Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together
with the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the prospectus associated with our Initial Public Offering and
the registration statement of which such prospectus forms a part before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any of the
following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event,
the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described below
are not necessarily exhaustive and you are encouraged to perform your own investigation with respect to us and our business.
Risks
Relating to Searching for and Consummating 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. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to
evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses.
We may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never
generate any operating revenues.
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
some 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 Placement Shares, as well as any Public Shares they may hold, in favor of our initial business
combination. Our Founder Shares represent 20% of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. 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 shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by our Public Shareholders.
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 the target
businesses we pursue. 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.
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The
ability of our Public Shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business
combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We
may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that
we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many Public Shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not
be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. Furthermore, we
will only redeem our Public Shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately
prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock”
rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business
combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than
$5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon completion of our initial business combination or such greater amount necessary to satisfy
a closing condition, each as described above, we 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 will exercise their
redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will
be submitted for redemption. If the agreement for our initial business combination requires us to use a portion of the cash in the Trust
Account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the
cash in the Trust Account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third-party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares
are submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the
cash in the Trust Account or arrange for third-party financing. Raising additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity
issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete
the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure.
The
ability of our Public Shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability
that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.
If
the agreement for our initial business combination requires us to use a portion of the cash in the Trust Account to pay the purchase
price or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful
would be increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the Trust Account
until we liquidate the Trust Account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your share in the open market;
however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the Trust Account. In either situation,
you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate
or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.
Our
search for an initial business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate an initial business combination,
may be materially adversely affected by new outbreaks, or continuation of any existing outbreaks, of any infectious disease (such as
COVID-19) and other events, and the status of debt and equity markets.
Any
new outbreaks, or continuation of any existing outbreaks, of any infectious disease (such as COVID-19) or other events (such as terrorist
attacks, armed conflicts or natural disasters) could adversely affect economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of
any potential target business with which we consummate an initial business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore,
we may be unable to complete an initial business combination if concerns relating to any outbreak of a disease restricts travel or limits
the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers. The extent
to which any new outbreak or the continuation of any existing situation impacts our search for an initial business combination will depend
on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If any such event (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters
or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases) continues for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate an initial
business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate an initial business combination, may
be materially adversely affected.
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In
addition, our ability to consummate an initial business combination may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing
which may be impacted by outside events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of infectious diseases),
including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms
acceptable to us or at all.
As
the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may
be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in
our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
Since
the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have completed initial public offerings has increased
substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination,
and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many
such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time,
more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In
addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available
targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause target
companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry
sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate
targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and
consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable
to our investors.
If
our initial business combination involves a company organized under the laws of a state of the United States, it is possible a 1% U.S.
federal excise tax will be imposed on us in connection with redemptions of our Ordinary Shares after or in connection with such initial
business combination.
On
August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 became law in the United States, which, among other things, imposes a 1% excise
tax on the fair market value of certain repurchases (including certain redemptions) of shares by publicly traded domestic (i.e., United
States) corporations (and certain non-U.S. corporations treated as “surrogate foreign corporations”). The excise tax will
apply to share repurchases occurring in 2023 and beyond. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the
shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations
and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of, the excise tax. For instance, the U.S. Department of the Treasury
recently issued guidance clarifying when certain repurchases would be exempt from the excise tax, such as where the repurchases occur
in the same year that the repurchasing company undertakes a complete liquidation (as described in Section 331 of the Internal Revenue
Code). However, only limited guidance has been issued to date.
As
an entity incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company, the 1% excise tax is not expected to apply to redemptions of our Ordinary
Shares (absent any regulations and other additional guidance that may be issued in the future with retroactive effect). However, in connection
with an initial business combination involving a company organized under the laws of the United States, it is possible that we domesticate
and continue as a U.S. corporation prior to certain redemptions and, because our securities are trading on Nasdaq, it is possible that
we will be subject to the excise tax with respect to any subsequent redemptions, including redemptions in connection with the initial
business combination, that are treated as repurchases for this purpose (other than, pursuant to recently issued guidance from the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, redemptions in complete liquidation of the company). In all cases, the extent of the excise tax that may
be incurred will depend on a number of factors, including the fair market value of our shares redeemed, the extent such redemptions could
be treated as dividends and not repurchases, and the content of any regulations and other additional guidance from the U.S. Department
of the Treasury that may be issued and applicable to the redemptions. Issuances of shares by a repurchasing company in a year in which
such company repurchases shares may reduce the amount of excise tax imposed with respect to such repurchase. The excise tax is imposed
on the repurchasing company itself, not the shareholders from which shares are repurchased. The imposition of the excise tax as a result
of redemptions in connection with the initial business combination or in connection with any extension of time to consummate an initial
business combination could, however, reduce the amount of cash available to pay redemptions or reduce the cash contribution to the target
business in connection with our initial business combination, which could cause the other shareholders of the combined company to economically
bear the impact of such excise tax.
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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.
The
market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies is subject to continual change. For instance,
the premiums charged for such policies have increased at times and the terms of such policies have become less favorable. There can be
no assurance that these trends will not continue.
The
increased cost of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial
business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify coverage as a result of becoming a public
company, the post-business combination entity may need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. Any failure to
obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability
to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In
addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential
liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order
to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect to
any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The cost of run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination
entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
Our
Sponsors have the right to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination to up to 18 months from the closing
of our Initial Public Offering without providing our shareholders with a corresponding redemption right.
We
have until September 23, 2025 to consummate an initial business combination. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate
our initial business combination within the prescribed date, we may, by resolution of our board of directors, if requested by our Sponsors,
extend the period of time we will have to consummate an initial business combination three times for up to an additional three months
each until June 23, 2026 (for a total of up to 21 months from the date of the closing of our Initial Public Offering). Pursuant to the
terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between us and Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company on September 19, 2024 filed in connection with our Initial Public Offering, in order for the time
available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our Sponsors or their affiliates or designees, upon five
days’ advance notice prior to the deadline, must deposit into the Trust Account $600,000 ($0.10 per share) for the 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.
