Valuence Merger Corp. I 10-Q for FY2024 Q1
Valuence Merger Corp. I (VMCAF)
About this 10-Q
Valuence Merger Corp. I filed this 10-Q on May 15, 2024, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (FY2024 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Net income
- $588.68K
- down 66.9% from net income of $1.78M a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the quarterly period ended
For the transition period from to
Commission
File No.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code:
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Stock Market LLC | ||||
| Stock Market LLC | ||||
|
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
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.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes
As of May 15, 2024 there were Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share, issued and outstanding.
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| i |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and investments held in trust account | ||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES, CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION, AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses and accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Advance from related party | ||||||||
| Working capital loans | ||||||||
| Convertible note - related party | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred underwriting fees | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, $ par value; shares at redemption value of $ and $ per share at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | ||||||||
| SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ||||||||
| Preference shares, $ par value; shares authorized; issued or outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares, $ par value; shares authorized; issued or outstanding (excluding shares subject to possible redemption) as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Class B ordinary shares, $ par value; shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Common stock value | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES, CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION, AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 1 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Operating costs | $ | $ | ||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other income: | ||||||||
| Interest earned on investments held in trust account | ||||||||
| Total other income | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A ordinary shares | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share, Class A ordinary shares | $ | $ | ||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B ordinary shares | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share, Class B ordinary shares | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 2 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
| Class B Ordinary Shares | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance — January 1, 2024 (audited) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
| Class B Ordinary Shares | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance — January 1, 2023 (audited) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance – March 31, 2023 (unaudited) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||
| Balance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 3 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Interest earned on cash and investments held in trust account | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and accounts payable | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Investment of cash into trust account | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net Change in Cash | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash – Beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash – End of period | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
| 4 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
NOTE 1- DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Valuence Merger Corp. I (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on August 27, 2021. The Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”).
The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. However, the Company intends to concentrate its efforts in identifying a potential business combination partner that is based in Asia (excluding China, Hong Kong and Macau) and who is developing breakthrough technology in life sciences and/or advancing a platform for sustainable technology. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from August 27, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2024 relates to the Company’s formation, the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), and subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, identifying a target company for a Business Combination, which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a 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
registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on February 28, 2022. On March 3, 2022,
the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary
shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”). Each Unit consists of one of the Company’s Class
A ordinary shares, par value $ per share (the “Class A ordinary shares”) and one-half of one redeemable warrant (the
“Public Warrants”), with each Public Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share for an initial
exercise price of $
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of an aggregate of warrants (each, a “Private
Placement Warrant” and, collectively, the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $ per Private Placement Warrant
in a private placement, consisting of Private Placement Warrants sold to VMCA Sponsor, LLC (f/k/a Valuence Capital, LLC) (the
“Sponsor”) and Private Placement Warrants sold to Valuence Partners LP, an investment fund affiliated with the
Company’s Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $
Following
the closing of the Initial Public Offering on March 3, 2022, an amount of $
On
March 8, 2022, the underwriters partially exercised their over-allotment option, resulting in an additional Units issued for
an aggregate amount of $
Transaction
costs amounted to $
| 5 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
Prior
to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, on October 4, 2021, the Sponsor paid $
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 the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward
consummating a Business Combination. The stock exchange listing rules require that the Business Combination must be with one or more
operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least
The Company will provide the holders of the Public Shares (the “Public Shareholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of the Business Combination, either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares, for a per share redemption 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 Business Combination, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares. The per-share amount to be distributed to the Public Shareholders who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 6). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
On
May 25, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “EGM”), where shareholders approved,
among other things, an amendment to the Company’s memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which the Company
must consummate a Business Combination from June 3, 2023 (the “Initial Combination Period”) to September 3, 2023 (the “Extended
Date”) and to allow the Company, without another shareholder vote, by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board of Directors”), to elect to further extend the Extended Date in one-month increments up to eighteen (18) additional
times, or a total of up to thirty-six (36) months (each, an “Additional Extended Date”) after the IPO, until up to March
3, 2025 (the “Combination Period”). The Company’s shareholders also approved a proposal to amend the Company’s
memorandum and articles of association to eliminate (i) the limitation that the Company may not redeem Public Shares in an amount that
would cause the Company’s net tangible assets to be less than $ and (ii) the limitation that the Company shall not consummate
a business combination unless the Company has net tangible assets of at least $ immediately prior to, or upon consummation of,
or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to, such business combination.
