Triller Group Inc 10-K for FY2019
Triller Group Inc. (ILLR)
About this 10-K
Triller Group Inc filed this 10-K on March 31, 2020, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (FY2019).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net income
- $167.47K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to ________________
Commission file number: 001-38909
AGBA ACQUISITION LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| British Virgin Islands | N/A | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| incorporation or organization) | ||
Room 1108, 11th Floor, Block B New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
N/A | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +852 3998 4852
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Units, each consisting of one Ordinary Share, par value $0.001 per share, one Redeemable Warrant to acquire one-half of one Ordinary Share, and one Right to acquire one-tenth (1/10) of an Ordinary Share | AGBAU | NASDAQ Capital Market | ||
| Ordinary Shares | AGBA | NASDAQ Capital Market | ||
| Warrants | AGBAW | NASDAQ Capital Market | ||
| Rights | AGBAR | NASDAQ Capital Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| Emerging Growth Company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐
At June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s ordinary shares held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $46,092,000.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s ordinary shares as of March 17, 2020 was 5,975,000.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
AGBA ACQUISITION LIMITED
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. The statements contained in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. 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 “anticipates,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “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 this report may include, for example, statements about our:
| ● | ability to complete our initial business combination; |
| ● | success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; |
| ● | 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; |
| ● | potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; |
| ● | pool of prospective target businesses; |
| ● | the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities; |
| ● | potential change in control if we acquire one or more target businesses for stock; |
| ● | the potential liquidity and trading of our securities; |
| ● | the lack of a market for our securities; |
| ● | use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; or |
| ● | financial performance following our initial public offering. |
The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will 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 and/or if and when management knows or has a reasonable basis on which to conclude that previously disclosed projections are no longer reasonably attainable.
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| ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
Introduction
AGBA Acquisition Limited is a British Virgin Islands exempted company incorporated on October 8, 2018 as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic location. We have not selected any target business for our initial business combination.
We believe that our management team is well positioned to identify attractive risk-adjusted returns in the marketplace and that our contacts and transaction sources, ranging from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, and investment bankers, in addition to the geographical reach of our affiliates, will enable us to pursue a broad range of opportunities. Our management team has significant experience in engaging in cross-border business in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and understands the cultural, business and economic differences and opportunities that will allow us to negotiate a transaction.
On May 16, 2019, the Company consummated the initial public offering (“IPO”) of 4,600,000 units (the “Units”), which includes the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option of 600,000 Units. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share (“Ordinary Share”), one warrant (“Warrant”) entitling its holder to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per whole share, and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an Ordinary Share upon the consummation of an initial business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. In addition, the Company sold to Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim), for $100, an option to purchase up to 276,000 units exercisable at $11.50 per unit pursuant to the Unit Purchase Option agreement, commencing on the later of the consummation of a business combination and six months from the effective date of the Registration Statement.
On May 16, 2019, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with our Sponsor, AGBA Holding Limited, of 225,000 units (the “Private Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,250,000. The Private Units are identical to the Units sold in the IPO, except that the warrants underlying the Private Units will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Additionally, because the Private Units were issued in a private transaction, the initial purchasers and their permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the warrants included in the Private Units for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares. Additionally, such initial purchasers agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except in limited circumstances, as described in the Registration Statement) until the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. Such Initial Purchasers were granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the purchase of the Private Units.
A total of $46,000,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option Units) and the private placements on May 16, 2019 were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders at Morgan Stanley maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, acting as trustee. None of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account, other than interest income to pay any tax obligations, until the earlier of the completion of an initial business combination within the required time period or our entry into liquidation if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period. On July 15, 2019, our ordinary shares, warrants and rights underlying the Units sold in our IPO began to trade separately on a voluntary basis.
Since our IPO, our sole business activity has been identifying and evaluating suitable acquisition transaction candidates. The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and potential target companies may defer or end discussions for a potential business combination with us whether or not COVID-19 affects their business operations. 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. 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.
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Competitive strengths
We believe our specific competitive strengths to be the following:
Status as a public company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination. In this situation, the owners of the target business would exchange their shares of stock in the target business for our ordinary shares or for a combination of our ordinary shares and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. We believe target businesses might find this method a more certain and cost effective method to become a public company than the typical initial public offering. In a typical initial public offering, there are additional expenses incurred in marketing, roadshow and public reporting efforts that will likely not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us. Furthermore, once the business combination is consummated, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions that could prevent the offering from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests than it would have as a privately-held company. It can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.
While we believe that our status as a public company will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view the inherent limitations in our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our requirements to seek shareholder approval of any proposed initial business combination and provide holders of public shares the opportunity to convert their shares into cash from the trust account, as a deterrent, and may prefer to effect a business combination with a more established entity or with a private company.
Transaction flexibility
We offer a target business a variety of options, such as providing the owners of a target business with shares in a public company and a public means to sell such shares, providing cash for stock, and providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to consummate our initial business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and it may not be available to us.
Management Experience
We believe the experience and contacts of our management team will give us distinct advantages in sourcing, structuring and consummating business combinations. We have a management team with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, including cross-border transactions, target sourcing, financial due diligence, deal structuring and negotiation, as well as finance and investment in the United States and Asia, and understands the cultural, business and economic differences and opportunities that will allow us to negotiate a transaction. We believe we can source attractive deals and find good investment opportunities from private and public sources to create value for shareholders. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us with an important source of investment opportunities.
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Competitive Weaknesses
We believe our competitive weaknesses to be the following:
Limited Financial Resources
Our financial reserves will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of venture capital firms, leveraged buyout firms and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. In addition, our financial resources could be reduced because of our obligation to convert shares held by our public shareholders as well as any tender offer we conduct.
Lack of experience with blank check companies
Our management team is not experienced in pursuing business combinations on behalf of blank check companies. Other blank check companies may be sponsored and managed by individuals with prior experience in completing business combinations between blank check companies and target businesses. Our managements’ lack of experience may not be viewed favorably by target businesses.
Limited technical and human resources
As a blank check company, we have limited technical and human resources. Many venture capital funds, leveraged buyout firms and operating businesses possess greater technical and human resources than we do and thus we may be at a disadvantage when competing with them for target businesses.
Delay associated with shareholder approval or tender offer
We may be required to seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination. If we are not required to obtain shareholder approval of an initial business combination, we will allow our shareholders to sell their shares to us pursuant to a tender offer. Both seeking shareholder approval and conducting a tender offer will delay the consummation of our initial business combination. Other companies competing with us for acquisition opportunities may not be subject to similar requirement, or may be able to satisfy such requirements more quickly than we can. As a result, we may be at a disadvantage in competing for these opportunities.
Effecting an Acquisition Transaction
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business until we complete a business combination. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placements, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these in effecting our initial business combination. Although substantially all of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placements are intended to be applied generally toward effecting a business combination, the proceeds are not otherwise being designated for any more specific purposes. Accordingly, investors in the IPO were investing without first having an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more business combinations. Our initial business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares. In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect simultaneous business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and potential target companies may defer or end discussions for a potential business combination with us whether or not COVID-19 affects their business operations. 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. 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.
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Sources of Target Businesses
We believe based on our management’s business knowledge and past experience that there are numerous business combination candidates. We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from our Sponsor or from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested in an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have known what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. We may engage professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions or mergers in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will our insiders or any of the members of our management team be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). If we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our officers, directors or initial shareholders, we will do so only if we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. As of the date of this report, there are no affiliated entities that we would consider as a business combination target.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of Our Initial Business Combination
Subject to our management team’s fiduciary duties and the limitation that one or more target businesses have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. Additionally, there is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. We have not established any specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses.
