Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
You
should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this Form 10-K in evaluating us and our capital stock. Any of
the following risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and could, in turn, impact the trading price
of our capital stock.
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 as of December 31, 2022, we had not commenced any operations. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our
business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have no plans, arrangements
or understandings with any prospective target business concerning a business combination and may be unable to complete our business combination.
If we fail to complete our 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, 2022, we had working capital of $483,935 .
Further, we expect to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this need for
capital through our Initial Public Offering are discussed in the section of this Form 10-K 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 Form 10-K do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to
consummate our Initial Public 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.
Unlike
many other blank check companies in which the initial shareholders agree to vote their founder shares in accordance with the majority
of the votes cast by the public shareholders in connection with an initial business combination, our initial shareholders have agreed
to vote their founder shares and private shares, as well as any public shares purchased during or after our Initial Public Offering,
in favor of our initial business combination.
As
a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 2,462,346, or 35.7%, of the 6,900,000 public shares
sold in our Initial Public Offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination
approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the EBC founder shares are voted in favor of a business combination) or (ii)
167,221, or 2.4% of the 6,900,000 public shares sold in our Initial Public Offering and EBC founder shares to be voted in favor of an
initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming that only the minimum number of shares
representing a quorum are voted). Our founder shares and private shares represent 23.2% of our outstanding common stock. 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 would not
be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would 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 and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (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 would not proceed with
such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets
will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The
ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete
the most desirable business combination 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 may exercise their redemption
rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted
for redemption. If our business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase
price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account
to meet such requirements, or arrange for third-party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares 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.
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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 share.
If
our business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price or requires
us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, 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 share 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 share in the open market.
Our
search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially
adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the status of debt and equity markets, as well as protectionist legislation
in our target markets.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the
business of any potential target business with which we may consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected.
Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the
ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable
to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. In addition, countries or supranational organizations in our target markets
may develop and implement legislation that makes it more difficult or impossible for entities outside such countries or target markets
to acquire or otherwise invest in companies or businesses deemed essential or otherwise vital. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our
search for and ability to consummate a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot
be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat
its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of
time, and result in protectionist sentiments and legislation in our target markets, our ability to consummate a business combination,
or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a 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 COVID-19 and other events.
If
the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may
be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in
our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
In
recent years and especially since the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed
has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business
combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as
well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require
more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In
addition, if there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available
targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets
companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry
sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate
targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and
consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable
to our investors altogether.
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Changes
in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and
complete an initial business combination.
In
recent years, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. The premiums
charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be
no assurance that these trends will not continue.
The
increased cost and decreased availability 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 its coverage
as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity will likely need to incur greater expense, accept less
favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact
on the post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In
addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential
liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order
to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect to
any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination
entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
Our
sponsor has the right to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination up to 18 months from the closing of our
Initial Public Offering without providing our shareholders with a corresponding redemption right.
We
will have up to 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering to consummate an initial business combination. However, if
we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, by resolution of our Board
of Directors, if requested by our sponsor, extend the period of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination up to
two times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering), provided
that, pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered
into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on December 22, 2022, in order for the time available for us to consummate
our initial business combination to be extended, our sponsor or their affiliates or designees, upon five days’ advance notice prior
to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $690,000 (or $0.10 per share) for each extension, on or prior to the
date of the applicable deadline. Our public shareholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with any such
extension.
In
the event that our sponsor elects to extend the time to complete a business combination, pay the additional amounts per each extension,
and deposit the applicable amount of money into trust, our sponsor will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal
to the amount of any such deposit and payment that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination
unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. In the event that we receive notice from our sponsor five days prior
to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least
three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing
whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account
to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination
within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding
public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the
funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, and then seek to dissolve and liquidate. However,
we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public
shareholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the rights and private units will expire and be worthless.
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The
requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses leverage
over us in negotiating a business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination
targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our business combination on terms that
would 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 within 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period
of time to consummate our business combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described
in this Form 10-K). Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination,
knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete
our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above.
In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would
have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations
except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, in which case our public shareholders may only
receive $10.20 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 within 12
months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate
our business combination up to two times by an additional three months each time, for a total of up to 18 months (as further described
in this Form 10-K). 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 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 $10.20 per share or less in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain
circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.20 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “ —
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount
received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
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 influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float”
of our common stock 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 sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may purchase
public shares or rights in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our
initial business combination, although they are under no obligation or duty to do so. Any price paid for such securities may be less
than the amount a public shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination.
Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgment that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no
longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors,
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. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases by our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors
or any of their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, which
provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.
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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 sponsor, 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, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business
combination 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
public shares or rights in such transactions.
The
purpose of any such transactions could be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination
by purchasing shares from holders that would have voted against a proposed transaction (as those shares would no longer be voted on the
proposed transaction), (2) reduce the number of rights outstanding and/or increase the likelihood of approval on any matters submitted
to the rights holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or (3) 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 securities may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders
of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities
on a national securities exchange. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the
extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. Additionally, in the event our sponsor, directors, executive officers,
advisors or their affiliates were to purchase shares or rights from public shareholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance
with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
●
our
registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that our sponsor,
directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may purchase shares or rights from public shareholders outside
the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases;
●
if
our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates were to purchase shares or rights from public shareholders,
they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process;
●
our
registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would include a representation that any of
our securities purchased by our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates would not be voted in
favor of approving the business combination transaction;
●
our
sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect
to our securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and
●
we
would disclose in a Form 8-K, before our security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material
items:
◌
the
amount of our securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any
of their affiliates, along with the purchase price;
◌
the
purpose of the purchases by our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates;
◌
the
impact, if any, of the purchases by our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates on the likelihood
that the business combination transaction will be approved;
◌
the
identities of our security holders who sold to our sponsor, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates (if
not purchased on the open market) or the nature of our security holders (e.g., 5% security holders) who sold to our sponsor, directors,
executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates; and
◌
the
number of our securities for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer.
In
addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our common stock 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 business combination, or fails
to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We
will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our business combination.
Despite our compliance with these rules, if a 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 Form 10-K, (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 within 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to
extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as
further described in this Form 10-K) 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 within 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our business combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K), subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if we are unable to complete an initial business
combination within 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our business combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K) 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 the 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our business combination, beyond the 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K) 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.
You
will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since
the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units are intended to be used to complete an initial business
combination with a target business that has not been selected, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United
States securities laws. However, because we had net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the successful completion of our
Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units and have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet
demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule
419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units
will be immediately tradable as opposed to companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, if our Initial Public Offering were subject to Rule
419, that rule would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds
in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination.
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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 common stock, you will lose the ability
to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our common stock.