The Company’s shareholders also approved a proposal to provide for the right of a holder of the Company’s Class B ordinary
shares to convert such shares into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis at any time and from time to time prior to the closing
of a Business Combination at the election of the holder. In connection with the approval of Additional Extended Date, holders of Class A shares subject to possible
redemptions exercised their right to redeem such shares. As result the Company paid $
| 6 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
As
of the date of this Quarterly Report, the Company, with the approval by the Board of Directors, extended the Combination Period to June
3, 2024 and caused to be deposited an additional $
On
June 5, 2023, the Company issued a promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note”) in the principal amount of
up to $
Also
on June 5, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note to Valuence Partners LP, an affiliate of the Sponsor (the
“VP Convertible Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate maximum amount of $
On
June 14, 2023, the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) notified the Company that
the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum $
On
March 1, 2024, the Company entered into amendment no. 1 (the “IMTA Amendment”) to the Investment Management Trust Agreement
(the “IMTA”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee. Pursuant to the IMTA Amendment, Section 1(c)
of the IMTA was amended to provide that the trustee may, at the direction of the Company (i) hold funds uninvested, (ii) hold funds in
an interest-bearing or non-interest bearing bank demand deposit account at a U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets
of $
If a shareholder vote is not required in connection with a Business Combination and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and file tender offer documents containing substantially the same information as would be included in a proxy statement with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the holders of the Company’s shares prior to the Initial Public Offering (the “Initial Shareholders”) have agreed to vote their Founder Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Shareholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares, without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against a proposed Business Combination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks shareholder approval of the Business Combination and the Company does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, 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”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares without the Company’s prior written consent.
| 7 |
VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
The Initial Shareholders have agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with the Company’s Business Combination or to redeem % of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period or (ii) with respect to any other material provision relating to the rights of Public Shareholders, unless the Company provides the Public Shareholders 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 Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares.
On
each of September 13, 2023, October 3, 2023, November 3, 2023, December 1, 2023, January 3, 2024, February 2, 2024, and March 1, 2024,
the Company caused to be deposited an additional $
As previously disclosed, Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended, provides the Company the right to extend such date up to eighteen times for an additional one month each time to up to March 3, 2025, provided that the Company cause to be deposited the Contribution in connection with each Additional Extended Date.
On May 6, 2024, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC seeking shareholder approval to reduce the amount of the Contribution required for each monthly extension to an Additional Extended Date.
The Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Initial Shareholders or any of their respective affiliates acquire Public Shares, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, and in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per Unit ($).
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a letter of intent, confidentiality, or other similar agreement for a Business Combination, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (1) $ per Public Share and (2) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Liquidity and Going Concern
As
of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash of $
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will not have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity from the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. However, the Working Capital Loans, the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note and the VP Convertible Promissory Note will provide additional flexibility to continue the identification and pursuit of potential business combination targets. Over this time period, the Company will be using available funds, including those from the Working Capital Loans, for the purpose of paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” the Company has until March 3, 2025, if the Company, without shareholder approval, elects to further extend such deadline, to consummate a Business Combination. It is uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after March 3, 2025, if the Company, without shareholder approval, elects to further extend such deadline.
NOTE 2- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented.
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024 or for any future periods.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the unaudited condensed 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 unaudited condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
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 the unaudited condensed 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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As
of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $
Cash and Investments Held in Trust Account
At March 31, 2024, the assets in the Company’s Trust Account were invested in cash in a demand deposit account. As of December 31, 2023, substantially all of the assets held in the Trust Account were held in money market funds, which were invested primarily in U.S. Treasury securities. When the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are comprised of U.S. Treasury securities, the investments are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are presented on the condensed balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of investments held in the Trust Account are included in interest earned on investments held in the Trust Account in the accompanying condensed statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined using available market information.
Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the Initial Public Offering date that are directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs were charged to temporary equity and permanent equity based on relative fair values, upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering.
Warrant Instruments
The Company accounts for the warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering and Over-Allotment as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”), and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own ordinary shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of issuance costs of temporary equity at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrant issuance costs are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. The fair value of the Public Warrants has been estimated using its quoted market price as of March 31, 2024. As the Company’s warrants meet the criteria for equity classification, the Company has accounted for the warrants as equity classified.
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
Class A ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified in temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity (deficit). The Company’s Public Shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Public Shares are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of the Company’s condensed balance sheets.
In
connection with the EGM, shareholders holding Class A ordinary shares exercised their right to redeem their shares for a pro
rata portion of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, approximately $ million (approximately $ per ordinary share) was
removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders and approximately $
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable Class A ordinary shares to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. This method would view the end of the reporting period as if it were also the redemption date for the security. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable Class A ordinary shares are affected by charges against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Class A ordinary shares reflected in the condensed balance sheets are reconciled in the following table:
SCHEDULE OF ORDINARY CLASS OF SHARES
| Gross proceeds | $ | |||
| Less: | ||||
| Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants | ( | ) | ||
| Class A ordinary shares issuance costs | ( | ) | ||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | ||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, at redemption value, December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Less: | ||||
| Redemption of shares | ( | ) | ||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | ||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, at redemption value, December 31, 2023 | $ | |||
| Plus: | ||||
| Accretion of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption | ||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, at redemption value, March 31, 2024 | $ |
Income Taxes
ASC
Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” 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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were
The Company is considered to be 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’s tax provision was zero for the periods presented. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
The Company complies with accounting and ordinary disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net income per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period. The Company has two classes of ordinary shares, which are referred to as Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of ordinary shares share pro rata in the loss of the Company. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A ordinary shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The
calculation of diluted income per ordinary share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) Initial
Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement, since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events.
The warrants are exercisable to purchase
SCHEDULE OF NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
| Class A | Class B | Class A | Class B | |||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Class A | Class B | |||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | ||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of net income, as adjusted | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution,
which, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying condensed balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. ASU 2020-06 removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has not adopted this guidance as of March 31, 2024.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements.
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
NOTE 3 - PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant
to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold Units, inclusive of Units sold to the underwriters on March 8,
2022, upon the underwriters’ election to partially exercise their over-allotment option, at a purchase price of $ per Unit.
Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public
Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $
NOTE 4 - PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor, together with Valuence Partners LP, an investment fund affiliated with
the Sponsor, purchased an aggregate of Private Placement Warrants, consisting of Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor and Private Placement Warrants to Valuence Partners
LP, at a price of $ per Private Placement Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $
NOTE 5 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
On
October 4, 2021, the Sponsor paid $
Each
of the Sponsor and Valuence Partners LP has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder
Shares until the earliest of
Related Party Loans
In
order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain
of 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 a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the
proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside
the Trust Account. In the event that a 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. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements
exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without
interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
On
June 5, 2023, the Company issued a promissory note (the “Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note”) in the principal amount
of up to $
Also
on June 5, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note to Valuence Partners LP, an affiliate of the Sponsor (the
“VP Convertible Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate maximum amount of $
Advance from Related Party
On
March 7, 2022, in connection with the unexercised Over-Allotment options, Carnegie Park Capital agreed for the Company to retain the
residual $
NOTE 6 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements. These unaudited condensed financial statements does not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Management continues to evaluate the impact of ongoing geopolitical instability events, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. Further, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel-Hamas conflict and related sanctions on the world economy is not determinable as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements and the specific impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
Registration Rights
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on February 28, 2022, the holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans) will be entitled to registration rights. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidating damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering the Company’s securities. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
Underwriting Agreement
As
a result of the underwriters’ election to partially exercise their over-allotment option on March 8, 2022, the underwriters are
entitled to a deferred fee of $
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. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were preference shares issued or outstanding.
Class A Ordinary Shares - The Company is authorized to issue Class A ordinary shares, with a par value of $ per share. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, which are presented in temporary equity.