Accordingly, there is no basis for investors to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its early stage of development or growth, including entities without established records of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business and operations of financially unstable and early stage or potential emerging growth companies. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors. In evaluating a prospective target business, our management may consider a variety of factors, including one or more of the following:
| ● | financial condition and results of operation; | |
| ● | growth potential; | |
| ● | brand recognition and potential; | |
| ● | return on equity or invested capital; | |
| ● | market capitalization or enterprise value; |
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| ● | experience and skill of management and availability of additional personnel; | |
| ● | capital requirements; | |
| ● | competitive position; | |
| ● | barriers to entry; | |
| ● | stage of development of the products, processes or services; | |
| ● | existing distribution and potential for expansion; | |
| ● | degree of current or potential market acceptance of the products, processes or services; | |
| ● | proprietary aspects of products and the extent of intellectual property or other protection for products or formulas; | |
| ● | impact of regulation on the business; | |
| ● | regulatory environment of the industry; | |
| ● | costs associated with effecting the business combination; | |
| ● | industry leadership, sustainability of market share and attractiveness of market industries in which a target business participates; and | |
| ● | macro competitive dynamics in the industry within which the company competes. |
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Our management may not consider any of the above criteria in evaluating a prospective target business. The retention of our officers and directors following the completion of any business combination will not be a material consideration in our evaluation of a prospective target business.
Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.
The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination remain to be determined. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
Pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the funds in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account), which we refer to as the 80% test, at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, although we may structure a business combination with one or more target businesses whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance. If we are no longer listed on Nasdaq, we will not be required to satisfy the 80% test.
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We currently anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure a business combination where we merge directly with the target business or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise owns a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% test. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or insiders and are therefore required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view, we may ask that banking firm to opine on whether the target business met the 80% fair market value test. Nevertheless, we are not required to do so and could determine not to do so without consent of our shareholders.
Lack of Business Diversification
We expect to complete only a single business combination, although this process may entail simultaneous business combinations with several operating businesses. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business operation. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
| ● | subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination, and | |
| ● | result in our dependency upon the performance of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services. |
If we determine to simultaneously consummate our initial business combination with several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With a business combination with several businesses, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the target companies in a single operating business.
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Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business’ Management Team
Although we intend to scrutinize the management team of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination, our assessment of the target business’ management team may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management team may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following our initial business combination remains to be determined. While it is possible that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, our officers and directors may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
Following our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We may not have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholder Approval of Business Combination
In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each shareholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction, whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval or whether we were deemed to be a foreign private issuer (which would require us to conduct a tender offer rather than seeking shareholder approval under SEC rules). If we so choose and we are legally permitted to do so, we have the flexibility to avoid a shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination.
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We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares converted or sold to us) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public shareholders may therefore have to wait until May 16, 2020 (or February 16, 2021, if extended) in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our initial shareholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to convert any ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any ordinary shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder approval of a proposed transaction, we would need only 343,751 of our public shares (or approximately 7.5% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved.
None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase Units or Ordinary Shares from persons in the open market or in private transactions (other than the Private Units). However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of Ordinary Shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.
Ability to Extend Time to Complete Business Combination
If we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination by May 16, 2020, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination, or until February 16, 2021). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $460,000 ($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required.
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Conversion/Tender Rights
At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. The conversion rights will be effected under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and British Virgin Islands law as redemptions. If we hold a meeting to approve an initial business combination, a holder will always have the ability to vote against a proposed business combination and not seek conversion of his shares.
Alternatively, if we engage in a tender offer, each public shareholder will be provided the opportunity to sell his public shares to us in such tender offer. The tender offer rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their public shares to us in the tender offer or remain an investor in our company.
Our initial shareholders, officers and directors will not have conversion rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket.
We may also require public shareholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. Once the shares are converted by the holder, and effectively redeemed by us under British Virgin Islands law, the transfer agent will then update our Register of Members to reflect all conversions. The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to shareholders in connection with the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time our proxy statement is mailed through the vote on the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any shareholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a shareholder would have to determine whether to exercise conversion rights. As a result, if we require public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their conversion rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.
There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require shareholders seeking to exercise conversion rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to shareholders.
Any request to convert or tender such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their conversion or tender and subsequently decides prior to the vote on the business combination or the expiration of the tender offer not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their conversion or tender rights would not be entitled to convert their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders.
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Automatic Liquidation if No Business Combination
If we do not complete a business combination by May 16, 2020, it will trigger our automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination by May 16, 2020, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination, or until February 16, 2021). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $460,000 ($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay our taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public shareholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the public rights will expire and will be worthless.
The amount in the trust account (less approximately $4,600 representing the aggregate nominal par value of the shares of our public shareholders) under the Companies Law will be treated as share premium which is distributable under the Companies Law provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed distribution is proposed to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If we are forced to liquidate the trust account, we anticipate that we would distribute to our public shareholders the amount in the trust account calculated as of the date that is two days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest). Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our public shareholders with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.
Each of our initial shareholders and our sponsor has agreed to waive its rights to participate in any liquidation of our trust account or other assets with respect to the insider shares and private units and to vote their insider shares, private shares in favor of any dissolution and plan of distribution which we submit to a vote of shareholders. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants or rights, which will expire worthless.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of the IPO, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share distribution from the trust account would be $10.00.
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The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would be prior to the claims of our public shareholders. Although we will seek to have all vendors, including lenders for money borrowed, prospective target businesses or other entities we engage execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refused to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, we would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to us if we chose not to engage such third party and evaluate if such engagement would be in the best interest of our shareholders if such third party refused to waive such claims. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refused to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. In any event, our management would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and would only enter into an agreement with a third party that did not execute a waiver if management believed that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason.
Our Sponsor has agreed that, if we liquidate the trust account prior to the consummation of a business combination, it will be liable to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us in excess of the net proceeds of the IPO not held in the trust account, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such debts or obligations do not reduce the amounts in the trust account and only if such parties have not executed a waiver agreement. However, we cannot assure you that he will be able to satisfy those obligations if he is required to do so. Accordingly, the actual per-share distribution could be less than $10.00 due to claims of creditors. Additionally, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.00 per share.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.
The following also may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:
| ● | our obligation to seek shareholder approval of a business combination or obtain the necessary financial information to be sent to shareholders in connection with such business combination may delay or prevent the completion of a transaction; | |
| ● | our obligation to convert public shares held by our public shareholders may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination; | |
| ● | NASDAQ may require us to file a new listing application and meet its initial listing requirements to maintain the listing of our securities following a business combination; |
| ● | our outstanding warrants, rights and unit purchase options and the potential future dilution they represent; | |
| ● | our obligation to pay the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions to Maxim Group LLC upon consummation of our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our obligation to either repay or issue units upon conversion of up to $500,000 of working capital loans that may be made to us by our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates; |
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| ● | our obligation to register the resale of the insider shares, as well as the private units (and underlying securities) and any securities issued to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates upon conversion of working capital loans; and | |
| ● | the impact on the target business’ assets as a result of unknown liabilities under the securities laws or otherwise depending on developments involving us prior to the consummation of a business combination. |
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.
If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.
Facilities
We maintain our principal executive offices at Room 1108, 11th Floor, Block B, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The cost for this space is provided to us by our Sponsor, as part of the $10,000 per month payment we make to it for office space and related services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the company is in. Accordingly, once management locates a suitable target business to acquire, they will spend more time investigating such target business and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time to our affairs) than they would prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.
| ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
As a smaller reporting company we are not required to make disclosures under this Item.
| ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operations. We maintain our principal executive offices at Room 1108, 11th Floor, Block B, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The cost for this space is provided to us by our Sponsor, as part of the $10,000 per month payment we make to it for office space and related services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
| ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
We may be subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to the conduct of our business from time to time. We are not currently a party to any material litigation or other legal proceedings brought against us. We are also not aware of any legal proceeding, investigation or claim, or other legal exposure that has a more than remote possibility of having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
| ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not Applicable.
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| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Our units began to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “AGBAU” on May 14, 2019. The ordinary shares, warrants and rights comprising the units began separate trading on Nasdaq on July 15, 2019, under the symbols “AGBA”, “AGBAW” and “AGBAR”, respectively.
Holders of Record
At March 18, 2020, there were 5,975,000 of our ordinary shares issued and outstanding held by nine shareholders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of ordinary shares whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
None.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds
On May 16, 2019, we consummated our IPO of 4,600,000 Units, which includes the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option of 600,000 Units. Each Unit consists of one Ordinary Share, one warrant entitling its holder to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per whole share, and one Right to receive 1/10 of an Ordinary Share upon the consummation of our initial business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the private placement of 225,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,250,000. The net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option units) and the Private Placement were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders.