The
requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses leverage
over us in negotiating a business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination
targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms
that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any
potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must complete
our initial business combination by September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business
combination in full, June 23, 2026. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination,
knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete
our initial business combination with any other target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described
above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that
we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
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We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case we would cease all operations
except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our Public Shares and liquidate, in which case our Public Shareholders may only
receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our Rights will expire worthless.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we must complete our initial business combination by September
23, 2025, or we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination until June 23,
2026. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period. Our
ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital
and debt markets and the other risks described herein. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period,
we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten
business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes
(less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation and dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares,
which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further
liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption,
subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our
obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our
Public Shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share or less in certain circumstances, and our Rights will expire worthless. In certain
circumstances, our Public Shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares. 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 $10.00 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
Ordinary Shares from Public Shareholders, which may make it more likely that we are able to consummate such initial business combination
or reduce the public “float” of our Ordinary Shares or Rights.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business
combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our Sponsors, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may
purchase Public Shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market prior to the completion of our initial business combination,
although they are under no obligation or duty to do so. Any price paid for such securities may be less (but not more) than the amount
a Public Shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination. In the event
that our Sponsors, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions
from Public Shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to
revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares.
Additionally,
at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material
nonpublic information), our Sponsors, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their affiliates may enter into transactions
with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire Public Shares or not redeem their Public Shares. However, they have
no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such
transactions. None of the funds in the Trust Account will be used to purchase securities in such transactions.
The
purpose of any such transactions could be to (1) decrease the number of shares to be redeemed thereby leaving more cash available for
the post-combination company or (2) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net
worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise
not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise
have been possible.
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In
addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Ordinary Shares and the number of beneficial holders of our
securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to obtain or maintain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on
a national securities exchange.
If
a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our Public Shares in connection with our initial business combination, or
fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We
will comply with the tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business
combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder fails to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable,
such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the tender offer documents or proxy materials,
as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our Public Shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe
the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem Public Shares. For example, we may require our
Public Shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street
name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed
to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination in the event we distribute
proxy materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with
these or any other procedures, its shares may not be redeemed.
You
will not have any rights or interests in funds from the Trust Account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your
investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your Public Shares or Rights, potentially at a loss.
Our
Public Shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion of
an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those Public Shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem,
subject to the limitations described in our prospectus filed in connection with our Initial Public Offering, (ii) the redemption of any
Public Shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
(A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to
redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend
the period of time to consummate our initial business combination in full, by June 23, 2026 or (B) with respect to any other provision
relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) the redemption of our Public Shares if
we are unable to complete an initial business combination by September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our initial business combination in full, by June 23, 2026, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if
we are unable to complete an initial business combination by September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our initial business combination in full, by June 23, 2026 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 September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our initial business combination in full, beyond June 23, 2026 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.
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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 alone or as part of a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Ordinary Shares, you
will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our Ordinary Shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business
combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that a Public
Shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as
a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect
to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in our Initial Public Offering. However, our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association does not restrict our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or
against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete
our initial business combination. Accordingly, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose
of such shares, would be required to sell your shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Because
of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete
our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our Public Shareholders may receive
only approximately $10.00 per share on our redemption of our Public Shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our
Rights will expire worthless.
We
expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors
(which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing
for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying
and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these
competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources
will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. As a result, our ability to compete with respect
to the acquisition of certain target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation
gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses.
If
we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our Public Shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share,
or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our Trust Account and our Rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances,
our Public Shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share upon our liquidation. 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 $10.00 per share ” and other risk factors in this section.
If
the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Units not being held in the Trust Account are insufficient
to allow us to operate at least until by September 23, 2025 (or June 23, 2026 if we extend the time to complete a business combination
as further described herein), we may be unable to complete our initial business combination, in which case our Public Shareholders may
only receive $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and our Rights will expire worthless.
We
believe that the funds available to us outside of the Trust Account will be sufficient to allow us to operate until September 23, 2025,
or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination in full, June 23, 2026; however, we cannot
assure you that our estimate is accurate. If the available funds are not sufficient, we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching
for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business and we may be forced to liquidate. If we are unable to complete our
initial business combination, our Public Shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share or less in certain circumstances
on the liquidation of our Trust Account and our Rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our Public Shareholders may receive
less than $10.00 per share upon our liquidation. 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 $10.00 per share ”
and other risk factors in this section.
We
do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete
a business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association does not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that we
will only redeem our Public Shares so long as (after such redemption) our net tangible assets will be at least $5,000,001 either immediately
prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination (such that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock”
rules). As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our Public Shareholders
do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares.
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If
third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received
by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
Our
placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all
vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving
any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of our Public Shareholders,
such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims
against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar
claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim
against our assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our
acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may
limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue.
Upon
redemption of our Public Shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon
the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of
claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the ten years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share
redemption amount received by Public Shareholders could be less than the $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account, due to
claims of such creditors. Our Sponsors have agreed that they will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services
rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement,
reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held
in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each
case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party
who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the
underwriters of 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 Sponsors will not be responsible to the
extent of any liability for such third-party claims. We have not independently verified whether our Sponsors have sufficient funds to
satisfy their indemnity obligations and believe that our Sponsors’ only assets are securities of our company. We have not asked
our Sponsors to reserve for such indemnification obligations. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that our Sponsors would be able to
satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the Trust Account, the funds available for
our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be
able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption
of your Public Shares. None of our officers or directors are required to indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without
limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Our
independent directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our Sponsors, resulting in a reduction in the amount
of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to our Public Shareholders.
In
the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount
per share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust
assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and our Sponsors assert that they are unable to satisfy
their obligations or that they have no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine
whether to take legal action against our Sponsors to enforce their indemnification obligations.
While
we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our Sponsors to enforce their indemnification
obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so. For example,
they may determine that the cost of such legal action is too high relative to the amount recoverable or that a favorable outcome is not
likely. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the Trust Account
available for distribution to our Public Shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.
19
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.
Our
shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption
of their shares.
If
we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment
if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall
due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders.
Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad
faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying Public Shareholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing
the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and
officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were
unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable for a fine
of approximately $18,000 and imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
Because
we are not limited to a particular industry, sector, or geographic region in which to pursue our initial business combination, you will
be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We
may seek to complete a business combination with a target business in any industry or sector or geographical location. Because we have
not yet selected or approached any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the
possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial
condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in
the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an
established record of revenues or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially
unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular
target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all the significant risk factors or that we will have
adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability
to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to
remain shareholders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.
20
We
may seek acquisition opportunities in industries or sectors which may be outside of our management’s area of expertise.
We
will consider a business combination outside of our management’s area of expertise if a business combination candidate is presented
to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue
an acquisition outside of the areas of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable
to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this Annual Report regarding the areas of our management’s expertise
would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately
ascertain or assess all the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following our initial
business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.
We
may not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from another entity that commonly renders valuation
opinions, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair
to our company from a financial point of view.
Unless
we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity or our board cannot independently determine the fair market value
of the target business or businesses, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from another
independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the price we are paying is fair to our company from a financial point
of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair
market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy solicitation
or tender offer materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
Resources
could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate
and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our Public Shareholders may
receive only approximately $10.00 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our Trust Account
and our Rights will expire worthless.
We
anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements,
disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants,
attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the
proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we
may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will
result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire
or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our Public Shareholders may receive only
approximately $10.00 per share on the liquidation of our Trust Account and our Rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances,
our Public Shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares. 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 $10.00 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 initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If
we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers
to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make
it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we
could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence
investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations
and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks,
it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
21
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.
We
may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement
Units, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This
lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including
the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that
present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis.
By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic,
competitive, and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading
of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different
industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
●
solely
dependent upon the performance of a single business, property, or asset, or
●
dependent
upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes, or services.
This
lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive, and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a
substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our business combination.
22
Our
ability to complete a business combination may be impacted by the fact that certain of our Sponsors’ limited partners are non-U.S.
persons, and a majority of our officers and directors are located in, or have significant ties to, China. This may make us a less attractive
partner to potential target companies outside the PRC, thereby limiting our pool of acquisition candidates and making it harder for us
to complete an initial business combination with a non-China-based target company.
Certain
of our Sponsors’ limited partners are non-U.S. persons. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are located in, or
have significant ties to, China. As a result, we may be a less attractive partner to potential target companies outside the PRC, thereby
limiting our pool of acquisition candidates. This would impact our search for a target company and make it harder for us to complete
an initial business combination with a non-China-based target company. For example, we may not be able to complete an initial business
combination with a U.S. target company if such initial business combination is subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations and review
by a U.S. government entity. Certain federally licensed businesses in the United States, such as broadcasters and airlines, may be subject
to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership. In addition, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“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.
The
scope of CFIUS was expanded by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”) to include certain
non-passive, non-controlling investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and certain acquisitions of real estate even with no underlying
U.S. business. FIRRMA and subsequent implementing regulations that are now in force also subject certain categories of investments to
mandatory filings. If our potential initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within the scope of foreign ownership restrictions,
we may be unable to consummate a business combination with such business.
In
addition, if our potential business combination falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, we may be required to make a mandatory filing,
determine to submit a voluntary notice to CFIUS, or proceed with the initial business combination without notifying CFIUS and then bear
the risk of CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the initial business combination. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our initial
business combination, impose conditions to mitigate national security concerns with respect to such initial business combination or order
us to divest all or a portion of a U.S. business of the combined company if we had proceeded without first obtaining CFIUS clearance.
The foreign ownership limitations, and the potential impact of CFIUS, may limit the attractiveness of a transaction with us or prevent
us from pursuing certain initial business combination opportunities that we believe would otherwise be beneficial to us and our stockholders.
As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited and we may be
adversely affected in terms of competing with other special purpose acquisition companies which do not have similar foreign ownership
issues.
Moreover,
the process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because we only have until September 23, 2025 (or
June 23, 2026 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 $10.00 per share initially, and our Rights will expire worthless.
Our Public Shareholders may also lose the potential investment opportunity in a target company and the opportunity of realizing future
gains on such investments through any price appreciation in the combined company.
Risks
Relating to our Securities
Nasdaq
may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities
and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our
securities are traded on Nasdaq. However, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future
or prior to our initial business combination. 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;
23
●
a
determination that our Ordinary Shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Ordinary Shares
to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for
our securities;
●
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, Ordinary Shares and Rights
are listed on Nasdaq, our Units, Ordinary Shares and Rights are covered securities. Although the states are pre-empted from regulating
the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and,
if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case.
Additionally, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use
these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq,
our securities would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
We
may issue additional Ordinary Shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive
plan after completion of our initial business combination. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely
present other risks.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of up to 200,000,000 Ordinary Shares and 2,000,000
preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. We may issue a substantial number of additional Ordinary Shares or preference shares
to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination.
However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides, among other things, that prior to our initial business
combination, we may not issue additional capital shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the Trust Account
or (ii) vote as a class with our Public Shares. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association,
like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with the approval of our shareholders.
However, our executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment
to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (A) modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide
for the redemption of our Public Shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if
we do not complete our initial business combination by September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate
our initial business combination in full, June 23, 2026 or (B) with respect to any other material provision relating to shareholders’
rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Ordinary
Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the
Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares.
The
issuance of additional Ordinary Shares or preference shares:
●
may
significantly dilute the equity interest of investors;
●
may
subordinate the rights of holders of Ordinary Shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Ordinary
Shares;
●
could
cause a change of control if a substantial number of our Ordinary Shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our
ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers
and directors; and
●
may
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Ordinary Shares and/or Rights.
24
We
may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely
affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although
we have no commitments as of the date of this Annual Report issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding
debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We have agreed that we will not incur any
indebtedness prior to the business combination unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim
of any kind in or to the monies held in the Trust Account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for
redemption from the Trust Account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
●
default
and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt
obligations;
●
acceleration
of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain
covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that
covenant;
●
our
immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand;
●
our
inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such
financing while the debt security is outstanding;
●
our
inability to pay dividends on our Ordinary Shares;
●
using
a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends
on our Ordinary Shares if declared, our ability to pay expenses, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, and fund other general
corporate purposes;
●
limitations
on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
●
increased
vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;
and
●
other
disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
The
grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders and EBC may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination,
and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares.
