Berto Acquisition Corp 10-K for FY2025
Berto Acquisition Corp. (TACO)
About this 10-K
Berto Acquisition Corp filed this 10-K on March 31, 2026, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (FY2025).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net income
- $7.88M
- Diluted EPS
- $0.29
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the fiscal year ended
OR
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _________ TO _________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area
code:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbols | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC | ||||
| The Stock Market LLC |
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 ☐
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(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
submit such files).
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 | ☐ | ☒ | 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.
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has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or
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registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s
voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2025 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most
recently completed second fiscal year) was approximately $
As of March 30, 2026, there were ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K” or “Annual Report”) may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “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 Annual Report may include, for example, statements about:
| ● | our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses; |
| ● | our ability to complete our initial business combination; |
| ● | our expectations around the performance of the prospective target business or businesses or of markets or industries; |
| ● | our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; |
| ● | our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving or consummating our initial business combination; |
| ● | our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; |
| ● | our pool of prospective target businesses; |
| ● | the adverse impacts of events that are outside of our control, such as increased geopolitical unrest, pandemic outbreaks (such as COVID-19) and increased volatility in the debt and equity markets, may have on our ability to consummate an initial business combination; |
| ● | the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential business combination opportunities; |
| ● | our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; |
| ● | the lack of a market for our securities; |
| ● | the use of proceeds not held in the Trust Account or available to us from interest income on the Trust Account balance; |
| ● | Certain members of our management team may have economic incentives that differ from those of public shareholders; |
| ● | global geopolitical conditions resulting from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent escalation of conflicts in the Middle East; |
| ● | the Trust Account not being subject to claims of third parties; or |
| ● | our financial performance following our initial public offering. |
The forward-looking statements and risk factors contained in this Annual 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 section of this Annual Report entitled “Item 1A. 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.
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Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in the section titled “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Such risks include, but are not limited to:
| ● | We are a blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective. |
| ● | Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, and even if we hold a vote, holders of our founder shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination. |
| ● | Your only opportunity to affect your investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash. |
| ● | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote. |
| ● | The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares and the amount of deferred underwriting compensation may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, and may substantially dilute your investment in us. |
| ● | The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the completion window may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders. |
| ● | Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by events that are outside of our control, such as increased geopolitical unrest, pandemic outbreaks (such as COVID-19) and volatility in the debt and equity markets. |
| ● | We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate. |
| ● | If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may elect to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, which may reduce the public “float” of our securities. |
| ● | If a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for submitting or tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed. |
| ● | You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies. |
| ● | Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders. |
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| ● | Past performance by our management team and their affiliates, including investments and transactions in which they have participated and businesses with which they have been associated, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the company. |
| ● | You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares, potentially at a loss. |
| ● | Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions. |
| ● | The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and a consultant (the initial shareholders) for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and the value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share. |
| ● | We may be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors. |
| ● | Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited. |
| ● | The other risks and uncertainties discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. |
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PART I
References in this report to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Berto Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “sponsor” refer to Berto Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company.
Item 1. Business.
Introduction
We are a blank check company incorporated on July 15, 2024 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenue to date. Based on our business activities, the Company is a “shell company” as defined under the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) because we have no operations and nominal assets consisting almost entirely of cash.
On November 11, 2024, our Sponsor and its affiliates purchased $23,957 for an aggregate of 6,887,500 ordinary shares and a consultant, Meteora Capital, LLC (“Meteora”), paid $1,043 for an aggregate of 300,000 ordinary shares (such shares, the “founder shares”). On April 29, 2025, we capitalized $31.63 standing to the credit of our share premium account and issued an additional 316,250 ordinary shares, resulting in our Sponsor, sponsor affiliates, and Meteora holding an aggregate of 7,503,750 ordinary shares. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization. The “sponsor affiliates” include Harry You, who acts as our Chairman of the board of directors and the managing member of the Sponsor, and Robert You, adult son of Harry You. Both Messrs. You directly own membership interests in our sponsor. Out of the total 7,503,750 founder shares held by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and the consultant, the sponsor, Harry You, Robert You and the consultant each directly holds 2,688,300, 2,401,200, 2,101,050 and 313,200 founder shares, respectively, each purchased at approximately $0.003 per share. Of these, up to 978,750 of the founder shares held by the Sponsor and sponsor affiliates were subject to forfeiture up to the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised. In connection with the consummation of the IPO on May 1, 2025, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, and as such the founder shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.
On May 1, 2025, the Company consummated its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 30,015,000 units (the “Units”), including the issuance of 3,915,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $300,150,000. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share of the Company and one-half of one redeemable warrant of the Company, with each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share for $10.50 per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an initial business combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the initial business combination, subject to adjustment, beginning 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, pursuant to a private placement warrants purchase agreement (the “Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement”), the Company completed the private sale of an aggregate of 3,500,000 warrants (the “sponsor private placement warrants”) to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per sponsor private placement warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $3,500,000. Additionally, on May 1, 2025, simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, pursuant to a private placement warrant purchase agreement (the “Underwriter Warrants Purchase Agreement”) and an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement), each by and among the Company, Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC and Needham & Company, LLC (collectively, the “Representatives”), the Company issued an aggregate of 3,750,000 warrants (the “underwriter private placement warrants”, and together with the sponsor private placement warrants, the “private placement warrants”) to designees of the Representatives.
A total of $300,150,000 of the net proceeds from the IPO (which amount includes $11,705,850 of the underwriters’ deferred discount) and the sale of the sponsor private placement warrants, was placed in a U.S.-based trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay its taxes, if any, and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, the funds held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account until the earliest of (i) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination in connection with a general meeting called to approve the initial business combination or without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer, (ii) (x) the redemption of the ordinary shares included in the Units sold in the IPO (the “public shares”) if the Company is unable to complete its initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO (the “completion window”), subject to applicable law or (y) if the Company extends the completion window and such extension is conditioned upon depositing additional funds into the trust account, upon the end of a 30-day cure period after the date any such funds were required to be deposited but were not so deposited or (iii) the redemption of the public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s Articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with its initial business combination or to redeem 100% of its public shares if it has not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to rights of holders of the Company’s Ordinary Shares or pre-initial business combination activity.
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Our Management Team
Our management team is comprised of industry leaders, who we believe are well positioned to identify and evaluate businesses that would benefit from our management team’s skills and access to the public markets. We believe that our management team possesses extensive experience in operating and growing companies, has a deep network of contacts and brings a distinctive background that can have a transformative impact on a target business. Our management team is spearheaded by Harry L. You, the Executive Chairman of the board of directors of the company.
Harry L. You is an experienced executive, chief financial officer and board member with extensive experience with technology companies who has been serving as our Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since our inception, and he previously served as Interim Chief Financial Officer from our inception until his resignation in June 2025. Mr. You has served as Chairman of the Board of Coliseum since June 2023 until the closing of its initial business combination in December 2024, and served as interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from June 2023 until July 2023, and he currently serves as Chairman of Rain Enhancement Technologies Holdco, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAIN). Mr. You has also served as Chairman of the Board and a Director of dMY Squared since March 2022, as well as Chief Financial Officer since February 2022 and Chief Executive Officer since February 2025 until the closing of its initial business combination in March 2026. From March 2022 until his resignation in March 2023, Mr. You has also served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of dMY Squared. He has also been a member of the Audit Committee of Broadcom since January 2019 as well as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Broadcom. Previously, he was Chief Financial Officer from September 2016 to August 2019 and President in May 2019 and from September 2016 to February 2019 and in May 2019 of GTY, a software as a service company that offers cloud-based solutions for the public sector. He was Executive Vice President in the Office of the Chairman of EMC from 2008 to 2016. When Mr. You joined EMC in 2008, he oversaw corporate strategy and new business development, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and venture capital activity. He was Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2007 and Interim Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2006 of BearingPoint Inc. (formerly KPMG Consulting), a leading IT and management consultancy. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Oracle from 2004 to 2005, in which capacity, he helped start Oracle’s acquisition run with takeovers of Peoplesoft, Inc. and Retek in 2005. Prior to joining Oracle, he held several key positions in finance, including as Chief Financial Officer of Accenture Ltd. from 2001 to 2004, guiding Accenture through its initial public offering, and a managing director in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley. He has also served as a trustee of the U.S. Olympic Committee Foundation from 2016 to 2022. Mr. You served as a director of IonQ, Inc. from October 2021 to February 2025. Mr. You served as Vice Chairman of the Board of GTY from February 2019 to July 2022 and as director of Coupang, Inc. from January 2021 to June 2023, Genius Sports Limited from April 2021 to December 2022, Rush Street Interactive, Inc. from September 2019 to June 2022, dMY II (a special purpose acquisition company) from June 2020 to April 2021, dMY IV (a special purpose acquisition company) from December 2020 to April 2023, and Korn/Ferry International from 2005 to 2016. Mr. You holds an M.A. in Economics from Yale University and a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College.
Vikas Mittal has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2025. He has served as the Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer of Meteora Capital, LLC (“Meteora”), an alternative investment firm, since January 2022. He has nearly two decades of experience related to special purpose acquisition companies, and has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Investcorp Europe Acquisition Corp. I (“Investcorp,” Nasdaq: IVCB) since December 2024. He was previously a managing member of GSR II Meteora Sponsor LLC from October 2021 to June 2023, which was the Sponsor to GSR II Meteora Acquisition Corp., a SPAC which has since consummated its business combination. Prior to founding Meteora, Mr. Mittal was an investment professional and member of Glazer Capital, LLC, an investment management firm, from 2005 through the end of 2021. Over his 20 years on the buy-side as a principal investor, he has deployed capital across a range of event-driven investment strategies. Before transitioning to the buy-side, Mr. Mittal was part of the founding team that launched Raymond James’ TMT investment banking practice in Palo Alto, California, beginning in 2002. Mr. Mittal earned a B.S. in Finance, summa cum laude, from the University of Florida and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. He is also a CFA charterholder.
For more information about our management team, see Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
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Initial Business Combination
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following the IPO. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the private placement of the private placement warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of the IPO), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, other securities issuances or a combination of the foregoing. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
We will provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if the business combination is approved by an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting of the company. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement.
We will have until the end of the completion window to consummate our initial business combination. If we anticipate that we may be unable to consummate our initial business combination within the completion window, we may seek shareholder approval to amend our articles to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. If we seek shareholder approval for an extension, holders of our public shares will be offered an opportunity to redeem their shares at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein and applicable law. Our initial shareholders will lose their entire investment in us, except to the extent they are entitled to receive distributions on the shares they own from assets outside the trust account, if any, upon our liquidation and winding up, if our initial business combination is not completed within the completion window unless we extend the amount of time we have to consummate an initial business combination by obtaining shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. While we do not currently intend to seek such shareholder approval, we may elect to do so in the future. There are no limitations on the number of extensions, including the number of times we may seek to extend. If we do not or are unable to extend the time period to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor’s investment in our founder shares and our private placement warrants will be worthless.
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds, redeem 100% of the public shares at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and certain conditions as further described herein. We expect the pro rata redemption price to be approximately $10.00 per public share (regardless of whether or not the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option), without taking into account any interest or other income earned on such funds. However, we cannot assure you that we will in fact be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors, which may take priority over the claims of our public shareholders.
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Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriters fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination (including with the assistance of financial advisors), we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent valuation or appraisal firm that regularly provides fairness opinions solely with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it likely that our board will be able to make such independent determination of fair market value, it may be unable to do so if the board is less familiar or experienced with the target company’s business, there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the company’s assets or prospects, including if such company is at an early stage of development, operations or growth, or if the anticipated transaction involves a complex financial analysis or other specialized skills and the board determines that outside expertise would be helpful or necessary in conducting such analysis. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or 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 we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires 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 or acquires 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, shares or other equity interests 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 taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test described above. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses.
As previously disclosed, on October 24, 2025, we entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the “LOI”) with OnMed LLC, a developer of healthcare infrastructure solutions (“OnMed”), for a potential business combination. We did not enter into a definitive agreement with OnMed and on March 23, 2026, the LOI expired in accordance with its terms.
Our Business Combination Process
We believe our management team’s significant operating and transactional experience and relationships provide us with access to a substantial number of potential initial business combination targets. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and relationships with private companies, investment bankers, private equity and debt investors, high net worth families and their advisors, commercial bankers, attorneys, management consultants, accountants and other transaction intermediaries, as well as corporate sector executives and board members around the world. This network has grown through the activities of our management team sourcing, acquiring and financing businesses, the reputation of our management team for integrity and fair dealing with sellers, financing sources and target management teams and the experience of our management team in executing transactions, especially special purpose acquisition company transactions, under varying economic and financial market conditions. In addition, our management team has developed a significant network of relationships through the core management team’s long-time sponsorship of SPACs.
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This network has provided our management team with a flow of referrals that has resulted in numerous transactions which were proprietary or where a limited group of investors were invited to participate in the sale process. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us important sources of investment opportunities. In addition, we anticipate that target business combination candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.
Consistent with our business strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating initial business combination opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines.
| ● | Size: We intend to target companies whose enterprise value is between $200 million to $1.5 billion. |
| ● | Focus: Our management team’s multifaceted expertise in assessing a target’s strengths and missing ingredients for growth are key factors in evaluating business combination candidates swiftly and adequately. Our public currency and know how with public investors can also confer a significant advantage. |
| ● | Management’s maturity: We intend to seek companies with proven and accomplished management teams that are eager to march forward together with and benefit from our management team’s expertise. We intend to devote significant attention and resources to analyzing and reaching alignment among a target’s management and its stakeholders. We look for companies with a significant advantage in know how and technology. |
| ● | Operational Maturity: We intend to seek companies which have the requisite compliance, financial controls and reporting processes in place and are ready for the regulatory requirements of a public entity. |
| ● | Growth: We will focus on companies with superior growth relative to their market segment in revenues and cash flows. We prefer companies that are differentiated and can price at a similar or stronger pace than underlying price inflation. |
| ● | Strategic Initiatives: We intend to seek management teams with the interest and ability to execute on strategic opportunities, including accretive acquisitions of companies that have the potential to enhance shareholder value. |
| ● | Benefit from being public: We intend to work with management and stakeholders who aspire to have their company become a public entity and generate substantial growth. Leveraging our relationships with investment banks and potential strategic partners, the benefits of transitioning from a private to a public entity may include broader access to debt and equity providers, liquidity for employees and potential acquisitions, and expanded branding in the marketplace. |
| ● | Reputation and market acceptance: We intend to seek companies that have the opportunity to achieve market leadership in their segment. In addition, we intend to seek companies that have defensible proprietary technology and intellectual property rights. |
| ● | Appropriate Valuations: We view ourselves as rigorous, disciplined and valuation-centric investors, with a keen understanding of market value, upside and potential downside risks. |
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we would file with the SEC.
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In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information made available to us and other reviews as we deem appropriate. We may also retain consultants with expertise relating to a prospective target business.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, or completing the business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete an initial business combination with a target that is an affiliate (as defined in our articles) of our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating that the consideration to be paid by us in such an initial business combination is fair to our company and its shareholders from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.
Members of our management team directly or indirectly own founder shares and/or private placement warrants and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. The low price that our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. In addition to their investments (directly or indirectly) in the founder shares and private placement warrants, our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates may make loans or advances to us for working capital from time to time. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, our sponsor, officers and directors may lose their entire investment in us, except to the extent they are entitled to receive distributions on the founder shares from assets outside the trust account or liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they may acquire, if any, upon our liquidation and winding up, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Additionally, each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity.
Our officers and directors presently have and, in the future, may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands Law. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other special purpose acquisition company with which they may become involved.
Our articles provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer or the sponsor shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us, and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a member of director, officer or sponsor to any other entity. The purpose for the surrender of corporate opportunities is to allow officers, directors or other representatives with multiple business affiliations to continue to serve as an officer of our company or on our board of directors. Our officers and directors may from time to time be presented with opportunities that could benefit both another business affiliation and us. In the absence of the “corporate opportunity” waiver in our articles, certain candidates would not be able to serve as an officer or director. We believe we substantially benefit from having representatives who bring significant, relevant and valuable experience to our management, and, as a result, the inclusion of the “corporate opportunity” waiver in our articles provide us with greater flexibility to attract and retain the officers and directors that we feel are the best candidates. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete an initial business combination.
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Certain of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to at least one other entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our articles will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may (a) be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other, or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a member of director, officer or sponsor to any other entity. The purpose for the surrender of corporate opportunities is to allow officers, directors or other representatives with multiple business affiliations to continue to serve as an officer of our company or on our board of directors. Our officers and directors may from time to time be presented with opportunities that could benefit both another business affiliation and us. In the absence of the “corporate opportunity” waiver in our articles, certain candidates would not be able to serve as an officer or director. We believe we substantially benefit from having representatives who bring significant, relevant and valuable experience to our management, and, as a result, the inclusion of the “corporate opportunity” waiver in our articles provide us with greater flexibility to attract and retain the officers and directors that we feel are the best candidates. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
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 with us. In a business combination transaction with us, the owners of the target business may, for example, exchange their shares of stock or shares or other equity interests in the target business for our ordinary shares (or shares of a new holding company) 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 will find this method a more expeditious and cost-effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. The typical initial public offering process takes a significantly longer period of time than the typical business combination transaction process, and there are significant expenses and market and other uncertainties in the initial public offering process, including underwriting discounts and commissions, marketing and road show efforts that may not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us.
Furthermore, once a proposed initial business combination is completed, 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, which could delay or prevent the offering from occurring or could have negative valuation consequences. Following an initial business combination, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital, an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests and the ability to use its shares as currency for acquisitions. Being a public company 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 structure and our management team’s backgrounds will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our ability to seek shareholder approval of any proposed initial business combination, negatively.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the IPO, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30.
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Financial Position
With funds available for a business combination initially in the amount $300,150,000 (assuming no redemptions), we offer a target business a variety of options such as creating a liquidity event for its owners, 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 complete 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, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.
Lack of Business Diversification
For an indefinite period of time after the completion of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By completing 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 on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination, and |
| ● | cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services. |
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’s management may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. The determination as to whether any of the members of our management team will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
We may conduct redemptions without a shareholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC subject to the provisions of our articles. However, we will seek shareholder approval if it is required by law or applicable stock exchange rule, or we may decide to seek shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons.
Under Nasdaq listing rules, shareholder approval would be required for our initial business combination if, for example:
| ● | we issue ordinary shares that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of our ordinary shares then issued and outstanding (other than in a public offering); |
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| ● | any of our directors, officers or substantial shareholders (as defined by Nasdaq rules) has a 5% or greater interest (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the target business or assets to be acquired or otherwise and the present or potential issuance of ordinary shares could result in an increase in outstanding ordinary shares or voting power of 5% or more; or |
| ● | the issuance or potential issuance of ordinary shares will result in our undergoing a change of control. |
The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination in those instances in which shareholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on business and legal reasons, which include a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the timing of the transaction, including in the event we determine shareholder approval would require additional time and there is either not enough time to seek shareholder approval or doing so would place the company at a disadvantage in the transaction or result in other additional burdens on the company; (ii) the expected cost of holding a shareholder vote; (iii) the risk that the shareholders would fail to approve the proposed business combination; (iv) other time and budget constraints of the company; and (v) additional legal complexities of a proposed business combination that would be time-consuming and burdensome to present to shareholders.
Permitted Purchases of Our Securities
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares or public warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation or duty to do so. Any such price per share may be different than the amount per share a public shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with our initial business combination. Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgment that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights.
In the event that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases by sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.
Additionally, at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material nonpublic information), our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business combination or not redeem their public shares. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares, rights or warrants in such transactions.
The purpose of any such transaction could be to (i) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination (as any shares purchased would no longer be voted in connection with the business combination and therefore could not be voted against such transaction), (ii) reduce the number of public warrants outstanding and/or increase the likelihood of approval on any matters submitted to public warrant holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or (iii) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our ordinary shares or public warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
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Our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors and/or their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the shareholders with whom our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may pursue privately negotiated purchases by either the shareholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests submitted by shareholders (in the case of public shares) following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling shareholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such shareholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination but only if such shares have not already been voted at the shareholder meeting related to our initial business combination. Our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or any of their affiliates will select which shareholders to purchase shares from based on a negotiated price and number of shares and any other factors that they may deem relevant and will only purchase shares if such purchases comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws. Our sponsor, officers, directors and/or their affiliates will be restricted from making purchases of shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. We expect any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchases are subject to such reporting requirements.
Our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers and their affiliates will be restricted from making purchases of shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. Additionally, in the event our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers and their affiliates were to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
| ● | our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases; |
| ● | if our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process; |
| ● | our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would include a representation that any of our securities purchased by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction; |
| ● | our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers and their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect to our securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and |
| ● | we would disclose in a Form 8-K, before our security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material items: |
| ○ | the amount of our securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, along with the purchase price; |
| ○ | the purpose of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates; |
| ○ | the impact, if any, of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates on the likelihood that the business combination transaction will be approved; |
| ○ | the identities of our security-holders who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of our security-holders (e.g., 5% security-holders) who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers and their affiliates; and |
| ○ | the number of our securities for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer. |
Please see “Risk Factors — If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may elect to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float” of our securities.”
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Redemption Rights for Public Shareholders upon Completion of Our Initial Business Combination
We will provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have entered into a letter agreement with us (the “Letter Agreement”), pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares they hold and public shares (including public shares that are part of a public unit) the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors may hold in connection with the completion of our initial business combination.
Limitations on Redemptions
Our proposed initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all public shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we may not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares in connection with such initial business combination, and all public shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. We may, however, raise funds through the issuance of equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop arrangements we may enter into following consummation of the IPO, in order to, among other reasons, satisfy such minimum cash requirements.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the initial business combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed initial business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement or whether we were deemed to be a foreign private issuer (which would require a tender offer rather than seeking shareholder approval under SEC rules). Asset acquisitions and share purchases would not typically require shareholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares or seek to amend our articles would require shareholder approval. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with Nasdaq’s shareholder approval rules.
The requirement that we provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem their public shares by one of the two methods listed above is contained in provisions of our articles and will apply whether or not we maintain our registration under the Exchange Act or our listing on Nasdaq. Such provisions may be amended if approved by a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, so long as we offer redemption in connection with such amendment.
If we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with a general meeting, we will:
| ● | conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and |
| ● | file proxy materials with the SEC. |
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In the event that we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above upon completion of the initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive the approval of an ordinary resolution, passed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares represented in person or represented by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. In accordance with our articles, a quorum for such meeting will be present if the holders of one third of issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are represented in person or by proxy. Our initial shareholders will count towards this quorum and, pursuant to the Letter Agreement, our sponsor, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have agreed to vote any founder shares they hold and any public shares (including public shares that are part of a public unit) purchased by the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors during or after the IPO (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination (except that any public shares such parties may purchase in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction). For purposes of seeking approval of an ordinary resolution, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 11,255,626 or 37.5% of the 30,015,000 public shares sold in the IPO to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the parties to the Letter Agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only the holders of one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our articles, vote their ordinary shares at a general meeting of the company, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to approve an initial business combination. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company will need to be passed by our shareholders approving a plan of merger. These quorum and voting thresholds, and the voting agreements of our initial shareholders, may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem its public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction, or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a shareholder on the record date for the shareholder meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. If we seek shareholder approval for an extension, holders of our Public Shares will be offered an opportunity to redeem their shares upon approval of such extension, regardless of whether they abstain, vote in favor of or vote against such extension.
If a shareholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will:
| ● | conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers, and |
| ● | file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination, which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies. |
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public shareholders not tendering more than the number of public shares we are permitted to redeem. If public shareholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete the initial business combination.
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, we or our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase our public shares in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
We intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent or deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote,
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we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. The proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. We believe that this will allow our transfer agent to efficiently process any redemptions without the need for further communication or action from the redeeming public shareholders, which could delay redemptions and result in additional administrative cost. If the proposed initial business combination is not approved and we continue to search for a target company, we will promptly return any certificates or shares delivered by public shareholders who elected to redeem their shares.
Our proposed initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all public shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed initial business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we may not complete the initial business combination or redeem any shares in connection with such initial business combination, and all public shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof. We may, however, raise funds through the issuance of equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop arrangements we may enter into, in order to, among other reasons, satisfy such minimum cash requirements.
Limitation on Redemption Upon Completion of Our Initial Business Combination If We Seek Shareholder Approval
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our articles provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to Excess Shares, without our prior consent. We believe this restriction will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in the IPO could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us, our sponsor or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem no more than 15% of the shares sold in the IPO without our prior consent, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash.
However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination.
Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if No Initial Business Combination
Our articles provide that we will have only the duration of the completion window to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will constitute full and complete payment for the public shares and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and subject to the other requirements of applicable law.
Our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have entered into a Letter Agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. However, if our initial shareholders, sponsor or management team acquire public shares in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account and liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the allotted 24-month time period.
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Our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have agreed, pursuant to a Letter Agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our articles (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors or officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares.
We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our winding up, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $1,300,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our winding up, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required to pay income taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account and any tax payments or expenses for the dissolution of the trust, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution would be approximately $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public shareholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by shareholders will not be substantially less than $10.00. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, 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 respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will consider whether competitive alternatives are reasonably available to us and will only enter into an agreement with such third party if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be in the best interests of the company under the circumstances. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses 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 service provider willing to execute a waiver. The underwriters of the IPO and our independent registered public accounting firm will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. 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. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust account, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us (except for the company’s independent auditors), or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes paid or payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
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In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case less taxes paid or payable, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.00 per share.
We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to approximately $1,300,000 from the proceeds of the IPO with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, shareholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $790,600, we may fund such excess with funds from the funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $790,600, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
If we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency 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 $10.00 per share to our public shareholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/ or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a preferential transfer or a fraudulent conveyance. As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of the redemption of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window, (ii) (x) in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity or (y) if we extend the completion window and such extension is conditioned upon depositing additional funds into the trust account, upon the end of a 30-day cure period after the date any such funds were required to be deposited but were not so deposited, or (iii) if they redeem their respective shares for cash in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above. These provisions of our articles, like all provisions of our articles, may be amended with a shareholder vote.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report, before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Search for, Consummation of, or Inability to Consummate, a Business Combination
Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination, and even if we hold a vote, holders of our founder shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our public shareholders do not support such a combination.
We may choose not to hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination if the business combination would not require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. Except for as required by applicable law or stock exchange requirement, the decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. Even if we seek shareholder approval, the holders of our founder shares will participate in the vote on such approval. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders do not approve of the business combination we complete. Please see the section entitled “Item 1. Business — Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination” for additional information.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders and management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Our initial shareholders now own 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of the date of this Annual Report. Our initial shareholders and management team also may from time-to-time purchase ordinary shares prior to our initial business combination. Our articles provide that, if we seek shareholder approval of an initial business combination, such initial business combination will be approved if we receive the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voted at such meeting of the company. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 11,255,626 or 37.5% of the 30,015,000 public shares sold in the IPO to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the parties to the Letter Agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only the holders of one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our articles, vote their ordinary shares at a general meeting of the company, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to approve an initial business combination. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company will need to be passed by our shareholders approving a plan of merger. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
Your only opportunity to effect your investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of our initial business combination. Since our board of directors may complete a business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder vote. Accordingly, your only opportunity to effect your investment decision regarding our initial business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
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The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with minimum cash requirement for (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination.
Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would not allow us to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure, and may substantially dilute your investment in us.
At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements, or arrange for third party financing. In addition, if a larger number of shares is submitted for redemption than we initially expected, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for third party financing. Raising additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure. As a result, our obligations to redeem public shares for which redemption is requested may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure and may result in substantial dilution from your purchase of our ordinary shares. The effect of this dilution will be greater for shareholders who do not redeem. We may not be able to generate sufficient value from the completion of our initial business combination in order to overcome the dilutive impact of these and other factors, and, accordingly, you may incur a net loss on your investment. Please see “— Risks Relating to Our Securities — The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and a consultant (the initial shareholders) for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and the value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.”
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.
If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with your exercise of redemption rights until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.
