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, before making
a decision to invest in our units. 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.
Risks Relating to
Business Operations and Searching for and Consummating a Business Combination
We have no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis
on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We
have no operating results. To date, our only activities have been related to our formation and the IPO and the search and evaluation
of potential targets in contemplation of a business combination. 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.
If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report
contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”
As
of December 31, 2021, we had $507,921 in cash held outside of the trust account and working capital of $375,253. Further, we have incurred
and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our finance and acquisition plans. The Company’s business plan
is dependent on the completion of a business combination and the Company’s cash and working capital as of December 31, 2021 are
not sufficient to complete its planned activities. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue
as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. We
cannot assure you that we will consummate an initial business combination or that we will have sufficient cash available to allow us
to complete our initial business combination.
We identified a material weakness in our internal control
over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021 and as of March 31, 2021. If we are unable to develop and maintain an effective system
of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results in a timely manner, which
may adversely affect investor confidence in us and materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
The
Company reported a material weakness in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, as management identified
a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to the Company’s accounting and reporting of complex
financial instruments, including application of ASC 480-10-S99-3A to its accounting classification of public shares. As a result of this
material weakness, our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2021.
We have taken a number of measures to remediate the material weaknesses described herein. However, if we are unable to remediate our
material weaknesses in a timely manner or we identify additional material weaknesses, we may be unable to provide required financial
information in a timely and reliable manner and we may incorrectly report financial information. Likewise, if our financial statements
are not filed on a timely basis, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchange on which our ordinary shares
are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The existence of material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting
could adversely affect our reputation or investor perceptions of us, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our shares.
We can give no assurance that the measures we have taken and plan to take in the future will remediate the material weakness identified
or that any additional material weaknesses or restatements of financial results will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement
and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of these controls. Even if we are successful in strengthening
our controls and procedures, in the future those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or
errors or to facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements.
The Company also reported a material weakness in its Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 as management determined our internal control over financial reporting did not result
in the proper accounting for complex financial instruments, in that the classification of the private placement warrants we issued in
January 2021 were recorded as equity and not liabilities.
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A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies,
in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or
interim financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable
financial reports and prevent fraud. We continue to evaluate steps to remediate the material weakness. These remediation measures may
be time consuming and costly and there is no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.
If we identify any new material weaknesses in the future, any such
newly identified material weakness could limit our ability to prevent or detect a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that could
result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements. In such case, we may be unable to maintain compliance
with securities law requirements regarding timely filing of periodic reports in addition to applicable stock exchange listing requirements,
investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and our stock price may decline as a result. We cannot assure you that the measures
we have taken to date, or any measures we may take in the future, will be sufficient to avoid potential future material weaknesses.
The requirement that
we complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or 18 months from the closing
of the Initial Public Offering if we have extended the period of time to consummate an initial business combination as described herein)
may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination and may limit the amount of time
we have to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine
our ability to consummate our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any
potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning our initial business combination will be aware that we must
consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or up to 18 months from
the closing of the Initial Public Offering if we have further extended the period of time to consummate an initial business combination
as described herein). Consequently, such target businesses may obtain leverage over us in negotiating our initial business combination,
knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete
our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above.
In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would
have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We may not be able
to consummate our initial business combination within the required time period, in which case we would cease all operations except for
the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.
We
must complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or up to 18 months from
the closing of the Initial Public Offering if we have further extended the period of time to consummate an initial business combination
as described herein). We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate 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 are unable to consummate our initial business combination
within the required time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute
the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation
expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of
our affairs, as further described herein. This redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required
by function of our memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up.
Our public shareholders
will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with either of our potential three-month extensions.
If
we are not able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested by our
Sponsors, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional three months, as long as our Sponsors or their
affiliates or designees, prior to the deadline, deposits into the trust account $1,035,000 ($0.075 per unit,) on or prior to the date
of the deadline, for the three-month extension. Our public shareholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection
with any such extension. As a result, we may conduct such an extension even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support
such an extension and will not be able to redeem their shares in connection therewith. This feature is different than the traditional
special purpose acquisition company structure, in which any extension of the company’s period to complete a business combination
requires a vote of the company’s shareholders and shareholders have the right to redeem their public shares in connection with such
vote.
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Our Sponsors may decide
not to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination, in which case we would cease all operations except for
the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate, and the warrants will be worthless.
We
have until 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering to consummate our initial business combination. However, if we anticipate
that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months, we may, by resolution of our board if requested
by our Sponsors, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination once more, by an additional three months (for a total
of up to 18 months to complete a business combination), subject to the Sponsors depositing additional funds into the trust account. Our
shareholders will not be entitled to vote or redeem their shares in connection with any such extension. However, our shareholders will
be entitled to vote and redeem their shares in connection with a shareholder meeting held to approve an initial business combination or
in a tender offer undertaken in connection with an initial business combination if we propose such a business combination during any three-month
extension period. In order for the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination to be extended, our Sponsors or
their affiliates or designees must deposit into the trust account $1,035,000 ($0.075 per unit) for the three month extension. Any such
deposits will be in the form of non-interest-bearing loans to us. If we complete our initial business combination, we will, at the option
of our Sponsors, repay such loaned amounts or redeem a portion or all of the total loan amount into warrants at a price of $0.75 per warrant,
which warrants will be identical to the private warrants. If we do not complete a business combination, we will repay such loans only
from funds held outside of the trust account. Our Sponsors 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. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination
within the applicable time period, we will liquidate as described herein. In such event, the warrants will be worthless.