Pursuant
to an agreement entered into with the holders of the Founder Shares, EBC Founder Shares, Private Placement Units, such holders may demand
that we register the resale of such securities and any units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans. We will bear
the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in
the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Ordinary Shares. In addition, the existence of the registration
rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target
business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact
on the market price of our Ordinary Shares that is expected when the Founder Shares, EBC Founder Shares, Private Placement Units and
Working Capital Units (as defined below), if any, are registered.
25
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 have been issued in registered form under a rights agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights
agent, and us. The rights agreement provides that the terms of the Rights may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any
ambiguity or correct any defective provision. The rights agreement requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the
then outstanding Rights in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the holders of the Rights.
Our
Rights may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Ordinary Shares and make it more difficult to complete our initial business
combination.
We
have issued Rights as part of the Public Units entitling the holders to receive an aggregate of 600,000 Ordinary Shares. Simultaneously
with the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we issued as part of the Private Placement Units Rights entitling the holders to receive
an aggregate of 23,000 Ordinary Shares. In addition, if our initial shareholders or their affiliates make any working capital loans to
us, up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted into Units the (“Working Capital Units”), at the price of $10.00 per
Working Capital Unit, at the option of the lender. Such Working Capital Units would be identical to the Private Placement Units sold
in the Private Placement.
To
the extent we issue Ordinary Shares to complete a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional
Ordinary Shares upon conversion of the Rights could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance
will increase the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares and reduce the value of the Ordinary Shares issued to complete the
business combination. Therefore, our Rights may make it more difficult to complete a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring
the target business.
Because
we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous
initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The
federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance
tests include target historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure. We will include the same financial statement disclosure
in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements
may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America, or “GAAP”, or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board, or “IFRS”, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”). These financial statement requirements
may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements
in time for us to disclose such financial statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination
within the prescribed time frame.
Risks
Related to Our Management
Our
ability to successfully complete our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the
efforts of members of our management team, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of such people
could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our
ability to successfully complete our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of members of our management team. The
role of members of our management team in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some members of our
management team may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination,
it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any
individuals we engage after our initial business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove
to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause
us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
26
In
addition, the officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The
departure of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination
business. The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be
ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain
associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of
an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability
of our post-combination business.
Members
of our management team may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business
combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result,
may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Members
of our management team may be able to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to
negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously
with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments
and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. The personal and financial
interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. However, we believe the
ability of such individuals to remain with us after the completion of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor
in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. We cannot assure you that any members of
our management team will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any members of our
management team will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Our
officers and directors may allocate their time to other businesses and may become officers or directors of other special purpose acquisition
companies, thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs and whether to present
a target to us instead of our competitors. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial
business combination.
Our
officers and directors have fiduciary responsibilities to dedicate substantially all their business time to their respective affairs
and their respective employers. These responsibilities may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations
and our search for a business combination and their other businesses, including other business endeavors for which he or she may be entitled
to substantial compensation. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs
in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs; or if they have fiduciary duty
to present a target company to our competitor instead of us, which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial
business combination.
Our
initial shareholders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We
have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates from having a direct or indirect
pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or
have an interest. We do not have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities
of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
27
We
may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated
with our initial shareholders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In
light of the involvement of our officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated
with our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates. Our initial shareholders are not currently aware of any specific opportunities
for us to complete our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary
discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we are not specifically focusing on, or targeting,
any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our
criteria for a business combination as set forth in the section of this Annual Report 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 initial business combination is not completed, a conflict of
interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our
Sponsors have acquired an aggregate 1,725,000 Founder Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. Following the termination of
underwriter’s over-allotment option, 225,000 Founder Shares were forfeited and cancelled. EBC purchased 100,000 Founder Shares
for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $0.014 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $1,450. In addition, our Sponsors
have purchased an aggregate of 230,000 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per unit in the Private Placement. The Founder Shares
and Private Placement Units will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. Our initial shareholders have agreed,
subject to applicable securities laws, (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 Placement Shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business
combination. In addition, we may obtain loans from our initial shareholders. The personal and financial interests of our initial shareholders
may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination,
and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination.
Our
Sponsors and other insiders may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you
do not support.
Our
initial shareholders and their affiliates may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a
manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approval
of major corporate transactions. If our initial shareholders purchase any additional Ordinary Shares in the aftermarket or in privately
negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would
include consideration of the current trading price of our Ordinary Shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were elected
by certain of our initial shareholders, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three
years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. We may not hold an annual meeting of shareholders to elect new directors
prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until
at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board
of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our initial shareholders, because of their
ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome.
28
Post-Business-Combination
Risks
Subsequent
to the completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment
or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our share price,
which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even
if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will surface
all material issues that may be present inside a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues
through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later
arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment
or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected
risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though
these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature
could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate
net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue
of our obtaining post-combination debt financing. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following the business
combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.
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 target business’ industry, it will likely be subject to ongoing technological change, evolving industry standards, changing
regulations, and changing customer needs, requirements, and preferences. The success of 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.
29
Technology
platforms may not operate properly or as we expect them to operate.
Technology
platforms are expensive and complex, their continuous development, maintenance and operation may entail unforeseen difficulties including
material performance problems or undetected defects or errors. 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 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.
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;
30
●
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;
●
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.
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.
31
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.
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 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 disproportionately taxed on what you actually receive.
If
you are a U.S. holder of our Ordinary Shares, you will be taxed on the U.S. dollar value of your dividends, if any, at the time you receive
them, even if you actually receive a smaller amount of U.S. dollars when the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Specifically,
if a dividend is declared and paid in a foreign currency, the amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income
as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the payments made in the foreign currency, determined at the spot rate of the foreign
currency to the U.S. dollar on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is
in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Thus, if the value of the foreign currency decreases before you actually convert the currency into
U.S. dollars, you will be taxed on a larger amount in U.S. dollars than the U.S. dollar amount that you will actually ultimately receive.
32
If
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.
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.