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 Initial Public Offering, 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 business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce
your influence over our ability to complete our business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if
you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess
Shares if we complete our business combination. As a result, 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 share in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Because
of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete
our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive
only approximately $10.20 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 that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent
competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses.
Furthermore,
because we are obligated to pay cash for the common stock which our public shareholders redeem in connection with our initial business
combination, target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination.
This may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. If we are unable to complete our
initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.20 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 $10.20 per share upon our liquidation. See “ — If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in
the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share ”
and other risk factors in this section.
17
If the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering
and the sale of the private units not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate until we complete our initial
business combination, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our public shareholders may only receive
$10.20 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our rights will expire worthless.
The funds available to us outside
of the trust account may not be sufficient to allow us to operate until we complete our initial business combination. We believe that,
upon the closing of our Initial Public Offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us
to operate until we complete our initial business combination. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available
to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down
payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent or merger agreements designed to keep target businesses
from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect
to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of
intent or merger agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to
forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or
conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders
may receive only approximately $10.20 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 $10.20 per share upon our liquidation.
See “ — If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share
redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
If
the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units not being held in the trust account are insufficient,
it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination
and we will depend on loans from our initial shareholders or management team to fund our search for a business combination, to pay our
taxes and to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial
business combination.
Of
the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units, only $650,000 is initially available to us outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate
of $550,000 (excluding underwriting discount), we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case,
the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event
that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $550,000 (excluding underwriting discount), the amount of funds we intend to
be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need
to borrow funds from our initial shareholders or their affiliates to operate, or we may be forced to liquidate. None of our initial shareholders
nor any of their affiliates are under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Any such advances would be repaid only
from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. We do not
expect to seek loans from parties other than our initial shareholders or an affiliate of our initial shareholders as we do not believe
third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust
account but in the event that we seek loans from any third parties, we will obtain a waiver against any and all rights to seek access
to funds in our trust account. If we are unable to obtain these loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced
to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. Consequently, our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.20 per
share on our redemption of our public shares, and our rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders
may receive less than $10.20 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “ — If third parties bring claims against
us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less
than $10.20 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
18
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 and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (such
that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). As a result, we may be able to complete our business combination
even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our initial shareholders,
advisors or their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all common stock that
is validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business
combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares,
all common stock submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business
combination.
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 $10.20 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. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims
to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter
into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would
be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our acquisition
proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may limit the field
of potential target businesses that we might pursue.
Examples
of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant
whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would
agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition,
there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of,
any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption
of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of
a redemption right in connection with our business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that
were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount
received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.20 per share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors.
Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold
to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds
in the trust account to below (i) $10.20 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 our
Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed
waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for
such third-party claims. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations
and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification
obligations. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such
claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could
be reduced to less than $10.20 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.
19
Our
independent directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount
of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In
the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.20 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 sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its
obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether
to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations.
While
we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification
obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for
example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if
the independent directors determine 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 $10.20 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.
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.
20
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 any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination,
you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We
may seek to complete a business combination with an operating company in any industry or sector or geographical location. However, we
will not, under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, be permitted to complete our business combination with
another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected or approached any specific target
business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target
business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete
our 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. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than
a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination target. Accordingly, any 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.
Past
performance by our management team, our advisors and our initial shareholders may not be indicative of future performance of an investment
in us.
Information
regarding performance by, or businesses associated with our management team and our initial shareholders and their affiliates is presented
for informational purposes only. Past performance by our management team and our initial shareholders is not a guarantee either (i) that
we will be able to locate a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination
we may consummate. The majority of our officers, directors and advisors have not had management experience with special purpose acquisition
corporations in the past. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s, our advisors’ or our initial
shareholders’ respective performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or
are likely to, generate going forward. Furthermore, an investment in us is not an investment in our initial shareholders or their affiliates.
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. Although our
management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure you that
we will adequately ascertain or assess all the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units
will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in our Initial Public Offering than a direct investment, if an
opportunity were available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue an acquisition outside of the areas
of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation,
and the information contained in this Form 10-K 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 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
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may
enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target
business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria
and guidelines.
Although
we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business
with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our initial
business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these criteria and guidelines, such combination may not be as successful
as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective
business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise
their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to
have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or
we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval
of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete
our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.20 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 $10.20 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “ — If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds
held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share ”
and other risk factors in this section.
We
may seek acquisition opportunities with an early-stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record
of revenue or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues or earnings or difficulty in retaining key personnel.
To
the extent we complete our initial business combination with an early-stage company such as a pre-revenue entity with a limited operating
history, a financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, we may be affected by numerous
risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine. These risks include investing in a business without a proven
business model and with limited historical financial data, a lack of revenues or earnings and difficulties in obtaining and retaining
key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may
not be able to properly ascertain or assess all the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence.
Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those
risks will adversely impact a target business.
We
are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from an independent accounting firm, and consequently,
you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our company from a financial
point of view.
Unless
we complete our business combination with an affiliated entity or our board cannot independently determine the fair market value of the
target business or businesses, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm 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.
22
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 $10.20 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 $10.20 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 $10.20 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “ — If third parties
bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders
may be less than $10.20 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
We
may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete
our 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.
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.
23
We
may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may
result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In
pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to complete our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very little
public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential
initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not
as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We
may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units,
which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of
diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
Of
the net proceeds from our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units, up to $70,380,000 will be available to complete
our business combination and pay related fees and expenses.
We
may complete our business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously or within a short period
of time. However, we may not be able to complete our 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. In addition, we intend to focus our search for an initial business combination
in 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 our sponsor’s major shareholder, Pengfei Zheng, is
a non-U.S. person, 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. For example, we may not be able to
complete an initial business combination with a U.S. target company since such initial business combination may be subject to U.S. foreign
investment regulations and review by a U.S. government entity, such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS),
or ultimately prohibited.
Our
sponsor, AlphaVest Holding LP, is currently controlled by Mr. Pengfei Zheng, who owns approximately 23.3% of our outstanding shares. 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 since such initial business combination may be 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.
24
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 12 months (or 18 months if we
extend the period of time to consummate a business combination) 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 $10.20 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
units, common stock and rights are listed on NASDAQ. 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. Generally, we must maintain a minimum
amount in shareholders’ equity (generally $10,000,000) and a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 400 public
holders). Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with NASDAQ’s
initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than NASDAQ’s continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain
the listing of our securities on NASDAQ. For instance, our share price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share and
our shareholders’ equity would generally be required to be at least $30 million and we would be required to have a minimum of 400
round lot holders of our securities. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
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 common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to
adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our
securities;
25
●
a
limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
●
a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The
National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the
sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our units and eventually our common stock and rights are listed on NASDAQ, our units, common stock and rights will be 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 common stock 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 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par
value $0.0001 per share and 2,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. There are currently 9,180,500 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding. As a result, there will be 190,819,500 unissued common stock available for issuance, which amount does
not take into account the common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of any outstanding rights. There are no preference shares
issued and outstanding.