If we are unable to
consummate our initial business combination within 15 months of the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or up to 18 months if the
time to consummate an initial business combination has been extended as described above), our public shareholders may be forced to wait
beyond such period of time before redemption from our trust account.
If
we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or up to
18 months if the time to consummate an initial business combination has been further extended as described above), we will, as promptly
as reasonably possible but not more than five business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account
(net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to our public shareholders by way of
redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of our affairs by way of a voluntary liquidation, as further
described herein. Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account shall be effected as required by our memorandum and articles
of association prior to our commencing any voluntary liquidation. If we are required to liquidate prior to distributing the aggregate
amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses) pro
rata to our public shareholders, then such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions of the
Companies Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond 15 months (or up to 18 months if we extend the period of time to consummate
an initial business combination as described above) before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and
they receive the return of their pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. Except as otherwise described herein, we have
no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of any redemption required as a result of our failure to consummate our initial
business combination within the period described above or our liquidation, unless we consummate our initial business combination prior
thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their ordinary shares. Only upon any such redemption of public shares
as we are required to effect or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete our
initial business combination.
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Our public shareholders
may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, which means we may consummate our initial business combination
even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
If
we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote in conjunction with our initial business combination for business or other legal reasons,
we will conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and our memorandum and articles of association. Nasdaq rules
currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a general meeting, provided that we were not seeking to issue more than 20%
of our issued and outstanding shares to a target business as consideration in any business combination. Furthermore, shareholder approval
would not be required pursuant to the Companies Act if our initial business combination were structured as a purchase of assets, a purchase
of stock, shares or other equity securities of the target not involving a merger with us, or a merger of the target into a subsidiary
of our company, or if we otherwise entered into contractual arrangements with a target to obtain control of such company. Accordingly,
we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our public shares do not approve of the business combination.
Your only opportunity
to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your
shares from us for cash.
At
the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of one or more
target businesses. Because our board of directors may consummate our initial business combination without seeking shareholder approval,
public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination. Accordingly, 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.
If we seek shareholder
approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group”
of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our ordinary shares, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess
of 20% of our ordinary shares.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, our memorandum and articles of association provides that a public shareholder, individually or 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 20% of the shares sold in the Initial Public Offering. Your inability to redeem more than an aggregate of 20% of the shares sold in
the Initial Public Offering will reduce your influence over our ability to consummate our initial business combination and you could suffer
a material loss on your investment in us if you sell such excess shares in open market transactions. As a result, you will continue to
hold that number of shares exceeding 20% and, in order to dispose of such shares, you would be required to sell your shares in open market
transaction, potentially at a loss.
Our initial shareholders
control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in
a manner that you do not support.
Upon
closing of the Initial Public Offering and the private placement, our initial shareholders own 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary
shares. Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you
do not support, including amendments to our memorandum and articles of association. If our initial shareholders purchase any units in
the Initial Public Offering or if they purchase any additional ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions,
this would increase their control.
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 our initial business combination with a target.
We
may enter into a 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 may not be able to meet such closing
condition, and as a result, would not be able to proceed with such business combination. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public
shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the consummation
of our initial business combination or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating
to our initial business combination. Our memorandum and articles of association requires us to provide all of our public shareholders
with an opportunity to redeem all of their shares in connection with the consummation of any initial business combination. Consequently,
if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 immediately prior
to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination, or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition 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 would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into our initial business combination
transaction with us.
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The ability of our
public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to consummate the most
desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
In
connection with the successful consummation of our initial business combination, we may redeem up to that number of ordinary shares that
would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001 immediately prior to or upon the consummation of our initial business combination.
If our initial business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, the redemption threshold
may be further limited. Alternatively, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger
percentage of shareholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. If the acquisition involves the issuance of our shares as
consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares to the target or its shareholders to make up for the failure
to satisfy a minimum cash requirement. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring
indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available
to us.
The ability of our
public shareholders to exercise their redemption rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize
our capital structure.
If
our initial business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know
how many public shareholders may exercise redemption rights, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment
upon such redemption, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our initial business combination. In the event that
the acquisition involves the issuance of our shares as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our shares to
make up for a shortfall in funds. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness
at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
The requirement that
the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the
funds in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the execution
of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination may limit the type and number of companies that we may complete such a
business combination with.
Pursuant
to the Nasdaq listing rules, the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at
least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned)
at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. This restriction may limit the type and number
of companies that we may complete an initial business combination with. If we are unable to locate a target business or businesses that
satisfy this fair market value test, we may be forced to liquidate and you will only be entitled to receive your pro rata portion of the
funds in the trust account.
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We may be unable to
consummate an initial business combination if a target business requires that we have a certain amount of cash at closing, in which case
public shareholders may have to remain shareholders of our company and wait until our redemption of the public shares to receive a pro
rata share of the trust account or attempt to sell their shares in the open market.
A
potential target may make it a closing condition to our initial business combination that we have a certain amount of cash in excess of
the $5,000,001 of net tangible assets we are required to have pursuant to our organizational documents available at the time of closing.