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The private units are identical to the units sold in the IPO except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by our Sponsor or its permitted transferees. Additionally, because the Private Units were issued in a private transaction, our Sponsor and its permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the warrants included in the Private Units for cash even if a registration statement covering the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered Ordinary Shares. Additionally, our Sponsor agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except to the same permitted transferees as the insider shares and provided the transferees agree to the same terms and restrictions as the permitted transferees of the insider shares must agree to, each as described above) until the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. The Sponsor was granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the Private Units.
As of May 16, 2019, a total of $46,000,000 of proceeds from the IPO (including the over-allotment) and the Private Placement were in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders.
We paid approximately $383,781 for other costs and expenses related to our formation and the IPO, and a total of $1,150,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions, not including the 4.0% deferred underwriting commission payable at the consummation of business combination. Pursuant to our agreement with the underwriters, the amount of deferred discounts and commissions paid to Maxim will be reduced by $0.20 (2.0%) for each unit that is redeemed by shareholders in connection with an initial business combination. and.
For a description of the use of the proceeds generated in our initial public offering, see below Part II, Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
| ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
As a smaller reporting company we are not required to make disclosures under this Item.
| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Overview
We were formed on October 8, 2018 for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region. As of the date of this report, we have not selected any target business for our initial business combination.
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We presently have no revenue, have had losses since inception from incurring formation costs and have had no operations other than the active solicitation of a target business with which to complete a business combination. We have relied upon the sale of our securities and loans from our officers and directors to fund our operations.
On May 16, 2019, the Company consummated its IPO of 4,600,000 Units, which includes the full exercise of the over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share, one redeemable warrant, and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of a business combination. Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share, and each ten rights entitle the holder thereof to receive one ordinary share at the closing of a business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated a Private Placement of 225,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,250,000. A total of $46,000,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option units) and the Private Placements were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders.
As of December 31, 2019, a total of $46,603,976 was held in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders, which included $46,000,000 of the net proceeds from the IPO (including the exercise of the over-allotment option) and the Private Placements and subsequent interest income.
Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placement, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally towards consummating a business combination.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and potential target companies may defer or end discussions for a potential business combination with us whether or not COVID-19 affects their business operations. 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. 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.
Results of Operations
Our entire activity from inception up to May 16, 2019 was in preparation for the IPO. Since the IPO, our activity has been limited to the evaluation of business combination candidates, and we will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our business combination. We expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after this period.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we had a net income of $167,472 which consisted of interest income from our trust account offset by operating expenses. Operating expenses generally consist of the $10,000 monthly payment to our Sponsor for office and administrative support, monthly professional fees owed to our service providers, travel expenses, Nasdaq market listing fees and amortization of our directors and officers insurance policy. Operating expenses after our initial public offering increased dramatically due to our having commenced operations, and certain professional expenses no longer being charged directly against paid-in-capital on our balance sheet, but now being expensed in the statement of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2019, we had cash outside our trust account of $929,335 available for working capital needs. All remaining cash was held in the trust account and is generally unavailable for our use, prior to the business combination. Our management is of the opinion that we have sufficient funds to meet our working capital requirements and debt obligations as they become due for at least one year from the date of this report.
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On May 16, 2019, we consummated the IPO of 4,600,000 Units (which includes the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option), at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 225,000 Private Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,250,000.
Following the IPO and the exercise of the over-allotment option, a total of $46,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred approximately $1,533,781 in IPO related costs, including $1,150,000 of underwriting fees and approximately $383,781 of IPO Costs.
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the insider shares, advances from our Sponsor and an affiliate of our Sponsor in an aggregate amount of $543,193 outstanding as of December 31, 2019, and the remaining net proceeds from our IPO and Private Placement.
We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of the IPO, including the funds held in the Trust Account, to acquire a target business or businesses and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect our business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account, as well as any other net proceeds not expended, will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business’ operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders’ fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our business combination if the funds available to us outside of the Trust Account were insufficient to cover such expenses.
We anticipate that the funds held outside of our trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate 12 months from the filing date of this Form 10-K, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective business combination candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to consummate our initial business combination with and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination.
If our estimates of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or the amount of interest available to us from the trust account is less than we expect as a result of the current interest rate environment, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. Following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
As of December 31, 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. We have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or entered into any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2019, we did not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities.
16
Critical Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation
These accompanying financial statements have been prepared in U.S. Dollars in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position, and the results of its operations and its cash flows.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of 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.
Cash
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were $929,335 cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019.
Cash and Investments Held in Trust Account
At December 31, 2019, the assets held in the Trust Account are held in cash and US Treasury securities.
The Company classifies marketable securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. All marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive loss. The Company evaluates its investments to assess whether those with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. Impairments are considered other than temporary if they are related to deterioration in credit risk or if it is likely the Company will sell the securities before the recovery of the cost basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense), net in the statements of operations.
Ordinary Shares Subject To Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary share subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary 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 the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at December 31, 2019, 4,044,736 ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
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Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of the ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A – “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Public Offering and that were charged to shareholders’ equity upon the completion of the Public Offering.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
FASB ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value, the methods used to measure fair value and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between the buyer and the seller at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and cost approach shall be used to measure fair value. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs, which represent the assumptions used by the buyer and seller in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are further defined as observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are those that buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
| Level 1 — | Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
|
| Level 2 — | Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means.
|
| Level 3 — | Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
The fair value of the Company’s certain assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, and other current assets, accrued expenses, due to sponsor are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of December 31, 2019 due to the short maturities of such instruments.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
| December 31, | Quoted Prices In Active Markets | Significant Other Observable Inputs | Significant Other Unobservable Inputs | |||||||||||||
| Description | 2019 | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Securities held in Trust Account* | $ | 46,603,976 | $ | 46,603,976 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||
* included in cash and investments held in trust account on the Company’s balance sheet.
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Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and trust accounts in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company calculates net loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.” Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to possible conversion. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, plus to the extent dilutive, the incremental number of ordinary shares to settle rights and other ordinary share equivalents (currently none outstanding), as calculated using the treasury stock method. Ordinary shares subject to possible conversion at December 31, 2019, which are not currently redeemable and are not redeemable at fair value, have been excluded from the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the Trust Account earnings. The Company has not considered the effect of rights that convert into 276,000 ordinary shares in the unit purchase option sold to the underwriter, in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the conversion of the rights into ordinary is contingent upon the occurrence of future events.
Related Parties
Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has considered all new accounting pronouncements and has concluded that there are no new pronouncements that may have a material impact on the results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, based on the current information.
| ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
As of the period ended December 31, 2019, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. Following the consummation of our Initial Public Offering, the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering, including amounts in deposited in the trust account, may be invested in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 180 days or less, or in certain money market funds that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk when and if the net proceeds are invested in such securities.
| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
Our financial statements and the notes thereto begin on page F-1 of this Annual Report.
| ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
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| ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
This Annual Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting due to a transition period established by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for newly public companies.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
| ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
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| ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
The following table sets forth information about our directors and executive officers as of March 18, 2020.