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The requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the completion window may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must complete our initial business combination within the completion window. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the timeframe described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation. The length of time it may take us to complete our diligence and negotiate a business combination may reduce the amount of time available for us to ultimately complete an initial business combination should such diligence or negotiations not lead to a consummated initial business combination.
Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by events that are outside of our control, such as increased geopolitical unrest, pandemic outbreaks (such as COVID-19), and volatility in the debt and equity markets.
Our ability to find a potential target business and the business of any potential business with which we may consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected by events that are outside of our control. For example, geopolitical unrest (such as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the military conflict in Israel and Gaza, and tensions involving Iran and related regional conflicts), including war, terrorist activity and acts of civil or international hostility are increasing. In particular, although the length, impact and outcome of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, and escalating tensions involving Iran and related regional actors are highly unpredictable, these conflicts could lead to significant market and other disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices and supply of energy resources, instability in financial markets, supply chain interruptions, political and social instability, changes in consumer or purchaser preferences as well as increase in cyberattacks and espionage.
Similarly other events outside of our control, including natural disasters, climate-related events, pandemics or health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) may arise from time to time, any such events may cause significant volatility and declines in the global markets, disproportionate impacts to certain industries or sectors, disruptions to commerce (including to economic activity, travel and supply chain), loss of life and property damage, and may adversely affect the global economy or capital markets, and the business of any potential target business with which we may consummate a business combination and could be materially adversely affected. In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by these and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable or at all.
We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, in which case we would redeem our public shares.
We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within the completion window. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will constitute full and complete payment and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions or other distributions, if any), subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
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Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account will be effected automatically by function of our articles prior to any voluntary winding up. If we are required to wind-up, liquidate the trust account and distribute such amount therein, pro rata, to our public shareholders, as part of any liquidation process, such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond the duration of the completion window before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of our redemption or liquidation unless we seek shareholder approval to amend our articles either to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination or with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, or we consummate our initial business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their public shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we are unable to complete our initial business combination.
We may decide not to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination, in which case we would redeem our public shares.
We have until the end of the completion window to consummate our initial business combination. If we anticipate that we may be unable to consummate our initial business combination within such period, we may seek shareholder approval to amend our articles to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. However, we may decide not to seek to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. If we do not seek to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination, and we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may elect to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, which may reduce the public “float” of our securities.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market prior to the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgment that such shareholder, although still the record holder of our shares, is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights.
In the event that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. It is intended that, if Rule 10b-18 would apply to purchases by sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, then such purchases will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, to the extent it applies, which provides a safe harbor for purchases made under certain conditions, including with respect to timing, pricing and volume of purchases.
Additionally, at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material nonpublic information), our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business combination or not redeem their public shares. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares, rights or warrants in such transactions.
The purpose of any such transactions could be to (i) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination, (ii) reduce the number of public warrants outstanding and/or increase the likelihood of approval on any matters submitted to the public warrant holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or (iii) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
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In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our securities may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. Additionally, in the event our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, such purchases would be structured in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act including, in pertinent part, through adherence to the following:
| ● | our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would disclose the possibility that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders outside the redemption process, along with the purpose of such purchases; |
| ● | if our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates were to purchase public shares or warrants from public shareholders, they would do so at a price no higher than the price offered through our redemption process; |
| ● | our registration statement/proxy statement filed for our business combination transaction would include a representation that any of our securities purchased by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction; |
| ● | our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates would not possess any redemption rights with respect to our securities or, if they do acquire and possess redemption rights, they would waive such rights; and |
| ● | we would disclose in a Form 8-K, before our security holder meeting to approve the business combination transaction, the following material items: |
| ○ | the amount of our securities purchased outside of the redemption offer by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates, along with the purchase price; |
| ○ | the purpose of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates; |
| ○ | the impact, if any, of the purchases by our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates on the likelihood that the business combination transaction will be approved; |
| ○ | the identities of our security-holders who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates (if not purchased on the open market) or the nature of our security-holders (e.g., 5% security-holders) who sold to our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates; and |
| ○ | the number of our securities for which we have received redemption requests pursuant to our redemption offer. |
Please see “Item 1. Business — Permitted Purchases of Our Securities” for a description of how such persons will determine from which shareholders to seek to acquire securities.
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If a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for submitting or tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We will comply with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder fails to receive our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or submit public shares for redemption. For example, we intend to require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to, at the holder’s option, either deliver their share certificates to our transfer agent, or to deliver their shares to our transfer agent electronically prior to the date set forth in the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable. In the case of proxy materials, this date may be up to two business days prior to the scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination. In addition, if we conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote, we intend to require a public shareholder seeking redemption of its public shares to also submit a written request for redemption to our transfer agent two business days prior to the scheduled vote in which the name of the beneficial owner of such shares is included. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these or any other procedures disclosed in the proxy or tender offer materials, as applicable, its shares may not be redeemed. See the section of this Annual Report entitled “Item 1. Business — Manner of Conducting Redemptions.”
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of other blank check companies subject to Rule 419 of the Securities Act.
Since the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants are intended to be used to complete one or more initial business combinations with a target business or businesses, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, because we will be listed on a national securities exchange meeting certain quantitative requirements set out in Rule 3a51-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our Units were immediately tradable following the IPO and we will have a longer period of time to complete our respective initial business combinations than do companies subject to Rule 419.
Moreover, if the IPO were subject to Rule 419, that rule would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419” of the prospectus.
However, if we are not able to list our ordinary shares on Nasdaq or any other national stock exchange, and if we fail to have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001, we may be required to comply with the “penny stock rules” and this could negatively affect the market for our securities and our ability to complete an initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our ordinary shares, you may lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our ordinary shares.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our articles provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a group (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in the IPO without our prior consent, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination.
Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
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Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for attractive business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult and increase the cost for us to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
We expect to encounter competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess similar or greater technical, human and other resources to ours or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, we are obligated to offer holders of our public shares the right to redeem their shares for cash at the time of our initial business combination in conjunction with a shareholder vote or via a tender offer. Target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination.
In addition, in recent years, the number of SPACs that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for SPACs have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many SPACs preparing for an initial public offering, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available to consummate an initial business combination. Because there are more SPACs seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may receive only their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
If the net proceeds of the IPO not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the duration of the completion window, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination, and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team to fund our search and to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of private placement warrants, only $1,300,000 was available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. We believe that the funds available to us outside of the trust account, together with funds available from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the duration of the completion window; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate, and our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team are under no obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Of the funds available to us, we could use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent or merger agreements designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent or merger agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business.
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In the event that our offering expenses exceeded our estimate of $790,600, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, unless funded by the proceeds of loans available from our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team, the amount of funds we intended to be held outside the trust account would have decreased by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses were less than our estimate of $790,600, the amount of funds we intended to be held outside the trust account would have increased by a corresponding amount. The amount held in the trust account will not be impacted as a result of such increase or decrease. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members of our management team nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Any such advances would be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into private placement warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants, including as to exercisability and exercise price. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor, as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to liquidate the trust account. Consequently, our public shareholders may only receive an estimated $10.00 per share, or possibly less, on our redemption of our public shares.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per- share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (except for our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will consider whether competitive alternatives are reasonably available to us and will only enter into an agreement with such third party if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be in the best interests of the company under the circumstances. The underwriters of the IPO as well as our registered independent public accounting firm did not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account.
Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses 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 service provider willing to execute a waiver. 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. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption.
Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us (except for the company’s independent auditors), or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the trust account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
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Our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per share and the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case less taxes payable, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per public share.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy or insolvency court may seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our board of directors and us to claims of punitive damages.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our shareholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination or force us to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
| ● | restrictions on the nature of our investments; and |
| ● | restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. |
In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
| ● | registration as an investment company with the SEC; |
| ● | adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and |
| ● | reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations that we are not subject to. |
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In order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless it can qualify for an exclusion, a company must ensure that it is engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that its activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of its assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not intend to spend a considerable amount of time actively managing the assets in the trust account for the primary purpose of achieving investment returns. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.
We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the investment management trust agreement only permits the proceeds held in the trust account to be held uninvested as cash, in an interest-bearing or non-interest bearing demand deposit account at a U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more selected by the trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to us, or invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations; the holding of these assets in this form is intended to be temporary and for the sole purpose of facilitating the intended business combination and may at any time be held uninvested as cash or in an interest-bearing or non-interest bearing demand deposit account at a U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more selected by the trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to us. Pursuant to the investment management trust agreement, the trustee will not be permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds in this manner, and by focusing our directors’ and officers’ time toward, and operating our business for the purpose of, acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund or investing in assets for the purpose of achieving investment returns on such assets), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The offering is not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities. Instead, the trust account will be intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of either: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) (x) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity, or (y) if we extend the completion window and such extension is conditioned upon depositing additional funds into the trust account, upon the end of a 30-day cure period after the date any such funds were required to be deposited but were not so deposited; or (iii) absent an initial business combination within the completion window, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption of the public shares. If we do not invest the proceeds as described above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act.
Further, under the subjective test of a “investment company” pursuant to Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, even if the funds deposited in the trust account were invested in the assets discussed above (U.S. government securities or money market funds registered under the Investment Company Act), such assets, other than cash, are “securities” for purposes of the Investment Company Act and, therefore, nevertheless, there is a risk that we could be deemed an unregistered investment company and subject to the Investment Company Act at any time. If our circumstances change over time, we will update our disclosure to reflect how such changes impact the risk that we may be considered to be operating as an unregistered investment company.
In the adopting release for the 2024 SPAC Rules (as defined below), the SEC provided guidance that a SPAC’s potential status as an “investment company” depends on a variety of factors, such as a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities and “is a question of facts and circumstances” requiring individualized analysis. If we were deemed to be an unregistered investment company and subject to compliance with and regulation under the Investment Company Act, we would be subject to additional regulatory burdens and expenses for which we have not allotted funds. Unless we are able to modify our activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company, we would either register as an investment company or wind down and abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead liquidate the company. As a result, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders and would be unable to realize the potential benefits of an initial business combination, including the possible appreciation of the combined company’s securities.
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To mitigate the risk that we might be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time, instruct the trustee to liquidate the securities held in the trust account and instead to hold the funds in the trust account in cash until the earlier of the consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. As a result, following the liquidation of securities in the trust account, the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account may be materially reduced, which would reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the company.
Pursuant to the trust agreement, we may only hold the funds in the trust account uninvested as cash, in an interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing demand deposit account at a U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more selected by the trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to us, or in U.S. government securities, within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. U.S. government treasury obligations are considered “securities” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, while cash is not. As noted above, one of the factors the SEC identified as relevant to the determination of whether a SPAC which holds securities could potentially be deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act is the SPAC’s duration. To mitigate the risk of us being deemed to be an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act) and thus subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, we may, at any time, instruct Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the trust account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the trust account and thereafter to hold all funds in the trust account uninvested in cash or in an interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing demand deposit account until the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination or liquidation of the company. Following such liquidation, the rate of interest we receive on the funds held in the trust account may be materially decreased. As a result, any decision to liquidate the securities held in the trust account and thereafter to hold all funds in the trust account uninvested in cash or in an interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing demand deposit account would reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the company.
Changes in laws or regulations or in how such laws or regulations are interpreted or applied, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We are subject to rules and regulations enacted by various national, regional and local governing bodies, including for example, the SEC, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly and our efforts to comply with such new and evolving laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
On January 24, 2024, the SEC issued final rules (the “2024 SPAC Rules”), effective as of July 1, 2024, that formally adopted some of the SEC’s proposed rules for SPACs that were released on March 30, 2022. The 2024 SPAC Rules, among other items, impose additional disclosure requirements in initial public offerings by SPACs and business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amend the financial statement requirements applicable to business combination transactions involving such companies; update and expand guidance regarding the general use of projections in SEC filings, as well as when projections are disclosed in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increase the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and could impact the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. The 2024 SPAC Rules may materially adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete, and the costs associated with, our initial business combination, and results of operations.
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Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable to a fine of $18,292.68 and to imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
We may not hold an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the opportunity for our shareholders to appoint directors.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or extraordinary general meetings to appoint directors. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
Because we are neither limited to evaluating a target business in a particular industry sector nor have we selected any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations.
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify and combine with a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established relationships and operating experience. Our management team has extensive experience in identifying and executing strategic investments and has done so successfully in a number of sectors. While our focus is broad because of our perspective on technology and other growth industries having looked at over a thousand acquisition targets over the past decade, we will be examining in particular, opportunities in AI as well as in the rapidly growing wellness, longevity and aesthetics areas. Our articles prohibit us from effectuating a business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not yet selected any specific target business with respect to a business combination, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. In recent years, a number of target businesses have underperformed financially post-business combination. There are no assurances that the target business with which we consummate our initial business combination will perform as anticipated. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our Units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination target.
Accordingly, any shareholders or warrant holders who choose to remain shareholders or warrant holders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such shareholders or warrant holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
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Evolving regulatory requirements and increasing public and private scrutiny may adversely affect our search for potential opportunities in the AI industry with which to complete our initial business combination.
While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to examine in particular opportunities in AI as well as in the rapidly growing wellness, longevity and aesthetics areas. The regulation of AI and its broader application is a rapidly evolving topic amongst lawmakers and policymaking organizations. While comprehensive regulation around the existence, parameters, application and use cases for AI remain in its early stages, we expect that the regulatory environment governing AI platforms and activities will rapidly develop in the future and that a substantial amount of public and private scrutiny will be placed on artificial intelligence as a whole. Sweeping regulations, additional compliance and development costs, as well as the attention of government agencies and private organizations may have an adverse effect on potential investment opportunities in a target company. In addition, compliance with additional or revised rules and regulations in AI industry may make it harder, more time consuming and costly, and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete a business combination or otherwise impair our ability to complete a business combination with a target in AI industry.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines, and as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
We may not be required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from a valuation or appraisal firm, and consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the consideration we are paying for the business is fair to our company and its shareholders from a financial point of view.
Unless we complete our initial business combination with an affiliate (as defined in our articles) of our sponsor, officers or directors, or our board of directors cannot independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses (including with the assistance of financial advisors), we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the consideration we are paying is fair to our company and its shareholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
We may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We and our officers have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
| ● | default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations; |
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| ● | acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant; |
| ● | our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand; |
| ● | our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt is outstanding; |
| ● | our inability to pay dividends on our ordinary shares; |
| ● | using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
| ● | limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate; |
| ● | increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and |
| ● | limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt. |
The post-business combination company may issue shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price which is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time, which could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders and add costs.
In connection with our initial business combination, the post-business combination company may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) in order to complete an initial business combination and provide sufficient liquidity and capital to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares so issued in connection with an initial business combination may be less, and potentially significantly less, than $10.00 per share or the market price for our shares at such time. Any such issuances of equity securities at a price that is less than $10.00 or the prevailing market price of our shares at that time could be structured to ensure a return on investment to the investors and could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders in a manner that would not ordinarily occur in a traditional initial public offering and could result in both a reduction in the trading price of our shares to the price at which the post-business combination company issues such equity securities and fluctuations in the net tangible book value per share of the combined company’s securities following the completion of our initial business combination. The post-business combination company may also provide price protection or other incentives, or issue convertible securities such as preferred equity or convertible debt, and the exercise or conversion price of those securities may be fixed or adjustable, and may be less, and potentially significantly less, than $10.00 per share or the market price for our shares at such time. Such issuances could also result in additional transaction costs related to our initial business combination compared to a traditional initial public offering, including the placement fees associated with the engagement of a placement agent in connection with PIPE transactions.
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
The net proceeds from the IPO and the private placement of warrants provided us with $300,150,000 that we may use to complete our initial business combination (after taking into account the $1,409,400 of underwriting commissions paid at the closing of the IPO, $790,600 of other offering expenses, and excluding approximately $1,300,000 held outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements).
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We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single target business or multiple target businesses simultaneously or within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
| ● | solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or |
| ● | dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services. |
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
We may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we decide to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In pursuing our business combination strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our articles do not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold although any agreement in connection with our initial business combination may impose a minimum cash requirement for: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions. As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or any of their affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all public shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares in connection with such initial business combination, all public shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
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In order to effectuate an initial business combination, SPACs have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and other governing instruments, including their warrant agreements. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our articles or governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business combination that our shareholders may not support.
In order to effectuate a business combination, SPACs have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and governing instruments, including their warrant agreements. For example, SPACs have amended the definition of business combination, increased redemption thresholds and extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and, with respect to their warrants, amended their warrant agreements to require the warrants to be exchanged for cash and/or other securities. Amending our articles requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, and amending our warrant agreement requires a vote of holders of at least 50% of the public warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any provision of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding private placement warrants. In addition, our articles require us to provide our public shareholders (except our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash if we propose an amendment to our articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity. To the extent any of such amendments would be deemed to fundamentally change the nature of the securities offered in the IPO, we would register, or seek an exemption from registration for, the affected securities. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our charter or governing instruments or extend the time to consummate an initial business combination in order to effectuate our initial business combination.
The provisions of our articles that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of holders of not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other SPACs. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our articles to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Our articles provide that any of its provisions related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of the IPO and the private placement of warrants into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein) and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by special resolution, under Cayman Islands law passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or represented by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. Our initial shareholders, who collectively beneficially own 20% of our ordinary shares, will participate in any vote to amend our articles and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our articles which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other SPACs, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our shareholders may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our articles.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our articles otherwise than for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our public shares or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem their public shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, officers or directors for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
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Certain agreements related to the IPO may be amended without shareholder approval.
Each of the agreements related to the IPO to which we are a party, other than the warrant agreement and the investment management trust agreement, may be amended without shareholder approval. Such agreements are: the Underwriting Agreement; the Letter Agreement; the registration rights agreement among us and our initial shareholders; the Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement between us and our sponsor; and the administrative services agreement among us, our sponsor and an affiliate of our sponsor. These agreements contain various provisions that our public shareholders might deem to be material. For example, our Letter Agreement and the underwriting agreement contain certain lock-up provisions with respect to the founder shares, private placement warrants and other securities held by our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors. Amendments to such agreements would require the consent of the applicable parties thereto and would need to be approved by our board of directors, which may do so for a variety of reasons, including to facilitate our initial business combination. While we do not expect our board of directors to approve any amendment to any of these agreements prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board of directors, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to any such agreement. Any amendment entered into in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination will be disclosed in our proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, related to such initial business combination, and any other material amendment to any of our material agreements will be disclosed in a filing with the SEC. Any such amendments would not require approval from our shareholders, may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible, and may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our securities. For example, amendments to the lock-up provision discussed above may result in our initial shareholders selling their securities earlier than they would otherwise be permitted, which may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
We intend to target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than we could acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants. As a result, if the cash portion of the purchase price exceeds the amount available from the trust account, net of amounts needed to satisfy any redemption by public shareholders, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. Further, we may be required to obtain additional financing in connection with the closing of our initial business combination for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-transaction businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, or to fund the purchase of other companies. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.
Our initial shareholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon closing of the IPO, our initial shareholders owned 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our articles.
If our initial shareholders purchased any Units in the IPO or if our initial shareholders purchase any additional public shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our initial shareholders nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, have any current intention to purchase additional securities, other than as disclosed in this Annual Report.
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Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were appointed by our sponsor, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term for three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. We may not hold an annual or extraordinary general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual general meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for appointment and our initial shareholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our initial shareholders will continue to exert control at least until the completion of our initial business combination.
We may not be able to complete an initial business combination since such initial business combination may be subject to regulatory review and approval requirement, including foreign investment regulations and review by government entities such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), or may be ultimately prohibited.
Our initial business combination may be subject to regulatory review and approval requirements by governmental entities, or ultimately prohibited. For example, CFIUS has authority to review direct or indirect foreign investments in U.S. companies. Among other things, CFIUS is empowered to require certain foreign investors to make mandatory filings, to charge filing fees related to such filings, and to self-initiate national security reviews of foreign direct and indirect investments in U.S. companies if the parties to that investment choose not to file voluntarily. In the case that CFIUS determines an investment to be a threat to national security, CFIUS has the power to unwind or place restrictions on the investment. Whether CFIUS has jurisdiction to review an acquisition or investment transaction depends on — among other factors — the nature and structure of the transaction, including the level of beneficial ownership interest and the nature of any information or governance rights involved. For example, investments that result in “control” of a U.S. business by a foreign person always are subject to CFIUS jurisdiction. CFIUS’s expanded jurisdiction under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 and implementing regulations that became effective on February 13, 2020 further includes investments that do not result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person but afford certain foreign investors certain information or governance rights in a U.S. business that has a nexus to “critical technologies,” “critical infrastructure” and/or “sensitive personal data.”
Our sponsor owns approximately 20.0% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as of the date of this Annual Report. Our sponsor is exclusively “controlled” for CFIUS purposes by Mr. You, who is a U.S. citizen, and thus we do not believe that our sponsor is a “foreign person” as defined in the CFIUS regulations. However, it is possible that non-U.S. persons could be involved in our initial business combination (e.g., as existing shareholders of a target company or as PIPE investors), which may increase the risk that our initial business combination becomes subject to regulatory review, including review by CFIUS. As such, an initial business combination with a U.S. business or foreign business with U.S. subsidiaries that we may wish to pursue may be subject to CFIUS review. If a particular proposed initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, we may determine that we are required to make a mandatory filing or that we will submit to CFIUS review on a voluntary basis, or to proceed with the transaction without submitting to CFIUS and risk CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the transaction. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our proposed initial business combination, impose conditions with respect to such initial business combination or request the President of the United States to order us to divest all or a portion of the U.S. target business of our initial business combination that we acquired without first obtaining CFIUS approval, which may limit the attractiveness of, delay or prevent us from pursuing certain target companies that we believe would otherwise be beneficial to us and our shareholders. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited and we may be adversely affected in terms of competing with other SPACs which do not have any foreign ownership issues. In addition, certain federally licensed businesses may be subject to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership.
The process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because we have only a limited time to complete our initial business combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may require us to abandon our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period required under our articles, including as a result of extended regulatory review of a potential initial business combination, we will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, subject to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, our shareholders will miss the opportunity to benefit from an investment in a target company and the appreciation in value of such investment.
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Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The federal proxy rules require that the proxy statement with respect to the vote on an initial business combination include historical and pro forma financial statement disclosure. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”), depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”). These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such financial statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate our initial business combination, require substantial financial and management resources, and increase the time and costs of completing an initial business combination.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2026. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target business with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination.
We may seek business combination opportunities with a high degree of complexity that require significant operational improvements, which could delay or prevent us from achieving our desired results.
We may seek business combination opportunities with large, highly complex companies that we believe would benefit from operational improvements. While we intend to implement such improvements, to the extent that our efforts are delayed or we are unable to achieve the desired improvements, the business combination may not be as successful as we anticipate.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination with a large complex business or entity with a complex operating structure, we may also be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine, which could delay or prevent us from implementing our strategy. Although our management team will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business and its operations, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors until we complete our business combination. If we are not able to achieve our desired operational improvements, or the improvements take longer to implement than anticipated, we may not achieve the gains that we anticipate. Furthermore, some of these risks and complexities may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks and complexities will adversely impact a target business. Such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a smaller, less complex organization.
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Our initial business combination and our structure thereafter may not be tax-efficient to our shareholders and warrant holders. As a result of our business combination, our tax obligations may be more complex, burdensome and uncertain.
Although we will attempt to structure our initial business combination in a tax-efficient manner, tax structuring considerations are complex, the relevant facts and law are uncertain and may change, and we may prioritize commercial and other considerations over tax considerations. For example, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to any requisite shareholder approval, we may structure our business combination in a manner that requires shareholders and/or warrant holders to recognize gain or income for tax purposes, effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction, or reincorporate in a different jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located). We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders or warrant holders to pay taxes in connection with our business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, a shareholder or a warrant holder may need to satisfy any liability resulting from our initial business combination with cash from its own funds or by selling all or a portion of the shares or warrants received. In addition, shareholders and warrant holders may also be subject to additional income, withholding or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after our initial business combination.
In addition, we may effect a business combination with a target company that has business operations outside of the United States, and possibly, business operations in multiple jurisdictions. If we effect such a business combination, we could be subject to significant income, withholding and other tax obligations in a number of jurisdictions with respect to income, operations and subsidiaries related to those jurisdictions. Due to the complexity of tax obligations and filings in other jurisdictions, we may have a heightened risk related to audits or examinations by U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. taxing authorities. This additional complexity and risk could have an adverse effect on our after-tax profitability and financial condition.
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Risks Relating to the Post-Business Combination Company
Subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our securities, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even if we conduct due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will identify all material issues that may be present with a particular target business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining debt financing to partially finance the initial business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, any shareholders or warrant holders who choose to remain shareholders or warrant holders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of our securities. Such shareholders or warrant holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
Resources could be wasted in researching business combinations that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that are available for distribution to public shareholders.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination, and a particular business combination may be conditioned on the retention or resignation of such key personnel. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with our company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. Such negotiations also could make such key personnel’s retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law.
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We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target business’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target business’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any shareholders or warrant holders who choose to remain shareholders or warrant holders following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such shareholders or warrant holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The loss of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We may structure our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for us not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. 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 business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new ordinary shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target.
However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s shares than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain control of the target business.
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Risks Relating to Acquiring and Operating a Business in Foreign Countries
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may adversely affect us.
If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we pursue a target a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
If we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:
| ● | costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations; |
| ● | rules and regulations regarding currency redemption; |
| ● | complex corporate withholding taxes on individuals; |
| ● | laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected; |
| ● | exchange listing and/or delisting requirements; |
| ● | tariffs and trade barriers; |
| ● | regulations related to customs and import/export matters; |
| ● | local or regional economic policies and market conditions; |
| ● | unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; |
| ● | challenges in managing and staffing international operations; |
| ● | longer payment cycles; |
| ● | tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States; |
| ● | currency fluctuations and exchange controls; |
| ● | rates of inflation; |
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| ● | challenges in collecting accounts receivable; |
| ● | cultural and language differences; |
| ● | employment regulations; |
| ● | underdeveloped or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems; |
| ● | corruption; |
| ● | protection of intellectual property; |
| ● | social unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances; |
| ● | regime changes and political upheaval; |
| ● | terrorist attacks, natural disasters, widespread health emergencies and wars; and |
| ● | deterioration of political relations with the United States. |
We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial business combination, or, if we complete such initial business combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in international trade policies, tariffs and treaties affecting imports and exports may have a material adverse effect on our search for an Initial Business Combination target, our ability to complete an Initial Business Combination, and/or our business, financial condition and results of operations following completion of an Initial Business Combination.
There have recently been significant changes to international trade policies and tariffs affecting imports and exports. The U.S. has implemented a range of new tariffs and increases to existing tariffs, and, in response to the tariffs announced by the U.S., other countries have imposed new or increased tariffs on certain exports from the United States. There is currently significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other countries with respect to trade policies, government regulations and tariffs. We cannot predict whether, and to what extent, current tariffs will continue or trade policies will change in the future. Any significant increases in tariffs on goods or materials or other changes in trade policy, or the perception that such changes could occur, could negatively affect our search for a Business Combination target and/or our ability to complete our initial business combination. For example, if we pursue a target company which sources or manufactures material components outside of the U.S., these changes could materially impact such target company’s business and financial performance. Similarly, if we pursue a target company which exports products outside of the U.S., retaliatory tariff and trade measures imposed by other countries could affect such target’s ability to export products and therefore adversely affect its sales. We may not be able to adequately address the risks presented by these tariffs or other potential trade policy changes. As a result, we may deem it costly, impractical or risky to complete an initial business combination with a particular target or with a target in a particular industry or from a particular country. Consequently, the pool of potential target companies may be reduced, which could impair our ability to identify a suitable target and to complete an initial business combination. The business prospects of a particular target for an initial business combination could change even after we enter into a business combination agreement, as a result of tariffs or the threat of tariffs that may have a material impact on that target’s business. Accordingly, changes in trade and tariff policies could prevent or make it difficult or more expensive for us to complete an initial business combination. Tariffs and threats of tariffs and other potential trade policy changes could also lead to material adverse effects on a post-business combination company.