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;
33
●
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 certain business practices may be harmful to an
operating business. Local laws often do not go far enough to prevent improper business practices. In our evaluation of a 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.
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. 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 adequate in this jurisdiction. 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 the requirement that
the antitrust enforcement agency of the State Council (currently the Antitrust Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation)
be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered;
●
the
authority of certain government agencies to have scrutiny over the economics of an acquisition transaction and requirement for consideration
in a transaction to be paid within stated time limits; and
●
the
requirement for mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and
mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national
security” concerns to be subject to strict review by the MOFCOM.
34
Complying
with these and other requirements could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the
MOFCOM or its local counterparts, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to acquire
PRC-based businesses. A business combination we propose may not be able to be completed if the terms of the transaction do not satisfy
aspects of the approval process and may not be completed, even if approved, if they are not consummated within the time permitted by
the approvals granted.
In
addition, the PRC currently prohibits and/or restricts foreign ownership in certain “restricted industries,” including but
not limited to, for example, certain value added telecommunications services. There is no assurance that the PRC government will not
apply restrictions in other industries. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based in and
primarily operating in China, the combined company may face various legal and operational risks and uncertainties after the business
combination. We will not consummate our initial business combination with an entity or business with China operations consolidated through
a VIE structure. As a result, the prohibitions and/or restrictions of foreign ownership in certain “restricted industries”
may limit the pool of acquisition candidates we may acquire in China.
Our
potential future subsidiaries and affiliated entities or acquisitions of offshore entities that conduct operations through affiliates
in the PRC may be subject to a high level of scrutiny by the relevant tax authorities.
Under
the laws of the PRC, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the relevant tax authorities.
If any of the transactions we enter into with potential future subsidiaries and affiliated entities are found not to be on an arm’s-length
basis, or to result in an unreasonable reduction in tax under local law, the relevant tax authorities may have the authority to disallow
any tax savings, adjust the profits and losses of such potential future local entities and assess late payment interest and penalties.
A finding by the relevant tax authorities that we are ineligible for any such tax savings, or that any of our possible future affiliated
entities are not eligible for tax exemptions, would substantially increase 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.
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 (“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 (“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.
35
We
cannot provide assurance that our shareholders that are PRC residents comply with all of the requirements under SAFE Circular 37 or other
related rules. Failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to comply with the registration procedures set forth in these regulations
may subject 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.
Compliance
with the PRC Antitrust law may limit our ability to effect our initial business combination.
The
PRC Antitrust Law became effective on August 1, 2008. The government authorities in charge of antitrust matters in China are the Antitrust
Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation and other antitrust agencies. The PRC Antitrust Law regulates (1) monopoly agreements,
including decisions or actions in concert that preclude or impede competition, entered into by business operators; (2) abuse of dominant
market position by business operators; and (3) concentration of business operators that may have the effect of precluding or impeding
competition. To implement the Antitrust Law, in 2008, the State Council formulated the Rules of the State Council on Declaration Threshold
for Concentration of Business Undertakings (as amended on September 18, 2018), pursuant to which concentration of business operators
refers to (1) merger with other business operators; (2) gaining control over other business operators through acquisition of equity interest
or assets of other business operators; and (3) gaining control over other business operators through exerting influence on other business
operators through contracts or other means.
On
June 24, 2022, the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to Amend the Antitrust Law of the People’s
Republic of China, or the “Decision to Amend the Antitrust Law,” was adopted and became effective on August 1, 2022. The
Decision to Amend the Antitrust Law strengthens the regulation on the internet platforms, requiring that companies shall not use data
and algorithms, technologies, capital advantages, platform rules and other means to engage in monopolistic conduct and also escalates
the administrative penalties for monopolistic conduct and for the failure to notify the antitrust agencies on proposed transactions that
will lead to concentration of businesses. The State Council Antitrust Enforcement Agency may order to reinstate the original status prior
to the concentration and impose a fine on the operators. Since such provisions are relatively new, uncertain still remains as to the
interpretation and implementation of such laws and regulations. The business combination we contemplate may be considered the concentration
of business operators, and to the extent required by the Antitrust Law and the criteria established by the State Council, we must file
with the antitrust authority under the PRC State Council prior to 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 initial 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 initial business combination,
within 18 months from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, 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 by September 23, 2025,
or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, June 23, 2026.
36
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 (“SAFE 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 banks 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 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 (“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 issue loans
to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties.
As
such, SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE 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.
37
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 (“Security Review Regulations”), which became effective on March 3, 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. On December 19, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission (the “NDRC”)
and MOFCOM jointly issued the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investments (the “New FISR Measures”), which was
made pursuant to the National Security Law and the Foreign Investment Law, which became effective on January 18, 2021. The New FISR Measures
further expand the scope of national security review on foreign investment, while leaving substantial room for interpretation and speculation.
Foreign investors or the relevant parties in China (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “parties concerned”) are
required to provide advance notice to the office of the working mechanism relating to a proposed foreign investment within the following
categories so that it can consider whether to permit such an investment: (a) military industry, military industrial supporting and other
fields relating to the security of national defense, and investments in areas surrounding military facilities and military industry facilities;
and (b) important agricultural products, important energy and resources, important equipment manufacturing, important infrastructure,
important transport services, important cultural products and services, important information technology and Internet products and services,
important financial services, key technologies and other important fields relating to national security. Prior to a decision being made
by the office of the working mechanism, the parties concerned shall not consummate the proposed investment.
The
Security Review Regulations and the New FISR Measures will potentially subject a large number of mergers and acquisitions transactions
by foreign investors in China to an additional layer of regulatory review. Currently, there is significant uncertainty as to the implication
of the Security Review Regulations and the New FISR Measures. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and
other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes may delay or inhibit
our ability to complete our potential initial business combination, and we may have to spend additional resources and incur additional
time delays to complete any such acquisition. There is no guarantee that we can receive such approval in a timely manner, and we may
also be prevented from pursuing certain investment opportunities if the PRC government considers that the potential investments will
result in a significant national security issue. If obtained, since our initial business combination period is 15 months from the closing
of our Initial Public Offering, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, 18 months
from the closing of our Initial Public Offering, 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 by September 23, 2025, or if we decide
to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, June 23, 2026.
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.
