Item 1. Business
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Introduction
CM Seven Star Acquisition Corporation is a
Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on November 28, 2016 as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger,
share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, with
one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry
or geographic location. We have not selected any target business for our initial business combination.
We believe that our management team is well
positioned to identify attractive risk-adjusted returns in the marketplace and that our contacts and transaction sources, ranging
from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, and investment bankers, in addition to the geographical reach of
our affiliates, will enable us to pursue a broad range of opportunities. Our management team has significant experience in engaging
in cross-border business in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and understands the cultural, business and economic differences and opportunities
that will allow us to negotiate a transaction.
In addition to our management team, our sponsor,
Shareholder Value Fund (our “Sponsor”), is a Cayman Islands exempted company structured as a hedge fund controlled
by its Board of Directors, which has selected CM Asset Management (Hongkong) Company Limited (“CMAM”) to serve as the
investment manager for the fund. CMAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Minsheng Financial Holding Corporation Limited, a HKSE
listed Company [Ticker: 245 HK]. On October 30, 2017, we consummated our initial public offering (“IPO”) of 18,000,000
units (the “Units”). Each Unit consists of one ordinary share (the “Ordinary Shares”), one-half of a redeemable
warrant (the “Public Warrants”) and one right to receive 1/10 of an Ordinary Share upon the consummation of our initial
business combination (the “Rights”). The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross
proceeds of $180,000,000. The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,700,000 additional Units to
cover over-allotments, if any.
On October 30, 2017, simultaneously with the
consummation of the IPO, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with our Sponsor of 475,000 units
(the “Private Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $4,750,000. The Private Units
are identical to the Units sold in the IPO, except that the warrants underlying the Private Units (i) may be exercised on a cashless
basis at the holder’s option and (ii) will not be redeemable by the Company, in each case as long as they are held by our
Sponsor or its permitted transferees. Additionally, because the Private Units were issued in a private transaction, our Sponsor
and its permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the warrants included in the Private Units for cash even if a registration
statement covering the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered Ordinary
Shares. Additionally, our Sponsor agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except
in limited circumstances, as described in the registration statement relating to the IPO) until the completion of the Company’s
initial business combination. The Sponsor was granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the Private
Units.
The Private Units were issued pursuant to Section
4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the transactions did not involve a public offering.
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The underwriters
exercised the over-allotment option in part and, on November 3, 2017, the underwriters purchased 2,636,293 over-allotment option
Units, which were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $26,362,930. On November 3, 2017,
simultaneously with the sale of the over-allotment Units, the Company consummated the private sale of an additional 52,726 Private
Units to our Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $527,260. On November 3, 2017, the underwriters canceled the remainder of the
over-allotment option. In connection with the cancellation of the remainder of the over-allotment option, the Company canceled
an aggregate of 15,927 Ordinary Shares issued to our Sponsor prior to the IPO and Private Placement.
A total of
$206,362,930 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option Units) and the private
placements on October 30, 2017 and November 3, 2017 were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s
public shareholders at JPMorgan Chase Bank maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. None
of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account, other than interest income to pay any tax obligations, until
the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination and (ii) the Company’s failure to
consummate a business combination within 15 months (or 18 months, if extended) from the date of the IPO. On November 6, 2017, our
ordinary shares, warrants and rights underlying the Units sold in our IPO began to trade separately on a voluntary basis.
Since our
IPO, our sole business activity has been identifying and evaluating suitable acquisition transaction candidates.
Competitive strengths
We believe our specific competitive strengths
to be the following:
Status as a public company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive
business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to
the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination. In this situation, the owners of the target
business would exchange their shares of stock in the target business for our ordinary shares or for a combination of our ordinary
shares and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. We believe target businesses might
find this method a more certain and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering.
In a typical initial public offering, there are additional expenses incurred in marketing, roadshow and public reporting efforts
that will likely not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us. Furthermore, once the business
combination is consummated, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always
subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions that could prevent the
offering from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional
means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests than it would have as a privately-held company.
It can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting
talented employees.