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If social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval or policy changes or enactments occur in a country in which we may operate after we effect our initial business combination, it may result in a negative impact on our business.
In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, political events in another country may significantly affect our business, assets or operations. Social unrest, acts of terrorism, regime changes, changes in laws and regulations, political upheaval, and policy changes or enactments could negatively impact our business in a particular country.
Many countries have difficult and unpredictable legal systems and underdeveloped laws and regulations that are unclear and subject to corruption and inexperience, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, our ability to seek and enforce legal protections, including with respect to intellectual property and other property rights, or to defend ourselves with regard to legal actions taken against us in a given country, may be difficult or impossible, which could adversely impact our operations, assets or financial condition.
Rules and regulations in many countries are often ambiguous or open to differing interpretation by responsible individuals and agencies at the municipal, state, regional and federal levels. The attitudes and actions of such individuals and agencies are often difficult to predict and inconsistent.
Delay with respect to the enforcement of particular rules and regulations, including those relating to customs, tax, environmental and labor, could cause serious disruption to operations abroad and negatively impact our results.
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States or with a company that is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may adversely affect us.
Following our initial business combination, our management may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company and the existing management of the target business at the time of the business combination may remain in place. Management of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
After our initial business combination, it is possible that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States and all of our assets will be located outside the United States; therefore, investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights.
It is possible that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors and officers under United States laws.
After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue will be derived from our operations in such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.
The economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect our business. Economic growth could be uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate our initial business combination and if we effect our initial business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.
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Exchange rate fluctuations and currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.
We may reincorporate in or transfer by way of continuation to another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
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Risks Relating to Our Management Team
We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and officers.
We have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account and to not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by us only if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination. Our obligation to indemnify our officers and directors may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Members of our management team and board of directors have significant experience as board members, officers or executives of other companies. As a result, certain of those persons have been, may be, or may become, involved in proceedings, investigations and litigation relating to the business affairs of the companies with which they were, are, or may in the future be, affiliated. This may have an adverse effect on us, which may impede our ability to consummate an initial business combination.
During the course of their careers, members of our management team and board of directors have had significant experience as board members, officers or executives of other companies. As a result of their involvement and positions in these companies, certain persons were, are now, or may in the future become, involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings relating to the business affairs of such companies or transactions entered into by such companies. Such claims, and any such litigation, investigations or other proceedings may divert our management team’s and board’s attention and resources away from identifying and selecting a target business or businesses for our initial business combination and may negatively affect our reputation, which may impede our ability to complete an initial business combination. Such involvement has, and may lead to, media coverage and public awareness. Any such claims or investigations may be detrimental to our reputation and could negatively affect our ability to identify and complete an initial business combination and may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
Past performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.
Information regarding performance by, or businesses associated with, our management team or businesses associated with them is presented for informational purposes only. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to locate a suitable candidate for our initial business combination. You should not rely on the historical record of the performance of our management team’s or businesses associated with them as indicative of our future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
We may seek business combination opportunities in industries or sectors that may be outside of our management’s areas of expertise.
We will consider a business combination outside of our management’s areas of expertise if a business combination candidate is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive business combination opportunity for our company. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination candidate, we cannot assure you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our Units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to our public shareholders than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a business combination candidate. In the event we elect to pursue a business combination outside of the areas of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this Annual Report regarding the areas of our management’s expertise would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to ascertain or assess adequately all of the relevant risk factors. Accordingly, any shareholders who choose to remain shareholders following our initial business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such shareholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by our officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, relating to the business combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.
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We are dependent upon our officers and directors and their loss, or a reduction in the amount of time they can dedicate to our initial business combination, could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our officers and directors and the members of our advisory board. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers, directors and members of our advisory board, at least until we have completed our initial business combination. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or executive officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
We may approve an amendment or waiver of the letter agreement that would allow our sponsor to directly, or members of our sponsor to indirectly, transfer founder shares and private placement warrants or membership interests in our sponsor in a transaction in which the sponsor removes itself as our sponsor before identifying a business combination, which may deprive us of key personnel.
While there is no current intention to do so, and the members of our management team and sponsor have not done so with any previously formed SPACs, we may approve an amendment or waiver of the letter agreement that would allow the sponsor to directly, or members of our sponsor to indirectly, transfer founder shares and private placement warrants or membership interests in our sponsor in a transaction in which the sponsor removes itself as our sponsor before identifying a business combination. Additionally, subject to the consent of the managing member of our sponsor (Harry You), there is no contractual restriction on the ability of the members of the sponsor to share, sell or otherwise dispose of part or all of the membership interests in our sponsor, including the membership interests held by Harry You, the Executive Chairman of the board of directors. As a result, there is a risk that our sponsor and our officers and directors may divest their ownership or economic interests in us or in our sponsor, which would likely result in our loss of certain key personnel, including Harry You. Additionally, there can be no assurance that any replacement sponsor or key personnel will successfully identify a business combination target for us, or, even if one is so identified, successfully complete such business combination.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after our initial business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination, and a particular business combination may be conditioned on the retention or resignation of such key personnel. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with our company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. Such negotiations also could make such key personnel’s retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law.
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Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent directors may have fiduciary duties to other entities. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including blank check companies, and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our sponsor, its managing members, and our officers and directors are, and in the future may become, affiliated with such entities (such as operating companies or investment vehicles) that are engaged in a similar business. We do not have employment contracts with our officers and directors that will limit their ability to work at other businesses. Our officers and directors presently and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our articles provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer or sponsor shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us, and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a member of director, officer or sponsor to any other entity. The purpose for the surrender of corporate opportunities is to allow officers, directors or other representatives with multiple business affiliations to continue to serve as an officer of our company or on our board of directors. Our officers and directors may from time to time be presented with opportunities that could benefit both another business affiliation and us. In the absence of the “corporate opportunity” waiver in our articles, certain candidates would not be able to serve as an officer or director. We believe we substantially benefit from having representatives who bring significant, relevant and valuable experience to our management, and, as a result, the inclusion of the “corporate opportunity” waiver in our articles provide us with greater flexibility to attract and retain the officers and directors that we feel are the best candidates. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business.
Our officers and directors presently have and, in the future, may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands Law. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other special purpose acquisition company with which they may become involved.
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Our officers, directors, security-holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security-holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target.
The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. For example, a prospective initial business combination with a shorter timeline to completion could cause our directors and executive officers to prioritize it over finding an even more attractive acquisition target which may be more difficult or time-intensive to consummate. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders’ best interest. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of Cayman Islands law and we or our shareholders might have a claim against such individuals for infringing on our shareholders’ rights.
We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other entities, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities, including, without limitation, those described under “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to complete our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no substantive discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in “Item 1. Business — Business Combination Criteria” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the consideration we are paying is fair to our company and its shareholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or existing holders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
We may engage one or more of our underwriters or one of their respective affiliates to provide additional services to us after the IPO, which may include acting as financial advisor in connection with an initial business combination or as placement agent in connection with a related financing transaction. These financial incentives may cause them to have potential conflicts of interest in rendering any such additional services to us after the IPO, including, for example, in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an initial business combination.
We may engage one or more of our underwriters or one of their respective affiliates to provide additional services to us after the IPO, including, for example, identifying potential targets, providing financial advisory services, acting as a placement agent in a private offering or arranging debt financing. We may pay such underwriter or its affiliate fair and reasonable fees or other compensation that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with any of the underwriters or their respective affiliates and no fees or other compensation for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters or their respective affiliates prior to the date that was 60 days from the date of the IPO prospectus, unless such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with the IPO. The underwriters’ or their respective affiliates’ financial interests that are tied to the consummation of a business combination transaction may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in providing any such additional services to us, including potential conflicts of interest in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an initial business combination.
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Since our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors, any other holder of our founder shares, including any non-managing sponsor investors, and the underwriters will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed (other than with respect to public shares they may acquire after the IPO), a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On November 11, 2024, our Sponsor and its affiliates purchased $23,957 for an aggregate of 6,887,500 ordinary shares and a consultant, Meteora, paid $1,043 for an aggregate of 300,000 ordinary shares (none of the shares issued to Meteora were subject to forfeiture in connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option as described below). On April 29, 2025, we capitalized $31.63 standing to the credit of our share premium account and issued an additional 316,250 ordinary shares, resulting in our Sponsor, Sponsor Affiliates, and Meteora holding an aggregate of 7,503,750 ordinary shares. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization. The “sponsor affiliates” include Harry You, who acts as our Chairman of the board of directors and the managing member of the Sponsor, and Robert You, adult son of Harry You. Both Messrs. You directly own membership interests in our sponsor. Out of the total 7,503,750 founder shares held by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and a consultant, the sponsor, Harry You Robert You and a consultant each directly holds 2,688,300, 2,401,200, 2,101,050 and 313,200 founder shares, respectively, each purchased at approximately $0.003 per share. Of these, up to 978,750 of the founder shares held by the Sponsor and Sponsor’s affiliates were subject to forfeiture up to the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised. In connection with the consummation of the IPO on May 1, 2025, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, and as such the founder shares were no longer subject to forfeiture. Prior to such initial investment in the company, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The purchase price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount of cash contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued.
The number of founder shares outstanding was determined based on the expectation at the time that the total size of the IPO would be a maximum of 30,015,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, and therefore that such founder shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares after the IPO. The underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, and accordingly none of the founder shares held by our sponsor and sponsor affiliates were forfeited. In addition, our sponsor purchased an aggregate of 3,500,000 private placement warrants, each exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.50 per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an initial business combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the initial business combination, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, or $3,500,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of the IPO. The personal and financial interests of our officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination. This risk may become more acute as the end of the completion window nears, which is the deadline for our completion of an initial business combination.
Risks Relating to Our Securities
You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) in connection with our completion of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those public shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the completion window, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the completion window, we will as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds, redeem 100% of the public shares at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned thereon (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of warrants will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the warrants. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
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Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our securities are listed on Nasdaq. Although after giving effect to the IPO we met the minimum initial listing standards set forth in Nasdaq listing standards, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future or prior to our initial business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and share price levels.
Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
| ● | a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
| ● | reduced liquidity for our securities; |
| ● | a determination that our ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; |
| ● | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
| ● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our Units, ordinary shares and warrants are listed on Nasdaq, our Units, ordinary shares and warrants will qualify as covered securities under the statute. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not qualify as covered securities under the statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and a consultant (the initial shareholders) for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and the value of the founder shares following completion of our initial business combination is likely to be substantially higher than the nominal price paid for them, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares at such time is substantially less than $10.00 per share.
Because our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and a consultant each acquired the founder shares at a nominal price (approximately $0.003 per share), our public shareholders incurred an immediate and material dilution upon the closing of the IPO.
While we offered our ordinary shares at an offering price of $10.00 per share and the amount in our trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share, implying an initial value of $10.00 per public share, our initial shareholders, prior to the IPO, paid only a nominal aggregate purchase price of $25,000 for 7,503,750 founder shares, or approximately $0.003 per share. As a result, the value of your public shares may be significantly diluted in the event we consummate an initial business combination, when the founder shares are converted into public shares.
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For example, the following table shows the dilutive effect of the founder shares on the implied value of the public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination assuming that our equity value at that time is $300,150,000, which is the amount we would have for our initial business combination in the trust account assuming no interest is earned on the funds held in the trust account, and no public shares are redeemed in connection with our initial business combination. At such valuation, each of our ordinary shares would have an implied value of $8.00 per share upon consummation of our initial business combination, which is a 20.0% decrease as compared to the initial implied value per public share of $10.00.
| Public shares | 30,015,000 | |||
| Founder shares | 7,503,750 | |||
| Total shares | 37,518,750 | |||
| Total funds in trust available for initial business combination(1) | $ | 300,150,000 | ||
| Implied value per share following consummation of initial business combination(1)(2) | $ | 8.00 | ||
| Public shareholders’ investment per share | $ | 10.00 | ||
| Investment of initial shareholders per share(3) | $ | 0.47 |
| (1) | Does not take into account other potential impacts on our valuation at the time of the business combination, such as the trading price of our public shares, the terms of the business combination transaction (including any equity issued to or retained by, or cash or other consideration paid to, the target’s shareholder or other third parties), the business combination transaction costs, or the target’s business itself, including its assets, liabilities, management and prospects. For instance, the potential dilution experienced by holders of our ordinary shares may be mitigated if the business combination agreement is structured such that the potential dilutive impact of the founder shares is borne by all shareholders in the pro forma company. | |
| (2) | Note that redemptions of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination would further reduce the implied value of our ordinary shares. For instance, in this example, if 50% of the public shares were redeemed in connection with our initial business combination, the implied value per ordinary share would be $6.67. | |
| (3) | The total investment of the initial shareholders, including the sponsor, sponsor affiliates and the consultant, in the equity of the company, inclusive of the purchase of founder shares totaling $25,000 and the sponsor’s $3,500,000 investment in the private placement warrants, is $3,525,000. |
Upon the closing of the IPO, our initial shareholders invested in us an aggregate of $3,525,000, comprised of the $25,000 purchase price for the founder shares and the $3,500,000 purchase price for the private placement warrants. Assuming no additional shares are issued upon exercise of any warrants held by the sponsor, even if the trading price of our ordinary shares were as low as $0.47 per share, the value of the founder shares would be equal to the initial investment of the initial shareholders in us. As a result, our initial shareholders are likely to be able to make a substantial profit on its investment in us at a time when our public shares have lost significant value. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interests in our sponsor and includes member directly owns founder shares, may be more willing to pursue a business combination with a riskier or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor and sponsor affiliates had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares.
You will not be permitted to exercise your warrants unless we register and qualify the underlying ordinary shares or certain exemptions are available.
If the issuance of the ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants is not registered on a registration statement on Form S-1, Form S-3, Form F-1, or Form F-3, as applicable, following our initial business combination, and qualified or exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state securities laws, holders of warrants will not be entitled to exercise such warrants and such warrants may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired their warrants as part of a purchase of Units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the ordinary shares included in the Units.
We are registering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part because the warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, which may be within one year of the IPO. However, because the warrants will be exercisable until their expiration date of up to five years after the completion of our initial business combination, in order to comply with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act following the consummation of our initial business combination under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days, after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, S-3, F-1, or F-3, as applicable, for the registration under the Securities Act of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days following the closing of our initial business combination and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current or correct or the SEC issues a stop order.
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If the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered on Form S-1, S-3, F-1, or F-3, as applicable, under the Securities Act under the terms of the warrant agreement, then beginning on the 61st business day after the closing of our initial business combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the SEC, and during any other period when we have failed to maintain an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants, holders of public warrants who seek to exercise their warrants will have the right to exercise such public warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption.
In no event will warrants be exercisable for cash, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the ordinary shares issuable upon such exercise of such warrants have been registered on a registration statement on Form S-1, Form S-3, Form F-1, or Form F-3, as applicable, following our initial business combination, and qualified or deemed exempt from registration or qualification under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder.
If our ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of “covered securities” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their public warrants to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement or register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws, or we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant, or issue securities (other than upon a cashless exercise as described above) or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.
You may only be able to exercise your public warrants on a “cashless basis” under certain circumstances, and if you do so, you will receive fewer ordinary shares from such exercise than if you were to exercise such warrants for cash.
The warrant agreement provides that in the following circumstances holders of warrants who seek to exercise their warrants will not be permitted to do for cash and will, instead, be required to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act: (i) if the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreement; if we have so elected and the ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of “covered securities” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act; and (iii) if we have so elected and we call the public warrants for redemption. If you exercise your public warrants on a cashless basis, you would pay the warrant 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 ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” of our ordinary shares (as defined in the next sentence) over the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” is the average reported closing 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 exercise is received by the warrant agent or on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, as applicable. As a result, you would receive fewer ordinary shares from such exercise than if you were to exercise such warrants for cash.
The grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders and holders of our private placement warrants and underwriter warrants may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, our initial shareholders and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the founder shares, holders of our private placement warrants, underwriter warrants, and their permitted transferees can demand that we register the private placement warrants, underwriter warrants, and the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants, underwriter warrants (subject to certain limitations with respect to the registration of the underwriter warrants and underlying shares pursuant to FINRA rules described in more detail elsewhere in this Annual Report), and holders of warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans may demand that we register such warrants or the ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of such warrants. We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our ordinary shares that is expected when the ordinary shares owned by our initial shareholders, holders of our private placement warrants, holders of underwriter warrants, or holders of our working capital loans or their respective permitted transferees are registered.
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We may issue additional ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.
Our articles authorize the issuance of up to 550,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Following the IPO and the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, there are 512,481,250 authorized but unissued ordinary shares available for issuance.
We may target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than what we could acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the private placement warrants. We may need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, or to fund the operations or growth of the target business, in the form of equity or debt financing. Although we have no commitment as of the date of this Annual Report, we may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. Additionally, following the closing of the business combination, additional shares may be issued under an employee incentive plan or upon exercise of any warrants, including private placement warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans. The issuance of additional ordinary shares or preference shares:
| ● | may significantly dilute the equity interest of our public shareholders; |
| ● | may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our ordinary shares; |
| ● | may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; |
| ● | could cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; |
| ● | may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Units, ordinary shares and/or warrants; and |
| ● | may not result in adjustment to the exercise price of our warrants. |
However, our articles provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares on any initial business combination. These provisions of our articles, like all provisions of our articles, may be amended with a shareholder vote.
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your warrants could be increased, the exercise period could be shortened and the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.
Our warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or to correct any defective provision or mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement set forth in this prospectus, (ii) adjusting the provisions relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder of public warrants if holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash or shares, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
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A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
If (i) we issue additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share (with the Newly Issued Price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial shareholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our initial shareholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance), (ii) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds (including from such issuances and the IPO), and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (iii) the Market Value of our ordinary shares is below $9.20 per share, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the last sales price of the ordinary shares that triggers the Company’s right to redeem the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
We may redeem your unexpired public warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
We have the ability to redeem all of the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of ordinary shares and equity- linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination as described elsewhere in this prospectus) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to proper notice of such redemption. We will not redeem the public warrants unless an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to those ordinary shares is available throughout the 30-day measurement period, or we have elected to require the exercise of the public warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act. If and when the public warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the public warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify such ordinary shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which warrants were offered by us in the IPO. Redemption of the outstanding public warrants could force you to (1) exercise your public warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) sell your public warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding public warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your public warrants.
Our warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.
We issued warrants to purchase 15,007,500 ordinary shares as part of the Units offered in the IPO and, simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we issued in a private placement an aggregate of 3,500,000 private placement warrants, at $1.00 per warrant. In addition, we issued 3,750,000 underwriter warrants to the representatives at the closing and if our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors makes any working capital loans, such lender may convert those loans into up to an additional 1,500,000 private placement warrants, at the price of $1.00 per warrant.
To the extent we issue ordinary shares to effectuate a business transaction, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional ordinary shares upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Such warrants, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares and reduce the value of the ordinary shares issued to complete the business transaction. Therefore, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business transaction or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
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Because each Unit contains one-half of one warrant and only a whole warrant may be exercised, the Units may be worth less than Units of other SPACs.
Each Unit contains one-half of one warrant. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, no fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units, and only whole Units will trade. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder. This is different from other offerings similar to ours whose Units include one ordinary share and one warrant to purchase one whole share. We have established the components of the Units in this way in order to reduce the dilutive effect of the warrants upon completion of a business combination since the warrants will be exercisable in the aggregate for one-half of the number of shares compared to Units that each contain a whole warrant to purchase one share, thus making us, we believe, a more attractive merger partner for target businesses. Nevertheless, this unit structure may cause our Units to be worth less than if it included a warrant to purchase one whole share.
Our warrant agreement designates the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.
Our warrant agreement provides that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We have waived any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. With respect to any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, we note, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the warrant agreement do not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our warrants shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a warrant holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our warrant agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
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Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. We will also be subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands.
The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a Federal court of the United States.
We have been advised by Ogier (Cayman) LLP, Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is currently no statutory enforcement or treaty between the United States and the Cayman Islands providing for enforcement of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive, given by a court of competent jurisdiction (the courts of the Cayman Islands will apply the rules of Cayman Islands private international law to determine whether the foreign court is a court of competent jurisdiction), and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. Furthermore, it is uncertain that Cayman Islands courts would enforce: (1) judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or other persons that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws; or (2) original actions brought against us or other persons predicated upon the Securities Act. Ogier has informed us that there is uncertainty with regard to Cayman Islands law relating to whether a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the securities laws will be determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands as penal, punitive in nature. A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
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General Risk Factors
We are a blank check company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a recently incorporated blank check company under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited operating results. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination. We may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Past performance by our management team, our advisors and their respective affiliates, including investments and transactions in which they have participated and businesses with which they have been associated, may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the company.
Information regarding our management team, our advisors and their respective affiliates, including investments and transactions in which they have participated and businesses with which they have been associated, is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience and performance by our management team, our advisors and their respective affiliates and the businesses with which they have been associated, is not a guarantee that we will be able to successfully identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination, that we will be able to provide positive returns to our shareholders, or of any results with respect to any initial business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical experiences of our management team, our advisors and their respective affiliates, including investments and transactions in which they have participated and businesses with which they have been associated, as indicative of the future performance of an investment in us or as indicative of every prior investment by each of the members of our management team, our advisors or their respective affiliates. The market price of our securities may be influenced by numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, and our shareholders may experience losses on their investment in our securities.
Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.
We depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those of third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against, or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.
We may be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our ordinary shares or warrants, the U.S. Holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our PFIC status for our current and subsequent taxable years may depend on the status of an acquired company pursuant to our initial business combination and whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception. Depending on the particular circumstances the application of the start-up exception may be subject to uncertainty, and there cannot be any assurance that we will qualify for the start-up exception. Accordingly, there can be no assurances with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. In addition, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status for any taxable year.
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Moreover, if we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, upon written request, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund” election, but there can be no assurance that we will timely provide such required information, and, under current law, such election would be unavailable with respect to our warrants in all cases. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see the section of the prospectus captioned “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction, which may result in taxes imposed on shareholders or warrant holders.
We may, in connection with our initial business combination or otherwise and, to the extent applicable, subject to requisite shareholder approval by special resolution under the Companies Act, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder or warrant holder to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder or warrant holder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity (or may otherwise result in adverse tax consequences). We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders or warrant holders to pay such taxes. Shareholders or warrant holders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of our ordinary shares or warrants after the reincorporation.
The 1% U.S. federal excise tax on stock buybacks could be imposed on redemptions of our stock if we were to become a “covered corporation” in the future.
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, generally imposes a 1% U.S. federal excise tax (the “Excise Tax”) on certain repurchases of stock by “covered corporations” (which include publicly traded domestic (i.e., U.S.) corporations and certain domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporations) occurring on or after January 1, 2023. The Excise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its holders from which the stock is repurchased. The amount of the Excise Tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the Excise Tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the Excise Tax. The U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) has authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the Excise Tax. On April 12, 2024, the Treasury published proposed Treasury regulations addressing the Excise Tax. Such proposed Treasury regulations clarify many aspects of the Excise Tax, although the interpretation and operation of certain other aspects of the Excise Tax remain unclear. Although these proposed Treasury regulations are not final, taxpayers generally may rely on them until final Treasury regulations are issued. However, there can be no assurance that final Treasury regulations will not adversely affect the accuracy of the below description of the Excise Tax considerations that may be applicable to us if we were to become a “covered corporation” in the future.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are currently not a “covered corporation” for purposes of the Excise Tax. Accordingly, we generally would not be subject to the Excise Tax on a redemptions of our stock in connection with an extension of the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination or in connection with our liquidation if we fail to consummate our initial business combination by such date. If we were to become a “covered corporation” in the future, whether and to what extent we would be subject to the Excise Tax on a redemption of our stock would depend on a number of factors, including (i) whether the redemption is treated as a repurchase of stock for purposes of the Excise Tax, (ii) the fair market value of the redemption treated as a repurchase of stock, (iii) the structure of our initial business combination, (iv) the nature and amount of any “PIPE” or other equity issuances (whether in connection with our initial business combination or otherwise) issued within the same taxable year of a redemption treated as a repurchase of stock and (v) the content of final Treasury regulations and other additional guidance from the Treasury addressing the Excise Tax. As noted above, the Excise Tax would be payable by the repurchasing corporation, and not by the redeeming holder. If we were to become a “covered corporation” in the future, the imposition of the Excise Tax on us as a result of redemptions by us could reduce the amount of cash available to pay redemptions or reduce the cash available to the target business in connection with our initial business combination, which could cause investors in our securities who do not redeem or the other shareholders of the combined company to economically bear the impact of such Excise Tax. The proceeds placed in the trust account and the interest earned thereon shall not be used to pay for the possible Excise Tax or any other similar fees or taxes that may be levied on the Company pursuant to any current, pending or future rules or laws, including without limitation any excise tax due under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on any redemptions or stock buybacks by our company.
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We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor internal controls attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates is equal to or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) our annual revenues equaled or exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals to or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
Item 2. Properties.
We currently utilize office space at 1180 North Town Center Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89144 from our sponsor. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations. Subsequent to the closing of the IPO, we have paid and will continue to pay our sponsor and/or its affiliates or designees an aggregate of up to $15,000 per month for office space, secretarial, administrative and support services provided to us and members of our management team. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
To the knowledge of our management, there is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such, and we and the members of our management team have not been subject to any such proceeding.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our Units, ordinary shares and public warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “TACOU,” “TACO” and “TACOW,” respectively.
Holders
As of December 31, 2025, there were 1, 5 and 3 holders of record of our Units, ordinary shares and warrants, respectively. The number of holders of record does not include a substantially greater number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders whose securities are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
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 our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends following completion of our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time and will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition at such time. There is no certainty we will be in a position to, or decide to, pay cash dividends after completing any business combination. On April 29, 2025, we capitalized US$31.63 standing to the credit of the Company’s share premium account and issued an additional 316,250 founder shares, resulting in our sponsor, sponsor affiliate and a consultant holding an aggregate of 7,503,750 founder shares as of the date hereof. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, our ability to declare dividends following completion of our initial business combination 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; Use of Proceeds from Registered Offerings
On November 11, 2024, our Sponsor and its affiliates purchased $23,957 for an aggregate of 6,887,500 ordinary shares and Meteora paid $1,043 for an aggregate of 300,000 ordinary shares. On April 29, 2025, we capitalized $31.63 standing to the credit of our share premium account and issued an additional 316,250 ordinary shares, resulting in our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, and Meteora holding an aggregate of 7,503,750 ordinary shares. Out of the total 7,503,750 founder shares held by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and the consultant, the sponsor, Harry You, Robert You and the consultant each directly holds 2,688,300, 2,401,200, 2,101,050 and 313,200 founder shares, respectively, each purchased at approximately $0.003 per share.
On May 1, 2025, we consummated our IPO of 30,015,000 Units, including the issuance of 3,915,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share of the Company and one-half of one redeemable warrant of the Company, with each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share for $10.50 per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an initial business combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the initial business combination, subject to adjustment, beginning 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination.
The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per share, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $300,150,000. Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC and Needham & Company, LLC acted as joint book-running managers. The securities in the offering were registered under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-286023). The SEC declared the registration statement effective on April 29, 2025.
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Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we completed the private placement of 3,500,000 Sponsor Private Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per Sponsor Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $3,500,000. Additionally, simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,750,000 underwriter private placement warrants” to the underwriters. Such securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Transaction costs of the IPO amounted to approximately $17.8 million, consisting of approximately $1.5 million of upfront underwriting fee, an approximately $11.7 of deferred underwriting fee, and approximately $4.6 million of other offering costs.
Of the gross proceeds received from the IPO, including the over-allotment option shares and the private placement of private placement warrants, $300,150,000 was placed in the trust account established with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee in connection with the IPO.
There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from such use as described in our IPO prospectus (File No. 333-286023) filed with the SEC on May 1, 2025.
Item 6. [Reserved.]
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.
Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on July 15, 2024 and incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While our focus is broad because of our perspective on technology and other growth industries having looked at over a thousand acquisition targets over the past decade, we will be examining in particular, opportunities in AI as well as in the rapidly growing wellness, longevity and aesthetics areas. Our articles prohibit us from effectuating a business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations.
The Sponsor is Berto Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company.
Financing Activities
Our registration statement for the Initial Public Offering was declared effective on April 29, 2025. On May 1, 2025, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 30,015,000 Units, including the issuance of 3,915,000 Units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $300.15 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $17.8 million, of which approximately $11.7 million was for deferred underwriting commissions.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the Private Placement of 3,500,000 Sponsor Private Placement Warrants to our Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Sponsor Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $3.5 million.
Additionally, simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we issued an aggregate of 3,750,000 Underwriter Private Placement Warrants to designees of the Representatives.
The Trust Account
Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, we deposited $300.15 million ($10.00 per share) of net proceeds, including the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement in a Trust Account located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and would be held only (i) uninvested as cash, (ii) in an interest bearing or non-interest bearing demand deposit account at a U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more selected by the trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or (iii) invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of one hundred eighty-five (185) days or less, or in money market funds that meet certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and that invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. To mitigate the risk that the Company might be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, which risk increases the longer the Company holds investments in the Trust Account, it may, at any time, instruct the trustee to liquidate the investments held in the Trust Account and instead to hold the funds in the Trust Account uninvested in cash or in an interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing demand deposit account. Funds will remain in the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Initial Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account proceeds as described below.
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Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Account will be released until the earlier of (i) the completion of the Initial Business Combination in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Initial Business Combination or without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer; (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares if we were unable to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Completion Window, subject to applicable law or (y) if we extend the Completion Window and such extension is conditioned upon depositing additional funds into the Trust Account, upon the end of a 30-day cure period after the date any such funds were required to be deposited but were not so deposited or (iii) the redemption of Public Shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an Initial Business Combination, (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of Public Shares if we have not consummated an Initial Business Combination within the Completion Window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of ordinary shares or pre-Initial Business Combination activity. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the Public Shareholders.
Initial Business Combination
Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating an Initial Business Combination. The Initial Business Combination must occur with one or more businesses having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the Trust Account (excluding any deferred underwriters fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the Initial Business Combination. However, we will only complete an Initial Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Furthermore, there is no assurance that we will be able to successfully effect an Initial Business Combination.
We provide Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of an Initial Business Combination either (i) in connection with a shareholders’ meeting called to approve the Initial Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of an Initial Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then held in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares.
The Public Shares were recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”). If we seek shareholder approval of an Initial Business Combination, we will complete the Initial Business Combination only if it is approved by an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting of our company.
Our Sponsor, Meteora, the Initial Shareholders, officers and directors, have entered into a letter agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they agreed to vote in favor of the Initial Business Combination and waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares they hold and any Public Shares that our Sponsor, Sponsor’s affiliates, officers and directors may acquire during or after the IPO in connection with the completion of the initial business combination.
Our articles also provides that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the public shares, without our prior consent.
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Pursuant to the articles if we are unable to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Completion Window, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the holders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Initial Shareholders have entered into agreements with our company pursuant to which they agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any founder shares held by them if we fail to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Completion Window. However, if the Initial Shareholders acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such shares if we fail to complete the Initial Business Combination within the prescribed time period.
Letter of Intent
On October 24, 2025, we entered into a non-binding LOI with OnMed, for a potential business combination. We did not enter into a definitive agreement with OnMed and on March 23, 2026, the LOI expired in accordance with its terms.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately $579,000 in cash and a working capital deficit of approximately $1,300.
Our liquidity needs prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering were satisfied through the payment of $25,000 from our Sponsor, its affiliates, and the Consultant to purchase founder shares, and a loan under the Note in the amount of approximately $222,000. We fully repaid the Note balance on May 1, 2025, and the Note was no longer available after closing. Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, our liquidity was derived from the net proceeds from the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement held outside of the Trust Account and advances from the Sponsor.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with our Initial Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide the Working Capital Loans to us. If we complete our Initial Business Combination, we would repay the Working Capital Loans. In the event that the Initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. If the Sponsor makes any Working Capital Loans, up to $1.5 million of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Initial Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants and their underlying securities would be identical to the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2025, we had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB ASC 205-40 - Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”, as of December 31, 2025, our management has determined that our current liquidity including, our access to funds from the Sponsor entity and the fact that our Sponsor and/or its affiliates agrees to make those funds available and has the financial wherewithal to provide such funds and the net proceeds from the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement held outside Trust once consummated, is sufficient to fund us the working capital needs through a minimum of one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
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Risks and Uncertainties
Global economic conditions remain subject to significant uncertainty and volatility resulting from a combination of changes in laws or regulations, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, increases in tariffs, supply chain disruptions, declines in consumer confidence and spending, public health considerations. Ongoing and escalating military conflicts, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, as well as the risk of further escalation or expansion of such conflicts, have contributed to heightened geopolitical instability and increased uncertainty in global markets.
These conditions have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, global economic activity through, among other things, disruptions to energy and commodity markets, volatility in foreign exchange and capital markets, supply chain dislocations, increased cybersecurity risks, and reduced cross-border trade and investment. In addition, elevated interest rates, inflationary pressures, tightening credit conditions, and concerns regarding sovereign debt and fiscal stability in various jurisdictions have contributed to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in global financial markets.
The extent and duration of these conditions remain uncertain, and the ultimate impact on the global economy, financial markets, and business confidence cannot be predicted. Continued or worsening geopolitical tensions, adverse macroeconomic developments, or additional policy or regulatory responses could adversely affect our search for an initial Business Combination and any target business with which the Company may ultimately consummate an initial Business Combination.
Results of Operations
Our entire activity from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2025 is related to our formation and the preparation for our Initial Public Offering, and since the closing of our Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial Business Combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of investment income from the Trust Account. We will continue 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. Additionally, we recognize non-cash gains and losses within other income (expense) related to changes in recurring fair value measurement of our derivative liabilities, if any, at each reporting period.
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we had net income of approximately $7.9 million, which consisted of approximately $8.5 million of interest income from operating account and investments held in the Trust Account, partially offset by approximately $647,000 of general and administrative expenses (of which $120,000 was for administrative expenses paid to our Sponsor and $75,000 was for CFO services to Meteora).
For the period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024, we had net loss of approximately $738,000, which consisted solely of general and administrative expenses.
Contractual Obligations
Registration Rights
The holders of the (i) founder shares, (ii) Sponsor Private Placement Warrants and the ordinary shares underlying such warrants, (iii) Underwriter Private Placement Warrants and the ordinary shares underlying such warrants, and (iv) warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans will have registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated April 29, 2025. The holders of founder shares, Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, and Working Capital Warrants are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders of founder shares, Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, and Working Capital Warrants have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of the Initial Business Combination. The Underwriter Private Placement Warrants (including the underlying shares) will be entitled to resale registration rights including one demand and unlimited “piggy-back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the commencement of sales in the Initial Public Offering, in compliance with FINRA Rule 5510(g)(8). We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
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Administrative Services and Indemnification Agreement
Commencing on May 1, 2025, we agreed to reimburse the Sponsor or an affiliate thereof in an amount equal to $15,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees. Payment for such administrative services to the Sponsor will be deferred and payable upon closing of an Initial Business Combination and will only be paid out of funds remaining outside of Trust Account. We recorded an aggregate of $120,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, and an outstanding balance of $120,000 as of December 31, 2025 in connection with such fees in accrued expenses — related parties in the accompanying statements of operations and balance sheet.
Our Sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates 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 Initial Business Combinations. These individuals will be eligible to receive a transfer or reallocation of founder shares for any extraordinary services rendered in order to identify or effectuate the consummation of the Initial Business Combination. We may pay cash compensation to its independent directors for services rendered to us. Additionally, we may pay consulting, success, advisory, or finder’s fees to our Sponsor, our officers or directors, advisors, or affiliates thereof in connection with the consummation of the Initial Business Combination. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our Sponsor, executive officers or directors, or our or their affiliates.
In addition, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement described above, we will indemnify our Sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to the Initial Public Offering or our operations or conduct of our business or any claim against our Sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our Sponsor of any of our activities or any express or implied association between our Sponsor and us or any of its affiliates, which agreement provides that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in the Trust Account.
Underwriting Agreement
We granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 3,915,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments at the Initial Public Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On May 1, 2025, the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option.
The underwriters were entitled to (1) an upfront underwriting fee of an aggregate amount of approximately $1.5 million, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, (2) an aggregate of 3,750,000 Underwriter Private Placement Warrants issued upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, and (3) the Deferred Fee of approximately $11.7 million. The Deferred Fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an Initial Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement and will be based on the amount of funds remaining in the Trust Account after shareholder redemptions of Public Shares in connection with the consummation of an Initial Business Combination, less funds sourced by Initial Shareholders, or any cash remaining in the Trust Account pursuant to structured agreements such as forward purchase agreements, non-redemption agreements, any agreements or arrangements alike, or any other incentivization provided to the shareholders to not to redeem.
The Underwriter Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants and Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, except that the Underwriter Private Placement Warrants held by the underwriters or their designees will not be exercisable more than five years after the commencement of sales in the Initial Public Offering.
CFO Services Agreement with Meteora
On June 13, 2025, in connection with the appointment of Vikas Mittal as our Chief Financial Officer, we entered into the CFO Services Agreement with Meteora, pursuant to which, among other things, we agreed to pay a quarterly fee of $37,500 to Meteora as consideration for Meteora making Mr. Mittal available to serve as our Chief Financial Officer starting in July 2025. We recorded $75,000 in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025 and an outstanding balance of $75,000 as of December 31, 2025 in connection with such fees in accrued expenses - related parties in the accompanying statements of operations and balance sheet.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:
Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering
We comply with the requirements of the FASB ASC 340-10-S99 — “Other Assets and Deferred Costs” — and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A — “Expenses of Offering.” Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees that were related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs associated with warrants were charged to shareholders’ deficit upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs associated with the Public Shares were charged against the carrying value of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.
Warrant Instruments
We account for all of the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). Accordingly, we evaluated and classified the warrant instruments under equity treatment at their assigned values. Such guidance provides that the Warrants will not be precluded from equity classification. Equity-classified contracts are initially measured at fair value (or allocated value). Subsequent changes in fair value are not recognized as long as the contracts continue to be classified in equity in accordance with ASC 480 and ASC 815. The fair value of the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants was measured at the issuance date using Monte Carlo simulation method. The model utilized the following Level 3 measurement inputs: an exercise price of $11.50, estimated underlying stock price of $10.07, volatility rate of 5.4%, risk free rate of 3.9% and expected terms of 7.01 years, resulting in a fair value per warrant of approximately $0.144.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2025, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(b)(1) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations.
JOBS Act
On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act and are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
As an “emerging growth company”, we are not required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our Initial Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Reference is made to pages F-1 through F-21 comprising a portion of this Annual Report, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
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.
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2025. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective, Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Annual Report present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Directors and Executive Officers
Our officers and directors are as follows:
| Name | Age | Position | ||
| Harry L. You | 66 | Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Vikas Mittal | 46 | Chief Financial officer | ||
| Sam Lynn | 58 | Director | ||
| Darla K. Anderson | 66 | Director | ||
| Constance Weaver | 73 | Director |
Harry L. You
Harry L. You is an experienced executive, chief financial officer and board member with extensive experience with technology companies who has been serving as our Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since our inception, and he previously served as Interim Chief Financial Officer from our inception until his resignation in June 2025. Mr. You has served as Chairman of the Board of Coliseum since June 2023 until the closing of its initial business combination in December 2024, and served as interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from June 2023 until July 2023, and he currently serves as Chairman of Rain Enhancement Technologies Holdco, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAIN). Mr. You has also served as Chairman of the Board and a Director of dMY Squared since March 2022, as well as Chief Financial Officer since February 2022 and Chief Executive Officer since February 2025 until the closing of its initial business combination in March 2026. From March 2022 until his resignation in March 2023, Mr. You has also served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of dMY Squared. He has also been a member of the Audit Committee of Broadcom since January 2019 as well as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Broadcom. Previously, he was Chief Financial Officer from September 2016 to August 2019 and President in May 2019 and from September 2016 to February 2019 and in May 2019 of GTY, a software as a service company that offers cloud-based solutions for the public sector. He was Executive Vice President in the Office of the Chairman of EMC from 2008 to 2016. When Mr. You joined EMC in 2008, he oversaw corporate strategy and new business development, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and venture capital activity. He was Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2007 and Interim Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2006 of BearingPoint Inc. (formerly KPMG Consulting), a leading IT and management consultancy. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Oracle from 2004 to 2005, in which capacity, he helped start Oracle’s acquisition run with takeovers of Peoplesoft, Inc. and Retek in 2005. Prior to joining Oracle, he held several key positions in finance, including as Chief Financial Officer of Accenture Ltd. from 2001 to 2004, guiding Accenture through its initial public offering, and a managing director in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley. He has also served as a trustee of the U.S. Olympic Committee Foundation from 2016 to 2022. Mr. You served as a director of IonQ, Inc. from October 2021 to February 2025. Mr. You served as Vice Chairman of the Board of GTY from February 2019 to July 2022 and as director of Coupang, Inc. from January 2021 to June 2023, Genius Sports Limited from April 2021 to December 2022, Rush Street Interactive, Inc. from September 2019 to June 2022, dMY II (a special purpose acquisition company) from June 2020 to April 2021, dMY IV (a special purpose acquisition company) from December 2020 to April 2023, and Korn/Ferry International from 2005 to 2016. Mr. You holds an M.A. in Economics from Yale University and a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College.
Vikas Mittal
Vikas Mittal has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2025. He has served as the Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer of Meteora Capital, LLC (“Meteora”), an alternative investment firm, since January 2022. He has nearly two decades of experience related to special purpose acquisition companies, and has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Investcorp Europe Acquisition Corp. I (“Investcorp,” Nasdaq: IVCB) since December 2024. He was previously a managing member of GSR II Meteora Sponsor LLC from October 2021 to June 2023, which was the Sponsor to GSR II Meteora Acquisition Corp., a SPAC which has since consummated its business combination. Prior to founding Meteora, Mr. Mittal was an investment professional and member of Glazer Capital, LLC, an investment management firm, from 2005 through the end of 2021. Over his 20 years on the buy-side as a principal investor, he has deployed capital across a range of event-driven investment strategies. Before transitioning to the buy-side, Mr. Mittal was part of the founding team that launched Raymond James’ TMT investment banking practice in Palo Alto, California, beginning in 2002. Mr. Mittal earned a B.S. in Finance, summa cum laude, from the University of Florida and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. He is also a CFA charterholder.
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Sam Lynn
Sam Lynn has served on our board of directors since April 2025. Sam was a partner at WilliamsMarston LLC and Chord Advisors LLC from 2014 to 2023. Both firms specialize in financial accounting advisory services for publicly listed and private equity-backed companies, with Chord Advisors being acquired by WilliamsMarston in 2021. Prior to this, he served as Vice President at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2014 and held the role of Executive Director at UBS AG prior to his tenure at Goldman Sachs. Sam began his career in public accounting, holding various assurance roles with EY and KPMG, ultimately serving as a partner in KPMG’s U.S. National Office. He earned a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in New York State.
Darla K. Anderson
Darla K. Anderson has served on our board of directors since April 2025. Ms. Anderson has served on the board of directors of dMY Squared since September 2022. Ms. Anderson has also served as a director of dMY Technology Group, Inc. VI from September 2021 to April 2023, a director of dMY Technology Group, Inc. IV from March 2021 to December 2021, a director of dMY Technology Group, Inc. III from November 2020 to October 2021, and a director of dMY Technology Group II from August 2020 to April 2021. Ms. Anderson is an Academy Award and Golden Globe winning feature film producer. From 1993 to March 2018, Ms. Anderson was a producer at Pixar Animation Studios, where she produced films such as “Coco,” “Toy Story 3,” “Cars,” “A Bug’s Life,” and “Monsters, Inc.” Following her tenure at Pixar, Ms. Anderson served as a producer at Netflix until May 2024. Ms. Anderson was elected to the Producers Council Board of the Producers Guild of America in July 2008. Prior to joining Pixar, Ms. Anderson worked with Angel Studios as the executive producer of their commercial division. Ms. Anderson served as a member of the board of directors of Glu (Nasdaq: GLUU) from March 2019 to April 2021 and was a director of dMY VI from September 2021 to April 2023. Ms. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science from San Diego State University.
Constance K. Weaver
Constance (Connie) has served on our board of directors since April 2025. Ms. Weaver has served on the board of directors of dMY Squared since September 2022. Ms. Weaver has served as Chief Marketing Officer and member of the operating committee for Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH) since July 2020 and serves on Equitable Holdings’ ESG Committee. Prior to joining Equitable, Ms. Weaver served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at TIAA from 2010 to 2017, where she oversaw the transformation of ITAA’s marketing strategy, digital experience, and brand. Previously, she was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at The Hartford from 2008 to 2010, and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of AT&T. She has also led award-winning organizations in investor relations and marketing as an executive at BearingPoint (2006-2008), AT&T (1996-2006), Microsoft (1995-1996), MCI (1990-1995) and McGraw-Hill (1980-1990). Ms. Weaver has diverse board and advisory experience, having served on the boards of several corporate and non-profit entities. She currently serves on the boards of Make-A-Wish America and National Council on Aging, where she serves as Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee. She also currently serves on the boards of National Endowment for Financial Education and Connecticut Public Media, among others, and formerly as a director of Waddell & Reed, Citizens Inc. (CIA) (2018-2021), Westchester Group Management Holding Company (formerly Silverado Premium Properties – 2011-2015) and Primark Corp. (1994-2000). Ms. Weaver holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Textile Science and Marketing from the University of Maryland and has completed the executive financial management programs at Stanford University and Wharton School of Business, the executive marketing management program at Columbia University, and the global strategic planning program at IMEDE (Switzerland).
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Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors consists of four members and is divided into three classes, with only one class of directors being appointed in each year, and with each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of shareholders) serving a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Darla K. Anderson and Constance Weaver, will expire at our first annual meeting of shareholders. In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Sam Lynn, will expire at our second annual meeting of shareholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Harry You, will expire at our third annual meeting of shareholders. We may not hold an annual meeting of shareholders until after we consummate our initial business combination. Subject to any other special rights applicable to the shareholders, any vacancies on our board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present and voting at the meeting of our board, or by a majority of the holders of our ordinary shares. Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Subject to the Companies Act, our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices of Secretary and any other office that may be required, (including one or more chief executive officers, presidents, a chief financial officer, a treasurer, vice-presidents, one or more assistant vice-presidents, one or more assistant treasurers and one or more assistant secretaries) as it deems appropriate.
Director Independence
The rules of Nasdaq require that a majority of our board of directors be independent within one year of our initial public offering. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person who, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). Our board of directors has determined that each of Sam Lynn, Darla K. Anderson, and Constance Weaver is an “independent director” as defined in Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors have had and will continue to have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Certain exemptions are available to us under the rules of Nasdaq and under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act that allow companies a phase-in period for complying with committee independence requirements after an initial public offering. Under these exemptions, companies are permitted to phase in compliance with these rules and regulations as follows: (1) one member must satisfy the requirement at the time of listing; (2) a majority of members must satisfy the requirement within 90 days of listing; and (3) all members must satisfy the requirement within one year of listing. Furthermore, companies listing in connection with their initial public offering have twelve months from the date of listing to comply with the majority independent board requirement. We do not intend to rely on these exemptions.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Each of our audit committee, our compensation committee and our nominating and corporate governance committee is composed solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules, the Nasdaq listing rule and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and the rules of Nasdaq require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Each committee operates under a charter that was approved by our board and has the composition and responsibilities described below. The charter of each committee are available on our website.
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Audit Committee
Our board of directors has established an audit committee of the board of directors. The initial members of our audit committee are Sam Lynn, Darla K. Anderson and Constance Weaver, each of whom meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Lynn serves as chairperson of the audit committee.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Sam Lynn qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules and has accounting or related financial management expertise.
We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the purpose and principal functions of the audit committee, including:
| ● | assisting board oversight of (1) the integrity of our financial statements, (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) our independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors; the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent auditors and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us; |
| ● | pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures; reviewing and discussing with the independent auditors all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their continued independence; |
| ● | setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent auditors describing (1) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures and (2) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues; |
| ● | meeting to review and discuss our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, including reviewing our specific disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”; reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and |
| ● | reviewing with management, the independent auditors, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |
Compensation Committee
Our board of directors has established a compensation committee of the board of directors. The initial members of our compensation committee are Sam Lynn, Darla K. Anderson and Constance Weaver. Under Nasdaq listing rules and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. Sam Lynn, Darla K. Anderson and Constance Weaver are independent and Ms. Weaver chairs the compensation committee.
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We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
| ● | reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our chief executive officer’s compensation, evaluating our chief executive officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our chief executive officer based on such evaluation; |
| ● | reviewing and making recommendations to our board of directors with respect to the compensation, and any incentive compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to board approval of all of our other officers; |
| ● | reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans; |
| ● | implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans; |
| ● | assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements; |
| ● | approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees; |
| ● | producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and |
| ● | reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors. |
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser and is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser.
However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our board of directors has established a nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors. The initial members of our nominating and corporate governance are Sam Lynn, Darla K. Anderson and Constance Weaver, and Ms. Anderson serves as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
We have adopted a nominating and corporate governance committee charter, which details the purpose and responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee, including:
| ● | identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors, consistent with criteria approved by the board, and recommending to the board of directors candidates for nomination for appointment at the annual general meeting of shareholders or to fill vacancies on the board of directors; |
| ● | developing and recommending to the board of directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines; |
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| ● | coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the board of directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and |
| ● | reviewing on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary. |
The charter also provides that the nominating and corporate governance committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of, and terminate, any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, and is directly responsible for approving the search firm’s fees and other retention terms.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders. Prior to our initial business combination, holders of our public shares will not have the right to recommend director candidates for nomination to our board of directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
Clawback Policy
We have adopted a compensation recovery policy that is compliant with Nasdaq listing rules as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We have filed a copy of our Code of Ethics as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You will be able to review this document by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the committees of our board of directors will be provided without charge upon request from us. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” If we make any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions requiring disclosure under applicable SEC or Nasdaq rules, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website. The information included on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of our securities by directors, officers and employees and their respective immediate family members, which are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and applicable Nasdaq listing standards while they are in possession of material nonpublic information (the “Insider Trading Policy”).
The foregoing description of the Insider Trading Policy does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Insider Trading Policy, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 19.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Conflicts of Interest
Under Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:
| (i) | duty to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole; |
| (ii) | duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose; |
| (iii) | directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion; |
| (iv) | duty to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders; |
| (v) | 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 |
| (vi) | 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 of that director.
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.
Our officers and directors presently and in the future may have additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to another entity pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our articles provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer or the sponsor shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a member of director, officer or sponsor to any other entity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations.
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Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations:
| Individual | Entity | Entity’s Business | Affiliation | |||
| Harry L. You | Broadcom Inc. | Semiconductor manufacturing company | Director Member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee | |||
| Rain Enhancement Technologies Holdco, Inc. | Ionization rainfall generation technology development company | Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||||
| Sam Lynn | WilliamsMarston LLC | Accounting, tax, valuation and transaction advisory firm | Partner | |||
| Eagle Football Holdings Ltd. | Global football organization | Director | ||||
| Constance Weaver | Equitable Holdings, Inc. | Financial services and insurance company | Chief Operating Officer Chief Marketing Officer | |||
| Vikas Mittal | Meteora Capital, LLC | Investment company | Managing Member |
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other SPACs similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination. With respect to dMY Squared, although in February 2025, it announced that it had entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Horizon, a developer of advanced software development tools for quantum computers, with respect to its initial business combination, it has not entered into a definitive agreement for such business combination as of the date of this prospectus, the fiduciary duties or obligations of our officer and director owed to it may materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. However, we believe that certain factors may mitigate the impact of such conflict, including: (1) the type of transaction we would target would be of a nature different than what dMY Squared would target. For instance, although both we and dMY Squared may pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or geographic region, we plan to focus the target search of our company in AI, as well as in the rapidly growing wellness, longevity and aesthetics areas, while dMY Squared intends to focus its search on companies within the professional service industry that provide accounting, legal, financial, advisory or other services to public companies or private companies that are in the process of becoming public companies; (2) even if both we and dMY Squared broaden the scope of search and choose to pursue targets in any industry or geographic region, our management team has significant experience in identifying and executing multiple acquisition opportunities simultaneously, and we believe there are multiple potential opportunities across all industries and geographic regions; and (3) we have different timelines in completing a business combination. dMY Squared currently has until April 29, 2025 (which may be extended monthly for an additional one month each time to up to December 29, 2025, by resolution of the board of directors of dMY Squared) to complete a business combination. While we expect that dMY Squared will have priority over us with respect to acquisition opportunities, due to a shorter completion window for dMY Squared, a target that we pursue may not be a suitable target for dMY Squared because it may not be able to combine with dMY Squared before its deadline. With respect to companies other than dMY Squared, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, and because we expect that our company will generally have priority over any other special purpose acquisition companies subsequently formed by our sponsor, officers or directors with respect to acquisition opportunities until we complete our initial business combination or enter into a contractual agreement that would restrict our ability to engage in material discussions regarding a potential initial business combination, we do not believe the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations will materially affect our ability to complete an initial business combination.
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Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
| ● | Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full- time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. |
| ● | Our sponsor and members of our management team directly or indirectly own our securities, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Out sponsor paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $8,956.52 for 2,688,300 founder shares, or approximately $0.003 per share. Harry L. You, our Chairman of the board of directors, paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $8,000 for 2,401,200 founder shares, or approximately $0.003 per share. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interest in our sponsor and includes member directly owns founder shares, may be more willing to pursue a business combination with a riskier or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor and sponsor affiliates had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares. Furthermore, certain members of our management team may receive compensation upon consummation of our initial business combination, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such compensation will not be received unless we consummate such business combination. In the event our sponsor or members of our management team provide loans to us to finance transaction costs and/or incur expenses on our behalf in connection with an initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such loans may not be repaid and/or such expenses may not be reimbursed unless we consummate such business combination. Additionally, subsequent to the closing of the IPO and until the closing of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we have paid and will continue to pay our sponsor and/or its affiliates or designees an aggregate of $15,000 per month for office space, secretarial and administrative services provided to members of our management team. Since payment for such administrative services will be deferred and payable upon the closing of a business combination and will only be paid out of funds remaining outside of Trust Account, our sponsor and/or its affiliates or designees who are to receive such deferred monthly payment may have similar conflicts of interests. Similarly, if we agree to pay our sponsor, our officers or directors, our advisors, or affiliates thereof consulting, success, advisory, or finder’s fees in order to effectuate the completion of our initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as any such fee may not be paid unless we consummate such business combination. |
| ● | Our initial shareholders purchased founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and our sponsor will purchase private placement warrants in a transaction that will close simultaneously with the closing of the IPO. Our initial shareholders have entered into agreements with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and any public shares they hold in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. The other members of our management team have entered into agreements similar to the one entered into by our initial shareholders with respect to any public shares acquired by them in or after the IPO. Additionally, our initial shareholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame or any extended period of time that we may have to consummate an initial business combination as a result of an amendment to our articles, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. |
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| ● | Additionally, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) if the closing price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after the company’s initial business combination or (iii) the date on which the company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the company’s public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Founder Shares, Private Placement Units and Restricted Private Placement Shares”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up. Because each of our officers and directors own ordinary shares or warrants directly or indirectly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. The low price that our sponsor, officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, the founder shares, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. |
| ● | Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. |
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors or completing the business combination through a joint venture or other form of shared ownership with our sponsor, officers or directors; accordingly, such affiliated person(s) may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such affiliated person(s) would have interests different from our public shareholders and would likely not receive any financial benefit unless we consummated such business combination. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a business combination target that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking which is a member of FINRA or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions stating that the consideration we are paying is fair to our company and its shareholders from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context. Further, commencing on the date our securities are first listed on Nasdaq, we will also pay our sponsor and/or its affiliates or designees an aggregate of $15,000 per month for office space, secretarial and administrative services provided to members of our management team.