We
may issue a substantial number of additional common stock or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or
under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination (although our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association provides that we may not issue securities that can vote with common stockholders on matters related to
our pre-initial business combination activity). 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 (a) on any
initial business combination or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to
(x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering,
or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, beyond 18 months from the closing of our
Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K or (y) amend the foregoing provisions, unless (in connection with
any such amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) we offer our public shareholders the
opportunity to redeem their public shares. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like
all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with the approval of our
shareholders. However, our executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not
propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance or timing of
our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem
100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of our Initial
Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, within 18 months from the
closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K) 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 common stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable
in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest shall be net of
taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.
26
The
issuance of additional common stock or preference shares:
●
may
significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in our Initial Public Offering;
●
may
subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our common stock;
●
could
cause a change of control if a substantial number of our common stock 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, common stock 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 Form 10-K to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur
outstanding debt following our Initial Public Offering, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our business
combination. We have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right,
title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the
per-share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of
negative effects, including:
●
default
and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt
obligations;
●
acceleration
of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants
that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
●
our
immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
●
our
inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such
financing while the debt security is outstanding;
●
our
inability to pay dividends on our common stock;
●
using
a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends
on our common stock 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;
●
limitations
on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, and execution
of our strategy; and
●
other
disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
The
grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and
the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Pursuant
to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in our Initial Public Offering, our initial
shareholders (including EBC and its designees) and their permitted transferees can demand that we register their founder shares and EBC
founder shares. In addition, holders of our private units and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the private units
and/or the underlying securities, and holders of 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 common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude.
This is because the 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 common stock that is expected when the common stock
and private units owned by our initial shareholders or holders of our working capital units or their respective permitted transferees
are registered.
27
In
order to complete our initial business combination, we may seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
or other governing instruments, including our rights agreement, in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business
combination but that our shareholders or rights holders may not support.
In
order to complete a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters
and governing instruments, including their rights agreement. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business
combination, increased redemption thresholds, changed industry focus and, with respect to their rights, amended their rights agreement,
respectively, to require the rights to be exchanged for cash and/or other securities. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend
our charter or other governing instruments or change our industry focus in order to complete our initial business combination.
Our
initial shareholders paid an aggregate of $25,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.014 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.
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 will be issued in registered form under a rights agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent,
and us. The rights agreement provides that the terms of the rights may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity
or correct any defective provision. 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
private units, founder shares and EBC founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock and make it
more difficult to complete our business combination.
Simultaneously
with the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we issued 430,500 private units to our sponsor and EBC. Our initial shareholders
currently own 1,725,000 founder shares. EBC and its designees currently own 125,000 EBC founder shares. In addition, if our initial shareholders
or their affiliates make any working capital loans, up to $150,000 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 common stock to complete a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional
common stock upon conversion rights of up to $150,000 working capital loans could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to
a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding common stock and reduce the value of the common stock issued to complete the business combination. Therefore, our private units and founder shares may make it more difficult to complete
a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The
private rights included in the private units are identical to the public rights sold as part of the units in our Initial Public Offering
except that the private rights (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of the private rights) will not be transferable,
assignable or saleable until the completion of our initial business combination (except as described herein).
28
The
determination of the offering price of our units and the size of our Initial Public Offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities
and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry. You may have less assurance, therefore, that the offering price
of our units properly reflects the value of such units than you would have in a typical offering of an operating company.
Prior
to our Initial Public Offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and
the terms of the rights were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of our Initial Public Offering, management
held customary organizational meetings with the underwriters with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount
the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of our Initial Public
Offering, prices and terms of the units, including the common stock, the rights underlying the units, include:
●
the
history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
●
prior
offerings of those companies;
●
our
prospects for acquiring an operating business;
●
a
review of debt to equity ratios in leveraged transactions;
●
our
capital structure;
●
an
assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;
●
general
conditions of the securities markets at the time of our Initial Public Offering; and
●
other
factors as were deemed relevant.
Although
these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating
company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
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 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or “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 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 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.
29
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 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 the Company after the completion of our 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 business combination will not be the determining factor in
our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any members
of our management team will remain with us after the completion of our 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 responsibility to dedicate substantially all their business time to their respective affairs and
their respective portfolio companies. However, this responsibility does not require any of our officers or directors to commit his or
her full time to our affairs in particular, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations
and our search for a business combination and their other businesses, including other business endeavors for which he or she may be entitled
to substantial compensation. Furthermore, our officer and directors may become an officer or director of another special purpose acquisition
company with a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act even before
we enter a definitive agreement regarding our initial business combination. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to
the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, each of our officers and certain of our directors are employed by or
affiliated with our initial shareholders, which makes investments in securities or other interests of or relating to companies in industries
we may target for our initial business combination. Our independent directors also serve as officers or board members for other entities.
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.
30
Certain
of our officers and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities
similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining
to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following
the completion of our Initial Public Offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business
of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our officers and directors are, and may in the future become, affiliated with
entities (such as operating companies or investment vehicles) that are engaged in a similar business.
Our
officers and directors also may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other
entities in the future to which they owe certain fiduciary or contractual duties, including our initial shareholders’ affiliates.
Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation
to us. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity
offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director
or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be
reasonable for us to pursue.
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.
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 officers and directors also serve as officers and board members for
other entities. Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Our initial shareholders are not currently
aware of any specific opportunities for us to complete our business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and
there have been no preliminary discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be
specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined
that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in the section of this Form 10-K entitled
“Proposed Business — Sources of Target Businesses” 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 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.
On
February 7, 2022, our sponsor acquired 1,725,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. On July 11, 2022, EBC
acquired 125,000 EBC founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1,750. Prior to the initial investment in the Company of
$25,000 by our sponsor, the Company had no assets, tangible, or intangible. The number of founder shares issued was determined based
on the expectation that such founder shares would represent approximately 20% of the outstanding shares after our Initial Public
Offering (excluding the private shares and the EBC founder shares). The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an
initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 402,904 private units at a price of
$10.00 per unit (approximately $4,029,040 in the aggregate in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of our
Initial Public Offering. EBC purchased an aggregate of 27,596 private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (approximately $275,960 in
the aggregate in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of our 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 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.
31
In
order to complete our initial business combination, we may seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
or other governing instruments, including our rights agreement, in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business
combination but that our shareholders or rights holders may not support.