If the number of our public shareholders electing to exercise their redemption rights has the effect of reducing the amount of money available
to us to consummate an initial business combination below such minimum amount required by the target business and we are not able to locate
an alternative source of funding, we will 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. In that case, public shareholders may have to remain shareholders
of our company and wait the full 18 months (assuming we have extended the period of time to consummate an initial business combination
as described herein) in order to be able to receive a portion of the trust account, or attempt to sell their shares in the open market
prior to such time, in which case they may receive less than they would have in a liquidation of the trust account.
The requirement that
we maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash could increase the probability that our business combination would
be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.
If,
pursuant to the terms of our proposed business combination, we are required to maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount
of cash in trust in order to consummate the business combination and regardless of whether we proceed with redemptions under the tender
or proxy rules, the probability that our business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our business combination is unsuccessful,
you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could
attempt to sell your shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share
in our 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.
We intend to offer
each public shareholder the option to vote in favor of the proposed business combination and still seek redemption of such shareholders’
shares.
In
connection with any general meeting held to approve an initial business combination, we will offer each public shareholder (but not our
initial shareholders, officers or directors) the right to have his, her or its ordinary shares redeemed for cash (subject to the limitations
described elsewhere in 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) regardless of whether such shareholder votes for or against such proposed business combination
or does not vote at all. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001
immediately prior to or upon such consummation and a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of
the business combination. This is different than other similarly structured blank check companies where shareholders are offered the right
to redeem their shares only when they vote for or against a proposed business combination. This threshold and the ability to seek redemption
while voting in favor of a proposed business combination may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination.
We will require public
shareholders who wish to redeem their ordinary shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements
for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their
rights.
We
will 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 or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent
electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option,
prior to the expiration date set forth in the tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or in the event we distribute proxy materials,
up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination. In order to obtain a physical share certificate,
a shareholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our
understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However,
because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain
a physical share certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may
not be the case. Under our memorandum and articles of association, we are required to provide at least 10 days advance notice of any general
meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a shareholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly,
if it takes longer than we anticipate for shareholders to deliver their shares, shareholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet
the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares. In the event that a shareholder fails
to comply with the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem public shares, its shares may not
be redeemed.
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Additionally,
despite our compliance with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, shareholders may not become aware of the opportunity
to redeem their shares.
Redeeming shareholders
may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.
We
will require public shareholders who wish to redeem their ordinary shares in connection with any proposed business combination to comply
with the delivery requirements discussed above for redemption. If such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly
return such certificates to the tendering public shareholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their shares in such a circumstance
will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price
for our ordinary shares may decline during this time and you may not be able to sell your securities when you wish to, even while other
shareholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.
Because of our structure,
other companies may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.
We
expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including
private equity groups, venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these
entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates.
Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively
limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. Therefore, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target
businesses may be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing
the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking shareholder approval of our initial business combination may delay
the consummation of a transaction. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating our initial
business combination.
If we seek shareholder
approval of our business combination, our Sponsors, directors, officers and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares from shareholders,
in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.
If
we seek shareholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination
pursuant to the tender offer rules, our Sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated
transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Such a purchase
would include a contractual acknowledgement that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial
owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our Sponsors, directors, officers or their
affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption
rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares.
The
purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination 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 the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation
of an initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
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Purchases of ordinary
shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by our Sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates may make it
difficult for us to maintain the listing of our ordinary shares on a national securities exchange following the consummation of an initial
business combination.
If
our Sponsors, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase ordinary shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions,
the public “float” of our ordinary shares and the number of beneficial holders of our securities would both be reduced, possibly
making it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of
the business combination.
Because we are not
limited to any particular business or specific geographic location or any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial
business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’ operations.
We
may pursue acquisition opportunities in any geographic region and in any business industry or sector. Except for the limitations that
a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions
and taxes payable on interest earned) and that we are not permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank
check company or similar company with nominal operations, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting
a prospective acquisition candidate. While we have signed of a letter of intent for a potential business combination with Scilex, your
basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of Scilex’s business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity,
financial condition or prospects may be limited. Because we have not yet identified or approached any other specific target business
with respect to our initial business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any other particular
target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we
consummate 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 sales 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 may not properly ascertain or
assess all of 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. An investment in our units may not ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such
opportunity were available, in an acquisition target.
We are not required
to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity, and consequently, an independent source
may not confirm that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our company (or shareholders) from a financial point of view.
Unless
we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent
investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the price we are paying is fair to
our company (or shareholders) 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. Our
board of directors will have significant discretion in choosing the standard used to establish the fair market value of the target acquisition.
Such standards used will be disclosed in our tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial
business combination.
A provision of our
warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
If:
(i)
we issue
additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial
business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per share;
(ii)
the aggregate
gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the
funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions),
and
(iii)
the Market
Value is below $9.20 per share,
then the exercise price
of the warrants will be adjusted to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per
share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly
Issued Price. Potential targets may seek a SPAC that does not have warrants that contain this provision, which may make it more difficult
for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
15
Our warrants may
have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.