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Gordon Lee | 52 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
| Vera Tan | 42 | Chief Financial Officer and Director | ||
| Brian Chan | 53 | Director | ||
| Eric Lam | 48 | Director | ||
| Thomas Ng | 64 | Director |
Below is a summary of the business experience of each of our executive officers and directors:
Gordon Lee. Gordon Lee has been our Chief Executive Officer and director since October 2018. Mr. Lee has over 27 years of experience in the education, IT, and entertainment industries and with startup businesses. Since June 2015, he has been an advisor of Victoria Educational Organization (“Victoria”). Having seven kindergartens and one nursery school, Victoria is the leading provider in Hong Kong of high quality education for over 3,500 children. Victoria was the first kindergarten to introduce English teachers into the classroom, and to establish a collaborative, co-teaching environment with Chinese and English native speaking teachers working side by side. In February 2016, Mr. Lee founded Causeway Bay CLC, which provides extracurricular activities for Victoria Kindergarten students, such as: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, soccer and other outdoor/indoor activities. In May 2010 Mr. Lee co-founded Soliton Holdings Limited, one of the first music streaming applications in Hong Kong and Macau. Prior to that, Mr. Lee co-founded and was the Business Development Director of Aspect Gaming from May 2007 to December 2010. Aspect Gaming is a game developer that brings offline games to online platform including lottery, casino and social gaming. ) From October 2001 to February 2007 Mr. Lee served as an Executive General Manager of Mocha Slot Group Limited, a member of Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Limited- a NASDAQ listed company. Mocha Club is one largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. Prior to Mocha Club, Mr. Lee co-founded Elixir Group Limited (listed in AMEX: EGT), which was established in 2002 as a gaming focused IT solution provider (including a slot machine businesses). Elixir Group Limited operates in 32 countries and generated over 250 million Euros in 2017. Mr. Lee obtained his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Degree in 1991 and his Master of Science in Computer Science Degree in 1992 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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Vera Tan. Vera Tan has been our Chief Financial Officer and director since February 2019. Ms. Tan has over 18 years of experience in deal origination, direct investments, banking, structured finance, asset management and law. Since 2018, Ms. Tan has been the Managing Director of CMSC Capital Partners, a Hong Kong licensed asset management firm and the Founder and Managing Partner of VAM Advisory Limited, a strategic and management consulting firm. From March 2015 to April 2018, Ms. Tan was the Head of Hong Kong Global Markets Debt Compliance for Deutsche Bank AG, managing a total of eight different business lines across corporate treasury sales, FICC trading, institutional sales, special situations, structured finance, distressed trading, treasury and pool. During the period of March 2011 to October 2014, Ms. Tan co-founded and acted as Managing Director of Client Solutions at Sun Hung Kai Financial, a leading financial services institution in Hong Kong. Ms. Tan’s department at Sun Hung Fai Financial was responsible for structured financing, private equity, co investment and direct investment. From May 2010 to December 2010, Ms. Tan was Director of Fixed Income at Mizuho Asia Securities Limited. Ms. Tan is responsible for creating the Third Party Group under Goldman Sachs Asia LLC Hong Kong Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities Division. During her time at Goldman Sachs, Ms. Tan was consecutively ranked as a first quartile performer at Goldman. In June 2000, Ms. Tan graduated from University College London with a Bachelor of Law. Ms. Tan continued her studies in September 2000- June 2001 at the Inns of Court School of Law in London and graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Skills.
Brian Chan. Brian Chan has been a director of the Company since February 2019. Mr. Chan has over 23 years of experience handling litigations for civil claims, intellectual property rights protection and enforcement. Since September 2007 to present, Mr. Chan has been a Senior Partner at Chan, Tang & Kwok Solicitors, a member of the International Trademark Attorneys Association. From September 1995 to August 2007, he was a Consultant at Benny Kong & Peter Tang, Partner at Stevenson, Wong & Co., Solicitors, Associate at Stephenson Harwood & Lo, and Associate at Baker & McKenzie. Additionally, Mr. Chan has acted as a Counsel to various Hong Kong and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and commercial matters since August 1999. Mr. Chan is also a frequent speaker on legal issues for intellectual property rights for the Hong Kong Productivity council, and acts as an Advisor to the Chief Brand Officer Association of Hong Kong (CBOHK). Mr. Chan graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree and passed the Solicitors’ Finals of the Law Society of England and Wales in 1993.
Eric Lam. Eric Lam has been a director of the Company since February 2019. Since January 2007, he has been the Financial Controller of Skyworth Digital Holdings Limited (“Skyworth”), which is one of the world’s top ten color TV brands, and is a leading Chinese brand of the display industry in China. In September 2013, in addition to Financial Controller, Mr. Lam became the Company Secretary of Skyworth. At Skyworth, Mr. Lam participated in multiple acquisitions, including the acquisition of Sinoprima Investments and Manufacturing SA (PTY) Ltd, a home appliance brand in South Africa in 2014; Metz Consumer Electronics GmbH, a German TV company and Strong Media Group Limited, an European set-top box company. Mr. Lam holds a Bachelor of Computing (Information System) and a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree from Monash University of Australia.
Thomas Ng. Thomas Ng has been our director since February 2019. Thomas Ng has 30 years of broad experience engaging in the fields of Education, Media, Retailing Marketing and Finance. He is a pioneer of IT in education and he was the author of “Digital English Lab”, one of the first series of digital books in Hong Kong. Since September 2018, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of e-chat, an IPFS block chain social media focused company. From March 2017 to April 2018, Mr. Ng was the Chief Financial Officer of Duofu Holdings Group Co. Limited. In February 2016, Mr. Ng founded Shang Finance Limited and was the Chief Executive Officer until February 2017. From March 2015 to November 2015, Mr. Ng was the Chief Financial Officer of World Unionpay Group Shares Limited. In August 2003, Mr. Ng established Fuji (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. and was the Chief Executive Officer until December 2014, Mr. Ng obtained a Certificate of Education majoring in English from the University of Hong Kong in 2000.
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We believe with their vast experience and complementary skillsets, our officers and directors are well qualified to serve as members of our board.
Our directors and officers will play a key role in identifying, evaluating, and selecting target businesses, and structuring, negotiating and consummating our initial acquisition transaction. Except as described below and under “— Conflicts of Interest,” none of these individuals is currently a principal of or affiliated with a public company or blank check company that executed a business plan similar to our business plan. We believe that the skills and experience of these individuals, their collective access to acquisition opportunities and ideas, their contacts, and their transaction expertise should enable them to identify successfully and effect an acquisition transaction, although we cannot assure you that they will, in fact, be able to do so.
Board Committees
The Board has a standing audit, nominating and compensation committee. The independent directors oversee director nominations. Each audit committee and compensation committee has a charter.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, engages Company’s independent accountants, reviewing their independence and performance; reviews the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the integrity of its financial statements; the audits of the Company’s financial statements and the appointment, compensation, qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee held one meeting during 2019.
The members of the Audit Committee are Brian Chan, Eric Lam and Thomas Ng, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Eric Lam is the Chairperson of the audit committee. The Board has determined that both Eric Lam qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our Board. Specifically, the Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the size and composition of the Board, establishes procedures for the director nomination process and screens and recommends candidates for election to the Board. On an annual basis, the Nominating Committee recommends for approval by the Board certain desired qualifications and characteristics for board membership. Additionally, the Nominating Committee establishes and administers a periodic assessment procedure relating to the performance of the Board as a whole and its individual members. The Nominating Committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the Board. The Nominating Committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2019.
The members of the Nominating Committee are Brian Chan, Eric Lam and Thomas Ng, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Brian Chan is the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
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Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews annually the Company’s corporate goals and objectives relevant to the officers’ compensation, evaluates the officers’ performance in light of such goals and objectives, determines and approves the officers’ compensation level based on this evaluation; makes recommendations to the Board regarding approval, disapproval, modification, or termination of existing or proposed employee benefit plans, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO and non-CFO compensation and administers the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The chief executive officer of the Company may not be present during voting or deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to his compensation. The Company’s executive officers do not play a role in suggesting their own salaries. Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has engaged any compensation consultant who has a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive or director compensation. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2019.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing shareholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.
The members of the Compensation Committee are Brian Chan, Eric Lam and Thomas Ng, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Thomas Ng is the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee.
Conflicts of Interest
Investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
| ● | None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities. | |
| ● | In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management has pre-existing fiduciary duties and contractual obligations and may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. | |
| ● | Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by our company. | |
| ● | The insider shares owned by our officers and directors will be released from escrow only if a business combination is successfully completed and subject to certain other limitations. Additionally, our officers and directors will not receive distributions from the trust account with respect to any of their insider shares if we do not complete a business combination. In addition, our officers and directors may loan funds to us after the IPO and may be owed reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with certain activities on our behalf which would only be repaid if we complete an initial business combination. For the foregoing reasons, the personal and financial interests of our directors and executive officers may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, completing a business combination in a timely manner and securing the release of their shares. |
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Under British Virgin Islands law, directors owe the following fiduciary duties:
| ● | duty to act in good faith in what the director believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole; | |
| ● | duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; | |
| ● | directors should not properly fetter the exercise of future discretion; |
| ● | duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and | |
| ● | duty to exercise independent judgment. |
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience which that director has.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise when our board evaluates a particular business opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Furthermore, most of our officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary obligations to other businesses of which they are officers or directors. To the extent they identify business opportunities which may be suitable for the entities to which they owe pre-existing fiduciary obligations, our officers and directors will honor those fiduciary obligations. Accordingly, it is possible they may not present opportunities to us that otherwise may be attractive to us unless the entities to which they owe pre-existing fiduciary obligations and any successors to such entities have declined to accept such opportunities.