In April 2020, the CAC and certain other PRC regulatory authorities promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which requires
that operators of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services
which do or may affect national security. On January 4, 2022, the CAC, in conjunction with 12 other government departments, issued the
New Measures for Cybersecurity Review (the “New Measures”). The New Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022,
amend the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Draft Revision for Comments) released on July 10, 2021. The New Measures require that certain
operators of data processing activities that affect or may affect national security or that handle personal information of more than
one million users must apply for cybersecurity review to the PRC Cybersecurity Review Office (the “CRO”) when they go public
abroad. The PRC Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021, imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities
and individuals that carry out data activities, provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect
national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information.
38
If,
for example, our potential initial business combination is with a target business operating in the PRC and if the aforementioned laws
and regulations mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by the target business, we may face
uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be 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 initial 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 initial business combination, 18 months from the closing of
our Initial Public Offering, 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 an initial business combination by September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend
the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, June 23, 2026.
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 Cayman Islands Data Protection Act (as revised, the “DPA”) 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 SAFE. We may also face regulatory
uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under
PRC laws.
On
February 15, 2012, SAFE issued the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating
in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies (the “Share Option Rules”). Under the Share Option Rules,
PRC residents who are granted shares or share options by companies listed on overseas stock exchanges under share incentive plans are
required to (i) register with SAFE or its local branches, (ii) retain a qualified PRC agent, which may be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas
listed company or another qualified institution selected by the PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures
with respect to the share incentive plans on behalf of the participants, and (iii) retain an overseas institution to handle matters in
connection with their exercise of share options, purchase and sale of shares or interests and funds transfers.
39
Upon
consummation of business combination with a target company in the PRC, we may adopt an equity incentive plan and make share option grants
under the plan to our officers, directors and employees, whom may be PRC citizens and be required to register with SAFE. If it is determined
that any of our equity compensation plans are subject to the Share Option Rules, failure to comply with such provisions may subject us
and participants of our equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant
equity compensation to our PRC employees. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation
would be hindered and our business operations may be adversely affected.
Enhanced
scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue
in the future.
On
February 3, 2015, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of
Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises (“SAT Circular 7”). SAT Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to transactions involving
the transfer of taxable assets through offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Circular 7 has introduced
safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Circular 7
also brings challenges to both foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of taxable
assets. On October 17, 2017, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Issues of Withholding of Income Tax of Non-resident
Enterprises at Source (“SAT Circular 37”), which came into effect on December 1, 2017. SAT Circular 37 further clarifies
the practice and procedure of the withholding of non-resident enterprise income tax.
Where
a non-resident enterprise transfers taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, which
is known as an indirect transfer, the non-resident enterprise as either transferor or transferee, or the PRC entity that directly owns
the taxable assets, may report such indirect transfer to the relevant tax authority. Using a “substance over form” principle,
the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was
established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be
subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold
the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. Both the transferor
and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails
to pay the taxes.
We
face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore
restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries and investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxed
if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such
transactions, under SAT Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT
Circular 7 or SAT Circular 37 or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material 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 operations in China, which could
result in a material change in 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 Ordinary Shares.
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.
40
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.
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 the post-combination entity’s business and the enforcement and performance of its 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 the post-combination entity’s business
may be affected if we rely on laws and regulations which are subsequently adopted or interpreted in a manner different from our understanding
of these laws and regulations. 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.
41
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.
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 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 generate most of our revenue 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.
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.
The
PRC regulatory authorities have in recent years strengthened the oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy. According to the institutional
reform plan of the State Council approved by the National People’s Congress on March 10, 2023, the National Data Bureau will be
established under the administration of the NDRC. The National Data Bureau will be responsible for, among other things, advancing the
development of data-related fundamental institutions, coordinating the integration, sharing, development and application of data resources,
and pushing forward the planning and building of a digital China, the digital economy and a digital society. 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 Annual Report, 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.
42
On
June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress (the “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 China Securities Regulatory Commission
(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
PRC Provisions on the Takeover of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “PRC 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 PRC M&A Rules and the CSRC approval requirement to offshore
special purpose vehicles.
On
December 27, 2021, the NDRC and the MOFCOM jointly promulgated the Special Administrative Measure for the Access of Foreign Investment
(2021 Version (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.
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On
February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures (the “Trial Administrative Measures”) and five
supporting guidelines, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Trial Administrative Measures, among other requirements,
(a) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, must comply with the filing procedures
of the Trial Administrative Measures with the CSRC. If the issuer meets both of the following conditions, the overseas offering and listing
shall be determined as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company and be required to comply with the filing procedures:
(i) any of the total assets, net assets, revenues or profits of the domestic operating entities of the issuer in the most recent fiscal
year accounts for more than 50% of the corresponding figure in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements for the same
period; or (ii) its major operational activities are carried out in China or its main places of business are located in China, or the
senior managers in charge of operation and management of the issuer are mostly Chinese citizens or are domiciled in China. If a domestic
company fails to complete the filing procedure, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties.
Based
on our understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations in effect at the time of this Annual Report, no prior permission is required
under the PRC M&A Rules, the Negative List or the Trial Administrative Measures from any PRC governmental authorities (including
the CSRC) for consummating the IPO by our company, given that: (a) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation
concerning whether offerings like ours under this Annual Report are subject to the PRC 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 PRC M&A Rules, the Negative List or the Trial Administrative Measures will be interpreted
or implemented in the context of an overseas offering or if we decide to consummate the business combination with a target business based
In and primarily operating in China. If the CSRC or another PRC governmental authority subsequently determines that its approval is needed
for 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 a potential
business combination, impose fines and penalties, limit our operations in China, or take other actions that could materially adversely
affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities.
As
of the date of this Annual Report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection from the CSRC
or any other PRC governmental authorities.
Our
company is a blank check company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We currently do not hold any equity interest in any
PRC company or operate any business in China. Therefore, we are not required to obtain any permission from any PRC governmental authorities
to operate our business as currently conducted. If we decide to consummate our initial business combination with a target business based
in and primarily operating in China, the combined company’s business operations in China through its subsidiaries are subject to
relevant requirements to obtain applicable licenses from PRC governmental authorities under relevant PRC laws and regulations.
If
we select a business combination target that operates in the PRC, the approval of the CRO), the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission
and/or other PRC authority may be required for our initial business combination under PRC law.
