example,
on March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as receiver. Similarly, on March 12, 2023, Signature Bank was put into
receivership. Since that time, there have been reports of instability at other U.S. banks, including First Republic Bank. Although the
Federal Reserve Board, the Department of the Treasury and the FDIC have taken steps to ensure that depositors at Silicon Valley Bank
and Signature Bank can access all of their funds, including funds held in uninsured deposit accounts, and have taken additional steps
to provide liquidity to other banks, there is no guarantee that, in the event of the closure of other banks or financial institutions
in the future, depositors would be able to access uninsured funds or that they would be able to do so in a timely fashion.
58
To
date, we have not experienced any adverse impact to our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations as a result of the events
described above. However, failures of other banks or financial institutions may expose us to additional risks, either directly or through
the effect on vendors or other third parties, and may lead to significant disruptions to our operations, financial condition and reputation.
Moreover, uncertainty remains over liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry. Our business may be adversely impacted
by these developments in ways that we cannot predict at this time, there may be additional risks that we have not yet identified, and
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to avoid negative consequences directly or indirectly from any failure of one or more banks
or other financial institutions.
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.