In
order to complete a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters
and governing instruments, including their rights agreement. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business
combination, increased redemption thresholds, changed industry focus and, with respect to their rights, amended their rights agreement
to require the rights to be exchanged for cash and/or other securities. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amen our charter
or other governing instruments or change our industry focus in order to complete our initial business combination.
The
provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and
corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of
holders of two-thirds of our common stock, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other blank check companies. It
may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to
facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Some
other blank check companies have a provision in their charter which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those
which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company’s
shareholders. In those companies, amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s public
shareholders. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that any of its provisions (including, without
limitation, the provisions related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of our Initial
Public Offering and the private placement of units into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances,
and to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein)) may be amended if approved by holders of two-thirds of
our common stock entitled to vote thereon, subject to applicable provisions of the Cayman Islands law, or the Companies Act, or applicable
stock exchange rules, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be
amended if approved by holders of two-thirds of our common stock entitled to vote thereon. We may not issue additional securities
that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or in our initial business combination.
Our initial shareholders, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our common stock upon the closing of our Initial Public Offering
(excluding the private shares and the EBC founder shares and assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase public units in our Initial
Public Offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust
agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some
other blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our shareholders
may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Our
initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to a letter agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association (i) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in
connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination
within 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business
combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K), or
(ii) 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 common stock upon approval of any such amendment at
a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest (which interest
shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. These agreements are contained in a letter agreement
that we have entered into with our initial shareholders. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these
agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our initial shareholders for any breach of these agreements.
As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
32
We
may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target
business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
Although
we believe that the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units will be sufficient to allow us to complete
our initial business combination, because we have not yet selected any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements
for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private units prove to be insufficient,
either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business,
the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial
business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination,
we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing
will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete
our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination
and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders
may receive only approximately $10.20 per share plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (and not previously
released to us to pay our taxes) on the liquidation of our trust account and our rights will expire worthless. In addition, even if we
do not need additional financing to complete our business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth
of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development
or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors, or shareholders are required to provide any financing to us in connection
with or after our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders
may only receive approximately $10.20 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 $10.20 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “ —
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount
received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
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.
Upon
the closing of our Initial Public Offering, our initial shareholders will own founder shares representing 20% of our issued and outstanding
common stock (excluding the private shares and the EBC founder shares). Simultaneously with the closing of our Initial Public Offering,
we issued in 430,500 private units to our sponsor and EBC. In addition, if our initial shareholders or their designated parties make
any working capital loans, up to $150,000 of such loans may be converted into working capital units, at the price of $10.00 per unit
at the option of the lenders. Such working capital units would be identical to the private units sold in the private placement. Accordingly,
our initial shareholders along with any designated parties 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 in our Initial Public Offering or if they
purchase any additional common stock 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
common stock. 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 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.
33
Post
Business Combination Risks
Our
management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. We cannot provide assurance
that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications, or abilities necessary to profitably
operate such business.
We
may structure a business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own less than
100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction
company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires an interest in the target
sufficient for the post-transaction company not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting
securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business
combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could
pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding capital share
of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number
of new common stock, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding common stock subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in
a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s share than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make
it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain our control of the target business. We cannot provide assurance that,
upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications, or abilities necessary to profitably
operate such business.
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. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction
in value.
We
may face general risks related to our business combination with any company.
Any
business combination with another company entails special considerations and risks. If we are successful in completing a business combination
with a target business, we may be subject to, and possibly adversely affected by, the following risks:
●
an
inability to compete effectively in a highly competitive environment with many incumbents having substantially greater resources;
●
an
inability to manage rapid change, increasing consumer expectations and growth;
●
an
inability to build strong brand identity and improve subscriber or customer satisfaction and loyalty;
34
●
a
reliance on proprietary technology to provide services and to manage our operations, and the failure of this technology to operate
effectively, or our failure to use such technology effectively;
●
an
inability to deal with our subscribers’ or customers’ privacy concerns;
●
an
inability to attract and retain subscribers or customers;
●
an
inability to license or enforce intellectual property rights on which our business may depend;
●
any
significant disruption in our computer systems or those of third parties that we would utilize in our operations;
●
an
inability by us, or a refusal by third parties, to license content to us upon acceptable terms;
●
potential
liability for negligence, copyright, or trademark infringement or other claims based on the nature and content of materials that
we may distribute;
●
competition
for advertising revenue;
●
competition
for the leisure and entertainment time and discretionary spending of subscribers or customers, which may intensify in part due to
advances in technology and changes in consumer expectations and behavior;
●
disruption
or failure of our networks, systems, or technology as a result of computer viruses, “cyber-attacks,” misappropriation
of data or other malfeasance, as well as outages, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, accidental releases of information or similar
events;
●
an
inability to obtain necessary hardware, software, and operational support; and
●
reliance
on third-party vendors or service providers.
Any
of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination.
Our
success will ultimately depend upon market acceptance of our products and services, our ability to develop and commercialize existing
and new products and services and generate revenues, and our ability to identify new markets for its technology.
Ultimately,
our success will depend on the acceptance of our products and services in the target markets. We are faced with the risk that the marketplace
will not be receptive to our products and services over competing products and that we will be unable to compete effectively. We 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 our products and services fails to develop or develops more slowly
than expected, or if any of the services and standards supported by us do not achieve or sustain market acceptance, our business and
operating results would be materially and adversely affected.
If
we fail 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, our products
may become less competitive.
Regardless
of our business combination target’s 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 our business will depend, in part, on
our 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 we are unable to enhance our 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 our products, our business, operating
results and financial condition would be adversely affected. Furthermore, modifications to our existing platform, products, or technology
will increase our research and development expenses. Any failure of our products and services to operate effectively could reduce the
demand for our services, result in customer dissatisfaction and adversely affect our business.
35
Technology
platforms may not operate properly or as we expect it 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. We may encounter technical obstacles, and it is possible that we may discover
additional problems that prevent our technology from operating properly. If our platform does not function reliably, we may not be able
to provide any products or services. Errors could also cause customer dissatisfaction with us, which could cause customers to stop purchasing
or working with us. Any of these eventualities could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
New
or changing technologies, could cause a disruption in our business model, which may materially impact our results of operations and financial
condition.
If
we fail to anticipate the impact on our business of changing technology, our ability to successfully operate may be materially impaired.
Our 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 our
business to decline. We 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 seek acquisition opportunities with an early-stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record
of revenue or earnings.
To
the extent we complete our initial business combination with an early-stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking
an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which
we combine. These risks include investing in a business without a proven business model and with limited historical financial data, volatile
revenues or earnings, intense competition, and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors
will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all
of the significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be
outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target
business.
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, we 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;
●
challenges
in managing and staffing international operations;
36
●
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 we would be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might
suffer.
Because
of the costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations, our results of operations may be negatively impacted.