In
April 2020, the CAC and certain other PRC regulatory authorities promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which requires that
operators of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which
do or may affect national security. On January 4, 2022, the CAC, in conjunction with 12 other government departments issued the New Measures
for Cybersecurity Review (the “New Measures”). The New Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022, amends the
Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Draft Revision for Comments) released on July 10, 2021. The New Measures require that certain operators
of data processing activities that affect or may affect national security or that handle personal information of more than one million
users must apply for cybersecurity review to the CRO when they go public abroad. The PRC Data Security Law, which took effect on September
1, 2021, imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals that carry out data activities, provides for a national
security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information.
On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Personal Information Protection Law (the
“PIPL”), which is took effect on November 1, 2021. The PIPL sets out the regulatory framework for the handling and protection
of personal information and the transmission of personal information overseas. If our potential future target business in China involves
collecting and retaining internal or customer data, such target might be subject to the relevant cybersecurity laws and regulations,
including the PRC Cybersecurity Law and the PIPL, and the cybersecurity review before effecting a business combination. The cybersecurity
review might impact the timetable of our initial business combination and the certainty of our initial business combination, if the target
company we have identified is subject to the aforementioned cybersecurity related laws and regulations.
44
The
PRC 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
PRC M&A Rules and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements
that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some
instances that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC
domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Antitrust Law requires that the Antitrust Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation
and other antitrust agencies shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In
addition, the Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investments (the “New FISR Measures”) issued by the NDRC and MOFCOM
that became effective in January 18, 2021specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense
and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic
enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the office of the working mechanism,
and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy
or contractual control arrangement. 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 office of the working mechanism or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such
transactions, which could affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Substantial
uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact our ability
to pursue an acquisition in China.
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.
The
Foreign Investment Law sets out the basic regulatory framework for foreign investments and proposes to implement a system of pre-entry
national treatment with a negative list for foreign investments, pursuant to which (i) foreign entities and individuals are prohibited
from investing in the areas that are not open to foreign investments, (ii) foreign investments in the restricted industries must satisfy
certain requirements under the law, and (iii) foreign investments in business sectors outside of the negative list will be treated equally
with domestic investments. The Foreign Investment Law also sets forth necessary mechanisms to facilitate, protect and manage foreign
investments and proposes to establish a foreign investment information reporting system, through which foreign investors or foreign-invested
enterprises are required to submit initial report, report of changes, report of deregistration and annual report relating to their investments
to MOFCOM or its local branches.
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, after our initial business combination, 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.
45
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.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a business located in the PRC, 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, after our initial business combination, 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. Changes in any of these policies,
laws and regulations could adversely affect the economy in China and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The
PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage foreign investment and sustainable economic growth and to guide the allocation
of financial and other resources. However, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not repeal or alter these measures or introduce
new measures that will have a negative effect on us. China’s social and political conditions may change and become unstable. Any
sudden changes to China’s political system or the occurrence of widespread social unrest could have a material adverse effect on
our business and results of operations.
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 the 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.
46
SAFE
promulgated SAFE 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 SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. SAFE promulgated 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 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 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 PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “PRC EIT 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.
47
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, 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 EIT 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 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, including but not limited to (1) the taxpayer must be
the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends, and (2) the corporate shareholder to receive dividends from the PRC entity must have
continuously met the direct ownership thresholds during the 12 consecutive months preceding the receipt of the dividends. Further, under
Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Relating to “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which took
effect on April 1, 2018, a “Beneficial Owner” shall mean a person who has ownership and control over the income and the rights
and property from which the income is derived. To determine the “beneficial owner” status of a resident of the treaty counterparty
who needs to take advantage of the tax treaty benefits, a comprehensive analysis 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 (“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.
48
In
addition, in response to the persistent capital outflow in China and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth
quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and SAFE promulgated a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months,
including stricter vetting procedures for domestic companies to remit foreign currency for overseas investments, dividends payments and
shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial
vetting process may be put forward by SAFE for cross-border transactions falling under both the current account and the capital account.
Any limitation on the 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.
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 (the “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
(the “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”). 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 HFCAA. 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 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.
49
On
August 26, 2022, the PCAOB signed a Statement of Protocol (the “Statement of Protocol”) with the China Securities Regulatory
Commission of the PRC and MOFCOM, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public
accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong completely, consistent with U.S. law. The Statement of Protocol gives
the PCAOB sole discretion to select the firms, audit engagements and potential violations it inspects and investigates and put in place
procedures for PCAOB inspectors and investigators to view complete audit work papers with all information included and for the PCAOB
to retain information as needed. In addition, the Statement of Protocol grants the PCAOB direct access to interview and take testimony
from all personnel associated with the audits the PCAOB inspects or investigates. While significant, uncertainties still exist as to
how the Statement of Protocol will be implemented and whether the applicable parties will comply with the framework.
Our
auditor, MaloneBailey LLP, is headquartered in Houston, Texas, 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
Risks
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.
50
Our
corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Companies Act and the
common law of the Cayman Islands. We will also be subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders
to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under
Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived
in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose
courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary
responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as what they would be under statutes or judicial
precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws
as compared to the United States, and certain states, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law.
In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a federal court of the United
States.
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, Yawei Cao, and one of our directors, Yue Zhuge, residents of China. China has no arrangement for the reciprocal
enforcement of judgments with the United States. PRC courts may only recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements
of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of
reciprocity between jurisdictions. This is reflected in a number of bilateral treaties signed by China, which provide that lack of jurisdiction
of the judgment court can be a ground for refusal to enforce the foreign judgment. Further, a foreign judgment cannot be recognized and
enforced in China if a Chinese court has rendered a judgment on the same subject matter or recognized and enforced another foreign judgment
or arbitral award on the same subject matter. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce
a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws
or national sovereignty, security, or public interest. China has no treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United States
that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect
service of process within the United States upon us or our Chairman and our directors who are residents of China, or to enforce judgments
in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) that are obtained in U.S. courts against us or such individuals, including judgments predicated
upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Even with proper service of process,
the enforcement of judgments obtained in U.S. courts or foreign courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities
laws would be extremely difficult given the PRC Civil Procedures Law and the lack of a treaty or principles of reciprocity providing
for the recognition and enforcement of U.S. judgments. Furthermore, there would be added costs and issues with bringing an original action
in foreign courts to enforce liabilities based on the U.S. federal securities laws against us or our officers and directors, and they
still may be fruitless.