We
issued warrants to purchase 6,900,000 ordinary shares in the units sold in our Initial Public Offering and private warrants to purchase
6,840,000 ordinary shares in the private placement, in each case, at a price of $11.50 per share. In addition, our initial shareholders,
officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, make certain loans to us, up to $1,500,000 of which may be
redeemed upon consummation of our initial business combination into additional private warrants at a price of $0.75 per warrant (which,
for example, would result in the holders being issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,000,000 ordinary shares). The $1,035,000
non-interest-bearing loan from Sponsor to duly effect the 3-month extension to the period to complete our initial business combination
may further be converted, at the option of Sponsor, into private warrants at a price of $0.75 per private warrant, as may up to one further
$1,035,000 non-interest-bearing loan from Sponsor if a further 3-month extension is to be duly effected. To the extent we issue ordinary
shares to effectuate a business transaction, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon
exercise of these warrants 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 transaction.
Therefore, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target
business.
We may issue additional
ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after consummation
of our initial business combination, which would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.
Our
memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of 200,000,000 ordinary shares and 1,000,000 preferred shares. We may issue
a substantial number of additional ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive
plan upon or after consummation of our initial business combination. Although no such issuance of ordinary or preferred shares will affect
the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account, the issuance of additional ordinary or preferred shares:
●
may significantly
dilute the equity interest of investors in the Initial Public Offering, who will not have pre-emption rights in respect of such an
issuance;
●
may subordinate
the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preferred shares are issued with rights created by amendment of our memorandum and articles
of association by resolution of the directors senior to those afforded our ordinary shares;
●
could
cause a change in control if a substantial number of 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 warrants.
We may issue notes
or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete our initial business combination, which may adversely affect
our financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although
we have no commitments as of the date of Annual Report to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding
debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete initial business combination. Furthermore, we may issue a substantial number
of additional ordinary or preferred shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan upon or after
consummation of our initial business combination. We and our officers and directors have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness
unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any 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 our initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt
obligations;
16
●
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, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and 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
●
limitations
on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution
of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the
proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, and the sale of the private warrants, 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.
The
net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering, the sale of the private warrants and the deposit of funds to extend the time to consummate
an initial business combination provided us with approximately $140,415,000 that we may use to complete our initial business combination
(including deferred underwriting commissions being held in the trust account).
We
may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously. However,
we may not be able to effectuate 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 consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic,
competitive and regulatory risks. 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 risks, 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.
17
We may attempt to
simultaneously consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to consummate 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 the 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.
Resources could be
wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and
acquire or merge with another business.
We
anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business, including without limitation Scilex, 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 Scilex or any other specific target business, we may fail to consummate 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 only receive $10.175 per share or potentially less than $10.175 per share on our redemption,
and our warrants will expire worthless.
We may be unable
to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business,
which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business
combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.175 per share or potentially less than $10.175 per share on our redemption,
and the warrants will expire worthless.
Although
we believe that the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private warrants, together with interest earned on
the trust account proceeds available to us, will be sufficient to allow us to consummate our initial business combination, because we
have not yet finalized the merger agreement for our contemplated initial business combination with Scilex nor identified any other prospective
target business, we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction at this time. If the net proceeds of the
Initial Public Offering and the sale of the private warrants, together with available interest from the trust account proceeds, prove
to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search
of a target business, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption in
connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial
business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. Financing may
not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate
our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular initial business
combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public
shareholders may only receive $10.175 per share or potentially less than $10.175 per share on our redemption, and the warrants will expire
worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate our initial business combination, we may require such
financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse
effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to
provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.
18
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
United States federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial
significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. 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 must 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 Standard as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board,
or IFRS, and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire
because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy
rules and consummate our initial business combination within our up-to-18-month time frame.
Our search for a
business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely
affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide,
and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination may have been materially and adversely
affected or may be so affected in the future. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns
relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel,
vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which COVID-19
impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted,
including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact,
among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other matters of global concern continue for an extended period of time, our ability
to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination,
may be materially adversely affected.
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.
In
recent years and particularly since the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed
has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business
combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as
well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require
more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In
addition, 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 targets
companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry
sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate
targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and
consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable
to our investors altogether.
19
Changes in the market for directors and
officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In
recent years, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. The premiums
charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be
no assurance that these trends will not continue.
The
increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive
for us to negotiate an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage
as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable
terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the
post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In
addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential
liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order
to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity will likely need to purchase additional insurance with
respect to any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for
the post-business combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination
on terms favorable to our investors.
Risks Relating to the Post-Business Combination
Company
We may seek investment
opportunities outside of our management’s area of expertise and our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess
all significant risks associated with the target company.
There
is no limitation on the industry or business sector we may consider when contemplating our initial business combination. We may therefore
be presented with a business combination candidate in an industry unfamiliar to our management team but determine that such candidate
offers an attractive investment opportunity for our company. In the event we elect to pursue an investment outside of our management’s
expertise, our management’s experience may not be directly applicable to the target business or their evaluation of its operations.
We may seek investment
opportunities with a financially unstable business or in its early stages of development.
To
the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages
of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. These risks include volatile revenues
or earnings and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate
the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors
and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave
us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.