We cannot assure you that any of the above-mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote their founder shares, and they and the other members of our management team have agreed to vote any founder shares they hold and any shares purchased during or after the offering in favor of our initial business combination (except with respect to any such public shares which may not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act and any SEC interpretations or guidance relating thereto).
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our articles provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We expect to purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
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Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.
Our indemnification obligations may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
On November 11, 2024, our Sponsor and its affiliates purchased $23,957 for an aggregate of 6,887,500 ordinary shares and a consultant, Meteora, paid $1,043 for an aggregate of 300,000 ordinary shares (none of the shares issued to Meteora were subject to forfeiture in connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option as described below). On April 29, 2025, we capitalized $31.63 standing to the credit of our share premium account and issued an additional 316,250 ordinary shares, resulting in our Sponsor, Sponsor Affiliates, and Meteora holding an aggregate of 7,503,750 ordinary shares. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization. In connection with the consummation of the IPO, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, and as such the founder shares were no longer subject to forfeiture. The “sponsor affiliates” include Harry You, who acts as the Executive Chairman of our board of directors and the managing member of the Sponsor, and Robert You, adult son of Harry You. Both Messrs. You directly own membership interests in our sponsor. Out of the total 7,503,750 founder shares held by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and the consultant, the sponsor, Harry You, Robert You and the consultant each directly holds 2,688,300, 2,401,200, 2,101,050 and 313,200 founder shares, respectively, each purchased at approximately $0.003 per share. Of these, up to 978,750 of the founder shares held by the Sponsor and Sponsor’s affiliates were subject to forfeiture up to the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised. In connection with the consummation of the IPO on May 1, 2025, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, and as such the founder shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.
On June 13, 2025, we entered the CFO Services Agreement pursuant to which, among other things, the Company has paid will continue to pay a quarterly fee of $37,500 to Meteora as consideration for Meteora making Mr. Mittal available to serve as our chief financial officer. Other than the foregoing, Mr. Mittal is not a party to any other arrangement or understanding pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer.
In addition, our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates 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. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made from funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination.
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After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with a proposed initial business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed initial business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.
We have no compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 30, 2026, by:
| ● | each person known by us to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares of, on an as-converted basis; |
| ● | each of our officers and directors; and |
| ● | all of our officers and directors as a group. |
The following table is based on 37,518,750 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 30, 2026. Unless otherwise indicated, it is believed that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage | ||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers | ||||||||
| Harry L. You(2) | 5,089,500 | 13.6 | % | |||||
| Vikas Mittal | - | - | ||||||
| Sam Lynn | - | - | ||||||
| Darla K. Anderson | - | - | ||||||
| Constance K. Weaver | - | - | ||||||
| All officers and directors as a group (five individuals) | 5,089,500 | 13.6 | % | |||||
| 5% Holders | ||||||||
| Berto Acquisition Sponsor LLC(2) | 2,688,300 | 7.2 | % | |||||
| Robert H. You | 2,101,050 | 5.6 | % | |||||
| (1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following is 1180 North Town Center Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89144. |
| (2) |
The 2,688,300 Ordinary Shares reported by Berto Acquisition Sponsor LLC and Harry L. You are held directly by Berto Acquisition Sponsor LLC. Harry L. You is the sole managing member of the Sponsor and shares voting and dispositive control over the securities held directly by the Sponsor. Harry L. You disclaims any beneficial ownership of the securities held by the Sponsor other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly. |
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Founder Shares
On November 11, 2024, our Sponsor and its affiliates purchased $23,957 for an aggregate of 6,887,500 ordinary shares and a consultant, Meteora, paid $1,043 for an aggregate of 300,000 ordinary shares (none of the shares issued to Meteora were subject to forfeiture in connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option as described below). On April 29, 2025, we capitalized $31.63 standing to the credit of our share premium account and issued an additional 316,250 ordinary shares, resulting in our Sponsor, Sponsor Affiliates, and Meteora holding an aggregate of 7,503,750 ordinary shares. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the share capitalization. The “sponsor affiliates” include Harry You, who acts as the Executive Chairman of our board of directors and the managing member of the Sponsor, and Robert You, adult son of Harry You. Both Messrs. You directly own membership interests in our sponsor. Out of the total 7,503,750 founder shares held by our sponsor, sponsor affiliates and the consultant, the sponsor, Harry You, Robert You and the consultant each directly holds 2,688,300, 2,401,200, 2,101,050 and 313,200 founder shares, respectively, each purchased at approximately $0.003 per share. Of these, up to 978,750 of the founder shares held by the Sponsor and Sponsor’s affiliates were subject to forfeiture up to the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised. In connection with the consummation of the IPO on May 1, 2025, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, and as such the founder shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.
The founder shares are identical to the ordinary shares, except that:
| ● | the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; |
| ● | the founder shares are entitled to registration rights; |
| ● | our initial shareholders, sponsor affiliates, sponsor, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares they hold and any public shares (including public shares that are part of a public unit) the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares they hold and any public shares held by the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our articles (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account and to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame); and |
| ● | if we submit our initial business combination to our public shareholders for a vote, our initial shareholders have agreed to vote any founder shares they held and any public shares the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors purchased during or after this offering in favor of our initial business combination and we will only complete our initial business combination if the business combination is approved by an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, meaning the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes by the shareholders of the issued shares represented in person or represented by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, voting together as a single class. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 11,255,626 or 37.5% of the 30,015,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only the holders of one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our articles, vote their ordinary shares at a general meeting of the company, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to approve an initial business combination. |
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Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property; except to certain permitted transferees and under certain circumstances, or (iii) if the closing price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after the company’s initial business combination. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up.
Private Placement Units
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, pursuant to a Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreements, the Company completed the private sale of an aggregate of 3,500,000 sponsor private placement warrants to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Sponsor Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $3,500,000. Additionally, on May 1, 2025, simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, pursuant to the Underwriter Warrants Purchase Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement, each by and between the Company and the Representatives, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,750,000 underwriter private placement warrants to designees of the Representatives.
Sponsor Loans
Due to Related Party
Our Sponsor and us entered into a loan agreement on August 23, 2024, which was later amended on December 31, 2024, whereby our Sponsor agreed to loan us an aggregate of up to $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan was non-interest bearing and payable on the closing date of the Initial Public Offering. We borrowed an aggregate of approximately $222,000 under the Note and fully repaid the Note on May 1, 2025, and the Note was no longer available after closing.
Subsequent to May 1, 2025, our Sponsor or its affiliate paid an aggregate of approximately $72,000 for operating expenses on behalf of our company and advanced $250,000 in cash to us. As of December 31, 2025, we recorded an aggregate of approximately $322,000 in due to related party in the accompanying balance sheet. Subsequent to December 31, 2025, we repaid $250,000 to our Sponsor or its affiliate.
Working Capital Loan
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with its Initial Business Combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor, or our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If we complete our Initial Business Combination, we would repay the Working Capital Loans. In the event that the Initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the trust account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the trust account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. If our sponsor makes any Working Capital Loans, up to $1.5 million of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants and their underlying securities would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2025, we had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
Administrative Services and Indemnification Agreement
Commencing on May 1, 2025, we agreed to reimburse the Sponsor or an affiliate thereof in an amount equal to $15,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees. Payment for such administrative services to the Sponsor will be deferred and payable upon closing of an Initial Business Combination and will only be paid out of funds remaining outside of Trust Account. We recorded an aggregate of $120,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, and an outstanding balance of $120,000 as of December 31, 2025 in connection with such fees.
In addition, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement described above, we will indemnify our Sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to the Initial Public Offering or our operations or conduct of our business or any claim against our Sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by our Sponsor of any of our activities or any express or implied association between our Sponsor and us or any of its affiliates, which agreement provides that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in the Trust Account.
CFO Services Agreement with Meteora
On June 13, 2025, in connection with the appointment of Vikas Mittal as our Chief Financial Officer, we entered into the CFO Services Agreement with Meteora, pursuant to which, among other things, we agreed to pay a quarterly fee of $37,500 to Meteora as consideration for Meteora making Mr. Mittal available to serve as our Chief Financial Officer starting in July 2025. We recorded $75,000 in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025 and an outstanding balance of $75,000 as of December 31, 2025 in connection with such fees.
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Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions
The audit committee of our board of directors has adopted a policy setting forth the policies and procedures for its review and approval or ratification of “related party transactions.” A “related party transaction” is any consummated or proposed transaction or series of transactions: (i) in which the company was or is to be a participant; (ii) the amount of which exceeds (or is reasonably expected to exceed) the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of the company’s total assets at year-end for the prior two completed fiscal years in the aggregate over the duration of the transaction (without regard to profit or loss); and (iii) in which a “related party” had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related parties” under this policy will include: (i) our directors, nominees for director or officers; (ii) any record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities; (iii) any immediate family member of any of the foregoing if the foregoing person is a natural person; and (iv) any other person who maybe a “related person” pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the policy, the audit committee will consider (i) the relevant facts and circumstances of each related party transaction, including if the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s-length dealings with an unrelated third party, (ii) the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction, (iii) whether the transaction contravenes our Code of Ethics or other policies, (iv) whether the audit committee believes the relationship underlying the transaction to be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders and (v) the effect that the transaction may have on a director’s status as an independent member of the board and on his or her eligibility to serve on the board’s committees. Management will present to the audit committee each proposed related party transaction, including all relevant facts and circumstances relating thereto. Under the policy, we may consummate related party transactions only if our audit committee approves or ratifies the transaction in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the policy. The policy will not permit any director or executive officer to participate in the discussion of, or decision concerning, a related person transaction in which he or she is the related party.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The firm of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, or Withum, acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees paid to Withum for services rendered.
Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our period-end financial statements, reviews of our quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings, including our registration statement on Form S-1 in connection with our initial public offeringss. The aggregate fees billed by Withum for audit services, inclusive of required filings with the SEC for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, totaled $188,480 and $0, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to performance of the audit or review of our year-end financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards. We did not pay Withum any audit-related fees during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Tax Fees. Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services relating to tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. We did not pay Withum any tax fees during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
All Other Fees. All other fees consist of fees billed for all other services. We did not pay Withum any other fees during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Pre-Approval Policy
Our Audit Committee was formed upon the consummation of our IPO. 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 performed and 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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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
| (1) | Financial Statements. |
Exhibit Index
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| * | Filed herewith. |
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
Not applicable.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly cause this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Date: March 30, 2026 | Berto Acquisition Corp. | |
| By: | /s/ Harry L. You | |
| Name: | Harry L. You | |
| Title: | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Harry L. You her or his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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.
| /s/ Harry L. You | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | March 30, 2026 | ||
| Harry L. You | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ Vikas Mittal | Chief Financial Officer | March 30, 2026 | ||
| Vikas Mittal | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Sam Lynn | Director | March 30, 2026 | ||
| Sam Lynn | ||||
| /s/ Constance K. Weaver | Director | March 30, 2026 | ||
| Constance K. Weaver | ||||
| /s/ Darla K. Anderson | Director | March 30, 2026 | ||
| Darla K. Anderson |
87
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Berto Acquisition Corp.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025 and for the period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024, 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, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025 and for the period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the entity’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 audit 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 entity’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/
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024.
March 30, 2026
PCAOB
ID Number
F-2
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Offering costs associated with initial public offering | ||||||||
| Investments held in Trust Account | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities, Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption and Shareholders’ Deficit | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses - related parties | ||||||||
| Due to related party | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred underwriting commissions | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) | ||||||||
| Ordinary shares, $ par value; shares authorized; and shares subject to possible redemption at $ per share as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ Deficit | ||||||||
| Preference shares, $ par value; shares authorized; issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 | ||||||||
| Ordinary shares, $par value; shares authorized; non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Total shareholders’ deficit | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Total Liabilities, Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption and Shareholders’ Deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-3
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
For the Period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024 |
|||||||
| General and administrative expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Loss from operations | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Other income: | ||||||||
| Interest income on operating account | ||||||||
| Investment income from investments held in Trust Account | ||||||||
| Total other income | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding of Public Shares, basic and diluted | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share, Public Share | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding of Founder Shares, basic | ||||||||
| Basic net income (loss) per share, Founder Share | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding of Founder Shares, diluted | ||||||||
| Diluted net income (loss) per share, Founder Share | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-4
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Redeemable | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Shares | Paid-in | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Issuance of Private Placement Warrants to Sponsor | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Underwriter Warrants | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Offering costs associated with issuance of warrants as part of the Units in the Initial Public Offering | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| For the Period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Shares | Paid-in | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance - July 15, 2024 (Inception) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of ordinary shares to Sponsor, its affiliate and consultant | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation expenses | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance - December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-5
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the Year Ended |
For the Period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through |
|||||||
| December 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
|||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses paid on the Company’s behalf by related party | ||||||||
| Investment income from investments held in Trust Account | ( |
) | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( |
) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | ( |
) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ( |
) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses – related parties | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( |
) | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||
| Cash deposited in Trust Account | ( |
) | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( |
) | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Cash received from related party | ||||||||
| Repayment of note payable to related party | ( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Sponsor, its affiliate and consultant | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from initial public offering, gross | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from private placement | ||||||||
| Offering costs paid | ( |
) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash | ||||||||
| Cash - beginning of the period | ||||||||
| Cash - end of the period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Offering costs paid by related party under promissory note | $ | $ | ||||||
| Offering costs included in accrued expenses | $ | $ | |
|||||
| Issuance of underwriter warrants | $ | $ | ||||||
| Deferred underwriting commissions | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-6
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Note 1 — Description of Organization and Business Operations
Organization and General
Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on July 15, 2024 (the inception date). The Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses that the Company has not yet identified (the “Initial Business Combination”). The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act”, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had not yet commenced operations. All activity for the period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2025 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and since the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective Initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.
The Company’s sponsor is Berto Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”).
Initial Public Offering and Private Placement
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on April 29, 2025. On May 1, 2025, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering (see Note 3) of units (the “Units” and, with respect to the ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), including the issuance of Units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, at $ per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of warrants (the “Sponsor Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Sponsor Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $
Additionally, simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of warrants (the “Underwriter Private Placement Warrants”, and together with the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, the “Private Placement Warrants”) to designees of the representative of the underwriters (the “Representatives”) (see Note 6).
The Trust Account
Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, the Company deposited $
F-7
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its taxes, if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Account will be released until the earlier of (i) the completion of the Initial Business Combination in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Initial Business Combination or without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer; (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares if the Company was unable to complete the Initial Business Combination within the completion window (as defined below), subject to applicable law or (y) if the Company extends the completion window and such extension is conditioned upon depositing additional funds into the Trust Account, upon the end of a 30-day cure period after the date any such funds were required to be deposited but were not so deposited or (iii) the redemption of Public Shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s articles (as defined below) not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an Initial Business Combination, (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of Public Shares if the Company has not consummated an Initial Business Combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of ordinary shares or pre-Initial Business Combination activity. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the holders of the Company’s Public Shares (the “Public Shareholders”).
Initial Business Combination
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating an Initial Business Combination. The Initial Business Combination must occur with one or more businesses having an aggregate fair market value of at least
The Company provides Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of an Initial Business Combination either (i) in connection with a shareholders’ meeting called to approve the Initial Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of an Initial Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require the Company to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. The Public Shareholders are entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then held in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares.
The Public Shares were recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”). If the Company seeks shareholder approval of an Initial Business Combination, the Company will complete the Initial Business Combination only if it is approved by an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting of the Company.
The Sponsor, Consultant (as defined in Note 5), and any other holder of the Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) prior to the Initial Public Offering (the “Initial Shareholders”), officers and directors, entered into a letter agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they agreed to vote in favor of the Initial Business Combination and waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares they hold and any Public Shares the Sponsor, Sponsor’s affiliates, officers and directors may acquire during or after this offering in connection with the completion of the Initial Business Combination.
F-8
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
The Company’s articles also provide that a Public Shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), are restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “articles”) if the Company is unable to complete the Initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or May 1, 2027 (the “Completion Window”), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes and up to $
Risks and Uncertainties
Global economic conditions remain subject to significant uncertainty and volatility resulting from a combination of changes in laws or regulations, downturns in the financial markets or in economic conditions, inflation, fluctuations in interest rates, increases in tariffs, supply chain disruptions, declines in consumer confidence and spending, public health considerations. Ongoing and escalating military conflicts, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, as well as the risk of further escalation or expansion of such conflicts, have contributed to heightened geopolitical instability and increased uncertainty in global markets.
These conditions have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, global economic activity through, among other things, disruptions to energy and commodity markets, volatility in foreign exchange and capital markets, supply chain dislocations, increased cybersecurity risks, and reduced cross-border trade and investment. In addition, elevated interest rates, inflationary pressures, tightening credit conditions, and concerns regarding sovereign debt and fiscal stability in various jurisdictions have contributed to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in global financial markets.
The extent and duration of these conditions remain uncertain, and the ultimate impact on the global economy, financial markets, and business confidence cannot be predicted. Continued or worsening geopolitical tensions, adverse macroeconomic developments, or additional policy or regulatory responses could adversely affect the Company’s search for an Initial Business Combination and any target business with which the Company may ultimately consummate an initial Business Combination.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As
of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately $
The
Company’s liquidity needs prior to the closing of the Initial Public Offering were satisfied through the payment of $
F-9
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with its Initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide the Working Capital Loans to the Company (as defined in Note 5). If the Company completes its Initial Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans. In the event that the Initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. If the Sponsor makes any Working Capital Loans, up to $1.5 million of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post Initial Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants and their underlying securities would be identical to the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no borrowings under the Working Capital Loans.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB ASC 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern, Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”, as of December 31, 2025, management has determined that the Company’s current liquidity including, the Company’s access to funds from the Sponsor entity and the fact that the Sponsor and/or its affiliates agrees to make those funds available and has the financial wherewithal to provide such funds and the net proceeds from the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement held outside Trust once consummated, is sufficient to fund the working capital needs of the Company through a minimum of one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Emerging Growth Company
As an emerging growth company, the Company may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
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 an emerging growth 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 a 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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company does
F-10
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $
Investments Held in Trust Account
The Company’s portfolio of investments was comprised of U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or investments in money market funds that invest in U.S. government securities and generally have a readily determinable fair value, or a combination thereof. When the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are comprised of U.S. government securities, the investments are classified as trading securities. When the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are comprised of money market funds, the investments are recognized at fair value. Trading securities and investments in money market funds are presented on the balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities are included in investment income from investments held in Trust Account in the accompanying statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined using available market information.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of these financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering
The Company complies with the requirements of the FASB ASC 340-10-S99, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering.” Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees that were related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs associated with warrants were charged to shareholders’ equity(deficit) upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs associated with the Public Shares were charged against the carrying value of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.
Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.
F-11
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
| ● | Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets; |
| ● | Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
| ● | Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. |
The following tables sets forth the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2025:
| Schedule of fair value on a recurring basis | ||||||||||||
| Description | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||
| Investments held in Trust Account - U.S. Treasury Securities(1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (1) |
|
There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 31, 2025.
There were no financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024.
As discussed in Note 1, all of the 30,015,000 Public Shares contain a redemption feature. In accordance with the FASB ASC 480-10-S99-3A, “Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities”, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require the security to be classified outside of permanent equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of ASC 480. The Company classified all of the Public Shares as redeemable. Immediately upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company recognized a one-time charge against additional paid-in capital (to the extent available) and accumulated deficit for the difference between the initial carrying value of the Public Shares and the redemption value. The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and will adjust the carrying value of redeemable shares to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period.
F-12
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
As of December 31, 2025, the amount of Public Shares reflected on the balance sheet is reconciled in the following table:
| Schedule of Public Shares reflected on the balance sheet | ||||
| Public Shares subject to possible redemption - December 31, 2024 | $ | |||
| Plus: | ||||
| Gross proceeds | ||||
| Less: | ||||
| Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants | ( |
) | ||
| Public Shares issuance costs | ( |
) | ||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | ||||
| Public Shares subject to possible redemption - December 31, 2025 | $ |
Warrant Instruments
The Company accounts for all of the Public
Warrants and Private Placement Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and
Hedging” (“ASC 815”). Accordingly, the Company evaluated and classified the warrant instruments under equity
treatment at their assigned values. Such guidance provides that the Warrants (as defined below) will not be precluded from equity
classification. Equity-classified contracts are initially measured at fair value (or allocated value). Subsequent changes in fair
value are not recognized as long as the contracts continue to be classified in equity in accordance with ASC 480 and ASC 815. The
fair value of the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants was measured at the issuance date using a Monte Carlo
simulation method. The model utilized the following Level 3 measurement inputs: an exercise price of $,
estimated underlying stock price of $,
volatility rate of %,
risk-free rate of %
and expected terms of
years, resulting in a fair value per warrant of approximately $
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Public Shares and Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5). Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Net income (loss) per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the respective period. The Company has not considered the effect of the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants to purchase an aggregate of shares in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events and the inclusion of such warrants would be anti-dilutive. Accretion associated with the redeemable Public Shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
F-13
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for each class of ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2025 and for the period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024:
| Schedule of basic and diluted net loss per share | ||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
For the Period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024 |
|||||||||||||||
| Public Shares |
Founder Shares |
Public Shares |
Founder Shares |
|||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of net income (loss) - basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Allocation of net income (loss) - diluted | 5,789,405 | 2,086,909 | - | (738,290 | ) | |||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic net income (loss) per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Diluted net income (loss) per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||
Stock Compensation
The Company’s policy is to account for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date and recognized over the requisite service period. To the extent a stock-based award is subject to performance conditions, the amount of expense recorded in a given period, if any, reflects an assessment of the probability of achieving such performance condition, with compensation recognized once the event is deemed probable to occur. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), 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 statements 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
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 Cayman Islands
is the Company’s major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax
benefits as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were
F-14
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
The Company is a Cayman Islands exempted company with no connection to any other taxable jurisdiction and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the Cayman Islands or the United States. As such, the Company currently has no income tax provision.
Recent Accounting Standards
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The amendments in this ASU require disclosures, on an annual and interim basis, of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), as well as the aggregate amount of other segment items included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss. The ASU requires that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Public entities will be required to provide all annual disclosures currently required by Topic 280 in interim periods, and entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this ASU and existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 on January 1, 2025.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3 — Initial Public Offering
On May 1, 2025, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of Units, including the issuance of Units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, at $ per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $
Each Unit consists of one Public Share and one-half of one Public Warrants. Each whole Warrant, when exercisable, entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $ per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an Initial Business Combination or $
Note 4 — Private Placement
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the Private Placement of Sponsor Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Sponsor Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $
Each Sponsor Private Placement Warrant is identical to the Public Warrants, except that (i) the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants (including the underlying shares) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the completion of the Company’s Initial Business Combination, (ii) they (including the underlying shares) will be entitled to registration rights, (iii) they will not be redeemable by the Company and (iv) they may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis.
Each Sponsor Private Placement Warrant will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination and will expire after five years after completion of the Initial Business Combination or earlier upon liquidation. If the Initial Business Combination is not completed within the Completion Window, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law).
F-15
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Note 5 — Related Party Transactions
Founder Shares
The Initial Shareholders agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of (A) one year after the completion of the Initial Business Combination, or (B) subsequent to the Initial Business Combination, if (x) the closing price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period, provided such release shall not occur earlier than 150 days after the Initial Business Combination or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
Administrative Services and Indemnification Agreement
Commencing
on May 1, 2025, the Company agreed to reimburse the Sponsor or an affiliate thereof in an amount equal to $
The Sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on the Company’s behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable Initial Business Combinations. These individuals will be eligible to receive a transfer or reallocation of Founder Shares for any extraordinary services rendered in order to identify or effectuate the consummation of the Initial Business Combination. The Company may pay cash compensation to its independent directors for services rendered to the Company. Additionally, the Company may pay consulting, success, advisory, or finder’s fees to the Sponsor, the Company’s officers or directors, advisors, or affiliates thereof in connection with the consummation of the Initial Business Combination. The Company’s audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to the Sponsor, executive officers or directors, or the Company’s or their affiliates.
In addition, pursuant to the administrative services and indemnification agreement described above, the Company will indemnify the Sponsor from any claims arising out of or relating to the Initial Public Offering or the Company’s operations or conduct of the Company’s business or any claim against the Sponsor alleging any expressed or implied management or endorsement by the Sponsor of any of the Company’s activities or any express or implied association between the Sponsor and the Company or any of its affiliates, which agreement provides that the indemnified parties cannot access the funds held in the Trust Account.
F-16
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Related Party Loans
Due to Related Party
The Company and the Sponsor entered into a loan agreement on August 23, 2024, which was later amended on December 31, 2024, whereby the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of up to $
Subsequent to May 1, 2025, the Sponsor or its affiliate paid
an aggregate of approximately $
Working Capital Loans
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with its Initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes its Initial Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans. In the event that the Initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. If the Sponsor makes any Working Capital Loans, up to $
Consulting Agreement with Meteora
On November 11, 2024, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Meteora, pursuant to which Meteora provided consulting, advisory and related services to the Company with respect to general special purpose acquisition company structuring and capital markets matters.
In consideration of the services provided, the Company agreed to sell Founder Shares to Meteora for an aggregate purchase price of $. The Company estimated the fair value of such shares of $ based on Monte Carlo simulation model and recorded as stock-based compensation expense. The significant assumptions used in the valuation included an expected volatility of approximately %, a risk-free interest rate of approximately %, an expected term of approximately three years, an estimated probability of completing a business combination of approximately %, an underlying share price of approximately $ to $ per share and a dividend yield of %.
CFO Services Agreement with Meteora
On June 13, 2025, in connection with the appointment of Vikas Mittal as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company entered into a Chief Financial Officer services agreement with Meteora (the “CFO Services Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company agreed to pay a quarterly fee of $37,500 to Meteora as consideration for Meteora making Mr. Mittal available to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company starting in July 2025. The Company recorded $75,000 in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025 and has outstanding balance of $75,000 as of December 31, 2025 in connection with such fees in accrued expenses - related parties in the accompanying statement of operations and balance sheet.
F-17
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies
Registration Rights
The holders of the (i) Founder Shares, (ii) Sponsor Private Placement Warrants and the ordinary shares underlying such warrants, (iii) Underwriter Private Placement Warrants and the ordinary shares underlying such warrants, and (iv) warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans have registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated April 29, 2025. The holders of Founder Shares, Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, and Working Capital Warrants are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders of Founder Shares, Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, and Working Capital Warrants have certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the Initial Business Combination. The Underwriter Private Placement Warrants (including the underlying shares) are entitled to resale registration rights including one demand and unlimited “piggyback” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the commencement of sales in the Initial Public Offering, in compliance with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 5510(g)(8). The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to
The underwriters were entitled to (1) an upfront underwriting fee of an aggregate amount of approximately $
The Underwriter Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants and Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, except that the Underwriter Private Placement Warrants held by the underwriters or their designees will not be exercisable more than five years after the commencement of sales in the Initial Public Offering.
F-18
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Note 7 — Shareholders’ Deficit
Preference Shares
The Company is authorized to issue preference shares with a par value of $ per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were preference shares issued or outstanding.
Ordinary Shares
The Company is authorized to issue ordinary shares with a par value of $ per share.
Ordinary shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Unless specified in the Company’s articles, or as required by applicable provisions of the Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of ordinary shares that are represented in person or by proxy and are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by the shareholders. Approval of certain actions will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares which are represented in person or represented by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, and pursuant to the Company’s articles; such actions include amending the Company’s articles and approving a statutory merger or consolidation with another company. The board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the appointment of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the appointment of directors can appoint all of the directors. The shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Founder Shares
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there was an aggregate of Founder Shares issued and outstanding. At December 31, 2024, of the outstanding Founder Shares, up to an aggregate of shares were subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the over-allotment option was not exercised by the underwriters. On May 1, 2025, the underwriters fully exercised their over-allotment option; thus, these Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.
Public Shares
As of December 31, 2025, there were Public Shares issued and outstanding, all of which were subject to possible redemption and were classified outside of permanent equity in the balance sheets. There were no Public Shares issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
Warrants
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had an aggregate of Public Warrants, Sponsor Private Placement Warrants and Underwriter Private Placement Warrants (together, the “Warrants”) outstanding. There were no Warrants issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional Public Warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole Public Warrants will trade.