We
have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel that it is uncertain whether the courts of the Cayman Islands will allow shareholders
of our company to originate actions in the Cayman Islands based upon securities laws of the U.S. In addition, there is uncertainty with
regard to Cayman Islands law related to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of U.S. securities
laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal or punitive in nature. If such determination is made, the courts
of the Cayman Islands will not recognize or enforce the judgment against a Cayman Islands company, such as our company. As the courts
of the Cayman Islands have yet to rule on making such a determination in relation to judgments obtained from U.S. courts under civil
liability provisions of U.S. securities laws, it is uncertain whether such judgments would be enforceable in the Cayman Islands. Although
there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands
will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits of the
underlying dispute based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation
to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman
Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty,
was not obtained by fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public
policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). The courts of
the Cayman Islands will apply the rules of Cayman Islands private international law to determine whether the foreign court is a court
of competent jurisdiction.
51
As
a result of all of the above, Public Shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken
by management, members of our board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as Public Shareholders of a U.S. company.
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.
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 Jumpstart Our Business Startups
Act (the “JOBS Act”), and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable
to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the
auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation
in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive
compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not
have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances
could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Ordinary Shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700
million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December
31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors
find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower
than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may
be more volatile.
Further,
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting
standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do
not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting
standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements
that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such
extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or
private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new
or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth
company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of
the potential differences in accounting standards used.
52
Additionally,
we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K as promulgated under the Securities Act
(“Regulation S-K”). Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including,
among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last
day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our Ordinary Shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end
of the prior June 30 th , or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market
value of our Ordinary Shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30 th . To the extent we take
advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies
difficult or impossible.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements
and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
●
restrictions
on the nature of our investments; and
●
restrictions
on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
In
addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
●
registration
as an investment company;
●
adoption
of a specific form of corporate structure; and
●
reporting,
record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
In
order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must
ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our activities
do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our
total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and
complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not plan to
buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to
be a passive investor.
We
do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held
in the Trust Account may only be held in demand deposit or cash accounts or invested in United States “government securities”
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting
certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury
obligations. Pursuant to the trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the
investment of the proceeds to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long
term (rather than on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being
deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. 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 by
September 23, 2025, or if we decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination in full, June 23, 2026
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 $10.00 per share on the liquidation of our Trust
Account and our Rights will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our Public Shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share
on the redemption of their shares. 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 $10.00 per share ” and other
risk factors in this section.
53
If
we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we could be forced to liquidate and investors in
our company would not be able to participate in any benefits of owning stock in an operating business, including the potential appreciation
of our stock following a business combination and our Rights would expire worthless.
As
indicated above, we have until September 23, 2025 (or June 23, 2026 if the time period has been extended as described herein in full)
to consummate an initial business combination. It is possible that a claim in the future could be made that we have been operating as
an unregistered investment company. It is also possible that the investment of funds from the IPO and private placement of units during
our life as a blank check company, and the earning and use of interest from such investment, both of which will likely continue until
we consummate an initial business combination, could increase the likelihood of us being found to have been operating as an unregistered
investment company more than if we sought to potentially mitigate this risk by holding such funds as cash. Furthermore, the longer the
funds are invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company
Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment
Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, the greater the risk could be that we are considered an
investment company. If we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act and found to have been operating
as an unregistered investment company, it could cause us to liquidate. If we are forced to liquidate, investors in our company would
not be able to participate in any benefits of owning stock in an operating business, including the potential appreciation of our stock
following a business combination and our Rights would expire worthless.
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, 2025. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated
filer will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control
over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent
registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank
check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public
companies because a target company with which we seek to complete our business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to
achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
Provisions
in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors
might be willing to pay in the future for our Ordinary Shares and could entrench management.
Our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals
that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability
of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred shares, which may make the removal of management
more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our
securities.
54
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 Cayman Companies Act for us to hold
annual or general meetings to appoint directors. Accordingly, until we hold an annual general meeting, Public Shareholders may not be
afforded the opportunity to discuss company affairs with management. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one
class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general
meeting) serving a three-year term. In addition, as holders of our Ordinary Shares, our Public Shareholders will not have the right to
vote on the appointment of directors until after the consummation of our initial business combination. In addition, prior to our initial
business combination, only holders of the Founder Shares have the right to vote on the appointment of directors, including in connection
with the completion of our initial business combination. Accordingly, you may not have any say in the management of our company prior
to the consummation of an initial business combination.
Adverse
developments affecting the financial services industry could adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations,
either directly or through adverse impacts on certain of our vendors and customers.
Adverse
developments that affect financial institutions, such as events involving liquidity that are rumored or actual, have in the past and
may in the future lead to bank failures and/or market-wide liquidity problems. These events could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations, either directly or through an adverse impact on certain of our vendors and customers. For example,
on March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as receiver. Similarly, on March 12, 2023, Signature Bank was put into
receivership. Since that time, there have been reports of instability at other U.S. banks, including First Republic Bank. Although the
Federal Reserve Board, the Department of the Treasury and the FDIC have taken steps to ensure that depositors at Silicon Valley Bank
and Signature Bank can access all of their funds, including funds held in uninsured deposit accounts, and have taken additional steps
to provide liquidity to other banks, there is no guarantee that, in the event of the closure of other banks or financial institutions
in the future, depositors would be able to access uninsured funds or that they would be able to do so in a timely fashion.
To
date, we have not experienced any adverse impact to our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations as a result of the events
described above. However, failures of other banks or financial institutions may expose us to additional risks, either directly or through
the effect on vendors or other third parties, and may lead to significant disruptions to our operations, financial condition and reputation.
Moreover, uncertainty remains over liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry. Our business may be adversely impacted
by these developments in ways that we cannot predict at this time, there may be additional risks that we have not yet identified, and
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to avoid negative consequences directly or indirectly from any failure of one or more banks
or other financial institutions.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.