Class B Ordinary Shares - The Company is authorized to issue Class B ordinary shares, with a par value of $ per share. Holders of the Class B ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding. The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full. On March 8, 2022, the underwriters partially exercised their over-allotment option resulting in Class B ordinary shares no longer subject to forfeiture. On April 14, 2022, the over-allotment option expired, and Class B ordinary shares were forfeited.
Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, except as required by law.
The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of a Business Combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof at a ratio such that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of (i) the total number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding upon completion of the Initial Public Offering, plus (ii) the total number of Class A ordinary shares issued or deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of a Business Combination, excluding any forward purchases securities and Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination and any Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor, its affiliates, Valuence Partners LP or any member of the Company’s management team upon conversion of Working Capital Loans. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at a rate of less than one to one.
Warrants -
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue a Class A ordinary share upon exercise of a warrant unless the Class A ordinary share issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the closing of a Business Combination, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided that if the Class A 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, the Company may, at its 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 the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th day after the closing of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Redemption
of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $
| ● | in whole and not in part; |
| ● | at
a price of $ |
| ● | upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and |
| ● | if,
and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $ |
If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company are 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, as described above, its management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Public Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Public Warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of Public Warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Public Warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such Public Warrants.
In
addition, if (x) the Company issues additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities, for capital raising purposes in connection
with the closing of a Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $ per Class A ordinary share (with
such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors and, in the case of
any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates or Valuence Partners LP, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the
Sponsor or such affiliates or Valuence Partners LP, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y)
the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than
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VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2024 |
The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable, except as described above, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.
NOTE 8 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
| Level 1: | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. |
| Level 2: | Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
| Level 3: | Unobservable inputs based on the assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. |
At
March 31, 2024, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $
At
December 31, 2023, assets held in the Trust Account were comprised of $
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
SCHEDULE OF FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY VALUATION
| Description | Level | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||
| Investments held in Trust Account – Cash and U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund | 1 | $ | $ | |||||||||
NOTE 9- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the condensed balance sheets date up to the date that the unaudited condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review the Company identified any subsequent events, as stated below, that require adjustment or disclosure in the unaudited condensed financial statements.
On
each of April 2, 2024 and May 3, 2024, the Company caused to be deposited an additional $
On May 6, 2024, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC seeking shareholder approval to reduce the amount of the Contribution required for each monthly extension to an Additional Extended Date.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
References in this report (this “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Valuence Merger Corp. I. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to VMCA Sponsor, LLC (f/k/a Valuence Capital, LLC). The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available.
A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 29, 2024 (the “Annual Report”). The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
Valuence Merger Corp. I was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on August 27, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of entering into a Business Combination.
We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete a Business Combination will be successful.
The Registration Statement for our IPO was declared effective on February 28, 2022. On March 3, 2022, we consummated the sale of 20,000,000 Units. On March 4, 2022 the underwriters of the IPO partially exercised their Over-Allotment Option and, in connection therewith, on March 8, 2022 we consummated the issuance and sale of an additional 2,009,963 Units. Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, and one-half of one Public Warrant. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $220,099,630.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 6,666,667 Private Placement Warrants, at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement, consisting of 2,666,667 Private Placement Warrants to our Sponsor and 4,000,000 Private Placement Warrants to Valuence Partners LP, generating gross proceeds of $10,000,000.
Simultaneously with the exercise of the over-allotment, we consummated the Private Placement of an additional 267,995 Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $401,993.
Offering costs for the IPO and the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option amounted to $10,718,994, consisting of $4,000,000 of underwriting fees, net of $2,200,996 reimbursed from the underwriters, $8,105,480 of deferred underwriting fees payable (which are held in the Trust Account) and $814,510 of other costs. The $8,105,480 of deferred underwriting fee payable is contingent upon the consummation of a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Following the closing of the IPO and partial exercise of the over-allotment, $226,702,619 ($10.30 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account and was invested in 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 in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by us meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by us, until the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account.