F-19
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
The Warrants have an Exercise Price of $ per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an Initial Business Combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the Initial Business Combination, provided that no Warrant will be exercisable for cash and the Company will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares upon exercise of a Warrant unless the ordinary shares issuable upon such Warrant exercise have been registered on a registration statement on Form S-1, Form S-3, Form F-1, or Form F-3, as applicable, following the Initial Business Combination, qualified or deemed exempt from registration or qualification under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration or qualification is available. In the event that such condition is not satisfied with respect to a Warrant, the holder of such Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Warrant for cash and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless, in which case the purchaser of a Unit containing Public Warrants will have paid the full purchase price for the Unit solely for the ordinary shares underlying the Unit. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any Warrant.
The Company registered the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants in its registration statement for the Initial Public Offering because the Public Warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination, which may be within one year of the Initial Public Offering. However, because the Public Warrants will be exercisable until their expiration date of up to five years after the completion of the Initial Business Combination, in order to comply with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act following the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, the Company agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of the Initial Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, S-3, F-1, or F-3, as applicable, for the registration under the Securities Act of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants, to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days following the closing of the Initial Business Combination and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the Public Warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the Warrant Agreement. If any such registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of the Initial Business Combination, then beginning on the 61st business day after the closing of the Initial Business Combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the SEC, and during any other period when the Company has failed to maintain an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants, warrant holders will have the right to exercise such Public Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Company’s ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a Public Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event that the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect such registration statement.
The Warrants will expire five years after the completion of an Initial Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the Initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Initial Shareholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Initial Shareholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than
F-20
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
The Sponsor Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants, except that the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants and the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants are non-redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants. The Underwriter Private Placement Warrants had the same terms as the Sponsor Private Placement Warrants, subject to certain restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8) and FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1) as described herein.
Redemption of Public Warrants for Cash. Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants (except as described herein with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):
| ● | in whole and not in part; |
| ● | at a price of $ |
| ● | upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, referred to as the 30-day redemption period; and |
| ● | if, and only if, the closing price of the Public Shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
The Company will not redeem the Public Warrants as described above for cash unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those ordinary shares is available throughout the 30-day redemption period, except if the Company has elected to require the exercise of the Public Warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any warrant. If the Company is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination within the Completion Window and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such Warrants. Accordingly, the Warrants may expire worthless.
If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable by the Company, it may exercise the redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption for cash, as described above, the management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a “cashless basis,” the management will consider, among other factors, the Company’s cash position, the number of Public Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on the shareholders of issuing the maximum number of ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants.
F-21
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025
Note 8 — Segment Information
FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statements information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer has been identified as the CODM, who reviews the operating results for the Company as a whole to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, management has determined that the Company only has one reportable segment.
The CODM assesses performance for the single segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net income or loss that also is reported on the statements of operations as net income or loss. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheets as total assets. When evaluating the Company’s performance and making key decisions regarding resource allocation the CODM reviews several key metrics, which include the following:
| Schedule of segment information | ||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
For the Period from July 15, 2024 (inception) through December 31, 2024 |
|||||||
| Investment income from investments held in Trust Account | $ | $ | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Other income | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||
The CODM reviews investment income from investments in Trust Account to measure and monitor shareholders value and determine the most effective strategy of investment with the Trust Account funds while maintaining compliance with the trust agreement. General and administrative expenses are reviewed and monitored by the CODM to manage and forecast cash to ensure enough capital is available to complete a business combination within the business combination period. The CODM also reviews general and administrative costs to manage, maintain and enforce all contractual agreements to ensure costs are aligned with all agreements and budget. General and administrative expenses, as reported on the statements of operations, are the significant segment expenses provided to the CODM on a regular basis. All other segment items included in net income or loss are reported on the statements of operations and described within their respective disclosures.
Note 9 — Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred up to the date the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements, except as noted below.
Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Company
repaid $
F-22
Exhibit 4.5
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
The following description of Berto Acquisition Corp.’s (the “Company,” “we” or “us”) securities is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “articles”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) of which this exhibit is a part. We encourage you to read the articles and the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, as amended, of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”) for additional information. Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Report of which this Exhibit 4.5 is a part.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands. Pursuant to our articles, we are authorized to issue 550,000,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value each, including 550,000,000 ordinary shares, as well as 5,000,000 preference shares, $0.0001 par value each. The following description summarizes certain terms of our capital stock as set out more particularly in our articles. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.
As of March 30, 2026, Berto Acquisition Corp. has three classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”): (1) our units, each of which consists of one ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant; (2) our ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share; and (3) warrants entitling the holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.50 per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an initial business combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the initial business combination, subject to adjustment.
Units
Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant, when exercisable, entitles the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.50 per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an initial business combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the initial business combination, subject to adjustment as described in the prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2025 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) (File No. 333-286023) (the “prospectus”). Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of the company’s ordinary shares. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder. For example, if a warrant holder holds one-half of one warrant to purchase an ordinary share, such warrant will not be exercisable. If a warrant holder holds two-halves of one warrant, such whole warrant will be exercisable for one ordinary share at the applicable exercise price.
The ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units began separate trading on June 5, 2025.
Ordinary Shares
Ordinary shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Unless specified in our articles, or as required by applicable provisions of the Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares that are represented in person or by proxy and are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our shareholders. Approval of certain actions will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or represented by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, and pursuant to our articles; such actions include amending our articles and approving a statutory merger or consolidation with another company. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the appointment of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the appointment of directors can appoint all of the directors. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Because our articles authorize the issuance of up to 550,000,000 ordinary shares, if we were to enter into a business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a business combination) be required to increase the number of ordinary shares which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our shareholders vote on the business combination to the extent we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until no later than one year after our first full fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or extraordinary general meetings or appoint directors. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We will provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem, regardless of whether they abstain, vote for, or against, our initial business combination, all or a portion of their public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares they hold and public shares the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors hold in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. Unlike many SPACs that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon completion of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our articles, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination. Our articles will require these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other legal reasons, we will, like many SPACs, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we receive an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, passed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares represented in person or represented by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, a special resolution passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company will need to be passed by our shareholders approving a plan of merger. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in the prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of an ordinary resolution, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. Our articles require that at least five days’ notice will be given of any general meeting.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our articles provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to Excess Shares, without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Our shareholders’ inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination, and such shareholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such shareholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And, as a result, such shareholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
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If we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, our initial shareholders, sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares they hold and any public shares purchased during or after the IPO in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 11,255,626 or 37.5% of the 30,015,000 public shares sold in the IPO to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved (assuming all outstanding shares are voted and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any public shares). Assuming that only the holders of one-third of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our articles, vote their shares at a general meeting of the company, we will not need any public shares in addition to our founder shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to approve an initial business combination. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, a special resolution, passed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares represented in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting of the company and are voted at a general meeting of the company will need to be passed by our shareholders approving a plan of merger. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction.
Pursuant to our articles, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will, (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will constitute full and complete payment and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distribution or other distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our initial shareholders have entered into agreements with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. However, if our initial shareholders or management team acquire public shares in or after the IPO, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time period.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company after a business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein.
Founder Shares
The founder shares are, except as described below, identical to the public shares included in the units sold in the IPO, and holders of founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that (i) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, (ii) the founder shares are entitled to registration rights; and (iii) our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors, and the consultant who owns founder shares have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to (A) waive their redemption rights with respect to the founder shares they hold and the public shares held by the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (B) waive their redemption rights with respect to the founder shares they hold and the public shares held by the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our articles (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity, (C) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account and to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within such time period and (D) vote any founder shares held by them and any public shares purchased by the sponsor, sponsor affiliates, officers and directors during or after the IPO (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions) in favor of our initial business combination.
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With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier to occur of (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (ii) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction after our initial business combination that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property; except to certain permitted transferees and under certain circumstances as described in the prospectus under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants.” Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading-day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination or (2) if we consummate a transaction after our initial business combination which results in our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the founder shares will be released from the lock-up.
Preference Shares
Our articles authorize 5,000,000 preference shares and provide that preference shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Before any preference shares of any series are issued, our board of directors shall fix, by resolution or resolutions, the following provisions of such series: (a) the designation of such series and the number of preference shares to constitute such series; (b) whether the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by the Companies Act, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights, which may be general or limited; (c) the dividends, if any, payable on such series, whether any such dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from what dates, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preference shares; (d) whether the preference shares or such series shall be subject to redemption by the Company, and, if so, the times, prices and other conditions of such redemption; (e) the amount or amounts payable upon preference shares of such series upon, and the rights of the holders of such series in, a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or upon any distribution of the assets, of the company; (f) whether the preference shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the extent to and manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the preference shares of such series for retirement or other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation of the retirement or sinking fund; (g) whether the preference shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preference shares or any other securities and, if so, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same, and any other terms and conditions of conversion or exchange; (h) the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any preference shares or such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of, the existing shares or shares of any other class of shares or any other series of preference shares; (i) the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the company or upon the issue of any additional shares, including additional shares of such series or of any other class of shares or any other series of preference shares; and (j) any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions of any other class of shares or any other series of preference shares. Accordingly, our board of directors is able to, without shareholder approval, issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preference shares without shareholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preference shares outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue preference shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No preference shares were issued or registered in the IPO.
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Warrants
Public Shareholders’ Warrants
Each whole warrant, when exercisable, entitles the registered holder to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $10.50 per share within the first 12 months following the closing of an initial business combination or $11.50 per share after the 12-month anniversary of the closing of the initial business combination, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, provided that no warrant will be exercisable for cash and we will not be obligated to issue ordinary shares upon exercise of a warrant unless the ordinary shares issuable upon such warrant exercise have been registered on a registration statement on Form S-1, Form S-3, Form F-1, or Form F-3, as applicable, following our initial business combination, qualified or deemed exempt from registration or qualification under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration or qualification is available. In the event that such condition is not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant for cash and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless, in which case the purchaser of a unit containing public warrants will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the ordinary shares underlying the unit. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant.
Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of ordinary shares. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least two units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant. The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We registered the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants in the registration statement of which the prospectus forms a part because the warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, which may be within one year of the IPO. However, because the warrants will be exercisable until their expiration date of up to five years after the completion of our initial business combination, in order to comply with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act following the consummation of our initial business combination under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed, that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, S-3, F-1, or F-3, as applicable, for the registration under the Securities Act of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days following the closing of our initial business combination and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. If any such registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of our initial business combination, then beginning on the 61st business day after the closing of our initial business combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the SEC, and during any other period when we have failed to maintain an effective registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants, warrant holders will have the right to exercise such public warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if our ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect such registration statement.
Redemption of public warrants for cash
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may call the public warrants for redemption for cash:
| ● | in whole and not in part; |
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| ● | at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
| ● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day measurement period”); and |
| ● | if, and only if, the closing price of the ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of ordinary shares and equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending three business days before we send to the notice of redemption to the public warrant holders. |
We will not redeem the public warrants as described above for cash unless an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants and a current prospectus relating to those ordinary shares is available throughout the 30-day measurement period, except if we have elected to require the exercise of the public warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act. If and when the public warrants become redeemable by us for cash, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the public warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify such ordinary shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which warrants were offered by us in the IPO.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the public warrants, each public warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the ordinary shares may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of ordinary shares and equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination) as well as the warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption procedures and cashless exercise
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above under “— Redemption of public warrants for cash”, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his, her or its warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our shareholders of issuing the maximum number of ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of our warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their 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 excess of the “fair market value” of our ordinary shares (defined below) over the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” will mean the average closing 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. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of ordinary shares to be received upon exercise of the warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the warrants after our initial business combination.
Maximum Percentage. A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as specified by the holder) of the ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
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Anti-dilution Adjustments. If the number of outstanding ordinary shares is increased by a share capitalization payable in ordinary shares, or by a split-up of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such share capitalization, split-up or similar event, the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding ordinary shares. A rights offering to holders of ordinary shares entitling holders to purchase ordinary shares at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a share capitalization of a number of ordinary shares equal to the product of (i) the number of ordinary shares actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per ordinary share paid in such rights offering and (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes, if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares, in determining the price payable for ordinary shares, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion. Historical fair market value means the volume weighted average price of ordinary shares as reported during the ten (10) trading-day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the ordinary shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of ordinary shares on account of such ordinary shares (or other securities into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of public shares in connection with a proposed initial business combination or (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our Charter to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the public shares if we have not completed an initial business combination within the completion window or with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity, or in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination and any subsequent distribution of assets upon our liquidation, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each ordinary share in respect of such event. “Ordinary cash dividends” means any cash dividend or cash distribution which, when combined on a per share basis, with the per share amounts of all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the ordinary shares during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution to the extent it does not exceed $0.50 (being 5% of the offering price of the units, which amount shall be adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the other anti-dilution events discussed herein and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share.
If the number of outstanding ordinary shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share split or reclassification of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share split, reclassification or similar event, the number of ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding ordinary shares.
Whenever the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of ordinary shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In addition, if (x) we issue additional ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share (with the Newly Issued Price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial shareholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our initial shareholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds (including from such issuances and the IPO), and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of our consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of our ordinary shares during the 20 trading-day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the Market Value) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the last sales price of the ordinary shares that triggers the Company’s right to redeem the warrants described under “— Redemption of public warrants for cash” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
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In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding ordinary shares (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such ordinary shares), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding ordinary shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the ordinary shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of ordinary shares or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. If any reclassification also results in a change in ordinary shares covered by the anti-dilution adjustments discussed above, then such adjustment will be made pursuant to both mechanisms. This reclassification adjustment will similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers. In no event will the exercise price be reduced to less than the par value per share issuable upon exercise of the warrants.
Registered Form. The warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or to correct any defective provision or mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement set forth in the prospectus, (ii) adjusting the provisions relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants, and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants, 50% of the then outstanding private placement warrants. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Report, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
Fractional Shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.
Exclusive Forum. We have agreed that, subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. See “Risk Factors — Our warrant agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.” This provision applies to claims under the Securities Act but does not apply to claims under the Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum.
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Private Placement Warrants
Except as described below, the private placement warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants being sold as part of the units in the IPO. The private placement warrants (including the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except, among other limited exceptions, to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the initial purchasers of the private placement warrants) and they will be entitled to registration rights. The private placement warrants will not be redeemable by us and they may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
Underwriter Warrants
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we issued 3,750,000 warrants to the representatives of the underwriters or their designees upon the consummation of the IPO as additional compensation. The underwriter warrants have the same terms as the private placement warrants, except the underwriter warrants may not be exercisable more than five years from the commencement of sales in the IPO in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8) and are subject to certain additional restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8) and FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1) as described herein.
The underwriter warrants (including the underlying shares) are entitled to resale registration rights including one demand and unlimited “piggy-back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the commencement of sales of the IPO. In compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8), such registration rights are limited to demand and “piggyback” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the date of commencement of sales of the IPO, and such demand rights may be exercised on only one occasion.
The underwriter warrants and the underlying shares are deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the IPO. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), these securities may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, nor may they be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the IPO except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their officers or partners, registered persons of affiliates or as otherwise permitted under FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2).
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our ordinary shares and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its shareholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company has agreed that it has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind to, or to any monies in, the trust account, and has irrevocably waived any right, title, interest or claim of any kind to, or to any monies in, the trust account that it may have now or in the future. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied, or a claim will only be able to be pursued, solely against us and our assets outside the trust account and not against the any monies in the trust account or interest earned thereon.
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Certain Differences in Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Act. The Companies Act is modeled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. In certain circumstances, the Companies Act allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands exempted company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction).
Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution (usually the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders of the issued shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting of the company and are voted at a general meeting of the company) of the shareholders of each company; or (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that holds issued shares that together represent at least 90% of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company, provided that the parent company is the surviving entity and a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of each subsidiary company to be merged unless that member otherwise agrees. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted; and (v) there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
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Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands exempted company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidation is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
The Companies Act provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid the fair value of their shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation in certain circumstances if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, where such rights apply, that procedure is as follows: (i) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for their shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (ii) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is authorized by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (iii) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of their shares; (iv) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (ii) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase their shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; and (v) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree on a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company must (and any dissenting shareholder may) file a petition with the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to determine the fair value of all dissenting shares and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. A shareholder who dissents must do so in respect of all shares that that person holds in the constituent company. Upon the giving of a notice of dissent under paragraph (iii) above, the shareholder to whom the notice relates shall cease to have any of the rights of a shareholder except the right to be paid the fair value of that person’s shares and certain rights specified in the Companies Act. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenting shareholders holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date, where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
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Moreover, Cayman Islands law has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement,” which may be tantamount to a merger. Schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedures for which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by (i) in relation to a compromise or arrangement between a company and its creditors or any class of them, a majority in number of such creditors or class of creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of such creditors or class of creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting summoned for that purpose; and (ii) in relation to a compromise or arrangement between a company and its shareholders or any class of them, shareholders who represent 75% in value of the company’s shareholders or class of shareholders, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
| ● | we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with; |
| ● | the shareholders have been fairly represented at the general meeting in question; |
| ● | the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and |
| ● | the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.” |
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights (providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares), which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations.
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Squeeze-out Provisions. When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% in value of the shares to whom the offer relates within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period after the expiration of the initial four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements, of an operating business.
Shareholders’ Suits. Ogier (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based both on Cayman Islands authorities and on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
| ● | a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority; |
| ● | the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or |
| ● | those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.” |
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities. The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.
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We have been advised by Ogier (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
| ● | an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies; |
| ● | an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection; |
| ● | an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
| ● | an exempted company may issue shares with no par value; |
| ● | an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 30 years in the first instance); |
| ● | an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
| ● | an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and |
| ● | an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
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“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Articles
The Business Combination Article of our articles contains provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections relating to the initial public offering that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without a special resolution. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a resolution is deemed to be a special resolution where it has been approved by either (i) at least two-thirds (or any higher threshold specified in a company’s articles of association) of a company’s shareholders at a general meeting for which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been given; or (ii) if so authorized by a company’s articles of association, by a unanimous written resolution of all of the company’s shareholders. Our articles provide that special resolutions must be approved either by at least two-thirds of our shareholders (i.e., the lowest threshold permissible under Cayman Islands law), or by a unanimous written resolution of all of our shareholders.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that special resolutions must be approved either by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company (i.e., the lowest threshold permissible under Cayman Islands law), or by a unanimous written resolution of all of the company’s shareholders who are entitled to vote on such matter (or such lower threshold as may be allowed under the Companies Law from time to time).
Our initial shareholders, who collectively beneficially own approximately 20% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of the initial public offering (not including the ordinary shares underlying the private placement warrants), may participate in any vote to amend our articles and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our articles provide, among other things, that:
| ● | If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will constitute full and complete payment and completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions or other distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law; |
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| ● | Prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with public shares on any initial business combination; |
| ● | Although we do not intend to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or from another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the consideration we are paying is fair to our company and its shareholders from a financial point of view; |
| ● | If a shareholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act; |
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| ● | If our shareholders approve an amendment to our articles not for the purpose of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window, or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity, we will provide our public shareholders (excluding our sponsor, sponsor affiliates, directors and officers to the extent they acquire public shares) with the opportunity to redeem, regardless of whether they abstain, vote for, or against, our initial business combination, all or a portion of their public shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein; |
| ● | We will not effectuate our initial business combination solely with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations; and |
| ● | Our articles provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with our articles or otherwise related in any way to each shareholder’s shareholding in us, including but not limited to (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any of our current or former director, officer or other employee to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our articles, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America) and that each shareholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes. Our articles will also provide that, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum. The forum selection provision in our articles will not apply to actions or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States of America, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim. This choice of forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions (including exclusive federal forum provisions for actions, suits or proceedings asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act) in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and there is uncertainty as to whether courts would enforce the exclusive forum provisions in our articles. Additionally, our shareholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. |
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Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorist Financing, Prevention of Proliferation Financing and Financial Sanctions Compliance-Cayman Islands
If any person residing in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist property or proliferation financing or is the business combination partner of a financial sanction and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector, or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering or proliferation financing or is the business combination partner of a financial sanction, or (ii) a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, the company may be required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures, and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, the company may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
The company reserves the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.
The company also reserves the right to refuse to make any redemption payment to a shareholder if directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of redemption proceeds to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, prevention of proliferation financing and financial sanctions or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
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Should a shareholder or its duly authorized delegates or agents be, or become (or is believed by the company or its affiliates (“Agents”) to be or become) at any time while it owns or holds an interest in the company, (a) an individual or entity named on any sanctions list maintained by the United Kingdom (including as extended to the Cayman Islands by Orders in Council) or the Cayman Islands or any similar list maintained under applicable law or is otherwise subject to applicable sanctions in the Cayman Islands (a “Sanctions Subject”) or (b) an entity owned or controlled directly or indirectly by a Sanctions Subject, as determined by the company in its sole discretion, then (i) the company or its Agents may immediately and without notice to the shareholder cease any further dealings with the shareholder or freeze any dealings with the interests or accounts of the shareholder (e.g., by prohibiting payments by or to the shareholder or restricting or suspending dealings with the interests or accounts) or freeze the assets of the company (including interests or accounts of other shareholders who are not Sanctions Subjects), until the relevant person ceases to be a Sanctions Subject or a license is obtained under applicable law to continue such dealings (a “Sanctioned Persons Event”), (ii) the company and its Agents may be required to report such action or failure to comply with information requests and to disclose the shareholder’s identity (and/or the identity of the shareholder’s beneficial owners and control persons) to the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, the Cayman Islands Financial Reporting Authority, or other applicable governmental or regulatory authorities (without notifying the Subscriber that such information has been so provided) and (iii) the company and its Agents have no liability whatsoever for any liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and/or losses (including but not limited to any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal costs and all other professional costs and expenses) incurred by the shareholder as a result of a Sanctioned Persons Event.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Articles
Our articles contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage another party from acquiring control of us. We expect that these provisions, which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids.
Our articles provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings. Our authorized but unissued ordinary shares and preference shares are available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved ordinary shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
We have 37,518,750 ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the initial public shares. Of these shares, 30,015,000 ordinary shares sold in the initial public offering are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any public shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the outstanding founder shares (7,503,750 founder shares) and all of the outstanding private placement warrants (3,500,000 private placement warrants) are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering, and the founder shares and private placement warrants, are subject to transfer restrictions as set forth elsewhere in this prospectus. These restricted securities are entitled to registration rights as more fully described below under “— Registration Rights.”
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Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares or warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
| ● | 1% of the total number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which equal to 300,150 shares immediately after the initial public offering; or |
| ● | the average weekly reported trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
| ● | the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; |
| ● | the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; |
| ● | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Current Reports on Form 8-K; and |
| ● | at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. |
| ● | As a result, our initial shareholders will be able to sell their founder shares and private placement warrants, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination. |
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Registration Rights
The holders of the (i) founder shares, which were issued in a private placement prior to the closing of the initial public offering, (ii) private placement warrants, which were issued in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering and the ordinary shares underlying such private placement warrants, (iii) underwriter warrants, which will be issued to our representatives or their designees as additional compensation upon closing of the initial public offering, and (iv) private placement warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any of our securities held by them prior to the consummation of our initial business combination pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered in connection with the initial public offering. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, and assuming $1,500,000 of working capital loans are converted into private placement warrants, we will be obligated to register up to 16,253,750 ordinary shares and 9,250,000 warrants. The number of ordinary shares includes (i) 7,503,750 founder shares, (ii) 3,500,000 ordinary shares underlying the private placement warrants, (iii) 3,750,000 ordinary shares underlying the underwriter warrants, and (iv) up to 1,500,000 ordinary shares underlying the private placement warrants issued upon conversion of working capital loans. The number of warrants includes 3,500,000 private placement warrants, 3,750,000 underwriter warrants, and up to 1,500,000 private placement warrants issued upon conversion of working capital loans. The holders of founder shares, private placement warrants and working capital warrants are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders of founder shares, private placement warrants, and working capital warrants have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. The underwriter warrants (including the underlying shares) will be entitled to resale registration rights including one demand and unlimited “piggy-back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the commencement of sales of the initial public offering, in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8). We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Listing of Securities
Our units, ordinary shares and public warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “TACOU,” “TACO” and “TACOW,” respectively.
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Exhibit 14.1
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
| A. | SCOPE |
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) applies to all directors, officers and employees of Berto Acquisition Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Such covered individuals are referred to herein collectively as the “Covered Persons.” This Code is intended to meet the standards of a code of ethics under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the standards of a code of business conduct and ethics under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”).
| B. | PURPOSE |
This Code is intended to (1) emphasize the Company’s commitment to ethics and compliance with the law, (2) set forth basic standards of ethical and legal behavior, (3) provide reporting mechanisms for known or suspected ethical or legal violations and (4) help prevent and detect wrongdoing.
Given the variety and complexity of ethical questions that may arise in the Company’s course of business, this Code serves only as a guide. Confronted with ethically ambiguous situations, Covered Persons should be mindful of the Company’s commitment to high ethical standards and seek advice from the Company’s Chief Legal and Corporate Officer or other appropriate personnel, such as members of the legal and compliance department, to ensure that all actions taken on behalf of the Company honor this commitment.
| C. | Conflicts of Interest |
A “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s private interest interferes in any way – or even appears to interfere – with the interests of the Company as a whole. A conflict situation can arise when a Covered Person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform their Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when a Covered Person, or a member of their family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of their position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, such persons are of special concern. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with the Chief Legal and Corporate Officer. Each Covered Person should engage in and promote honest and ethical conduct, including in their handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships. Any Covered Person who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of the Chief Legal and Corporate Officer or consult the procedures described in this Code.
| D. | Corporate Opportunities |
Except as may otherwise be permitted by the Company in accordance with applicable law, Covered Persons are prohibited from (1) taking for themselves opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), (2) using Company property, information or position for improper personal gain, and (3) competing with the Company. Covered Persons owe a duty to the Company to advance the Company’s legitimate interests whenever possible.
| E. | Confidentiality |
In carrying out the Company’s business, Covered Persons often learn confidential or proprietary information about the Company, its customers, prospective customers or other third parties. Covered Persons must maintain the confidentiality of all information so entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Confidential or proprietary information includes, among other things, any non-public information concerning the Company, including its business, financial performance, results or prospects, and any non-public information provided by a third party with the expectation that the information will be kept confidential and used solely for the business purpose for which it was conveyed.
Notwithstanding the confidentiality obligations in this Code, these obligations do not limit your ability to file a charge or complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), or any other government agency or otherwise participate in or fully cooperate with any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC or any other government agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to or approval from the Corporation.
| F. | Fair Dealing |
The Company is committed to maintaining the highest legal and ethical standards in the conduct of its business. Meeting this commitment is the responsibility of the Company and each and every one of its Covered Persons. Each Covered Person should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, service providers, competitors and employees. No Covered Person should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any unfair dealing practice.
| G. | Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets |
All Covered Persons should seek to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s financial performance. Officers, directors and employees must use the Company’s assets and services solely for legitimate business purpose of the Company and not for any personal benefit or the personal benefit of anyone else.
Notwithstanding the obligations to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use described above, these obligations do not limit your ability to file a charge or complaint with the SEC, or any other government agency or otherwise participate in or fully cooperate with any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC or any other government agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to or approval from the Corporation.
| H. | Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations |
Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which the Company’s ethical standards are built. All Covered Persons must respect and obey the laws of the cities, states and countries in which the Company operates. Although not all employees are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel. Covered Persons should strive to identify and raise potential issues before they lead to problems, and should ask about the application of this Code whenever in doubt. Any questions relating to how these policies should be interpreted or applied should be addressed to the Chief Legal and Corporate Officer.
| I. | Insider Trading |
Covered Persons are prohibited by Company policy and by law from buying or selling publicly traded securities for any purpose at a time when in possession of “material nonpublic information.” This conduct is known as “insider trading.” If you have any question about whether a particular transaction may constitute insider trading and what you need to do in such case, you should consult the Company’s Insider Trading Policy.
| J. | Timely and Truthful Public Disclosure |
It is the Company’s policy to make full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in all reports and documents it files with, or submits to, the SEC and all other governmental, quasi-governmental and self-regulatory bodies and in all other public communications made by the Company. Covered Persons shall not knowingly falsify information, misrepresent material facts, or omit material facts, necessary to avoid misleading the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm or investors. Covered Persons shall never take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead, or fraudulently influence the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in the performance of its audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
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| K. | ADMINISTRATION |
Waivers
Any waiver or amendment of this Code for any executive officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the controller or any person performing similar functions or director may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Company and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or the requirements of the SEC and Nasdaq.