In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, each of our officers and directors has contractually agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, until the earliest of a business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any suitable business opportunity which may reasonably be required to be presented to us, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have.
The following table summarizes the current pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers and directors.
| Name of Individual | Name of Affiliated Company | Industry
of Affiliated Company |
Affiliation | |||
| Gordon Lee | Victoria Educational Organization | Education | Advisor | |||
| Causeway Bay CLC | Education | Founder | ||||
| Vera Tan | VAM Advisory Limited CMSC Partners Limited |
Financial Services Financial Services |
Founder Director | |||
| Brian Chan | Multi Success Consultants Limited | Legal and Consulting |
Director | |||
| Chan, Tang & Kwok Solicitors | Legal and Consulting |
Senior Partner | ||||
| Eric Lam | Skyworth Digital Holdings Limited | Consumer Goods | Group Financial Controller |
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In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective insider shares and private shares in favor of any proposed business combination. In addition, they have agreed to waive their respective rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to those ordinary shares acquired by them prior to the IPO. If they purchased ordinary shares in the IPO or in the open market, however, they would be entitled to participate in any liquidation distribution in respect of such shares but have agreed not to convert such shares (or sell their shares in any tender offer) in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination or an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to pre-business combination activity.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate our initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or initial shareholders, unless we have obtained (i) an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view and (ii) the approval of a majority of our disinterested and independent directors (if we have any at that time). Furthermore, in no event will any of our initial shareholders, officers, directors, special advisors or their respective affiliates be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other similar compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our ordinary shares and other equity securities. These executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such reporting persons.
Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed in a timely manner.
| ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Employment Agreements
We have not entered into any employment agreements with our executive officers, and have not made any agreements to provide benefits upon termination of employment.
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Executive Officers and Director Compensation
No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. No compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing shareholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. However, such individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors and audit committee, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged.
| ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS |
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our voting securities by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, (ii) each of our officers and directors, and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group as of March 17, 2020.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants or conversion of rights, as the warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2020 and the rights are not convertible within 60 days of March 17, 2020.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of Ordinary Shares | Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares | ||||||
| AGBA Holding Limited | 1,261,000 | 21.10 | % | |||||
| Gordon Lee | 30,000 | * | ||||||
| Vera Tan | 30,000 | * | ||||||
| Brian Chan | 18,000 | * | ||||||
| Eric Lam | 18,000 | * | ||||||
| Thomas Ng | 18,000 | * | ||||||
| Hudson Bay Capital Management LP(2) | 400,000 | 6.69 | % | |||||
| Sander Gerber(2) | 400,000 | 6.69 | % | |||||
| Polar Asset Management Partners Inc.(3) | 500,800 | 8.38 | % | |||||
| BIP GP LLC(4) | 199,500 | 3.34 | % | |||||
| Weiss Asset Management LP(4) | 285,000 | 4.77 | % | |||||
| WAM GP LLC(4) | 285,000 | 4.77 | % | |||||
| Andrew M. Weiss, PHD(4) | 285,000 | 4.77 | % | |||||
| Periscope Capital Inc. (5) | 399,800 | 6.7 | % | |||||
| All directors and executive officers as a group (5 individuals) | 114,000 | * | ||||||
| * | Less than 1%. |
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is c/o AGBA Acquisition Limited, Room 1108, 11th Floor, Block B, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong. |
| (2) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting persons. The address for the reporting persons is 777 Third Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP (the “Investment Manager”) serves as the investment manager to Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. Tech Opportunities LLC, in whose name the securities reported herein are held, is controlled by Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. As such, the Investment Manager may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all securities held by Tech Opportunities LLC. Sander Gerber serves as the managing member of Hudson Bay Capital GP LLC, which is the general partner of the Investment Manager. Mr. Gerber disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities. |
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| (3) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The reporting person has a business address of 401 Bay Street, Suite 1900, PO Box 19, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4, Canada. |
| (4) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting persons. The address for the reporting persons is 222 Berkeley St., 16th floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Shares reported for BIP GP include shares beneficially owned by a private investment partnership (the “Partnership”) of which BIP GP is the sole general partner. Weiss Asset Management is the sole investment manager to the Partnership. WAM GP is the sole general partner of Weiss Asset Management. Andrew Weiss is the managing member of WAM GP and BIP GP. Shares reported for WAM GP, Andrew Weiss and Weiss Asset Management include shares beneficially owned by the Partnership (and reported above for BIP GP). |
| (5) | Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The address for the reporting persons is 333 Bay Street, Suite 1240, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2R2. Periscope Capital Inc. (“Periscope”) acts as investment manager of, and exercises investment discretion with respect to, certain private investment funds (each, a “Periscope Fund”). |
All of the insider shares issued and outstanding prior to the IPO were placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as escrow agent, until (1) with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of one year after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, one year after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property.
During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (i) for transfers to our officers, directors or their respective affiliates (including for transfers to an entity’s members upon its liquidation), (ii) to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, (iii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (v) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (vi) by private sales made at or prior to the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (vii) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause (vii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement, but will retain all other rights as our shareholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their ordinary shares and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in ordinary shares, such dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate the trust account, none of our initial shareholders will receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to their insider shares.
In order to meet our working capital needs, our initial shareholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued units to acquire 55,000 ordinary shares (which includes 5,000 shares issuable upon conversion of rights) and warrants to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares if $500,000 of notes were so converted). Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans will not be repaid.
Our sponsor and our executive officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters,” as that term is defined under the Federal securities laws.
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| ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
In October 2018, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Lee, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,000 of ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1, or approximately $0.001 per share. On February 22, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,149,000 Ordinary Shares to AGBA Holding Limited for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the private placement with certain of its initial shareholders of 225,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,250,000.
In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of the IPO, our initial shareholders, officers and directors and their respective affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued units to acquire 55,000 ordinary shares (which includes 5,000 shares issuable upon conversion of rights) and warrants to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares if $500,000 of notes were so converted). Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans would be repaid out of funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available.
The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding prior to the date of the IPO, as well as the holders of the private units (and all underlying securities) and any securities our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to offering registration rights agreement. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private units or securities issued in payment of working capital loans made to us can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
We will reimburse our officers and directors for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf such as identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and the interest income earned on the amounts held in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to any initial shareholder or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
The Sponsor, AGBA Holding Limited, has paid the expenses incurred by the Company an aggregate of $543,193 on a non-interest bearing basis as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, the Company owed a balance of $543,193 to AGBA Holding Limited.
The Company is obligated to pay AGBA Holding Limited, a company owned by the insiders, a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, the Company may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by the Company’s audit committee that the Company lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with the initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination.
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All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions, including the payment of any compensation, will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors (to the extent we have any) or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested “independent” directors (or, if there are no “independent” directors, our disinterested directors) determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
Related Party Policy
Our Code of Ethics requires us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the board of directors (or the audit committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.
We also require each of our directors and executive officers to annually complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties. Additionally, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.
To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of our initial shareholders unless we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in no event will any of our existing officers, directors or initial shareholders, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that within one year of the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market we have at least three independent directors and that a majority of our board of directors be independent. For a description of the director independence, see above Part III, Item 10 - Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
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| ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to Marcum LLP, or Marcum, for services rendered.
Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and services that are normally provided by Marcum in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Marcum for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $55,000 and $32,500, respectively. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related services consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. We did not pay Marcum for consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Tax Fees. We did not pay Marcum for tax planning and tax advice for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
All Other Fees. We did not pay Marcum for other services for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Pre-Approval of Services
Our audit committee was formed upon the consummation of our Initial Public Offering. As a result, the audit committee did not pre-approve all of the foregoing services, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our audit committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our audit committee, and on a going-forward basis, the audit committee has and will pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit).