Managing
a business, operations, personnel or assets in another country is challenging and costly. Any management that we 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 our 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 our
business.
Political
events in another country may significantly affect our 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 our business in a particular
country.
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.
Our
ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to defend
ourselves with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could adversely impact
our 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 our 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 our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our 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 our 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 our assets
would be located outside of the United States and some of our 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 our
directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our
directors and officers under Federal securities laws.
37
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 our 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 our investors to evaluate the possible extent of any impact on our ultimate operations if
relations are strained between the United States and a foreign country in which we acquire a target business or move our principal
manufacturing or service operations.
If
any dividend is declared in the future and paid in a foreign currency, you may be taxed on a larger amount in the U.S.
If
you are a U.S. holder of our common stock, 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.
If
our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time
and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following
our initial business combination, certain members of our management team will likely resign from their positions as officers or directors
of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of
the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with our laws, they may have
to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory
issues, which may adversely affect our operations.
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.
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, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a
currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target
business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.
38
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 our 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 that we operate in 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.
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
our business and other licenses;
●
requiring
that we restructure our ownership or operations; and
●
requiring
that we discontinue any portion or all of our business.
Any
of the above could have an adverse effect on our company post-business combination and could materially reduce the value of your investment.
Corporate
governance standards in Asia may not be as strict or developed as in the United States and such weakness may hide issues and operational
practices that are detrimental to a target business.
General
corporate governance standards in some countries are weak in that they do not prevent business practices that cause unfavorable related
party transactions, over-leveraging, improper accounting, family company interconnectivity and poor management. Local laws often do not
go far enough to prevent improper business practices. Therefore, shareholders may not be treated impartially and equally as a result
of poor management practices, asset shifting, conglomerate structures that result in preferential treatment to some parts of the overall
company, and cronyism. The lack of transparency and ambiguity in the regulatory process also may result in inadequate credit evaluation
and weakness that may precipitate or encourage financial crisis. In our evaluation of a business combination 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 an investment we ultimately make and that result
in an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.
39
We
may face additional and distinctive risks if we acquire 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, we will be subject to the following risks, any of which could be detrimental
to us and the business we acquire:
●
If
we are unable to keep pace with evolving technology and changes in the technology services industry, our revenues and future prospects
may decline;
●
Any
business or company we acquire could be vulnerable to cyberattack or theft of individual identities or personal data;
●
Difficulties
with any products or services we provide could damage our reputation and business;
●
A
failure to comply with privacy regulations could adversely affect relations with customers and have a negative impact on business;
●
We
may not be able to protect our intellectual property and we 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.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the in the People’s Republic of China, the laws applicable
to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, the laws of the country in which such business operates
will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations, including any contractual arrangements through which we
acquire control of target business as described above. We cannot assure you that we or the target business will be able to enforce any
of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this 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. In addition, the judiciary
in the PRC is relatively inexperienced compared to others in enforcing corporate and commercial law, leading to a higher than usual degree
of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. In addition, to the extent that our target business’s material agreements are
with governmental agencies in the PRC, we may not be able to enforce or obtain a remedy from such agencies due to sovereign immunity,
in which the government is deemed to be immune from civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy
under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, 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 any concentration of
undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered;
40
●
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 “important industries,” including telecommunications,
food production and heavy equipment. There are uncertainties under certain regulations whether obtaining a majority interest through
contractual arrangements will comply with regulations prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership in certain industries. There is no
assurance that the PRC government will not apply restrictions in other industries. In addition, there can be restrictions on the foreign
ownership of businesses that are determined from time to time to be in “important industries” that may affect the national
economic security or those having “famous brand names” or “well-established brand names.” Subject to the review
and approval requirements of the relevant agencies and the various percentage ownership limitations that exist from time to time, acquisitions
involving foreign investors and parties in the various restricted categories of assets and industries may nonetheless sometimes be consummated
using contractual arrangements with permitted local parties. If we choose to effect a business combination that employs the use of these
types of control arrangements, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with the same economic benefits,
accounting consolidation or control over a target business as would direct ownership due to limited implementation guidance provided
with respect to such regulations. If the government of the PRC finds that the agreements we entered into to acquire control of a target
business through contractual arrangements with one or more operating businesses do not comply with local governmental restrictions on
foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to
significant penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, a substantial portion of our operations may be conducted
in the PRC, and a significant portion of our net revenues maybe derived from customers where the contracting entity is located in the
PRC. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and certain transactions we may undertake may be
subject, to a significant extent, to economic, political and governmental and legal developments, laws and regulations in the PRC. For
instance, all or most of our material agreements may be governed by PRC law and we may have difficulty in enforcing our legal rights
because the system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in PRC may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as
in the United States. In addition, contractual arrangements we enter into with 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 PRC tax authorities. We may also be subject to restrictions on dividend payments after we consummate a business combination
and if we rely on dividends and other distributions from our operating company to provide us with cash flow and to meet our other obligations.
Contractual
arrangements we enter into with 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 our possible future taxes and thus reduce our 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 our operating results and financial condition.
41
PRC
regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our ability to inject capital in our Chinese subsidiaries
and Chinese subsidiaries’ ability to change their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our
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 we 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.
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 us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, limit the ability of our wholly foreign-owned
subsidiary in China to distribute dividends and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and
we 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, our business operations and our 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, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval
process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as remittance of dividends and foreign-currency-denominated borrowings,
which may adversely affect our 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.
42
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
Commission and other antitrust authorities under the State Council. 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 regulations that require filing of concentration of business
operators, 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. In 2009, the Ministry
of Commerce, to which the Antitrust Commission is affiliated, promulgated the Measures for Filing of Concentration of Business Operators
(amended by the Guidelines for Filing of Concentration of Business Operators in 2014), which set forth the criteria of concentration
and the requirement of miscellaneous documents for the purpose of filing. 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 conducting 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 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 our business combination period is within 12 months from
the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, within
18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K), 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 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time
to consummate our business combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K).
Exchange
controls that exist in the PRC may restrict or prevent us from using the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering to acquire a target
company in PRC and limit our ability to utilize our cash flow effectively following our initial business combination.
SAFE
promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement
of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant
Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested
Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening
the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 59, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues
Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45. According to Circular 19, the flow
and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated
such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment
of banks loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated
registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle
that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used
for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in
the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing
the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some
of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated
registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans
to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.