Although we identified
general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial
business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we
enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although
we have identified specific criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business
with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we consummate our initial
business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a
combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce our initial business
combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their
redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a
minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law or the rules
of Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain
shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If
we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive $10.175 per share or potentially
less than $10.175 per share on our redemption, and our warrants will expire worthless.
20
Subsequent to our
consummation of our initial business combination, we may be required to subsequently 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 thorough due diligence on a target business with which we combine, this diligence may not 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.
Our ability to successfully
effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our officers, directors
and key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of our officers, directors, or key personnel
could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our business.
Our
operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals, in particular our officers and directors. We believe that our
success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination.
In addition, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will
have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business
combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life
of, any of our directors or officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or officers could have a detrimental
effect on us. Additionally, we do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
The
role of such persons in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of such persons 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, our assessment of these individuals may not 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.
Members of our
management team have been, may be, or may become, involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings. The defense or prosecution
of these matters could be time-consuming and could divert our management’s attention, and may have an adverse effect on us.
During the course of their careers, our officers and directors have been, may be or may in the future become involved in litigation,
investigations or other proceedings. Our officers and directors also may become involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings
involving claims or allegations related to or as a result of their personal conduct, either in their capacity as a corporate officer or
director or otherwise, and may be personally named in such actions and potentially subject to personal liability. Any such liability may
or may not be covered by insurance and/or indemnification, depending on the facts and circumstances. The defense or prosecution of these
matters could be time-consuming. Any litigation, investigations or other proceedings and the potential outcomes of such actions may divert
the attention and resources of our officers and directors away from our search for a target business and may negatively affect our ability
to consummate an initial business combination.
We may have a limited
ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with
a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When
evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the
target business’ 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.
The officers and
directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of our initial business combination. The loss of an acquisition 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 consummation 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 some members of the management team of
an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
21
Our management team
and our shareholders may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination.
We
may structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but
we will only consummate such business combination if we will become the majority shareholder of the target (or control the target through
contractual arrangements in limited circumstances for regulatory compliance purposes) or are otherwise not required to register as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even though we may own a majority interest in the target, our shareholders prior
to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post business combination company, depending on valuations
ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a
substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity securities of a target.
In this case, we 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 such transaction could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent
to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or
group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock, shares or other equity securities than we initially acquired. Accordingly,
this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.
We may reincorporate
in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination and such reincorporation may result in taxes imposed on shareholders.
We
may, in connection with our initial business combination, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is
located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which
the shareholder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any
cash distributions to shareholders to pay such taxes. Shareholders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to
their ownership of us after the reincorporation.
We may re-domicile
or continue out of the Cayman Islands into another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of
such jurisdiction will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In
connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business or re-domicile or continue out
of from the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction would likely govern all
of our material agreements. 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. Any such reincorporation and the international nature of our business
will likely subject us to foreign regulation.
22
Investors may have
difficulty enforcing judgments against our management or our target business.
After
the consummation of a business combination, it is likely that substantially all or a significant portion of our assets may be located
outside of the United States and some of our officers and directors may 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.
Risks Associated
with Acquiring and Operating a Business Outside of the United States
If we effect our
initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks
that may negatively impact our operations.
If
we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to any special considerations
or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:
●
rules
and regulations or currency redemption or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
●
laws governing
the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
●
exchange
listing and/or delisting requirements;
●
tariffs
and trade barriers;
●
regulations
related to customs and import/export matters;
●
longer
payment cycles;
●
tax issues,
such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
●
currency
fluctuations and exchange controls;
●
rates
of inflation;
●
challenges
in collecting accounts receivable;
●
cultural
and language differences;
●
employment
regulations;
●
crime,
strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks and wars; and
●
deterioration
of political relations with the United States. We may not 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.
23
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 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.
After our initial
business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue may be
derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent,
to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.
The
economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect
our business. 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.
Exchange rate fluctuations
and 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.
24
Because foreign law
could govern almost all of our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our rights within such jurisdiction or elsewhere, which
could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
Foreign
law could govern almost all of our material agreements. The target business may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements
or that remedies will be available outside of such foreign jurisdiction’s legal system. The system of laws and the enforcement
of existing laws and contracts in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States.
As a result, the inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business
and business opportunities.
Corporate governance
standards in foreign countries may not be as strict or developed as in the United States and such weakness may hide issues and operational
practices that are detrimental to a target business.
General
corporate governance standards in some countries are weak in that they do not prevent business practices that cause unfavorable related
party transactions, over-leveraging, improper accounting, family company interconnectivity and poor management. Local laws often do not
go far to prevent improper business practices. Therefore, shareholders may not be treated impartially and equally as a result of poor
management practices, asset shifting, conglomerate structures that result in preferential treatment to some parts of the overall company,
and cronyism. The lack of transparency and ambiguity in the regulatory process also may result in inadequate credit evaluation and weakness
that may precipitate or encourage financial crisis. In our evaluation of a business combination we will have to evaluate the corporate
governance of a target and the business environment, and in accordance with United States laws for reporting companies take steps to
implement practices that will cause compliance with all applicable rules and accounting practices. Notwithstanding these intended efforts,
there may be endemic practices and local laws that could add risk to an investment we ultimately make and that result in an adverse effect
on our operations and financial results.