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| ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
| (a) | Financial Statements: |
| (1) | Financial Statements: |
| (2) | All supplemental schedules have been omitted since the information is either included in the financial statements or the notes thereto or they are not required or are not applicable
| |
| (3) | See attached Exhibit Index of this Annual Report on Form 10-K |
| (b) | Exhibits |
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33
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| AGBA ACQUISITION LIMITED | ||
| Dated: March 31, 2020 | By: | /s/ Gordon Lee |
| Name: | Gordon Lee | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Position | Date | ||
| /s/ Gordon Lee | Chief Executive Officer | March 31, 2020 | ||
| Gordon Lee | (Principal executive officer) and Director | |||
| /s/ Vera Tan | Chief Financial Officer | March 31, 2020 | ||
| Vera Tan | (Principal financial and accounting officer) and Director | |||
| /s/ Thomas Ng | Director | March 31, 2020 | ||
| Thomas Ng | ||||
| /s/ Eric Lam | Director | March 31, 2020 | ||
| Eric Lam | ||||
| /s/ Brian Chan | Director | March 31, 2020 | ||
| Brian Chan |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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AGBA ACQUISITION LIMITED
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
AGBA Acquisition Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of AGBA Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from October 8, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from October 8, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
New York, NY
March 31, 2020
F-2
BALANCE SHEETS
(Currency expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares)
| December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 929,335 | $ | - | ||||
| Prepayments | 26,016 | - | ||||||
| Deferred offering cost | - | 72,500 | ||||||
| Total Current Assets | 955,351 | 72,500 | ||||||
| Cash and investments held in trust account | 46,603,976 | - | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 47,559,327 | $ | 72,500 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | $ | 11,755 | $ | 2,500 | ||||
| Amount due to related party | 543,193 | 72,515 | ||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 554,948 | 75,015 | ||||||
| Deferred underwriting compensation | 1,025,948 | - | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 1,580,896 | 75,015 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Ordinary shares, subject to conversion: 4,044,736 shares (at conversion value of $10.09 per share) | 40,978,430 | - | ||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit): | ||||||||
| Ordinary shares, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 1,930,264 and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 4,044,736 shares subject to conversion) | 1,930 | - | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 4,735,012 | 1 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 98,103 | - | ||||||
| Accumulated deficits | 164,956 | (2,516 | ) | |||||
| Total Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) | 5,000,001 | (2,515 | ) | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | $ | 47,559,327 | $ | 72,500 | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(Currency expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares)
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | Period from October 8, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018 | |||||||
| Formation, general and administrative expenses | $ | (338,649 | ) | $ | (2,516 | ) | ||
| Total operating expenses | (338,649 | ) | (2,516 | ) | ||||
| Other income: | ||||||||
| Dividend income | 16 | - | ||||||
| Foreign exchange gain | 170 | - | ||||||
| Interest income | 505,935 | - | ||||||
| Total other income | 506,121 | - | ||||||
| NET INCOME (LOSS) | $ | 167,472 | $ | (2,516 | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||
| Unrealized gain on available held for sale securities | 98,103 | - | ||||||
| COMRPEHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | $ | 265,575 | $ | (2,516 | ) | |||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 1,913,762 | 1,000 | ||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (2.52 | ) | ||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
(Currency expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares)
| Ordinary shares | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. of shares | Amount | Additional paid-in capital | Accumulated other comprehensive income | Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2019 | 1,000 | $ | 1 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (2,516 | ) | $ | (2,515 | ) | |||||||||||
| Issuance of ordinary shares to the founder | 1,149,000 | 1,149 | 23,851 | - | - | 25,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of units in initial public offering | 4,600,000 | 4,600 | 45,995,400 | - | - | 46,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Offering costs | - | - | (2,559,729 | ) | - | - | (2,559,729 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Sale of ordinary shares to the founder in private placement | 225,000 | 225 | 2,249,775 | - | - | 2,250,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary shares subject to redemption | (4,044,736 | ) | (4,045 | ) | (40,974,385 | ) | - | - | (40,978,430 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Sales of unit purchase option | - | - | 100 | - | - | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Realized holding gain on available-for-sales securities | - | - | - | (505,858 | ) | - | (505,858 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sales securities | - | - | - | 603,961 | - | 603,961 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year | - | - | - | - | 167,472 | 167,472 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 | 1,930,264 | 1,930 | 4,735,012 | 98,103 | 164,956 | 5,000,001 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Period from October 8, 2018 (Inception) to December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary shares | Accumulated | Total shareholders’ | ||||||||||||||
| No. of shares | Amount | deficit | deficit | |||||||||||||
| Balance as of October 8, 2018 (Inception) | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||
| Issuance of ordinary shares to Initial Shareholder | 1,000 | 1 | - | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | - | - | (2,516 | ) | (2,516 | ) | ||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2018 | 1,000 | $ | 1 | $ | (2,516 | ) | $ | (2,515 | ) | |||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Currency expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares)
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | Period from October 8, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018 | |||||||
| Cash flow from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 167,472 | $ | (2,516 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
| Interest income earned in cash and investments held in trust account | (505,858 | ) | - | |||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Increase in prepayments | (26,016 | ) | - | |||||
| Increase in accrued liabilities | 9,255 | - | ||||||
| Cash used in operating activities | (355,147 | ) | (2,516 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds deposited in Trust Account | (46,000,015 | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (46,000,015 | ) | - | |||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from unit purchase option | 100 | - | ||||||
| Proceeds from public offering, net of offering cost | 44,538,719 | - | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of private placement | 2,250,000 | - | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Initial Shareholder | 25,000 | 1 | ||||||
| Advances from a related party | 470,678 | 72,515 | ||||||
| Payment of offering costs | - | (70,000 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 47,284,497 | 2,516 | ||||||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENT | 929,335 | - | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of year/period | - | - | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalent, end of year/period | $ | 929,335 | $ | - | ||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Deferred offering costs included in accrued offering costs | $ | - | $ | 2,500 | ||||
| Initial classification of shares subject to conversion | $ | 40,702,622 | $ | - | ||||
| Change in value of shares subject to conversion | $ | 275,808 | $ | - | ||||
| Deferred underwriting compensation | $ | 1,025,948 | $ | - | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Currency expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS BACKGROUND
AGBA Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) is a newly organized blank check company incorporated on October 8, 2018, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (an “initial business combination”). Although the Company is not limited to a particular geographic region, the Company intends to focus on operating businesses in the healthcare, education, entertainment and financial services sectors that have their principal operations in China.
The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
The Company’s entire activity from inception up to May 16, 2019 was in preparation for the initial public offering. Since the initial public offering, the Company’s activity has been limited to the evaluation of business combination candidates. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end and tax year end.
Financing
The registration statement for the Company’s initial public offering (the “Public Offering” as described in Note 3) was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 13, 2019. The Company consummated the Public Offering on May 16, 2019 of 4,600,000 units at $10.00 per unit (the “Public Units’) and sold to the Sponsor to purchase 225,000 units at $10 per unit. The Company received net proceeds of $46,716,219. The Company incurred $2,559,729 in initial public offering related costs, including $2,175,948 of underwriting fees and $383,781 of initial public offering costs.
Trust Account
Upon the closing of the Public Offering and the private placement, $46,000,000 was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. The funds held in the Trust Account can be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes, 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 until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination and (ii) the Company’s failure to consummate a Business Combination within 21 months from the closing of the Public Offering. Placing funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that such persons will execute such agreements. The remaining net proceeds (not held in the Trust Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses. Additionally, the interest earned on the Trust Account balance may be released to the Company to pay the Company’s tax obligations.
Business Combination
Pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, the Company’s Initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the funds in the Trust Account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account), which the Company refers to as the 80% test, at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, although the Company may structure a business combination with one or more target businesses whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance. If the Company is no longer listed on Nasdaq, it will not be required to satisfy the 80% test. The Company currently anticipates structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses.
F-7
The Company may, however, structure a business combination where the Company merges directly with the target business or where the Company acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but the Company will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise owns a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% test.
