Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
References to the “Company,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to ESGEN Acquisition Corporation. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
(this “Quarterly Report”). Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding
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our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses;
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our ability to complete our initial business combination;
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our expectations around the performance of a prospective target business or businesses;
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our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
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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;
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our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
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our pool of prospective target businesses;
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our ability to consummate an initial business combination due to the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19
pandemic, as well as from the emergence of variant strains of COVID-19,
including the efficacy and adoption of recently developed vaccines with respect to COVID-19
and variant strains thereof;
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the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential business combination opportunities;
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our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
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the lack of a market for our securities;
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the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance;
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the trust account not being subject to claims of third parties; or
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our financial performance following our initial public offering.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, 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. You should not take any statement regarding past trends or activities as representation that the trends or activities will continue in the future. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on these statements.
Overview
We were incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on April 19, 2021 for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (the “Business Combination”). We have not selected any Business Combination target. We will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region in our identification and acquisition of a target company.
Our sponsor is ESGEN LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”).
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The registration statement for our initial public offering (“initial public offering” or “Public Offering”) was declared effective on October 19, 2021. On October 22, 2021, we consummated our initial public offering of 27,600,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per Unit (which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), and the sale of 14,040,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to our sponsor that closed simultaneously with the initial public offering.
Transaction costs amounted to $16,138,202 consisting of $5,520,000 of underwriting commissions, $9,660,000 of deferred underwriting commissions and $958,202 of other cash offering costs. Of this amount, $15,428,121 was charged to shareholder’s deficit and $710,081 was allocated to the warrants and expensed.
Following the closing of our initial public offering on October 22, 2021, $281,520,000 ($10.20 per Unit) from the net proceeds sold in our initial public offering, including proceeds of the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, was deposited in a trust account (“Trust Account”) and will only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7
promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.
We will have 15 months (unless otherwise extended) from the closing of our initial public offering to consummate the initial Business Combination. If we have not consummated the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share
price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay income taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay winding up and dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
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Results of Operations
All of our activity from April 19, 2021 (inception) through June 30, 2022, was in preparation for our initial public offering, and since our initial public offering, our activity has been limited to the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our initial Business Combination.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, we had income of $1,494,631, which consisted of a gain on change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $1,527,600, interest income from marketable securities held in trust account of $368,774, offset by formation and operating costs of $401,743.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we had income of $7,375,172, which consisted of a gain on change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $8,262,960, interest income from marketable securities held in trust account of $386,945, offset by formation and operating costs of $1,274,733.
For the period from April 19, 2021 (inception) to June 30, 2021, we had a loss of $13,703, which consisted of formation and operating costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had cash of $947,477 and owes $995,805 in accrued offering costs and expenses and an additional $255,539 to related parties.
Prior to the completion of our initial public offering, our liquidity needs had been satisfied through a capital contribution from the Sponsor of $25,000 and a loan to us of up to $300,000 by our Sponsor under an unsecured promissory note, which had an outstanding balance of $171,346 at June 30, 2022. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor, an affiliate of our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide us Working Capital Loans. As of June 30, 2022, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loans.
Based on the foregoing, management believes that we will not have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet our needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with ASC Subtopic 205-40,
“Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern”, the Company has until January 22, 2023 (unless extended) to consummate a Business Combination. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date and an extension not obtained, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Although the Company intends to consummate a Business Combination on or before January 22, 2023, it is uncertain whether the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. Management has determined that the mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur and an extension is not obtained, as well as the potential for us to have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to a Business Combination, and potential subsequent dissolution, raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. It is uncertain whether the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination or obtain an extension by this time. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after January 22, 2023.
Contractual Obligations
Other than the below, we do not have any long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or long-term liabilities.
Underwriting Agreement
We granted the underwriters a 45-day
option to purchase up to 3,600,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at our initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters exercised the full over-allotment at the consummation of our initial public offering on October 22, 2021.
The underwriters earned an underwriting discount of two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds of our initial public offering, or $5,520,000, which we paid in cash at closing of the Public Offering.
Additionally, the underwriters are entitled to a deferred underwriting discount of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of our initial public offering upon the completion of our initial Business Combination.
Office Space, Secretarial and Administrative Services
Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on the NASDAQ through the earlier of consummation of our initial Business Combination and the liquidation, we are expected to pay our Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. As of June 30, 2022, we had incurred $84,193 pursuant to this agreement, which was accrued in “Due to related party”.
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Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and shareholder rights agreement signed at the closing of our initial public offering. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of the initial Business Combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up
period, which occurs (i) in the case of the Founder Shares, and (ii) in the case of the Private Placement Warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Loans and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and expected shareholder rights agreement signed at the closing of our initial public offering. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities.
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In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of its initial Business Combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lockup period, which occurs (i) in the case of the Founder Shares, as described in the following paragraph, and (ii) in the case of the Private Placement Warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Except as described herein, the Sponsor and its directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earliest of (A) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, (x) if the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading
day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of the Sponsor and its directors and executive officers with respect to any founder shares. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of the Sponsor with respect to any Founder Shares.
In addition, pursuant to the registration and shareholder rights agreement, the Sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial Business Combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for election to the board of directors, as long as the Sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement.
Going Concern
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had cash of $947,477 and owes $995,805 in accrued offering costs and expenses and an additional $255,539 to related parties. The Company anticipates that the cash held outside of the Trust Account as of June 30, 2022 will not be sufficient to allow the Company to operate for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of the financial statements, assuming that a Business Combination is not consummated during that time. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to consummate an initial Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with ASC Subtopic 205-40,
“Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern”, the Company has until January 22, 2023 (unless extended) to consummate a Business Combination. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date and an extension not obtained, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Although the Company intends to consummate a Business Combination on or before January 22, 2023, it is uncertain whether the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. Management has determined that the mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur and an extension is not obtained, as well as the potential for us to have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to a Business Combination, and potential subsequent dissolution, raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. It is uncertain whether the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination or obtain an extension by this time. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after January 22, 2023.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting estimates:
Warrant Liability
The Company accounts for the Public and Private Placement warrants issued in connection with the Public Offering in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40
and ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classified each warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject tore-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement,
the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statement of operations.
Offering Costs Associated with Initial Public Offering
We comply with the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 340-10-S99-1
and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A — “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to our initial public offering. Offering costs amounted to $16,138,202 and of this, $15,428,121 was charged to temporary equity and $710,081 was deemed allocable to the warrants and charged to expense upon the completion of our initial public offering.
Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholder’s equity. Our Class A ordinary shares sold in our initial public offering feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, 27,600,000 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholder’s (deficit) equity section of our balance sheets.
Net Income (Loss) Per Ordinary Share
We apply the two-class
method in calculating earnings per share. Ordinary share subject to possible redemption which is not currently redeemable and is not redeemable at fair value, has been excluded from the calculation of basic net income (loss) per ordinary share since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the Trust Account earnings. Our net income (loss) is adjusted for the portion of income that is attributable to ordinary share subject to possible redemption, as these shares only participate in the earnings of the Trust Account and not our income or losses.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06,
Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20)
and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)
(“ASU 2020-06”)
to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06
eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06
amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted
method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06
is effective January 1, 2022 and was applied on a full or modified retrospective basis. The Company assessed the impact that ASU 2020-06
would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows and noted there was no material effect on the Company’s financial statement.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2022, we did not have any off-balance
sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K
and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations.
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.