43
As
such, Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering to a PRC
target company and the use of such proceeds by the PRC target company. In addition, following our initial business combination with a
PRC target company, we will be subject to the PRC’s rules and regulations on currency conversion. In the PRC, the SAFE regulates
the conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies. Currently, Foreign Invested Enterprises (“FIEs”) are required to
apply to the SAFE for “Foreign Exchange Registration Certificates for FIEs.” Following our initial business combination,
we will likely be an FIE as a result of our ownership structure. With such registration certificates, which need to be renewed annually,
FIEs are allowed to open foreign currency accounts including a “basic account” and “capital account.” Currency
conversion within the scope of the “basic account,” such as remittance of foreign currencies for payment of dividends, can
be effected without requiring the approval of the SAFE. However, conversion of currency in the “capital account,” including
capital items such as direct investment, loans and securities, still require approval of the SAFE.
We
cannot assure you the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose further restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi. Any future
restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering in an initial business combination
with a PRC target company and the use our cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we may
have outside of the PRC.
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
February 3, 2011, the PRC government issued a Notice Concerning the Establishment of Security Review Procedure on Mergers and Acquisitions
of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or “Security Review Regulations”, which became effective on March 5, 2011.
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 and the enterprises are relating to military, national defense, important agriculture
products, important energy and natural resources, important infrastructures, important transportation services, key technologies, and
important equipment manufacturing. The scope of the review includes whether the acquisition will impact the national security, economic
and social stability, and the research and development capabilities on key national security related technologies. Foreign investors
should submit a security review application to the Department of Commerce for its initial review for contemplated acquisition. If the
acquisition is considered to be within the scope of the Security Review Regulations, the Department of Commerce will transfer the application
to a joint security review committee within five business days for further review. The joint security review committee, consisting of
members from various PRC government agencies, will conduct a general review and seek comments from relevant government agencies. The
joint security review committee may initiate a further special review and request the termination or restructuring of the contemplated
acquisition if it determines that the acquisition will result in significant national security issue.
The
Security Review Regulations 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. Neither the Department of Commerce nor other PRC government agencies have issued any detailed rules for the implementation
of the Security Review Regulations. If, for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target company operating in
the PRC 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. There is no guarantee that
we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and we may also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC
government considers that the potential investments will result in a significant national security issue. If obtained, since our business
combination period is 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our business combination, 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K),
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 12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to
extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as
further described in this Form 10-K).
44
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 on November 7,
2016 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.
Due to the lack of further interpretations, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operator” remains unclear.
Recently,
the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued
the Opinions on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities, which was available to the public on July 6, 2021. These
opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings
by China-based companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory
systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data
privacy protection. Moreover, the State Internet Information Office issued the Measures of Cybersecurity Review (Revised Draft for Comments,
not yet effective) on July 10, 2021, which requires operators with personal information of more than 1 million users who want to list
abroad to file a cybersecurity review with the CAC. As these opinions and the draft measurers were recently issued, official guidance
and interpretation of these two remain unclear in several respects at this time.
If,
for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target business operating in the PRC and if the enacted version of
the draft measures mandates 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 timely obtained, or at all, and incur additional time delays to complete any such
acquisition. Cybersecurity review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our initial business combination and diversion
of our managerial and financial resources. There is no guarantee that we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and we may also
be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will result
in a significant national security issue. If obtained, since our business combination period is 12 months from the closing of our Initial
Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, 18 months from the closing of our
Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K), 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
12 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business combination,
within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K).
45
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.
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
we make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens, they may be required to register with the State Administration of
Foreign Exchange of the PRC (“SAFE”). We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt
equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws.
On
April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership
Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company, also known as Circular 78. It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms
of equity compensation plans or only those which provide for the granting of share options. For any plans which are so covered and are
adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our company in the event we consummate a business combination with a PRC Target Company,
Circular 78 requires all plan participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation
in the subject plan. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time
consuming.
Upon
consummation of business combination with a 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 Circular 78, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us and participants
of our equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation
to our PRC employees. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation would be hindered
and our business operations may be adversely affected.
Enhanced
scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue
in the future.
The
PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of certain taxable assets, including, in particular,
equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by a non-resident enterprise by promulgating and implementing SAT Circular 59 and Circular
698, which became effective in January 2008, and a Circular 7 in replacement of some of the existing rules in Circular 698, which became
effective in February 2015.
Under
Circular 698, where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring the equity interests of a PRC
“resident enterprise” indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise,
being the transferor, may be subject to PRC corporate income tax, if the indirect transfer is considered to be an abusive use of company
structure without reasonable commercial purposes. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC tax at
a rate of up to 10%. Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident
enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable
adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.
46
In
February 2015, the SAT issued Circular 7 to replace the rules relating to indirect transfers in Circular 698. Circular 7 has introduced
a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect
transfers set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer
of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, Circular 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable
commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public
securities market. Circular 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated
to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an “indirect transfer” by transferring
the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being
the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority
such indirect transfer. 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 corporate 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.
We
face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences on future private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions
involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue
such non-resident enterprises with respect to a filing or the transferees with respect to withholding obligation, and request our PRC
subsidiaries to assist in the filing. As a result, we and non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject
to filing obligations or being taxed, under Circular 59 or Circular 698 and Circular 7, and may be required to expend valuable resources
to comply with Circular 59, Circular 698 and Circular 7 or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises should not be taxed
under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The
PRC tax authorities have the discretion under SAT Circular 59, Circular 698 and Circular 7 to make adjustments to the taxable capital
gains based on the difference between the fair value of the taxable assets transferred and the cost of investment. If we are considered
a non-resident enterprise under the PRC corporate income tax law and if the PRC tax authorities make adjustments to the taxable income
of the transactions under SAT Circular 59 or Circular 698 and Circular 7, our income tax costs associated with such potential acquisitions
will be increased, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The
Chinese government may intervene in and influence 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 our operations of the combined company and/or the value 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. If the Chinese government establishes some new policies, regulations, rules, or laws affecting the industries
that our post-combination entity is in, it may materially and adversely affect our operations and the value of our common stock.
The
Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through
regulation and state ownership. Our post-combination entity’s ability to operate in China may be harmed 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. Accordingly,
government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally
planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic
conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties.
For
example, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2, 2021, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE:
DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company’s app be removed from smartphone app stores. On July 24, 2021, the General Office
of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly released the Guidelines for Further
Easing the Burden of Excessive Homework and Off-campus Tutoring for Students at the Stage of Compulsory Education, pursuant to which
foreign investment in such firms via mergers and acquisitions, franchise development, and variable interest entities are banned from
this sector.
47
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 sometimes vague and uncertain and any changes
in such laws and regulations may impair our ability to operate profitably.
There
are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to,
the laws and regulations governing our business and the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in certain circumstances.
The laws and regulations are sometimes vague 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 our 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. New laws and regulations that affect
existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing
or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our 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 involves uncertainties.