As set forth in the memorandum of association, the objects for which are established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the British Virgin Islands.
The Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contains provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections to our ordinary shareholders prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of 65% (or 50% if approved in connection with the initial business combination) of the Company’s outstanding ordinary shares attending and voting on such amendment. The Company’s initial shareholders, who beneficially own 23.01% of our outstanding shares, will participate in any vote to amend the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Prior to the initial business combination, if the Company seek to amend any provisions of the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, the Company will provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote on any proposed amendments to the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. The Company and the directors and officers have agreed not to propose any amendment to the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect the substance and timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem the public shares if the Company are unable to consummate the initial business combination by May 16, 2020 (or February 21, 2021, as applicable). The Company’s initial shareholders have agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any insider shares and any public shares they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to our initial business combination.
The Company will either seek shareholder approval of any Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which shareholders may seek to convert their shares into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid, or provide shareholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. These shares have been recorded at redemption value and are classified as temporary equity, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” The Company will proceed with a Business Combination only if it will have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation of the Business Combination and, solely if shareholder approval is sought, a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of his or any other person with whom he is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking conversion rights with respect to 25% or more of the ordinary shares sold in the Public Offering. Accordingly, all shares purchased by a holder in excess of 25% of the shares sold in the Public Offering will not be converted to cash. In connection with any shareholder vote required to approve any Business Combination, the Initial Shareholders will agree (i) to vote any of their respective shares, including the ordinary shares sold to the Initial Shareholders in connection with the organization of the Company (the “Initial Shares”), ordinary shares included in the Private Units to be sold in the Private Placement, and any ordinary shares which were initially issued in connection with the Public Offering, whether acquired in or after the effective date of the Public Offering, in favor of the initial Business Combination and (ii) not to convert such respective shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account or seek to sell their shares in connection with any tender offer the Company engages in.
F-8
Liquidation
If the Company does not complete a business combination by May 16, 2020, the Company will trigger an automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if the Company had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. However, if the Company anticipate that the Company may not be able to consummate its initial by May 16, 2020, the Company may, but is not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination, or until February 16, 2021). Pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate our initial business combination, the Company’s insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $400,000, or $460,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that the Company is unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of the Company’s initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The Company’s shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination. In the event that the Company receives notice from the Company’s insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, the Company intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, the Company intends to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. The Company’s insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for the Company to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of the Company’s insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate the Company initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If the Company is unable to consummate the Company’s initial business combination within such time period, the Company will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the Company’s outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, the Company may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of the Company’s public shareholders. In the event of dissolution and liquidation, the public rights will expire and will be worthless.
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
| ● | Basis of presentation |
These accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The interim financial information provided is unaudited, but includes all adjustments which management considers necessary for the fair presentation of the results for these periods. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s prospectus filed with the SEC on May 15, 2019, and the Company’s audited balance sheet and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 22, 2019.
F-9
| ● | Emerging growth company |
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it 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 independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its 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.
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 election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has 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, the Company, 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 the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
| ● | Use of estimates |
The preparation of 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.
| ● | Cash and cash equivalents |
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were $929,335 cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019.
| ● | Cash and investments held in trust account |
At December 31, 2019, the assets held in the Trust Account are held in cash and US Treasury securities.
The Company classifies marketable securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. All marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive loss. The Company evaluates its investments to assess whether those with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. Impairments are considered other than temporary if they are related to deterioration in credit risk or if it is likely the Company will sell the securities before the recovery of the cost basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense), net in the statements of operations.
| ● | Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
The Company accounts for its ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” 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 ordinary 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 the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at December 31, 2019, 4,044,736 ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
F-10
| ● | Fair value of financial instruments |
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
| Level 1 — | Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
|
| Level 2 — | Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means.
|
| Level 3 — | Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
The fair value of the Company’s certain assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, and other current assets, accrued expenses, due to sponsor are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of December 31, 2019 due to the short maturities of such instruments.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
| December 31, | Quoted Prices In Active Markets | Significant Other Observable Inputs | Significant Other Unobservable Inputs | |||||||||||||
| Description | 2019 | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bill held in Trust Account* | $ | 46,603,976 | $ | 46,603,976 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
* included is $10,468 in cash in the Cash and investments held in trust account on the Company’s balance sheet.
| ● | Concentration of credit risk |
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and trust accounts in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.
F-11
| ● | Income taxes |
The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, “ Income Taxes ,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company’s management determined that the British Virgin Islands is the Company’s major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2019. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.
The Company may be subject to potential examination by foreign taxing authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with foreign tax laws.
The Company’s tax provision is zero and it has no deferred tax assets. The Company is considered to be an exempted British Virgin Islands Company, and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the British Virgin Islands or the United States.
| ● | Net loss per share |
The Company calculates net income (loss) per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.” Basic income per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding shares of ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsors. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed similar to basic income (loss) per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential ordinary share equivalents had been issued and if the additional ordinary shares were dilutive.
| Three months ended December 31, 2019 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
| Net loss attributable to common shareholder | $ | (15,405 | ) | $ | (277,324 | ) | ||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic and diluted | 1,924,844 | 1,913,762 | ||||||
| Net loss per share – Basic and diluted | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | ||
| ● | Related parties |
Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.
| ● | Recent accounting pronouncements |
The Company has considered all new accounting pronouncements and has concluded that there are no new pronouncements that may have a material impact on the results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, based on the current information.
F-12
NOTE 3 – CASH AND INVESTMENT HELD IN TRUST ACCOUNT
As of December 31, 2019, investment securities in the Company’s Trust Account consisted of $46,593,508 in United States Treasury Bills and $10,468 in cash. The Company classifies its United States Treasury securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value on the accompanying December 31, 2019 balance sheet. The carrying value, including gross unrealized holding gain as other comprehensive income and fair value of held to marketable securities on December 31, 2019 is as follows:
| Carrying Value as of December 31, 2019 | Gross Unrealized Holding Gain | Fair Value as of December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||
| Held-to-maturity: | ||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bill | $ | 46,421,849 | $ | 171,659 | $ | 46,593,508 | ||||||
NOTE 4 – PUBLIC OFFERING
On May 16, 2019, the Company sold 4,600,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Public Unit in the Public Offering. Each Public Unit consists of one ordinary share of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Public Shares”), and one right (the “Public Rights”). Each Public Right entitles the holder to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of an initial Business Combination. In addition, the Company has granted Maxim, the underwriter of the Public Offering, a 45-day option to purchase up to 225,000 Public Units solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
If the Company does not complete its Business Combination within the necessary time period described in Note 1, the Public Rights will expire and be worthless. Since the Company is not required to net cash settle the Rights and the Rights are convertible upon the consummation of an initial Business Combination, the Management determined that the Rights are classified within shareholders’ equity as “Additional paid-in capital” upon their issuance in accordance with ASC 815-40. The proceeds from the sale are allocated to Public Shares and Rights based on the relative fair value of the securities in accordance with ASC 470-20-30. The value of the Public Shares and Rights will be based on the closing price paid by investors.
The Company paid an upfront underwriting discount of $1,150,000 (2.5%) of the per unit offering price to the underwriter at the closing of the Public Offering, with an additional fee of $1,025,948 (the “Deferred Discount”) of 2.0% of the gross offering proceeds payable upon the Company’s completion of the Business Combination. The Deferred Discount will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event the Company completes its Business Combination. In the event that the Company does not close the Business Combination, the underwriter has waived its right to receive the Deferred Discount. The underwriter is not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering, the Company consummated a private placement of 210,000 private units, at $10.00 per unit, purchased by the Sponsor.
Simultaneously with the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, the Company consummated a private placement of 15,000 private units, at $10.00 per unit, purchased by the Sponsor.
The private units are identical to the units sold in the Public Offering except that the private warrants are non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis.
F-13
NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Insider Shares
In October 2018, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Lee, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,000 of ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1, or approximately $0.001 per share. On February 22, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,149,000 Ordinary Shares to AGBA Holding Limited for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash.