Companies
in foreign countries may be subject to accounting, auditing, regulatory and financial standards and requirements that differ, in some
cases significantly, from those applicable to public companies in the United States, which may make it more difficult or complex to consummate
a business combination. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of a foreign company may not reflect
its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance
with U.S. GAAP. Moreover, foreign companies may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as are United States companies with respect
to such matters as insider trading rules, tender offer regulation, shareholder proxy requirements and the timely disclosure of information.
Legal
principles relating to corporate affairs and the validity of corporate procedures, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities
and shareholders’ rights for foreign corporations may differ from those that may apply in the U.S., which may make the consummation
of a business combination with an foreign company more difficult. We therefore may have more difficulty in achieving our business objective.
Because a foreign
judiciary may determine the scope and enforcement of almost all of our target business’ material agreements under the law of such
foreign jurisdiction, we may be unable to enforce our rights inside and outside of such jurisdiction.
The
law of a foreign jurisdiction may govern almost all of our target business’ material agreements, some of which may be with governmental
agencies in such jurisdiction. We cannot assure you that the target business or businesses will be able to enforce any of their material
agreements or that remedies will be available outside of such jurisdiction. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of
our future agreements may have a material adverse impact on our future operations.
Mail addressed to
us may not reach us in a timely manner.
Mail
addressed to us and received at our registered office will be forwarded unopened to the forwarding address supplied by us to be dealt
with. Neither we nor our directors, officers, advisors or service providers (including the organization which provides registered office
services in the Cayman Islands) will bear any responsibility for any delay howsoever caused in mail reaching the forwarding address.
We are subject to
changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs
and the risk of non-compliance.
We
are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which
are charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving
regulatory measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely
to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue
generating activities to compliance activities.
25
Moreover,
because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time
as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs
necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations
and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
Risks Relating to
our Management, Directors, and Initial Shareholders
Past performance
by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.
Information
regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, our management team and their affiliates is presented for informational purposes
only. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee either (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for
our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on
the historical record of our management team’s performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company
or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
Our key personnel
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.
Our
key personnel may be able to remain with the company after the consummation 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 consummation 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 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. There is no certainty, however,
that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination. Our key personnel may not
remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with
us will be made at the time of our initial business combination. It has not yet been determined whether any particular key personnel
would remain with the company if our initial business combination with Scilex is completed.
Management’s
flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with our management’s financial interest in
consummating our initial business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest
of our shareholders.
Subject
to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses or assets having an aggregate fair
market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest
earned) at the time of the agreement to enter into such initial business combination, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility
in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. Investors will be relying on management’s ability to identify
business combinations, evaluate their merits, conduct or monitor diligence and conduct negotiations. Management’s flexibility in
identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, along with management’s financial interest in consummating our initial
business combination, may lead management to enter into an acquisition agreement that is not in the best interest of our shareholders.
26
Certain of our officers
and directors are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those
intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and determining to which entity
a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Until
we consummate our business combination, we intend to continue engaging in the business of identifying and combining with one or more
businesses. Our officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business.
Our
officers also may become aware of business opportunities, which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which
they owe certain fiduciary duties or contractual obligations. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which
entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor or that a potential target
business would not be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
The shares beneficially
owned by our officers and directors may not participate in liquidation distributions and, therefore, our officers and directors may have
a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our
officers and directors have waived their right to redeem their founder shares or any other ordinary shares acquired in the Initial Public
Offering or thereafter, or to receive distributions with respect to their founder shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate
our initial business combination, until all of the claims of any redeeming shareholders and creditors are fully satisfied (and then only
from funds held outside the trust account). Accordingly, these securities will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business
combination. Any warrants they hold, like those held by the public, will also be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business
combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying
and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion
in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions
and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest.
We may engage in
our initial business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with
our Sponsors, officers or directors, which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
We
have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or 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. In light of the involvement of our Sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one
or more businesses affiliated with our Sponsors, officers and directors. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other
entities. Our Sponsors, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate our initial
business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no discussions concerning a business combination
with any such entity or entities. Our Sponsors, officers and directors are not associated with Scilex. Despite our agreement to obtain
an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent firm that commonly renders valuation opinions regarding
the fairness to our company (or shareholders) from a financial point of view of a target business affiliated with our officers, directors
or existing holders, 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. Our directors have a fiduciary duty
to act in the best interests of our shareholders, whether or not a conflict of interest may exist.
Since our initial
shareholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not consummated and our officers and directors
have significant financial interests in us, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is
appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our
initial shareholders have purchased an aggregate of 3,450,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately
$0.009 per share. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination. In addition, our Sponsors
purchased an aggregate of 6,840,000 private warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $5,130,000 that will also be worthless if we do
not consummate our initial business combination. Any warrants issued in conversion of amounts deposited in the trust account as non-interest-bearing
loans as required to duly effect a 3-month extension of the period to complete our initial business combination will also be worthless
if we do not consummate our initial business combination.
27
Risks Relating to
our Securities
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, potentially at a loss.
Our
public shareholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of a redemption to public shareholders
prior to any winding up in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination or our liquidation (ii) if they redeem their
shares in connection with an initial business combination that we consummate or in connection with certain amendments to our charter
prior thereto or (iii) if they redeem their shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption rights or to redeem 100% of our
public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 15 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering
) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity. In no other
circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to the funds in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate
your investment, you may be forced to sell your securities, potentially at a loss.