While we believe that our status as a public
company will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view the inherent limitations in our
status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our requirements to seek shareholder approval of
any proposed initial business combination and provide holders of public shares the opportunity to convert their shares into cash
from the trust account, as a deterrent, and may prefer to effect a business combination with a more established entity or with
a private company.
Transaction
flexibility
We offer
a target business a variety of options, such as providing the owners of a target business with shares in a public company and a
public means to sell such shares, providing cash for stock, and providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its
operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to consummate our initial business
combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most
efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires.
However, since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party
financing and it may not be available to us.
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Management Experience
We believe that our management team is well
positioned to identify attractive risk-adjusted returns in the marketplace and that our contacts and transaction sources, ranging
from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, and investment bankers, in addition to the geographical reach of
our affiliates, will enable us to pursue a broad range of opportunities. Our management team has significant experience in engaging
in cross-border business in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and understands the cultural, business and economic differences and opportunities
that will allow us to negotiate a transaction.
Competitive Weaknesses
We believe our competitive weaknesses to be
the following:
Limited Financial Resources
Our financial reserves will be relatively limited
when contrasted with those of venture capital firms, leveraged buyout firms and operating businesses competing for acquisitions.
In addition, our financial resources could be reduced because of our obligation to convert shares held by our public shareholders
as well as any tender offer we conduct.
Lack of experience with blank check companies
Our management team is not experienced in pursuing
business combinations on behalf of blank check companies. Other blank check companies may be sponsored and managed by individuals
with prior experience in completing business combinations between blank check companies and target businesses. Our managements’
lack of experience may not be viewed favorably by target businesses.
Limited technical and human resources
As a blank check company, we have limited technical
and human resources. Many venture capital funds, leveraged buyout firms and operating businesses possess greater technical and
human resources than we do and thus we may be at a disadvantage when competing with them for target businesses.
Delay associated with shareholder approval
or tender offer
We may be required to seek shareholder approval
of our initial business combination. If we are not required to obtain shareholder approval of an initial business combination,
we will allow our shareholders to sell their shares to us pursuant to a tender offer. Both seeking shareholder approval and conducting
a tender offer will delay the consummation of our initial business combination. Other companies competing with us for acquisition
opportunities may not be subject to similar requirement, or may be able to satisfy such requirements more quickly than we can.
As a result, we may be at a disadvantage in competing for these opportunities.
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Effecting an Acquisition Transaction
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will
not engage in, any substantive commercial business for an indefinite period of time following the IPO. We intend to utilize cash
derived from the proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placements, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these in effecting
our initial business combination. Although substantially all of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placements are intended
to be applied generally toward effecting a business combination, the proceeds are not otherwise being designated for any more specific
purposes. Accordingly, investors in the IPO were investing without first having an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits
or risks of any one or more business combinations. Our initial business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with,
a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares.
In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its
early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect simultaneous business combinations with more than one target
business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.
We Have Not Identified a Target Business
We have not selected any target business for
our initial business combination and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, engaged in any substantive
discussions with a target business with respect to a business combination transaction with us. As a result, we may not be able
to locate a target business, and we may not be able to engage in a business combination with a target business on favorable terms
or at all.
Sources of Target Businesses
While we have not yet identified any initial
business combination candidates, we believe based on our management’s business knowledge and past experience that there are
numerous business combination candidates. We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from our
Sponsor and its investment manager, or from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds,
private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses
may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These
sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since many
of these sources will have known what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates,
may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result
of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. We may engage professional
firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions or mergers in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s
fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction.
In no event, however, will our insiders or any of the members of our management team be paid any finder’s fee, consulting
fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business
combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). If we decide to enter into a business combination with a target
business that is affiliated with our officers, directors or initial shareholders, we will do so only if we have obtained an opinion
from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial
point of view. As of the date of this report, there are no affiliated entities that we would consider as a business combination
target.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of Our Initial
Business Combination
Subject to our management team’s fiduciary
duties and the limitation that one or more target businesses have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of
the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account)
at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail,
our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. Additionally,
there is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination.