The initial shareholders have agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their insider shares until, with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of six months after the consummation of a Business Combination and the date on which the closing price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing after a Business Combination and, with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, until the six months after the consummation of a Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to a Business Combination, the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares, securities or other property.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company is obligated to pay AGBA Holding Limited, a company owned by the insiders, a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, the Company may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by the Company’s audit committee that the Company lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with the initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the date of the consummation of our initial business combination.
Related Party Loan
In order to meet the working capital needs following the consummation of the Public Offering, the initial shareholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued units to acquire 55,000 ordinary shares (which includes 5,000 shares issuable upon conversion of rights) and warrants to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares if $500,000 of notes were so converted). The Company’s shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If the Company does not complete a business combination, the loans will not be repaid.
Related Party Extensions Loan
The Company’s will have until May 16, 2020 to consummate the initial business combination. However, if the Company anticipate that the Company may not be able to consummate the initial business combination by May 16, 2020, the Company may, but is not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (or until February 16, 2021). Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement to be entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on the date of this prospectus, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, the Company’s insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $400,000, or $460,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($0.10 per share in either case), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit.
F-14
Related Party Advances
In the event the Sponsor pays for any expense or liability on behalf of the Company, then such payments would be accounted for as loan to the Company by the Sponsor. The Sponsor, AGBA Holding Limited, has paid the expenses incurred by the Company an aggregate of $543,193 on a non-interest bearing basis as of December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company owed a balance of $543,193 to AGBA Holding Limited.
NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
Ordinary Shares
The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 ordinary shares at par $0.001.
The Company’s shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. In connection with any vote held to approve our initial business combination, all of the initial shareholders, as well as all of the officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective ordinary shares owned by them immediately prior to the initial public offering and any shares purchased in the open market in favor of the proposed business combination.
On February 22, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,149,000 founder shares to the sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash.
As of December 31, 2019, 1,930,264 ordinary shares issued and outstanding excluding 4,044,736 shares are subject to possible conversion.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The table below presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), including the reclassification out of AOCI.
| Available-for-sale securities | ||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2019 | $ | - | ||
| Other comprehensive income before reclassifications | 603,961 | |||
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI into interest income | (505,858 | ) | ||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 98,103 | ||
Warrants
Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per full share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares. This means that only an even number of warrants may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder.
No public warrants will be exercisable for cash unless the Company has an effective and current registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares. It is the Company’s current intention to have an effective and current registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such ordinary shares in effect promptly following consummation of an initial business combination.
F-15
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is not effective within 90 days following the consummation of our initial business combination, public warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the day prior to the date of exercise. For example, if a holder held 300 warrants to purchase 150 shares and the fair market value on the date prior to exercise was $15.00, that holder would receive 35 shares without the payment of any additional cash consideration. If an exemption from registration is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.
The warrants will become exercisable on the later of the completion of an initial business combination and May 13, 2020. The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth anniversary of our completion of an initial business combination, or earlier upon redemption.
The Company may redeem the outstanding warrants (excluding the private warrants but including any outstanding warrants issued upon exercise of the unit purchase option issued to Maxim Group LLC), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:
| ● | at any time while the warrants are exercisable, |
| ● | upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, |
| ● | if, and only if, the last sales price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $16.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before the Company send the notice of redemption, and |
| ● | if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the ordinary shares underlying such warrants at the time of redemption and for the entire 30-day trading period referred to above and continuing each day thereafter until the date of redemption. |
If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and the Company would issue a notice of redemption, each warrant holder can exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the ordinary shares may fall below the $16.50 trigger price as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price per full share after the redemption notice is issued and not limit our ability to complete the redemption.
The redemption criteria for the warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing share price and the warrant exercise price so that if the share price declines as a result of our redemption call, the redemption will not cause the share price to drop below the exercise price of the warrants.
If the Company call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the whole warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. Whether the Company will exercise our option to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” will depend on a variety of factors including the price of our ordinary shares at the time the warrants are called for redemption, the Company’s cash needs at such time and concerns regarding dilutive share issuances.
The private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Additionally, because the private units will be issued in a private transaction, the holders of the private warrants and their transferees will be allowed to exercise such warrants for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares.
F-16
Rights
Except in cases where the Company is not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a right will automatically receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of the initial business combination. In the event the Company will not be the surviving company upon completion of the initial business combination, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one-tenth (1/10) of a share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination. The Company will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the British Virgin Islands law. As a result, you must hold rights in multiples of 10 in order to receive shares for all of your rights upon closing of a business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and the Company redeem the public shares for the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds for their rights and the rights will expire worthless.
NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Registration Rights
The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the Private Units (and all underlying securities) and any securities our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us, are be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into concurrently without initial public offering. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company agreed to grant the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 600,000 Units (over and above 4,000,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Public Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
At the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, the underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of six and half percent (6.5%), or $0.65 per unit, of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering. Two and one-half percent (2.5%), or $0.25 per share, is not contingent and will be paid at the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Four percent (4.0%), or $0.40 per unit, is contingent on the closing of a business combination and will be deferred by the underwriters and be placed in the Trust Account. Such deferred amount will only be payable to the underwriters upon closing of a business combination. Further, the deferred amount paid to the underwriters upon the closing of a business combination will be reduced by two percent (2.0%), or $0.20 per unit, for each unit that is redeemed by shareholders in connection with the business combination. If the business combination is not consummated, the deferred amount will be forfeited by the underwriters. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred amount.
Unit Purchase Option
The Company agreed to sell to the underwriters, at the time of the closing of the Public Offering for $100, an underwriter purchase option (the “UPO”) to purchase an aggregate number of Units as would be equal to six percent (6.0%) of the total number of Units sold in the Public Offering. The UPO will be exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, between the first and fifth anniversary dates of the Effective Date at a price per Unit equal to 110% of the Public Offering price of the Units.
F-17
The Company sold to Maxim for $100, an option to purchase 276,000 units exercisable, at $11.50 per unit commencing at any time between the first and fifth anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to our initial public offering. The purchase option may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and expires on May 13, 2024. The Company accounted for the unit purchase option, inclusive of the receipt of $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Public Offering resulting in a charge directly to shareholders’ equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of the unit purchase option is approximately $747,960, or $2.71 per Unit, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the unit purchase option to be granted to the underwriters is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 35%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 2.18% and (3) expected life of four years between first and fifth anniversary dates of the Effective Date. The option and the units, as well as the ordinary shares and warrants to purchase ordinary shares that may be issued upon exercise of the option, have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or the commencement of sales in the Public Offering pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of FINRA’s Rules, during which time the option may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative or put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities. Additionally, the option may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated prior to May 13, 2020 except to any underwriters and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners. The option grants to holders demand and “piggy back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement of which forms a part with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the option. We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities, other than underwriting commissions which will be paid for by the holders themselves. The exercise price and number of units issuable upon exercise of the option may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the option will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price.
Right of First Refusal
Subject to certain conditions, the Company granted Maxim, for a period of 18 months after the date of the consummation of the business combination, a right of first refusal to act as lead underwriters or minimally as a co-manager, with at least 30% of the economics; or, in the case of a three-handed deal, 20% of the economics, for any and all future public and private equity and debt offerings. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(E)(i), such right of first refusal shall not have a duration of more than three years from the effective date of the registration statement for our initial public offering.
NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In accordance with ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events”, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued, the Company has evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after December 31, 2019, up through March 31, 2020 the date the Company issued the audited financial statements.
F-18
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT
TO RULE 13A-14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Gordon Lee, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of AGBA Acquisition Limited; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; and | |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and | |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 31, 2020
| /s/ Gordon Lee | |
| Gordon Lee | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal executive officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT
TO RULE 13A-14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Vera Tan, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of AGBA Acquisition Limited; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; and | |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and | |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 31, 2020
| /s/ Vera Tan | |
| Vera Tan | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal financial and accounting officer) |
Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of AGBA Acquisition Limited (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), each of the undersigned, in the capacities and on the dates indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| 1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
| 2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company. | |
| Date: March 31, 2020 |
| /s/ Gordon Lee. | |
| Gordon Lee | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal executive officer) |
Date: March 31, 2020
| /s/ Vera Tan | |
| Vera Tan | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal financial and accounting officer) |