Reporting of Known or Suspected Violations or Illegal or Unethical Behavior
Covered Persons should promptly report (openly or confidentially and/or anonymously if you are an employee of the Company) in any of the manners described below:
| ● | Any questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (an “Accounting Allegation”); |
| ● | Any possible non-compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements (a “Legal Allegation”); |
| ● | Any possible non-compliance with this Code (a “Code Allegation”); and |
| ● | Any alleged retaliation against employees and other persons who make, in good faith, Accounting Allegations, Legal Allegations or Code Allegations (a “Retaliatory Act”). |
In addition to any other avenue available, you may, in your sole discretion, report to the chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) or the General Counsel in writing to the chairperson of the Audit Committee or the General Counsel, as applicable, at 1180 North Town Center Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89144.
The Company will take measures to protect the confidentiality of any report made, subject to applicable law, regulation, or legal proceedings. The Company will not permit or tolerate discrimination or retaliation of any kind by or on behalf of the Company nor any director, officer, employee, contractor, subcontractor, or agent of the Company against employees who make honest and good faith reports regarding alleged violations of this Code or other allegations regarding illegal, unethical, or non-compliant behavior. These prohibitions also apply to the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates whose financial information is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
While it is the Company’s desire to address matters internally, nothing in this Code or any other policy of the Company or agreement with the Company should discourage you from (i) reporting, cooperating, communicating or filing a charge or complaint with the SEC or any other governmental or law enforcement entity concerning possible violations of any legal or regulatory requirement, including any violation of the securities laws, antitrust or competition laws, environmental laws or any other federal, state or foreign law, rule or regulation, to the appropriate regulatory authority; or (ii) making disclosures, including providing documents or other information to any governmental entity that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law or regulation without notice to or approval of the Company, so long as (1) such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law and (2) the information disclosed was not obtained through a communication that was subject to the attorney-client privilege (unless disclosure of that information would otherwise be permitted by an attorney pursuant to the applicable federal law, attorney conduct rules or otherwise). This Code should not be construed to prohibit you from testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in any state or federal administrative, judicial or legislative proceeding or investigation. The Company will not limit your right to receive an award for providing information to the SEC or any other government agency pursuant to the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law or regulation. Any provisions of any agreement between Company and any employee or former employee that is inconsistent with the above language or that may limit the ability of any person to receive an award under the whistleblowing provisions of applicable law is deemed invalid and will not be enforced by the Company.
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Directors, officers, and employees shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against any other employee because any person (i) makes a good faith report of a violation; (ii) reports or makes disclosures to, or cooperates, communicates, or filed charges or complaints with the SEC or any other governmental or law enforcement entity; or (iii) seeks or receives a whistleblower award for providing information to the SEC or any other government agency pursuant to the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law or regulation.
| L. | ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ADHERENCE TO THIS CODE |
All Covered Persons are expected to comply with all of the provisions of this Code. The Code will be strictly enforced throughout the Company and violations will be dealt with immediately.
If the Company’s Audit Committee, General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, or their respective designees determine that this Code has been violated, either directly, by failing to report a violation, or by withholding information related to a violation, the offending Covered Person may be disciplined for noncompliance with penalties up to and including dismissal. Such penalties may include a written letter of reprimand, disgorgement, suspension with or without pay or benefits, and termination of employment.
Violations of this Code may also constitute violations of law and may result in criminal penalties and civil liabilities for the offending Covered Person and the Company. All Covered Persons are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of alleged misconduct.
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Exhibit 19.1
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
POLICY REGARDING INSIDER TRADING AND
DISSEMINATION OF INSIDE INFORMATION
Effective April 29, 2025
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
This Policy Regarding Insider Trading and Dissemination of Inside Information (this “Policy”) describes the policy of Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) regarding:
| ● | the trading of securities while you are in possession of Inside Information (as defined below) (“insider trading”) about the Company or any other company; and |
| ● | other misuse of material non-public information (“Inside Information”) of the Company or any other company. |
Your obligations and potential liability under securities laws dealing with insider trading abuses are also outlined below.
This Policy provides an overview of the most significant aspects involved in insider trading. Every director, officer and employee of the Company must read and retain this Policy.
| II. | Statement of the Policy |
No director, officer, employee or other Insider (as defined below) shall:
| ● | trade in securities of the Company or any other company while in possession of Inside Information concerning the Company or such other company; |
| ● | disseminate Inside Information of the Company or any other company to others (except for legitimate Company purposes in accordance with Company communications policies; provided that the disclosing person reasonably does not expect the recipient to trade in securities, or disseminate the information to others who may trade in securities, while in possession of such Inside Information); or |
| ● | engage in any other action or conduct to take advantage of Inside Information. |
The prohibited dissemination of Inside Information includes the disclosure through written, oral or electronic means to all persons or entities, including friends, family members, business contacts or others.
Even the appearance of improper conduct must be avoided to preserve the Company’s reputation for adhering to high ethical standards of conduct. Accordingly, conduct which merely suggests the possibility of insider trading may be deemed by the Company, in its sole discretion, to be a violation of this Policy.
| III. | Federal Law Prohibiting Insider Trading |
Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), has been determined by the courts to prohibit trading by an Insider (as defined below) of any securities (debt or equity) of a company on the basis of Inside Information about such company. Liability under Rule 10b-5 can apply to trading in the Company’s securities or the securities of any other company if one is in possession of Inside Information about the company whose securities are traded. The prohibition against insider trading applies to the Company’s officers, directors, employees and other Insiders at all times regardless of whether or not the Company is observing a scheduled or special “blackout” period.
Liability under Rule 10b-5 may attach not only to Insiders who trade while in possession of Inside Information, but also, under certain circumstances, to (i) Insiders who disclose or tip Inside Information (tippers) to third parties without trading themselves, and (ii) third parties (such as relatives, business associates or friends) who have received Inside Information from Insiders (tippees) and trade while in possession of that Inside Information.
| IV. | The Consequences of Insider Trading |
Individuals who trade on material non-public information (or tip information to others) can be subject to an array of civil and criminal penalties. Violations are taken very seriously by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the federal agency responsible for enforcing the law in this area. Potential sanctions include:
| ● | disgorgement of profits gained or losses avoided and interest thereon; |
| ● | a civil penalty of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided; |
| ● | a bar from acting as an officer or director of a publicly traded company; |
| ● | a criminal fine (no matter how small the profit or the lack thereof) of up to $1 million; and |
| ● | a jail term of up to ten years. |
These penalties can apply even if the individual is not a director, officer or senior manager. In addition to the potentially severe civil and criminal penalties for violation of the insider trading laws, violation of this Policy may result in the imposition of Company sanctions, including dismissal. A conviction or finding of liability for insider trading can also result in individuals being banned generally from employment in the securities or financial industries or other employment, and even a mere allegation of insider trading can result in severe harm to one’s professional and personal reputation.
A transaction that may be necessary or seem justifiable for independent reasons (including a need to raise money for a personal financial emergency) is neither an exception to this Policy nor a safeguard against prosecution for violation of insider trading laws.
For a company (as well as possibly any supervisory person) that fails to take appropriate steps to prevent illegal trading, a civil penalty of the greater of $1 million or three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of an employee’s violation and a criminal fine of up to $2.5 million may be imposed. There are also likely to be shareholder lawsuits and adverse publicity arising from such illegal conduct.
| V. | Who Is an “Insider” for Purposes of the Insider Trading Prohibitions? |
An “Insider” for purposes of insider trading law is any person who possesses Inside Information; the status results from such possession and not simply a person’s position, if any, with the Company. Accordingly, Insiders subject to liability for insider trading are not solely those executive officers and directors who are required to report their securities transactions of Company ordinary shares under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and who are also often referred to as “insiders” for purposes of that law. The category of potential Insiders for purposes of insider trading law includes not only the Company’s directors, officers and employees, but also outside professional advisors and business consultants who have access to Inside Information prior to its public release and absorption by the securities markets.
| VI. | Persons Covered by the Policy |
This Policy covers the directors, officers and employees of the Company, and outside professional advisors and business consultants of the Company who have access to Inside Information of the Company, as well as their Family Members and Controlled Entities.
“Family Members” include a person’s spouse, partner, financially dependent children, relative, or other members of such person’s immediate household to whose support such person contributes or whose investments such person controls.
“Controlled Entities” include any legal entities controlled by a person, such as any corporations, partnerships, or trusts.
| VII. | Individual Responsibility |
Persons subject to this Policy have ethical and legal obligations to maintain the confidentiality of Inside Information and to not trade while in possession of Inside Information. Each individual is responsible for making sure that he or she complies with this Policy, and that any Family Member or Controlled Entity also complies with this policy. In all cases, the responsibility for determining whether an individual is in possession of Inside Information rests with that individual, and any action on the part of the Company, the Administrator (as defined under the caption “Administration of the Policy”) or any other employee or director pursuant to this Policy (or otherwise) does not in any way constitute legal advice or insulate an individual from liability under applicable securities laws. You could be subject to severe legal penalties and disciplinary action by the Company for any conduct prohibited by this Policy or applicable securities laws, as described above in more detail under the heading “The Consequences of Insider Trading.”
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| VIII. | Transactions Covered by thIS Policy |
The trading covered by this Policy includes all types of transactions and securities, including ordinary shares, options or warrants to purchase ordinary shares, or any other type of securities, including (but not limited to) preferred shares, convertible debentures, as well as derivative securities that are issued by third parties, such as exchange-traded put or call options or swaps relating to securities of the Company or another company with respect to which an Insider possesses Inside Information.
| IX. | What is Material Non-Public Information? |
Material information is any information that a reasonable investor would consider important in arriving at a decision to buy, sell or hold the securities of a company and/or would view its disclosure as significantly altering the total mix of information otherwise made available.
Non-Public information is information that is not generally known to the public.
Examples. Examples of non-public information that generally would be regarded as material and thus Inside Information include:
| ● | financial information, such as revenues, expenses, earnings, new sales or investment returns; |
| ● | information about a transaction that will affect the financial condition or performance of the company in a significant manner, such as a pending or proposed merger, acquisition, tender offer, sale of assets, or disposition of a subsidiary, or entering into or terminating a significant contract; |
| ● | earnings estimates; |
| ● | a stock split or the offering of additional securities; |
| ● | major litigation; |
| ● | changes in senior management; |
| ● | major new products; and |
| ● | the gain or loss of a substantial customer. |
Either positive or negative information may be material. The foregoing list is not exhaustive; other types of information may be material at any particular time, depending upon all the circumstances.
| X. | Trading |
This Policy permits an Insider to trade securities beginning at the close of regular trading on the second full Trading Day after all Inside Information has been disclosed to the public through general release to the national news media, which will provide the securities markets a sufficient opportunity to absorb and evaluate the information.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal U.S. stock exchange on which the Company’s ordinary shares are then listed is open for trading.
For example, if Inside Information (including quarterly or annual earnings) is disclosed at (a) 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on a Monday, then trading may commence after 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, (b) 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Monday, then trading may commence after 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday or (c) 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Monday, then trading may commence after 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday.
Please refer to the paragraph below captioned “Additional Procedures” for additional restrictions on trading.
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| XI. | Transactions Not Subject to this Policy |
| A. | Bona Fide Gifts |
Bona fide gifts are not transactions subject to this Policy, unless the person making the gift has reason to believe that the recipient intends to sell the Company securities while the person making the gift is aware of Inside Information or during a blackout period to which the person making the gift is subject; provided that bona fide gifts of Company securities by directors, officers who have been designated by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) as “officers” for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act (collectively with the directors, “Section 16 Reporting Persons”) and certain other employees who may be designated by the Administrator from time to time (“Designated Individuals”) are subject to the pre-clearance procedures set forth below under the caption “Additional Procedures.”
| B. | Option Exercises |
This Policy does not apply to the exercise of an employee option acquired pursuant to the Company’s plans, or to the exercise of a tax withholding right pursuant to which a person has elected to have the Company withhold shares subject to an option to satisfy tax withholding requirements; provided that such exercises by Section 16 Reporting Persons and Designated Individuals are subject to the pre-clearance procedures set forth below under the caption “Additional Procedures.” This Policy does apply, however, to any sale of shares as part of a broker-assisted cashless exercise of an option, or any other market sale for the purpose of generating the cash needed to pay the exercise price of an option.
| C. | Restricted Share Awards |
This Policy does not apply to the exercise of a tax withholding right pursuant to which you elect to have the Company withhold shares to satisfy tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of any restricted shares; provided that such exercise by Section 16 Reporting Persons and Designated Individuals is subject to the pre-clearance procedures set forth below under the caption “Additional Procedures.” This Policy does apply, however, to any market sale of restricted shares.
| D. | Mutual Funds |
Transactions in mutual funds that are invested in securities of the Company or another company with respect to which an Insider possesses Inside Information are not transactions subject to this Policy.
| E. | Other Similar Transactions |
Any other purchase of Company securities from the Company or sales of Company securities to the Company are not subject to this Policy.
| F. | Rule 10b5-1 Plans |
Securities trading pursuant to contracts, plans or instructions complying with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) under the Exchange Act (“Rule 10b5-1 Plans”) and entered into in good faith while the person entering into the Rule 10b5-1 Plan is not in possession of Inside Information is not subject to this Policy, provided that the adoption and maintenance of any such Rule 10b5-1 Plan by such person must be approved by the Administrator and must comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1).
| XII. | Special and Prohibited Transactions |
The Company has determined that there is a heightened legal risk and/or the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct if the persons subject to this Policy engage in certain types of transactions. Therefore any persons covered by this Policy must comply with the following:
| A. | Hedging Transactions |
Hedging or monetization transactions can be accomplished through a number of possible mechanisms, including through the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds. Such hedging transactions may permit a director, officer or employee to continue to own Company securities obtained through employee benefit plans or otherwise, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. When that occurs, the director, officer or employee may no longer have the same objectives as the Company’s other shareholders. Therefore, directors, officers and employees, as well as their Family Members and Controlled Entities, are prohibited from engaging in any such transactions.
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| B. | Margin Accounts and Pledged Securities |
In order to avoid a margin sale or foreclosure sale at a time when a pledgor, who is a Company director, officer or employee, or their Family Members or Controlled Entities, is aware of Inside Information or otherwise is not permitted to trade Company securities due to a blackout period, no Company director, officer or employee, or their Family Members or Controlled Entities, may hold Company securities in a margin account or otherwise pledge (or hypothecate) Company securities as collateral for a loan without first obtaining prior approval from the Administrator. Pre-clearance is required for such transactions because Company securities held in a margin account may be sold by the broker without the customer’s consent if the customer fails to meet a margin call and Company securities pledged (or hypothecated) as collateral for a loan may be sold in foreclosure if the borrower defaults on the loan. Any Company director, officer or employee, or their Family Members or Controlled Entities, preparing to pledge Company securities or hold such securities in a margin account must submit a request for approval to the Administrator at least two weeks prior to the proposed execution of documents evidencing the proposed pledge or margin account. In its request, such Company director, officer or employee, or their Family Members or Controlled Entities, shall:
| ● | enclose copies of the governing documents evidencing the proposed pledge or margin account, which governing documents must provide such person with the opportunity to substitute or provide additional collateral or to repay the loan before the pledged Company securities may be sold; and |
| ● | undertake to the Company (in form and manner satisfactory to the Administrator and the Company) (i) to maintain adequate financial capacity to repay the loan or cover the margin call, as applicable, without resort to the pledged Company securities and (ii) to substitute or provide additional collateral or repay the loan in the event of a borrower default or margin call, as applicable, at a time when such person is aware of Inside Information or otherwise is not permitted to trade Company securities due to a blackout period. |
The above is not meant to restrict the rehypothecation or lending of securities held in a brokerage account; provided that the securities are permitted to be held in such account in accordance with this Policy.
| XIII. | Additional Procedures |
The Company has established additional procedures in order to assist the Company in the administration of this Policy, to facilitate compliance with laws prohibiting insider trading while in possession of Inside Information, and to avoid the appearance of any impropriety. These additional procedures are applicable only to those individuals described below.
| A. | Pre-Clearance Procedures |
Section 16 Reporting Persons and Designated Individuals, as well as their Family Members and Controlled Entities, may not engage in any transaction in Company securities without first obtaining pre-clearance of the transaction from the Administrator in order to determine compliance with this Policy, insider trading laws, Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144”). A person requesting pre-clearance should submit the request to the Administrator (and, in the case of a request by the Chief Executive Officer, also notify the Chief Financial Officer) at least two business days in advance of the proposed transaction. The Administrator may determine not to permit the transaction if it is not in compliance this Policy, insider trading laws, Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Rule 144. If a person seeks pre-clearance and permission to engage in the transaction is denied, then he or she should refrain from initiating any transaction in Company securities, and should not inform any other person of the restriction.
When a request for pre-clearance is made, the requestor should carefully consider whether he or she may be aware of any Inside Information about the Company, and should describe fully those circumstances to the Administrator. If the requestor is a Section 16 insider, the requestor should also indicate whether he or she has effected any non-exempt “opposite-way” transactions within the past six months, and should be prepared to report the proposed transaction on an appropriate Form 4 or Form 5. The requestor should also be prepared to comply with Rule 144 and file Form 144, if necessary, at the time of any sale.
| B. | Special Blackout Periods |
From time to time, an event may occur that is material to the Company and is known by only a few directors, officers and/or employees. So long as the event remains material and nonpublic, the persons with knowledge of the event who are designated by the Administrator may not trade Company securities. In that situation, the Administrator may notify these persons that they should not trade in the Company’s securities, without disclosing the reason for the restriction. The existence of an event-specific blackout period or extension of a blackout period may not be announced to the Company as a whole, and should not be communicated to any other person. Even if the Administrator has not designated you as a person who should not trade due to an event-specific restriction, you should not trade while aware of Inside Information.
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| XIV. | Post-Termination Transactions |
If an individual is in possession of Inside Information or subject to any blackout period or other Company-imposed trading restrictions when his or her service terminates, that individual may not trade in Company securities until that information has become public, is no longer material or such blackout period or Company-imposed trading restriction has expired.
| XV. | Administration of thIS Policy |
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, or in his absence the Chief Financial Officer, or with respect to matters involving the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer (the “Administrator”), shall be responsible for administration of this Policy, including the matters for which the Administrator is specifically designated herein as administering or deciding and all other matters. All determinations and interpretations by the Administrator shall be subject to review by the Audit Committee, whose determinations shall be final.
| XVI. | Company Assistance / Reporting of Violations |
Any person who has any questions about this Policy or about specific transactions may obtain additional guidance from the Administrator. You should contact the Administrator immediately if you know or have reason to believe that this Policy has been or is about to be violated.
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND
15d-14(a)
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Harry L. You, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 of Berto Acquisition Corp.; |
| 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 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) 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 our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b. | (Paragraph omitted in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8238/34-47986 and 33-8392/34-49313); |
| c. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 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 (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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 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 controls over financial reporting. |
| Date: March 30, 2026 | By: | /s/ Harry L. You |
| Harry L. You | ||
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND
15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Vikas Mittal, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 of Berto Acquisition Corp.; |
| 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 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) 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 our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b. | (Paragraph omitted in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33-8238/34-47986 and 33-8392/34-49313); |
| c. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 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 (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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 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 30, 2026 | By: | /s/ Vikas Mittal |
| Vikas Mittal | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
Exhibit 32.1
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 Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Harry L. You, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:
(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 operations of the Company.
| Date: March 30, 2026 |
|
/s/ Harry L. You |
| Name: | Harry L. You | |
| Title: | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 32.2
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 Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Vikas Mittal, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:
(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 operations of the Company.
| Date: March 30, 2026 | /s/ Vikas Mittal | |
| Name: | Vikas Mittal | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Exhibit 97.1
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
POLICY FOR THE
RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION
| A. | OVERVIEW |
In accordance with the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Nasdaq Rules”), Section 10D and Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (“Rule 10D-1”), the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) has adopted this Policy (the “Policy”) to provide for the recovery of erroneously awarded Incentive-based Compensation from Executive Officers. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Section H, below.
| B. | RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION |
(1) In the event of an Accounting Restatement, the Company will reasonably promptly recover the Erroneously Awarded Compensation Received in accordance with Nasdaq Rules and Rule 10D-1 as follows:
| (i) | After an Accounting Restatement, the Compensation Committee (if composed entirely of independent directors, or in the absence of such a committee, a majority of independent directors serving on the Board) (the “Committee”) shall determine the amount of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation Received by each Executive Officer and shall promptly notify each Executive Officer with a written notice containing the amount of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation and a demand for repayment or return of such compensation, as applicable. |
| (a) | For Incentive-based Compensation based on (or derived from) the Company’s stock price or total shareholder return, where the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the applicable Accounting Restatement: |
| i. | The amount to be repaid or returned shall be determined by the Committee based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Accounting Restatement on the Company’s stock price or total shareholder return upon which the Incentive-based Compensation was Received; and |
| ii. | The Company shall maintain documentation of the determination of such reasonable estimate and provide the relevant documentation as required to Nasdaq. |
| (ii) | The Committee shall have discretion to determine the appropriate means of recovering Erroneously Awarded Compensation based on the particular facts and circumstances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as set forth in Section B(2) below, in no event may the Company accept an amount that is less than the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation in satisfaction of an Executive Officer’s obligations hereunder. |
| (iii) | To the extent that the Executive Officer has already reimbursed the Company for any Erroneously Awarded Compensation Received under any duplicative recovery obligations established by the Company or applicable law, it shall be appropriate for any such reimbursed amount to be credited to the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation that is subject to recovery under this Policy. |
| (iv) | To the extent that an Executive Officer fails to repay all Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the Company when due, the Company shall take all actions reasonable and appropriate to recover such Erroneously Awarded Compensation from the applicable Executive Officer. The applicable Executive Officer shall be required to reimburse the Company for any and all expenses reasonably incurred (including legal fees) by the Company in recovering such Erroneously Awarded Compensation in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence. |
(2) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to take the actions contemplated by Section B(1) above if the Committee (which, as specified above, is composed entirely of independent directors or in the absence of such a committee, a majority of the independent directors serving on the Board) determines that recovery would be impracticable and any of the following two conditions are met:
| (i) | The Committee has determined that the direct expenses paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the Policy would exceed the amount to be recovered. Before making this determination, the Company must make a reasonable attempt to recover the Erroneously Awarded Compensation, documented such attempt(s) and provided such documentation to Nasdaq; or |
| (ii) | Recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the Company, to fail to meet the requirements of Section 401(a)(13) or Section 411(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations thereunder. |
| C. | DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS |
The Company shall file all disclosures with respect to this Policy required by applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and rules.
| D. | PROHIBITION OF INDEMNIFICATION |
The Company shall not be permitted to insure or indemnify any Executive Officer against (i) the loss of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation that is repaid, returned or recovered pursuant to the terms of this Policy, or (ii) any claims relating to the Company’s enforcement of its rights under this Policy. Further, the Company shall not enter into any agreement that exempts any Incentive-based Compensation that is granted, paid or awarded to an Executive Officer from the application of this Policy or that waives the Company’s right to recovery of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation, and this Policy shall supersede any such agreement (whether entered into before, on or after the Effective Date of this Policy).
| E. | ADMINISTRATION AND INTERPRETATION |
This Policy shall be administered by the Committee, and any determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding on all affected individuals.
The Committee is authorized to interpret and construe this Policy and to make all determinations necessary, appropriate, or advisable for the administration of this Policy and for the Company’s compliance with Nasdaq Rules, Section 10D, Rule 10D-1 and any other applicable law, regulation, rule or interpretation of the SEC or Nasdaq promulgated or issued in connection therewith.
| F. | AMENDMENT; TERMINATION |
The Committee may amend this Policy from time to time in its discretion and shall amend this Policy as it deems necessary. Notwithstanding anything in this Section F to the contrary, no amendment or termination of this Policy shall be effective if such amendment or termination would (after taking into account any actions taken by the Company contemporaneously with such amendment or termination) cause the Company to violate any federal securities laws, SEC rule or Nasdaq rule.
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| G. | OTHER RECOVERY RIGHTS |
This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Executive Officers and, to the extent required by applicable law or guidance from the SEC or Nasdaq, their beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives. The Committee intends that this Policy will be applied to the fullest extent required by applicable law. Any employment agreement, equity award agreement, compensatory plan or any other agreement or arrangement with an Executive Officer shall be deemed to include, as a condition to the grant of any benefit thereunder, an agreement by the Executive Officer to abide by the terms of this Policy. Any right of recovery under this Policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies or rights of recovery that may be available to the Company under applicable law, regulation or rule or pursuant to the terms of any policy of the Company or any provision in any employment agreement, equity award agreement, compensatory plan, agreement or other arrangement.
| H. | DEFINITIONS |
For purposes of this Policy, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
(1) “Accounting Restatement” means an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements (a “Big R” restatement), or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (a “little r” restatement).
(2) “Clawback Eligible Incentive Compensation” means all Incentive-based Compensation Received by an Executive Officer (i) on or after the effective date of the applicable Nasdaq rules, (ii) after beginning service as an Executive Officer, (iii) who served as an Executive Officer at any time during the applicable performance period relating to any Incentive-based Compensation (whether or not such Executive Officer is serving at the time the Erroneously Awarded Compensation is required to be repaid to the Company), (iv) while the Company has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or a national securities association, and (v) during the applicable Clawback Period (as defined below).
(3) “Clawback Period” means, with respect to any Accounting Restatement, the three completed fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the Restatement Date (as defined below), and if the Company changes its fiscal year, any transition period of less than nine months within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years.
(4) “Erroneously Awarded Compensation” means, with respect to each Executive Officer in connection with an Accounting Restatement, the amount of Clawback Eligible Incentive Compensation that exceeds the amount of Incentive-based Compensation that otherwise would have been Received had it been determined based on the restated amounts, computed without regard to any taxes paid.
(5) “Executive Officer” means each individual who is currently or was previously designated as an “officer” of the Company as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act. For the avoidance of doubt, the identification of an executive officer for purposes of this Policy shall include each executive officer who is or was identified pursuant to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K or Item 6.A of Form 20-F, as applicable, as well as the principal financial officer and principal accounting officer (or, if there is no principal accounting officer, the controller).
(6) “Financial Reporting Measures” means measures that are determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, and all other measures that are derived wholly or in part from such measures. Stock price and total shareholder return (and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from stock price or total shareholder return) shall, for purposes of this Policy, be considered Financial Reporting Measures. For the avoidance of doubt, a Financial Reporting Measure need not be presented in the Company’s financial statements or included in a filing with the SEC.
(7) “Incentive-based Compensation” means any compensation that is granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure.
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(8) “Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market.
(9) “Received” means, with respect to any Incentive-based Compensation, actual or deemed receipt, and Incentive-based Compensation shall be deemed received in the Company’s fiscal period during which the Financial Reporting Measure specified in the Incentive-based Compensation award is attained, even if the payment or grant of the Incentive-based Compensation to the Executive Officer occurs after the end of that period.
(10) “Restatement Date” means the earlier to occur of (i) the date the Board, a committee of the Board or the officers of the Company authorized to take such action if Board action is not required, concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the Company is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement, or (ii) the date a court, regulator or other legally authorized body directs the Company to prepare an Accounting Restatement.
Effective as of April 29, 2025.