In
1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The
overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign
investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws and regulations may
not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and
regulations involve uncertainties. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing
statutory provisions and contractual terms, it may be difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the
level of legal protection we enjoy. These uncertainties may affect our judgment on the relevance of legal requirements and our ability
to enforce our contractual rights or tort claims. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited or frivolous
legal actions or threats in attempts to extract payments or benefits from us.
Furthermore,
the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or
at all and may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime
after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs
and diversion of resources and management attention.
48
From
time to time, our post-combination entity may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However,
since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual
terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection our
post-combination entity enjoys than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government
policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result,
we and our post-combination entity may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation.
Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and
procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect
our business and impede our post-combination entity’s ability to continue its operations.
Changes
in the policies, regulations, rules, and the enforcement of laws of the PRC government may occur quickly quick with little advance notice
and could have a significant impact upon our ability to operate profitably in the PRC.
Our
post-combination entity may conduct most of our operations and most of our revenue is 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, particularly those dealing with the Internet, including censorship and other restriction on material which can
be transmitted over the Internet, security, intellectual property, money laundering, taxation and other laws that affect our post-combination
entity’s ability to operate its business.
The
Chinese government may intervene in or influence a PRC company’s business operations at any time or exert more oversight and control
over offerings conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based issuers. 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.
Statements
by the Chinese government in 2021 have indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas
and/or foreign investments in China-based issuers. The PRC has proposed new rules in 2021 that would require companies collecting or
holding large amounts of data to undergo a cybersecurity review prior to listing in foreign countries, a move that would significantly
tighten oversight over large China-based internet companies. On November 14, 2021, the CAC publicly solicited opinion on the Regulation
on Network Data Security Management (Consultation Draft), which stipulated that data processors that undertake data processing activities
using internet networks within China are required to apply for cybersecurity review if it conducts data processing activities that will
or may have an impact on China’s national security. The review is mandatory if the data processor controls more than 1 million
users’ personal information and intends to be listed in a foreign country, or if the data processor seeks to be listed in Hong
Kong. As of the date of this Form 10-K, the Draft Regulation on Network Data Security Management has not been formally adopted. 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.
49
On
June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress, or SCNPC, promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which
took effect in September 2021. 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. On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC adopted the Personal Information Protection Law, which took effect as
of November 1, 2021. 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 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. Given that the PRC authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and applying the relevant cybersecurity
and data laws and regulations, 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.
Moreover,
except for emphasizing the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision
over overseas listings by Chinese companies, the Opinions, which was made available to the public on July 6, 2021, also provides that
the State Council will revise provisions regarding the overseas issuance and listing of shares by companies limited by shares and will
clarify the duties of domestic regulatory authorities.
On
December 24, 2021, the State Council published the draft Administrative Provisions on the Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities
by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administrative Provisions”), and the CSRC published the draft Measures for
Record-filings of the Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administrative
Measures”), for public comment. Pursuant to Article 2 of the Administrative Provisions, domestic enterprises that (i) offer shares,
depository receipts, convertible notes or other equity securities overseas, or (ii) list securities on an overseas stock exchange, must
complete record-filing procedures and report the relevant information to the CSRC. The CSRC shall determine the record-filing method.
Pursuant to the Article 2 of the Administrative Measures, domestic enterprises that directly or indirectly offer or list securities on
an overseas stock exchange shall file with the CSRC within three business days after submitting their initial public offering and/or
listing application documents. The requested filing documents include but are not limited to: (1) a filing report and related undertakings;
(2) regulatory opinions, filing or approval documents issued by the relevant authorities (if applicable); (3) security review opinions
issued by the relevant authorities, if applicable; (4) a PRC legal opinion; and (5) a prospectus.
50
On
December 27, 2021, the NDRC and the MOFCOM jointly promulgated the Special Administrative Measure (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign
Investment (2021 Version), or the Negative List, which became effective on January 1, 2022. 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.
Based
on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations in effect at the time of this Form 10-K, no prior permission is required
under the M&A Rules, the Opinions or the Negative List from any PRC governmental authorities (including the CSRC) for consummating
our Initial Public 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 Form 10-K 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 Opinions, or the Administrative Provisions and the Administrative Measures, if enacted, 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 our Initial Public Offering, or 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 our Initial Public 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 Form 10-K, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to our Initial Public
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 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 China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”),
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.
The
Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”) requires overseas
special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an
overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies using shares of such special purpose vehicles or held by their
shareholders as considerations to obtain the approval of the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s
securities on an overseas stock exchange. However, the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear. If CSRC approval is required
for our initial business combination, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval. Any failure to obtain
or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for our initial business combination would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other
PRC regulatory agencies.
51
Additionally,
on July 10, 2021, the Cybersecurity Administration of China released a draft of the revised Cybersecurity Review Measures for public
consultation until July 25, 2021 (the “2021 Measures”). The 2021 Measures apply to any business operator that holds the personal
information of more than one million users when it intends to seek a foreign listing. Upon receipt of an application, if the CRO decides
to conduct a review, the CRO will complete a preliminary review and send recommendations to a designated body of members of the network
security review mechanism and certain government departments for further consideration. The CSRC has been added in the 2021 Measures
to the list of mainland Chinese authorities that are to be involved in formulating the national network security review mechanism. This
means that the CSRC can instruct the CRO to obtain approval from the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission to conduct a cybersecurity
review of any proposed foreign public offering of a mainland Chinese operator where the capital markets regulator considers the listing
affects or is likely to affect China’s national security. The proposed rules 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 2021 Measures
or the final Cybersecurity Review Measures.
Further
regulations or regulatory actions in the PRC could affect the timetable and closing certainty of our Initial Public Offering and/or our
initial business combination.
Further,
on July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council of
the PRC jointly issued the “Opinion on Strictly Punishing Illegal Securities Activities according to Law” (《关于依法从严打击证券违法活动的意见》)
(the “Opinion”). The Opinion specifies the target of upgrading the securities law-enforcement and judicial systems by 2022
and 2025, including effectively curbing the frequent occurrence of major illegal and criminal cases, as well as making notable advances
in the transparency, standardization and credibility in the securities law-enforcement and judicial system. In particular, Clause 5 of
the Opinion is entitled “Further Enhancing Cross-Border Regulatory Oversight, Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation.” The
Opinion may require or facilitate further regulations or regulatory actions applicable to Chinese companies seeking to be listed overseas,
including in the U.S., which regulations could be applicable to our Initial Public Offering, our initial business combination or the
target company we identify and impact the timetable and closing certainty of our Initial Public Offering and/or our initial business
combination.
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 Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the MOFCOM shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking
if certain thresholds are triggered. In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011
specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers
and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security”
concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including
by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may acquire a complementary business.
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 MOFCOM 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.
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 came into effect as of January 1, 2020,
which clarified and elaborated the relevant provisions of the Foreign Investment Law.
52
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 the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, or its local branches.