We have not established any specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses.
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Accordingly, there is no basis for investors
to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To
the extent we effect our initial business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its early stage of development
or growth, including entities without established records of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in
the business and operations of financially unstable and early stage or potential emerging growth companies. Although our management
will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant
risk factors. In evaluating a prospective target business, our management may consider a variety of factors, including one or more
of the following:
· financial condition and results of operation;
· growth potential;
· brand recognition and potential;
· return on equity or invested capital;
· market capitalization or enterprise value;
· experience and skill of management and
availability of additional personnel;
· capital requirements;
· competitive position;
· barriers to entry;
· stage of development of the products,
processes or services;
· existing distribution and potential for
expansion;
· degree of current or potential market
acceptance of the products, processes or services;
· proprietary aspects of products and the
extent of intellectual property or other protection for products or formulas;
· impact of regulation on the business;
· regulatory environment of the industry;
· costs associated with effecting the business
combination;
· industry leadership, sustainability of
market share and attractiveness of market industries in which a target business participates; and
· macro competitive dynamics in the industry
within which the company competes.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive.
Our management may not consider any of the above criteria in evaluating a prospective target business. The retention of our officers
and directors following the completion of any business combination will not be a material consideration in our evaluation of a
prospective target business.
Any evaluation relating to the merits of a
particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed
relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective
target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent
management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This
due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have
no current intention to engage any such third parties.
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The time and costs required to select and evaluate
a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination remain to be determined. Any costs incurred with
respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately
completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
Pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, our initial
business combination must occur with one or more target businesses having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80%
of the value of the funds in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income
earned on the trust account), which we refer to as the 80% test, at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our
initial business combination, although we may structure a business combination with one or more target businesses whose fair market
value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance. If we are no longer listed on Nasdaq, we will not be required to
satisfy the 80% test.
We currently anticipate structuring a business
combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure
a business combination where we merge directly with the target business or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or
assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons,
but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting
securities of the target or otherwise owns a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register
as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting
securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction
company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue
a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target.
In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial
number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of
our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a
target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses
that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% test. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may
issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds
through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we
have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the
target will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community
(such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). If our board is not able to independently determine
that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment
banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking
to acquire, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an independent
investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business
we are seeking to acquire, as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business
complies with the 80% threshold. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated
with any of our officers, directors or insiders and are therefore required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment
banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view, we may ask
that banking firm to opine on whether the target business met the 80% fair market value test. Nevertheless, we are not required
to do so and could determine not to do so without consent of our shareholders.
Lack of Business Diversification
We expect to complete only a single business
combination, although this process may entail simultaneous business combinations with several operating businesses. Therefore,
at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business operation.
Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple
industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations
or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating our initial business combination with
only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
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· subject us to negative 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 initial business combination, and
· result in our dependency upon the performance
of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or
services.
If we determine to simultaneously consummate
our initial business combination with several businesses and such businesses 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 combinations,
which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With a business combination
with several businesses, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple
negotiations and due diligence investigations and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations
and services or products of the target companies in a single operating business.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business’ Management
Team
Although we intend to scrutinize the management
team of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination, our assessment
of the target business’ management team may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management team may not have
the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and
directors, if any, in the target business following our initial business combination remains to be determined. While it is possible
that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following our initial
business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business
combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination
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 them to receive compensation
in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the
business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying
and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation 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.
Additionally, our officers and directors may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular
target business.
Following our initial business combination,
we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We may not have the ability
to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or
experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholder Approval of Business Combination
In connection with any proposed business combination,
we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which
public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business
combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2)
provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby
avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the
trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them
into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer,
such tender offer will be structured so that each shareholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than
some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business
combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors
such as the timing of the transaction, whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval
or whether we were deemed to be a foreign private issuer (which would require us to conduct a tender offer rather than seeking
shareholder approval under SEC rules). If we so choose and we are legally permitted to do so, we have the flexibility to avoid
a shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act
which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially
the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules.