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Exhibit A
ATTESTATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POLICY FOR THE RECOVERY OF
ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION
By my signature below, I acknowledge and agree that:
| ● | I have received and read the attached Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation of Berto Acquisition Corp. (this “Policy”). |
| ● | I hereby agree to abide by all of the terms of this Policy both during and after my employment with the Company, including, without limitation, by promptly repaying or returning any Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the Company as determined in accordance with this Policy. |
| ● | I hereby waive any right to the indemnification, insurance or advancement of expenses by the Company with respect to any Erroneously Awarded Compensation in accordance with Section D of this Policy. |
| Signature: | ||
| Printed Name: | ||
| Date: |
A-1
Exhibit 99.1
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Effective April 29, 2025
| I. | PURPOSES |
The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) to assist the Board in its oversight of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. To assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee shall: (A) oversee: (i) audits of the financial statements of the Company; (ii) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (iii) the Company’s processes relating to risk management and the conduct and systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures; (iv) the qualifications, engagement, compensation, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditor, and the auditor’s conduct of the annual audit of the Company’s financial statements and any other services provided to the Company; and (v) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, if any; and (B) produce the annual report of the Committee required by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
| II. | COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP |
| A. | Composition |
The Committee shall consist of at least three members of the Board, subject to applicable phase-in rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). Except as otherwise directed by the Board, a director selected as a Committee member shall continue to be a member for as long as he or she remains a director or until his or her earlier resignation or removal from the Committee. Any member may be removed from the Committee by the Board, with or without cause, at any time. Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.
| B. | Chair |
The Chair of the Committee shall be appointed from among the Committee members by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board, shall preside at meetings of the Committee and shall have authority to convene meetings, set agendas for meetings, and determine the Committee’s information needs, except as otherwise provided by the Board or the Committee; provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson. In the absence of the Chair at a duly convened meeting, the Committee shall select a temporary substitute from among its members to serve as chair of the meeting.
| C. | Independence |
Each member of the Committee shall be an “independent” director in accordance with applicable listing standards of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), subject to any exceptions or cure periods that are applicable pursuant to the foregoing requirements and the phase-in periods permitted under the rules of Nasdaq under which the Committee is required to have only one independent member at the time of listing, a majority of independent members within 90 days of listing and all independent members within one year of listing. Any action duly taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership provided herein.
| D. | Financial Literacy |
Each member of the Committee shall in the judgment of the Board have the ability to read and understand fundamental financial statements and otherwise meet the financial literacy requirements of Nasdaq. At least one member shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under applicable SEC rules.
| E. | Service on Multiple Audit Committees |
No member of the Committee may serve on the audit committee of more than three public companies, including the Company, unless the Board has determined that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Committee.
| III. | AUTHORITY |
In discharging its role, the Committee is empowered to inquire into any matter that it considers appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, with access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company, and, subject to the direction of the Board, the Committee is authorized and delegated the authority to act on behalf of the Board with respect to any matter it determines to be necessary or appropriate to the accomplishment of its purposes.
The Committee shall have authority to retain, direct and oversee the activities of, and to terminate the engagement of, the Company’s independent auditor and any other accounting firm retained by the Committee to prepare or issue any other audit report or to perform any other audit, review or attest services and any legal counsel, accounting or other advisor or consultant hired to assist the Committee, all of whom shall be accountable to the Committee.
The Company shall provide the Committee with appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for the payment of (a) compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; (b) compensation to any independent counsel or other advisers retained by the Committee in carrying out its duties; and (c) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
| IV. | COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
The Committee shall meet on a regularly scheduled basis at least four times per year and additionally as circumstances dictate.
The Committee shall establish its own schedule of meetings. The Committee may also act by unanimous written consent of its members.
Notice of meetings shall be given to all Committee members or may be waived, in the same manner as required for meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Committee may be held by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and speak with each other. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for a meeting and the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the action of the Committee. The Committee shall otherwise establish its own rules of procedure.
The Committee shall meet in executive session separately with each of the independent auditor, the internal auditor, if any, and with senior management, at least quarterly. At the end of each of the Committee’s regularly scheduled meetings, and more frequently as deemed necessary, the Committee shall meet in private session with only the Committee members.
| V. | DELEGATION |
The Committee, by resolution approved by a majority of the Committee, may form and delegate any of its responsibilities to a subcommittee so long as such subcommittee is solely comprised of one or more members of the Committee and such delegation is not otherwise inconsistent with law and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq.
| VI. | KEY RESPONSIBILITIES |
The Committee relies on the expertise and knowledge of management, the internal auditors, if any, and the independent auditor in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company, and for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The independent auditor is responsible for auditing the Company’s financial statements and, if applicable, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and for reviewing the Company’s unaudited interim financial statements.
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The responsibilities set forth in this charter do not reflect or create any duty or obligation of the Committee to plan or conduct any audit; to determine or certify that the Company’s financial statements are complete, accurate, fairly presented or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or applicable law; to guarantee or otherwise certify as to the independent auditor’s reports; to conduct investigations; or to assure compliance with laws and regulations or the Company’s code of ethics, internal policies, procedures and controls. The following responsibilities are set forth as a guide for fulfilling the Committee’s purposes in such manner as the Committee determines is appropriate.
| A. | Oversight of the Independent Auditor |
| (i) | Independent Auditor Retention. The Committee is solely and directly responsible for the appointment, evaluation, compensation, retention and, if appropriate, replacement of the independent auditor. The Committee may, in its discretion, seek stockholder ratification of the public accounting firm selected to be the Company’s independent auditor. |
| (ii) | Independence. The Committee shall assess at least annually the independent auditor’s independence. In connection with this assessment, the Committee shall ensure the receipt of and review formal written statements from the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Company, consistent with applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Committee concerning independence. The Committee shall engage in an active dialogue with the independent auditor concerning any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor and take, or recommend that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee and ensure the independence of the auditor. |
| (iii) | Quality and Performance. The Committee shall evaluate at least annually the qualifications and performance of the independent auditor, including the lead partner. The evaluation will include obtaining a written report from the independent auditor describing the firm’s internal quality control procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, PCAOB inspection, or other PCAOB review of the firm, by a peer review of the firm or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the past five years, respecting one or more independent audit or audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to address any such issues; and all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. |
| (iv) | General Oversight. The independent auditor reports directly to the Committee. The Committee is responsible for oversight of the work of the independent auditor, including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. In connection with its oversight responsibility, the Committee shall consider the independent auditor’s communications regarding, among other things, critical accounting policies and practices, all alternative accounting treatments within GAAP related to items material to the financial statements that have been discussed with management, including the ramifications of the alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor, and all material written communications between the independent auditor and management, and shall review the effect or potential effect of any regulatory regime, accounting initiatives or off-balance sheet structures on the Company’s financial statements. |
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| (v) | Audit Oversight. The Committee shall establish with the independent auditor an understanding of the terms of the audit engagement, the role of the auditor with respect to the Company’s financial statements and coordination of audit efforts to ensure completeness of coverage, reduction of redundant efforts, the effective use of audit resources, and the use of accounting firms other than the appointed auditors of the Company. The Committee shall review the scope of the annual audit or interim review (including the level of involvement with unaudited quarterly or other interim-period information), and discuss the results, including, without limitation, the independent auditor’s report and all matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditor in accordance with applicable auditing standards. |
The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor, before the issuance of the audit report, the overall audit strategy, including the timing of the audit, significant risks the auditor identified and significant changes to the planned audit strategy or identified risks. The Committee shall review with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties encountered during the course of the audit work and management’s response, including any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditor’s activities or access to required records, data and information, any difficult or contentious matters for which the auditor consulted outside the engagement team (for example, the audit firm’s national office), any significant disagreements with management, and any other matters arising from the audit that are significant to the oversight of the Company’s financial reporting process.
| (vi) | Auditor Rotation. The Committee shall consider whether, in addition to assuring the regular rotation of the lead audit partner as required by law, in the interest of assuring continuing independence of an independent auditor, the Company should regularly rotate the firm appointed as the Company’s independent auditor. |
| (vii) | Pre-Approval of Auditor Services. The Committee is exclusively authorized and directed to consider and, in its discretion, approve in advance any services (including the fees and material terms thereof) proposed to be carried out for the Company by the independent auditor or by any other firm proposed to be engaged by the Company as its independent auditor. In connection with approval of any permissible tax services and services related to internal control over financial reporting, the Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor the potential effects of such services on the independence of the auditor. |
| B. | Financial Statements and Other Financial Disclosures |
| (i) | Quality and Integrity of Financial Statements. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor: the critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, and any significant changes in the selection or application of the Company’s accounting and auditing principles and practices as suggested by the Company’s independent auditor, internal auditors, if any, or management; the accounting treatment to be applied in respect of significant new transactions or other significant events not in the ordinary course of the Company’s business; other policies and procedures adopted by the Company to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the presentation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including the proper explanation and reconciliation of any non-GAAP measures presented; and any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements. |
| (ii) | Audited Financial Statements. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, before the issuance of the audit report, the financial statements and related notes and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” proposed to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. In this connection, the Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the analyses prepared by management setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements (including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements), and such other matters for which discussion shall be required by applicable auditing and related PCAOB standards. The Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board as to whether such financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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| (iii) | Audit Committee Report. The Committee shall annually prepare an audit committee report for inclusion where necessary in the proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of stockholders and/or annual report of the Company. |
| (iv) | Quarterly Financial Statements. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the quarterly financial statements and related notes and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” proposed to be included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with the analyses prepared by management setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, and such other matters for which discussion shall be required by applicable auditing standards and related PCAOB standards. |
| (v) | Earnings Releases and Other Financial Information. The Committee shall discuss with management and the independent auditor and, prior to issuance, review and approve the Company’s earnings releases, including the financial information, use of any “pro forma” or “adjusted” non-GAAP information, and earnings guidance (if such is provided) to be disclosed in such releases. The Committee shall also discuss with management other significant financial information to be provided to analysts or rating agencies. |
| (vi) | Payments. The Committee shall review on a quarterly basis all payments made to the Company’s sponsor, officers or directors, or to the Company’s or their affiliates. |
| (vii) | Restatements. The Committee shall, after review and discussion of any relevant analyses with management and the independent auditor, recommend whether any previously issued financial statements covering one or more years or interim periods for which the registrant is required to provide financial statements under Regulation S-X should no longer be relied upon because of an error in such financial statements as addressed in FASB ASC Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, as may be modified, supplemented or succeeded financial statements are required to be restated. |
| C. | Controls and Procedures |
| (i) | Oversight. The Committee shall provide oversight of management’s design and maintenance of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Prior to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Committee shall review with the independent auditor, management and the head of the internal audit function, if any: the Company’s annual assessment and report and the independent auditor’s report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, to the extent then applicable; any “material weakness” or “significant deficiency” in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, any steps taken to resolve any such control deficiencies and the adequacy of disclosures about changes in internal control over financial reporting; and any related significant findings and recommendations of the independent auditor or internal audit function, if any, together with management’s responses (including, in the case of the independent auditor, any concerns regarding matters within the scope of, and compliance with, Section 10A of the Exchange Act). |
| (ii) | Certifications. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the certifications and any related disclosures made by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in the Company’s periodic reports about the results of their evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures and any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting, and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, prior to the filing of the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
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| (iii) | Internal Audit Function. At least annually, the Committee shall review with the independent auditor the responsibilities, budget, staffing, effectiveness and performance of the internal audit function, if any, including the structure, qualification and activities of the internal audit function and the scope of internal audit responsibilities in relation to the independent auditor’s duties. The Committee shall review and assess the annual internal audit plan, if any, the process used to develop the plan, and the status of activities, significant findings, recommendations and management’s response. The Committee shall recommend for Board approval all matters related to responsibilities, budget and staffing of the internal audit function, if any. The Committee shall recommend for Board approval the appointment and, if appropriate, replacement of the senior internal audit executive. |
| (iv) | Hiring Policies. The Committee shall establish clear policies regarding the hiring of employees and former employees of the Company’s independent auditor. |
| D. | Risk Management, Compliance and Ethics |
| (i) | Risk Management. The Committee shall review and discuss with management, the head of the internal audit function, if any, and the independent auditor any significant risks or exposures and the Company’s policies and processes with respect to risk assessment and risk management, and shall assess the steps management has taken to monitor and control such risks, except with respect to those risks for which oversight has been assigned to other committees of the Board or retained by the Board. The Committee shall review the Company’s annual disclosures concerning the role of the Board in the risk oversight of the Company. |
| (ii) | Legal and Regulatory Compliance. The Committee shall review and assess with the Chairman, Co-Chairman or Co-Executive Chairman of the Board or outside counsel, as appropriate, legal and regulatory matters that may have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or accounting policies. The Committee shall also review and recommend for Board approval the code of ethics and any other appropriate compliance policies, and will review requests for waivers under the code of ethics sought with respect to any executive officer or director. The Committee shall review annually with the Chairman, Co-Chairman or Co-Executive Chairman of the Board or outside counsel, as appropriate, the scope, implementation and effectiveness of the ethics and compliance program, and any significant deviations by officers and employees from the code of ethics or other compliance policies, and other matters pertaining to the integrity of management. |
| (iii) | Procedures for Complaints. The Committee shall establish “whistleblowing” procedures for (a) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by the Company’s employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The Committee shall review any such significant complaints or concerns. |
| (iv) | Review and Approval of Swap Transactions. The Committee shall at least annually review and approve the Company’s decision to enter into swaps and other derivative transactions that are exempt from exchange-execution and clearance requirements under “end-user exception” regulations, and review and discuss with management applicable Company policies governing the Company’s use of swaps subject to the end-user exception. |
| (v) | Related Person Transactions. The Committee shall review and, if appropriate, approve or ratify any related person transactions and other significant conflicts of interest, in each case in accordance with the Company’s code of ethics and related party transactions policy. |
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| E. | Self-Evaluation and Reporting |
| (i) | Self-Evaluation and Charter Review. The Committee shall conduct an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Committee, including its effectiveness and compliance with this charter, and recommend to the Board such amendments of this charter as the Committee deems appropriate. |
| (ii) | Reporting. The Committee shall report regularly to the Board on Committee findings and recommendations and any other matters the Committee deems appropriate or the Board requests, and maintain minutes or other records of Committee meetings and activities. |
The Committee shall undertake such other responsibilities or tasks as the Board may delegate or assign to the Committee from time to time.
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Exhibit 99.2
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER
Effective April 29, 2025
| I. | PURPOSES |
The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) to: (A) assist the Board in overseeing the Company’s employee compensation policies and practices, including (i) determining and approving the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Company’s other executive officers, and (ii) reviewing and approving incentive compensation and equity compensation policies and programs, and exercising discretion in the administration of such programs; and (B) produce the annual report of the Committee required by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
| II. | COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP |
| A. | Composition |
The Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board. Except as otherwise directed by the Board, a director selected as a Committee member shall continue to be a member for as long as he or she remains a director or until his or her earlier resignation or removal from the Committee. Any member may be removed from the Committee by the Board, with or without cause, at any time. Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.
| B. | Chair |
The Chair of the Committee shall be appointed from among the Committee members by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board, shall preside at meetings of the Committee and shall have authority to convene meetings, set agendas for meetings, and determine the Committee’s information needs, except as otherwise provided by the Board or the Committee; provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson. In the absence of the Chair at a duly convened meeting, the Committee shall select a temporary substitute from among its members to serve as chair of the meeting.
| C. | Independence |
Each member of the Committee shall be an “independent” director in accordance with the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), including standards specifically applicable to compensation committee members, subject to any exceptions or cure periods that are applicable pursuant to the foregoing requirements and the phase-in periods permitted under the rules of Nasdaq under which the Committee is required to have only one independent member at the time of listing, a majority of independent members within 90 days of listing and all independent members within one year of listing. Any action duly taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership provided herein.
| III. | AUTHORITY |
In discharging its role, the Committee is empowered to inquire into any matter that it considers appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, with access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company, and, subject to the direction of the Board, the Committee is authorized and delegated the authority to act on behalf of the Board with respect to any matter necessary or appropriate to the accomplishment of its purposes.
The Committee shall have the sole discretion to retain or obtain advice from, oversee and terminate any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee and be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of any work of such adviser retained by the Committee, and the Company will provide appropriate funding (as determined by the Committee) for the payment of reasonable compensation to any such adviser.
| IV. | COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities, which, following the Company’s initial business combination, shall be at least quarterly.
The Committee shall establish its own schedule of meetings. The Committee may also act by unanimous written consent of its members.
Notice of meetings shall be given to all Committee members or may be waived, in the same manner as required for meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Committee may be held by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and speak with each other. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for a meeting and the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the action of the Committee. The Committee shall otherwise establish its own rules of procedure.
| V. | DELEGATION |
The Committee, by resolution approved by a majority of the Committee, may form and delegate any of its responsibilities to a subcommittee so long as such subcommittee is solely comprised of one or more members of the Committee and such delegation is not otherwise inconsistent with law and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq.
In addition, the Committee may, by resolution approved by a majority of the Committee, delegate to management the administration of the Company’s incentive compensation and equity-based compensation plans, to the extent permitted by law and as may be permitted by such plans and subject to such rules, policies and guidelines (including limits on the aggregate awards that may be made pursuant to such delegation) as the Committee shall approve, provided that, consistent with paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of Section VI below, the Committee shall determine and approve the awards made under such plan to any executive officer and any other member of senior management as the Committee shall designate and shall at least annually review the awards made to such other members of senior management as the Committee shall designate.
| VI. | KEY RESPONSIBILITIES |
The following responsibilities are set forth as a guide for fulfilling the Committee’s purposes in such manner as the Committee determines is appropriate:
| (a) | establish and review the objectives of the Company’s management compensation programs and its basic compensation policies; |
| (b) | review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO and other executive officers, including annual and long-term performance goals and objectives; |
| (c) | review and approve, subject to such further action of the Board as the Board shall determine, any employment, compensation, benefit or severance agreement with any executive officer; |
| (d) | evaluate at least annually the performance of the CEO and other executive officers against corporate goals and objectives including the annual performance objectives and, based on this evaluation, determine and approve, subject to such further action of the Board as the Board shall determine, the compensation (including any awards under any equity-based compensation or non-equity-based incentive compensation plan of the Company and any material perquisites) for the executive officers based on this evaluation; |
| (e) | determine and approve the compensation level (including any awards under any equity-based compensation or non-equity-based incentive compensation plan of the Company and any material perquisites) for other members of senior management of the Company as the Committee or the Board may from time to time determine to be appropriate; |
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| (f) | review at least annually the compensation of other employees as the Committee determines to be appropriate (including any awards under any equity-based compensation or non-equity-based incentive compensation plan of the Company and any material perquisites); |
| (g) | review on a periodic basis the Company’s management compensation programs, including any management incentive compensation plans as well as plans and policies pertaining to perquisites, to determine whether they are appropriate, properly coordinated and achieve their intended purpose(s), and recommend to the Board any appropriate modifications or new plans, programs or policies; |
| (h) | review, approve and recommend to the Board the adoption of any equity-based compensation plan for employees of or consultants to the Company and any modification of any such plan; |
| (i) | administer the Company’s equity-based compensation plans for employees of and consultants to the Company as provided by the terms of such plans, including authorizing all awards made pursuant to such plans; |
| (j) | review, approve and recommend to the Board the adoption of any non-equity-based incentive compensation plan for employees of or consultants to the Company and any material modification of any such plan and review at least annually the awards made pursuant to such plans; |
| (k) | review, approve and recommend to the Board the adoption of any employee retirement plan, and other material employee benefit plan, and any material modification of any such plan; |
| (l) | review at least annually (a) the Company’s compensation policies, plans and practices for executives, management employees and employees generally to assess whether such policies and practices could lead to excessive risk taking behavior and (b) the manner in which any risks arising out of the Company’s compensation policies and practices are monitored and mitigated and adjustments necessary to address changes in the Company’s risk profile; |
| (m) | with respect to any compensation consultant who has been engaged to make determinations or recommendations on the amount or form of executive or director compensation: (a) annually, or from time to time as the Committee deems appropriate, assess whether the work of any such compensation consultant (whether retained by the compensation committee or management) has raised any conflicts of interest; and (b) review the engagement and the nature of any additional services provided by such compensation consultant to the Committee or to management, as well as all remuneration provided to such consultant; |
| (n) | annually, or from time to time as the Committee deems appropriate and prior to retention of any advisers to the Committee, assess the independence of compensation consultants, legal and other advisers to the Committee, taking into consideration all relevant factors the Committee deems appropriate to such adviser’s independence, including factors specified in the listing standards of Nasdaq; |
| (o) | review and discuss with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosure required by SEC regulations and determine whether to recommend to the Board, as part of a report of the Committee to the Board, that such disclosure be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and any proxy statement for the election of directors; as part of this review, the Committee shall consider the results of the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation (“say-on-pay” vote) required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act; |
| (p) | at least every six years or more frequently as appropriate, make a recommendation to the Board regarding the frequency with which the Company will conduct a say-on-pay vote; |
| (q) | review the form and amount of director compensation at least annually, and make recommendations thereon to the Board; |
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| (r) | oversee and monitor other compensation related policies and practices of the Company, including: (i) the Company’s share ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers; (ii) compliance by management with rules regarding equity-based compensation plans for employees and consultants pursuant to the terms of such plans, and the guidelines for issuance of awards as the Board or Committee may establish; (iii) the Company’s recoupment policy and procedures; and (iv) all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for the Company’s officers and employees; |
| (s) | oversee shareholder communications relating to executive compensation and review and make recommendations with respect to shareholder proposals related to compensation matters; |
| (t) | conduct an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Committee, including its effectiveness and compliance with this charter, and recommend to the Board such amendments of this charter as the Committee deems appropriate; |
| (u) | report regularly to the Board on Committee findings and recommendations and any other matters the Committee deems appropriate or the Board requests, and maintain minutes or other records of Committee meetings and activities; |
| (v) | from and after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, in consultation with the CEO, annually report to the Board on succession planning, which shall include emergency CEO succession, CEO succession in the ordinary course and succession for other members of senior management, working with the entire Board to evaluate potential successors to the CEO; and |
| (w) | undertake such other responsibilities or tasks as the Board may delegate or assign to the Committee from time to time. |
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Exhibit 99.3
BERTO ACQUISITION CORP.
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER
Effective April 29, 2025
| I. | Introduction |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Berto Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) to: (i) identify and screen individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommend to the Board candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of shareholders or to fill Board vacancies; (ii) develop, recommend to the Board and review the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines; (iii) coordinate and oversee the annual self-evaluation of the Board, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the Company; and (iv) review on a regular basis the overall corporate governance of the Company and recommend improvements for approval by the Board where appropriate.
| II. | Committee Membership |
| A. | Composition |
The Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board. Except as otherwise directed by the Board, a director selected as a Committee member shall continue to be a member for as long as he or she remains a director or until his or her earlier resignation or removal from the Committee. Any member may be removed from the Committee by the Board, with or without cause, at any time.
| B. | Chair |
The Chair of the Committee shall be appointed from among the Committee members by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board, shall preside at meetings of the Committee and shall have authority to convene meetings, set agendas for meetings, and determine the Committee’s information needs, except as otherwise provided by the Board or the Committee. In the absence of the Chair at a duly convened meeting, the Committee shall select a temporary substitute from among its members to serve as chair of the meeting. The Chair of the Committee shall serve as “Administrator” of the Company’s Policy Regarding Insider Trading and Dissemination of Inside Information in the circumstances and to the extent described therein.
| C. | Independence |
Each member of the Committee shall be an “independent” director in accordance with the applicable listing standards of Nasdaq (“Nasdaq”) and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, subject to any exceptions or cure periods that are applicable pursuant to the foregoing requirements and the phase-in periods permitted under the rules of Nasdaq under which the Committee is required to have only one independent member at the time of listing, a majority of independent members within 90 days of listing and all independent members within one year of listing. Any action duly taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership provided herein.
| III. | Authority |
In discharging its role, the Committee is empowered to inquire into any matter it considers appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, with access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Company, and, subject to the direction of the Board, the Committee is authorized and delegated the authority to act on behalf of the Board with respect to any matter necessary or appropriate to the accomplishment of its purposes.
The Committee shall have the sole discretion to retain or obtain advice from, oversee and terminate any director search or recruitment consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee and be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of any work of such adviser retained by the Committee, and the Company will provide appropriate funding (as determined by the Committee) for the payment of reasonable compensation to any such adviser.
| IV. | Committee Meetings |
The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities, which, following the Company’s initial business combination, shall be at least quarterly.
The Committee shall establish its own schedule of meetings. The Committee may also act by unanimous written consent of its members.
Notice of meetings shall be given to all Committee members or may be waived, in the same manner as required for meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Committee may be held by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear and speak with each other. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for a meeting and the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute the action of the Committee. The Committee shall otherwise establish its own rules of procedure.
| V. | Delegation |
The Committee, by resolution approved by a majority of the Committee, may form and delegate any of its responsibilities to a subcommittee so long as such subcommittee is solely comprised of one or more members of the Committee and such delegation is not otherwise inconsistent with law and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq.
| VI. | Key Responsibilities |
The following responsibilities are set forth as a guide for fulfilling the Committee’s purposes in such manner as the Committee determines is appropriate:
| (a) | recommend to the Board for approval, review the effectiveness of, recommend modifications as appropriate to, and review Company disclosures concerning: (a) the Company’s policies and procedures for identifying and screening Board nominee candidates; (b) the process and criteria (including experience, qualifications, attributes, diversity or skills in light of the Company’s business and structure) used to evaluate Board membership and director independence; and (c) any policies with regard to diversity on the Board; |
| (b) | identify and screen director candidates (including incumbent directors for potential renomination and candidates recommended by shareholders in accordance with the Company’s policies as set forth in its proxy statement) consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and recommend to the Board candidates for: (a) nomination for election or re-election by the shareholders; and (b) any Board vacancies that are to be filled by the Board subject to any rights regarding the selection of directors by holders of preferred stock and any other contractual or other commitments of the Company; |
| (c) | oversee the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders, including the submission of any proxy access nominees by shareholders; |
| (d) | review Company disclosures concerning the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion that each director and nominee should serve as a director in light of the Company’s business and structure; | |
| (e) | review annually the relationships between directors, the Company and members of management and recommend to the Board whether each director qualifies as “independent” under the Board’s definition of “independence” and the applicable rules of Nasdaq and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
| (f) | assess the appropriateness of a director continuing to serve on the Board upon a substantial change in the director’s principal occupation or business association from the position such director held when originally invited to join the Board, and recommend to the Board any action to be taken with respect thereto; |
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| (g) | assess annually whether the composition of the Board as a whole reflects the appropriate balance of independence, sound judgment, business specialization, technical skills, diversity and other desired qualities, and recommend any appropriate changes to the Board; |
| (h) | (i) review the Board’s leadership structure in light of the specific characteristics or circumstances of the Company and recommend any changes to the Board for approval; (ii) discuss in coordination with the Audit Committee the effect on the Board’s leadership structure of the Board’s role in the risk oversight of the Company; and (iii) review and approve Company disclosures relating to Board leadership; |
| (i) | review periodically the committee structure of the Board and recommend to the Board the appointment of directors to Board committees and assignment of committee chairs; |
| (j) | review periodically the size of the Board and recommend to the Board any appropriate changes; |
| (k) | coordinate with management to develop an appropriate director orientation program and identify continuing education opportunities; |
| (l) | coordinate and oversee the annual self-evaluation of the role and performance of the Board, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the Company; |
| (m) | develop and recommend to the Board, review the effectiveness of, and recommend modifications as appropriate to, the Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governance policies of the Company; |
| (n) | review and address conflicts of interest of directors and executive officers, and the manner in which any such conflicts are to be monitored; |
| (o) | review on a periodic basis, and as necessary when specific issues arise, relations with the Company’s shareholders and advise the Board on effective and appropriate shareholder communications; |
| (p) | review emerging corporate governance issues and practices, including proxy advisory firm policies and recommendations; |
| (q) | conduct an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Committee, including its effectiveness and compliance with this charter, and recommend to the Board such amendments of this charter as the Committee deems appropriate; |
| (r) | report regularly to the Board on Committee findings, recommendations and any other matters the Committee deems appropriate or the Board requests, and maintain minutes or other records of Committee meetings and activities; |
| (s) | review all determinations and interpretations under the Company’s Policy Regarding Insider Trading and Dissemination of Inside Information; and |
| (t) | undertake such other responsibilities as the Board may delegate or assign to the Committee from time to time. |
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