If,
after our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets will be located in China and substantially all of our revenue
will be derived from our operations there, our results of operations and prospects and trading prices of our 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 could affect our 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 our
assets and operation, in China, if any, regardless of its lack of merit, could result in a diversion of management resources and energy,
potential costs to defend ourselves against rumors, decreases and volatility in the trading price of our securities, and increased directors
and officers insurance premiums and could have an adverse effect upon our business, including our 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 our business.
A
substantial portion of our operations may be conducted in China, and a significant portion of our net revenues may be derived from customers
where the contracting entity is located in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects, and
certain transactions we 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 our potential customers to delay or cancel their plans to purchase our 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. The PRC government also exercises
significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling the incurrence and payment of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
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.
53
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
our business and results of operations.
We
may face additional and distinctive risks if we acquire a financial technology business.
Business
combinations with financial technology businesses may involve special considerations and risks. If we complete our initial business combination
with a financial technology business, we will be subject to the following risks, any of which could be detrimental to us and the business
we acquire:
●
If
the company or business we acquire provides products or services which relate to the facilitation of financial transactions, such
as funds or securities settlement system, and such product or service fails or is compromised, we may be subject to claims from both
the firms to whom we provide our products and services and the clients they serve;
●
If
we are unable to keep pace with evolving technology and changes in the financial services industry, our revenues and future prospects
may decline;
●
Our
ability to provide financial technology products and services to customers may be reduced or eliminated by regulatory changes;
●
Any
business or company we acquire could be vulnerable to cyberattack or theft of individual identities or personal data;
●
Difficulties
with any products or services we provide could damage our reputation and business;
●
A
failure to comply with privacy regulations could adversely affect relations with customers and have a negative impact on business;
●
We
may not be able to protect our intellectual property and we 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 financial 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.
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 us from making loans to or making additional capital contributions
to our PRC entity, if any, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
We
are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability structured as a blank check company and may conduct
our operations in China through a PRC entity. As permitted under PRC laws and regulations, we may make loans to our PRC entity subject
to the approval from governmental authorities and limitation of amount, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC entity.
Furthermore, loans by us to our PRC entity to finance its activities cannot exceed the difference between their respective total project
investment amount and registered capital or 2.5 times of their net worth and capital contributions to our 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.
54
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 SAFE 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 SAFE 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 SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE 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
SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly
limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our Initial Public Offering, to our PRC entity,
which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our 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, and the fact that the PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions
in the future, we cannot assure you that we 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 us to our PRC entity or with respect to future capital contributions
by us to our 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 our Initial Public 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 our business.
If
we successfully consummate a business combination with a target business with primary operations in the PRC, we will be subject to restrictions
on dividend payments following 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 our operating company in China to pay
dividends to us only out of its accumulated distributable profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards
and regulations.
In
addition, our operating company in China will be required to set aside at least 10% (up to an aggregate amount equal to half of its registered
capital) of its accumulated profits each year. Each of our 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 our operating company in China incurs
debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments
to us.
In
addition, 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.
55
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, we will be subject to the PRC’s rules and regulations on currency conversion.
In the PRC, the SAFE regulates the conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies. The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility
of the Renminbi 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 Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency
and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government
may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. 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 the Renminbi. Any future restrictions on currency exchanges
may limit our ability to use the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering in an initial business combination with a PRC target company
and the use our cash flow for the distribution of dividends to our shareholders or to fund operations we may have outside of the PRC.
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 our 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
we are 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, 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.
These conditions include: (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 shall
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 early 2017, 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 ability of us to pay dividends or make other kinds of payments to us following our initial business combination could materially
and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or
otherwise fund and conduct our business.
56
U.S.
laws and regulations, including the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act, 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 recently enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCAA”) 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 three 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. Furthermore, on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
(“AHFCAA”), which, if signed into law, would amend the HFCAA and require the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities
from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three
consecutive years.
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. 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 three 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.
On
March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements
of the HFCAA. We will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies us as having a “non-inspection” year under
a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which, if passed by the U.S. House
of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions
under the HFCAA from three years to two.
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.
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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 UHY LLP is headquartered in New York, NY, 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 our auditor because of
a position taken by an authority in a foreign jurisdiction (including, without limitation, PRC government), we 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 our
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 our securities 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 our securities.
In
the event that we complete a business combination with a company with substantial operations in a foreign jurisdiction 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 us to fail to be in compliance with U.S. securities laws and regulations, we could cease to be listed on a U.S. securities
exchange, and U.S. trading of our shares could be prohibited. Any of these actions, or uncertainties in the market about the possibility
of such actions, could adversely affect our prospects to successfully complete a business combination, our access to the U.S. capital
markets and the price of our 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.
General
Risk Factors
Unanticipated
changes in our effective tax rate or challenges by tax authorities could harm our future results.
We
may become subject to income taxes in various other jurisdictions in the future. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by
changes in the allocation of our 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 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 effective tax rate would adversely affect our operating results. In addition, we 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.
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.
58
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 different
from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands
has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain states, 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.
Because
our Chairman of the Board and two of our 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
Chairman of the Board, Pengfei Zheng, and two of our directors, Shu Wang and Li (Helen) Wei, 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. 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.
Changes
in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results
of operations.
We
are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply
with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult,
time consuming and costly.
Those
laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material
adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations,
as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our
initial business combination and results of operations.
On
March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions
involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell
companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions;
increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs
could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. These rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or
in revised form, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and may increase
the costs and time related thereto.
59
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 common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case
we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities
less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance
on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading
market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting
standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do
not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting
standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements
that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such
extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or
private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new
or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth
company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of
the potential differences in accounting standards used.
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 common stock
held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of the prior June 30 th , or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100
million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock 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.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements
and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our business combination.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
●
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 business combination.
60
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 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. Our Initial Public 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 within 12 months from the closing of our Initial
Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our business combination, within 18 months from the closing
of our Initial Public Offering (as further described in this Form 10-K) 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. 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 $10.20 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 $10.20 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “ —
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount
received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, as indicated above, on March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules relating to, among other items, the extent to which
SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The SEC’s proposed rules would provide a safe
harbor for companies like our company from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment
Company Act, provided that they satisfy certain conditions that limit a company’s duration, asset composition, business purpose
and activities. The duration component of the proposed safe harbor rule would require the company to file a Current Report on Form 8-K
with the SEC announcing that it has entered into an agreement with the target company (or companies) to engage in an initial business
combination no later than 18 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement for its initial public offering.
The company would then be required to complete its initial business combination no later than 24 months after the effective date of its
registration statement for its initial public offering. These rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, may
materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and may increase the costs and time
related thereto.
61
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, 2023. 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 common stock 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 preference 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 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 common stock, 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.
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.