We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation
and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor
of the business combination.
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We chose our net tangible asset threshold of
$5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to
consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or
requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination,
our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to
have a lesser number of shares converted or sold to us) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available
on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may
not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public shareholders may therefore have
to wait 15 months from the closing of the IPO (or 18 months, if extended) in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the
trust account.
Our initial shareholders and our officers and
directors have agreed (1) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to convert
any ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any
ordinary shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder
approval of a proposed transaction, we would need only 893,974 of our public shares (or approximately 4.3% of our public shares)
to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved.
None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders
or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase Units or Ordinary Shares from persons in the open market or in private
transactions (other than the Private Units). However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant
number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination, our officers, directors,
initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence
the vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases
of Ordinary Shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to
stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.
Ability to Extend Time to Complete Business Combination
If we anticipate that we may not be able to
consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may extend the period of time to consummate a business combination
by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a business combination). 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, LLC simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate
our initial business combination, our insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable
deadline, must deposit into the trust account $2,063,629 as the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in part
($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest
bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable
to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be
paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of
our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance
of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the
consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the
applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least
three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline
announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated
to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but
not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or
their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required.
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Conversion/Tender Rights
At any meeting called to approve an initial
business combination, public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against
the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less
any taxes then due but not yet paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter
agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit
in the trust account. The conversion rights will be effected under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
and Cayman Islands law as redemptions. If we hold a meeting to approve an initial business combination, a holder will always have
the ability to vote against a proposed business combination and not seek conversion of his shares.
Alternatively, if we engage in a tender offer,
each public shareholder will be provided the opportunity to sell his public shares to us in such tender offer. The tender offer
rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we
would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their public shares to us in the tender offer or remain an
investor in our company
Our initial shareholders, officers and directors
will not have conversion rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior
to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket.
We may also require public shareholders, whether
they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates (if any) to our
transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal
At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. Once the shares
are converted by the holder, and effectively redeemed by us under Cayman Islands law, the transfer agent will then update our Register
of Members to reflect all conversions. The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to shareholders in connection with
the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements.
Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time our proxy statement is mailed through the vote on the business combination
to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles
of association, we are required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any shareholder meeting, which would be the
minimum amount of time a shareholder would have to determine whether to exercise conversion rights. As a result, if we require
public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the
trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and
deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their conversion rights and may be forced
to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.
There is a nominal cost associated with this
tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically
charge the tendering broker $45 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder.
However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights. The
need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be
effectuated. However, in the event we require shareholders seeking to exercise conversion rights to deliver their shares prior
to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result
in an increased cost to shareholders.
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Any request to convert or tender such shares
once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or expiration of the tender offer.
Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their conversion or tender
and subsequently decides prior to the vote on the business combination or the expiration of the tender offer not to elect to exercise
such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination is not
approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their conversion or tender rights would
not be entitled to convert their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly
return any shares delivered by public holders.
Automatic Liquidation if No Business Combination
If we do not complete a business combination
within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO, it will trigger our automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant
to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if we
had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law. Accordingly, no vote would be required from
our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. However, if we anticipate that we may not
be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of
time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months (for a total of up to 18 months to complete a business
combination). 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, LLC, in order to extend the time available for us to
consummate our initial business combination, our insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior
to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $2,063,629 as the underwriters’ over-allotment option was
exercised in part ($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest
bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable
to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be
paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of
our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance
of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the
consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the
applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least
three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline
announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated
to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but
not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or
their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination
within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding
public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned
on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay our taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, we
may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public
shareholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the public rights will expire and will be worthless.
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The amount in the trust account (less approximately
$2,064 representing the aggregate nominal par value of the shares of our public shareholders) under the Companies Law will be treated
as share premium which is distributable under the Companies Law provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed
distribution is proposed to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If we are
forced to liquidate the trust account, we anticipate that we would distribute to our public shareholders the amount in the trust
account calculated as of the date that is two days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest). Prior to such
distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts
they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our public shareholders with respect
to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought
against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received
by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors
and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for
a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of
any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements.
Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the
trust account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.
Each of our initial shareholders and our Sponsor
has agreed to waive its rights to participate in any liquidation of our trust account or other assets with respect to the insider
shares and private units and to vote their insider shares and private shares in favor of any dissolution and plan of distribution
which we submit to a vote of shareholders. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants or
rights, which will expire worthless.
If we are unable to complete an initial business
combination and expend all of the net proceeds of the IPO, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without
taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share distribution from the trust account would
be $10.00.
The proceeds deposited in the trust account
could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would be prior to the claims of our public shareholders. Although
we will seek to have all vendors, including lenders for money borrowed, prospective target businesses or other entities we engage
execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account
for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute
such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including but not limited to, fraudulent
inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the
waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account.
If any third party refused to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, we would perform
an analysis of the alternatives available to us if we chose not to engage such third party and evaluate if such engagement would
be in the best interest of our shareholders if such third party refused to waive such claims. Examples of possible instances where
we may engage a third party that refused to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular
expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute
a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. In any event,
our management would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and would only enter into an agreement with a third
party that did not execute a waiver if management believed that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more
beneficial to us than any alternative. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they
may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse
against the trust account for any reason.
Bing Lin, a member of our Board of Directors,
agreed that, if we liquidate the trust account prior to the consummation of a business combination, he will be liable to pay debts
and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted
for or products sold to us in excess of the net proceeds of the IPO not held in the trust account, but only to the extent necessary
to ensure that such debts or obligations do not reduce the amounts in the trust account and only if such parties have not executed
a waiver agreement. However, we cannot assure you that he will be able to satisfy those obligations if he is required to do so.
Accordingly, the actual per-share distribution could be less than $10.00 due to claims of creditors. Additionally, if we are forced
to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which 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,
we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.00 per share.
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Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a
target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Many of
these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through
affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources
will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential
target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target
businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.
The following also may not be viewed favorably
by certain target businesses:
· our obligation to seek shareholder approval
of a business combination or obtain the necessary financial information to be sent to shareholders in connection with such
business combination may delay or prevent the completion of a transaction;
· our obligation to convert
public shares held by our public shareholders may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination;
· NASDAQ may require us
to file a new listing application and meet its initial listing requirements to maintain the listing of our securities following
a business combination;
· our outstanding warrants,
rights and unit purchase options and the potential future dilution they represent;
· our obligation to pay
EarlyBirdCapital a fee of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the IPO upon consummation of our initial business combination pursuant
to the business combination marketing agreement (as described in the prospectus relating to the IPO);
· our obligation to either
repay or issue units upon conversion of up to $500,000 of working capital loans that may be made to us by our initial shareholders,
officers, directors or their affiliates;
· our obligation to register
the resale of the insider shares, as well as the private units (and underlying securities) and any securities issued to our initial
shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates upon conversion of working capital loans; and
· the impact on the target business’
assets as a result of unknown liabilities under the securities laws or otherwise depending on developments involving us prior to
the consummation of a business combination.
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive
disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public
entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held
entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable
terms. Furthermore, the fact that we will not be required to pay our underwriters any deferred compensation upon consummation of
an initial business combination may give us a competitive advantage over other similarly structured blank check companies.
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If we succeed
in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business.
We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.
Facilities
We maintain
our principal executive offices at Suite 1306, 13/F, AIA Central, 1 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong. The investment manager
of our sponsor, CM Asset Management (Hongkong) Company Limited, is providing us this space free of charge. We consider our current
office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We have five
executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote
only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based
on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the
company is in. Accordingly, once management locates a suitable target business to acquire, they will spend more time investigating
such target business and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time to our affairs)
than they would prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount
of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying
to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for
a business combination). We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
As a smaller reporting company we are not required to make disclosures
under this Item.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
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.