The securities in
which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets
held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.175 per share.
The
proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less
or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S.
government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they
have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in
recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt
similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments
to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our public shareholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share
of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income, net of taxes paid or payable. Negative interest rates could reduce
the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.175
per share.
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 $18,292.68 and imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
28
Our securities may
not continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities
and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
We
cannot assure you of this or that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. Additionally, in connection with
our business combination, Nasdaq will require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements
as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing
requirements at that time.
If
Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
●
a limited
availability of market quotations for our securities;
●
a reduced
liquidity with respect to our securities;
●
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, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our ordinary shares;
●
a limited
amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
●
a decreased
ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The grant of registration
rights to our initial shareholders may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of
such rights may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Pursuant
to an agreement that was entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in the Initial Public Offering, our initial
shareholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register for resale an aggregate of 3,450,000 founder shares, 6,840,000
private warrants and underlying ordinary shares and up to 2,000,000 warrants and underlying ordinary shares issuable upon redemption
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 securities owned by our initial shareholders
or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
Holders of warrants
will not participate in liquidating distributions if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time
period.
If
we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust
account, the warrants will expire and holders will not receive any of such proceeds with respect to the warrants. In this case, holders
of warrants are treated in the same manner as holders of warrants of blank check companies whose units are comprised of shares and warrants,
as the warrants in those companies do not participate in liquidating distributions. Nevertheless, the foregoing may provide a financial
incentive to public shareholders to vote in favor of any proposed initial business combination as their warrants would entitle the holder
to purchase one ordinary share, resulting in an increase in their overall economic stake in our company. If a business combination is
not approved, the warrants will expire and will be worthless.
If we do not maintain
a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, public holders will only be
able to exercise such warrants on a “cashless basis” which would result in a smaller number of shares being issued to the
holder than had such holder exercised the warrants for cash.
If
we do not maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants at
the time that holders wish to exercise such warrants, they will only be able to exercise them on a “cashless basis” provided
that an exemption from registration is available. As a result, the number of ordinary shares that a holder will receive upon exercise
of its public warrants will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised its warrant for cash. Further, if an exemption
from registration is not available, holders would not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis and would only be able to
exercise their warrants for cash if a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrants is available. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and
to maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration
of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If we are unable to do so, the potential “upside”
of the holder’s investment in our company may be reduced or the warrants may expire worthless. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
private warrants may be exercisable for unregistered ordinary shares for cash even if the prospectus relating to the ordinary shares
issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not current and effective.
29
An investor will
only be able to exercise a warrant if the issuance of ordinary shares upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed
exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants.
No
public warrants will be exercisable for cash and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares unless the ordinary shares issuable
upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the
holder of the warrants. At the time that the warrants become exercisable, we expect to have our securities listed on a national securities
exchange, which would provide an exemption from registration in every state. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. If the ordinary
shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders
of the warrants reside, the warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may be limited and they may expire worthless
if they cannot be sold.
Our management’s
ability to require holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders to receive fewer ordinary
shares upon their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise their warrants for cash.
If
we call our public warrants for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in 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 have been satisfied,
our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his warrant (including the private warrants and any
other warrants held by our initial shareholders or their permitted transferees) to do so on a “cashless basis.” If our management
chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of ordinary shares received by a holder upon exercise
will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect of reducing the potential
“upside” of the holder’s investment in our company.
We may amend the
terms of the warrants in a way that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding
warrants.
Our
warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder
to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision. The warrant agreement requires the approval by the holders of a majority of
the then outstanding warrants (including the private warrants) in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the
registered holders.
The provisions of
our memorandum and articles of association relating to the rights and obligations attaching to our ordinary shares may be amended prior
to the consummation of our initial business combination with the approval of the holders of 65% (or 50% if for the purposes of approving,
or in conjunction with, the consummation of our initial business combination) of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares attending
and voting on such amendment at the relevant general meeting, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of many blank check companies.
It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the consummation of our initial
business combination that a significant number of our shareholders may not support.
Many
blank check companies have a provision in their charter, which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those,
which relate to a company’s pre-business combination activity, without approval by a certain percentage of the company’s
shareholders. Typically, amendment of these provisions requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s public shareholders.
Our memorandum and articles of association provides that, prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, its provisions
related to pre-business combination activity and the rights and obligations attaching to the ordinary shares, may be amended if approved
by holders of 65% (or 50% if approved in connection with our initial business combination) of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares
attending and voting on such amendment. Prior to our initial business combination, if we seek to amend any provisions of our memorandum
and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, we will provide dissenting public
shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote on any proposed amendments to our memorandum
and articles of association. Other provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended prior to the consummation
of our initial business combination if approved by a majority of the votes of shareholders attending and voting on such amendment or
by resolution of the directors. Following the consummation of our initial business combination, the rights and obligations attaching
to our ordinary shares and other provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may be amended if approved by a majority of
the votes of shareholders attending and voting on such amendment or by resolution of the directors. Our initial shareholders, which beneficially
own approximately 20% of our ordinary shares, will participate in any vote to amend our memorandum and articles of association and will
have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our memorandum and articles
of association which govern our pre-business combination and the rights and obligations attaching to the ordinary shares behavior more
easily that many blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to consummate our initial business combination with which you
do not agree. However, we and our directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to our memorandum and articles of association
that would affect the substance and timing of our obligation to redeem the public shares of any public shareholder without the consent
of that holder, if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the Initial Public
Offering.
30
Our memorandum and
articles of association permit the board of directors by resolution to amend our memorandum and articles of association, including to
create additional classes of securities, including shares with rights, preferences, designations and limitations as they determine which
may have an anti-takeover effect.
Our
memorandum and articles of association permits the board of directors by resolution to amend the memorandum and articles of association
including to designate rights, preferences, designations and limitations attaching to the preferred shares as they determine in their
discretion, without shareholder approval with respect the terms or the issuance. If issued, the rights, preferences, designations and
limitations of the preferred shares would be set by the board of directors and could operate to the disadvantage of the issued and
outstanding ordinary shares the holders of which would not have any pre-emption rights in respect of such an issue of preferred shares.
Such terms could include, among others, preferences as to dividends and distributions on liquidation, or could be used to prevent possible
corporate takeovers.
If we do not hold
an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination, shareholders will not be afforded an opportunity
to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management until such time.
We
may not call an annual general meeting until after we consummate our initial business combination. There is no requirement under the
Companies Law for us to hold annual or extraordinary general meetings to appoint directors. Accordingly, shareholders would not have
the right to attend such a meeting or appoint directors, unless the holders of not less than 10% in par value capital of our company
request such a meeting. As a result, it is unlikely that there will be an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the
consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation
of the business combination. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity to appoint
directors and to discuss company affairs with management.
31
General Risk Factors
We are a blank check
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 blank check company with no operating results, and our only activities to date have been the transactions effected in our incorporation
and capitalization by our initial shareholders, our Initial Public Offering, and searching for and negotiating an initial business combination.
Given this limited operating history, you have very little basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective
of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. Besides our letter of intent to complete our initial
business combination with Scilex, we have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning our
initial business combination. In any event, 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.
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.
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 consummate our initial business combination.
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 also may 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 and results
of operations.
Compliance obligations
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial
and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing a business combination.
If
we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, we will be required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act regarding 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 business combination.
32
Because we are incorporated
under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our executive offices are located in Singapore, 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 and our executive offices are located in Singapore. As a result,
it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States on our company, or enforce judgments obtained
in the United States courts against our company.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Law and the common law
of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary
responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands.
The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as
from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands.
The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from statutes
or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities
laws as compared to the United States. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative
action in a Federal court of the United States.
We
have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce
against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of
the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated
upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed
by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, 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 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, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the
grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and 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). A Cayman Islands
Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As
a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken
by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States
company.
We are an “emerging
growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make
our securities less attractive to investors.
We
are an “emerging growth” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage
of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth
companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and
exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden
parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier. 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.
33
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 accountant standards used.
We identified errors
made in our historical financial statements and determined that certain of our previous filings with the SEC should no longer be relied
upon. If investors lose confidence in our management, it will make our securities less attractive to investors.
Following
the filing of our financial statements as of September 30, 2021, management identified errors made in our historical financial statements
where we improperly classified some of our ordinary shares subject to possible redemption. We previously determined the ordinary shares
subject to possible redemption to be equal to the redemption value per share while also taking into consideration that a redemption cannot
result in net tangible assets being less than $5,000,001 pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Management determined that the ordinary shares issued during our initial public offering can be redeemed or become redeemable subject
to the occurrence of future events considered outside the Company’s control. Therefore, management concluded that temporary equity
should include all ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, as opposed to only certain shares. As a result, management noted a
classification error related to temporary equity and permanent equity. This resulted in a restatement to the initial carrying value of
the ordinary shares subject to possible redemption with the offset recorded to additional paid-in capital (to the extent available),
accumulated deficit and ordinary shares. Based on the foregoing, on December 2, 2021, management and the Audit Committee of our Board
of Directors determined that our previous quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021 and
March 31, 2021, and the audited balance sheet as of January 11, 2021 (the date the Company consummated its initial public offering),
included in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report of Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2021 (collectively, the “Affected
Periods”) should no longer be relied upon. The Company will file an amendment to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2021 and include in such amendment a footnote reflecting the reclassification for the Affected Periods. If such investors
lose confidence in our management based on errors such as described above, it will make our securities less attractive to investors.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain
statements contained in 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, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and any
other statements of a future or forward-looking nature, constitute “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the federal
securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations,
hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other
characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words
“anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,”
“intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but
the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in 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
may include, for example, statements about:
●
our ability
to complete our initial business combination;
●
our success
in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
●
our officers
and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving
our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;
●
our potential
ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
●
our pool
of prospective target businesses, including their industry and geographic location;
●
the ability
of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;
●
failure
to list or delisting of our securities from Nasdaq or an inability to have our securities listed on Nasdaq following a business combination;
●
our public
securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
●
the lack
of a market for our securities; or
●
our financial
performance following the Initial Public Offering or an initial business combination.
The
forward-looking statements contained in 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 are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments
and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking
statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual
results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in
material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities
laws.
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.