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In connection with the extension of the Combination Period, as described below, shareholders holding an aggregate of 15,799,245 Class A ordinary shares properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for $167,831,206. After the satisfaction of such redemptions, the balance in our Trust Account was approximately $65.7 million. As of March 31, 2024, including Contributions made to the Trust Account in connection with monthly extensions of the Combination Period, as described below, the balance in our Trust Account was approximately $70.7 million.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less taxes payable), to complete our Business Combination. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
On March 1, 2024, the Company entered into the IMTA Amendment. Pursuant to the IMTA Amendment, Section 1(c) of the IMTA was amended to provide that the trustee may, at the direction of the Company (i) hold funds uninvested, (ii) hold funds in an interest-bearing or non-interest bearing bank 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) invest and reinvest the Property (as defined in the IMTA) in solely 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 the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act (or any successor rule), which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company. On the same day, pursuant to the IMTA Amendment, the Company instructed Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company to move the Trust Account out of an investment in securities and into an interest-bearing bank deposit account. As a result, the remaining proceeds from the IPO and sale of Private Placement Warrants are no longer invested in U.S. government securities or money market funds. Investing in our securities is not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities.
Extraordinary General Meeting
On May 25, 2023, we held the EGM, pursuant to which our shareholders approved a proposal to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which we must consummate a Business Combination from the Initial Combination Period to the Extended Date and to allow us, without another shareholder vote, by resolution of our Board of Directors, to elect to further extend the Extended Date in one-month increments up to eighteen (18) additional times, or a total of up to thirty-six (36) months after the IPO, until up to March 3, 2025, the end of the Combination Period. Our shareholders also approved a proposal to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to eliminate (i) the limitation that we may not redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 and (ii) the limitation that we shall not consummate a Business Combination unless we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to, or upon consummation of, or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to, such Business Combination. Our shareholders also approved a proposal to provide for the right of a holder of our Class B ordinary shares, to convert such shares into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis at any time and from time to time prior to the closing of a Business Combination at the election of the holder. Under Cayman Islands law, the amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association took effect upon approval of the Combination Period. In connection with the EGM, shareholders holding an aggregate of 15,799,245 Class A ordinary shares properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.62 per share, for an aggregate amount of approximately $167,831,206.
On each of September 13, 2023, October 3, 2023, November 3, 2023, December 1, 2023, January 3, 2024, February 2, 2024, and March 1, 2024, we caused to be deposited an additional $140,000, for an aggregate total of $980,000, into our Trust Account in connection with the approval by the Board of Directors of an extension of the date by which we must consummate a Business Combination by an additional month. Subsequent to the reporting date on these financial statements, on each of April 2, 2024 and May 3, 2024, the Company caused to be deposited an additional $140,000 into the Company’s Trust Account on each date, in connection with each subsequent approval by the Board of Directors of an extension of the date by which the Company has to consummate an initial business combination by an additional month on each deposit date, from April 3, 2024 to June 3, 2024, which, together with the extensions from September 3, 2023 to April 3, 2024, comprises of 9 of the 18 potential one-month extensions available to the Company, and a total of $1,220,000 invested into the Company’s Trust Account.
As previously disclosed, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended, provides us the right to extend such date up to eighteen times for an additional one month each time to up to March 3, 2025, provided that we cause to be deposited the Contribution in connection with each Additional Extended Date.
Preliminary Proxy Statement
On May 6, 2024, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC seeking shareholder approval to reduce the amount of the Contribution required for each monthly extension to an Additional Extended Date.
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Convertible Promissory Notes
On June 5, 2023, the Company issued the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of up to $613,207 to the Sponsor for working capital requirements and payment of certain expenses in connection the Company’s Business Combination. The Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) the date of the Business Combination or (ii) the liquidation of the Company. At any time prior to payment in full of the principal balance of the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note, the Sponsor may elect to convert all or any portion of the unpaid principal balance into that number of Conversion Warrants, equal to (x) the portion of the principal amount of the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note being converted, divided by (y) $1.50, rounded up to the nearest whole number of warrants. The Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note was accounted for using the bifurcation method and was determined that the conversion feature had no value and was recorded at par value. As of March 31, 2024, $613,207 is outstanding under the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note.
Also on June 5, 2023, the Company issued the VP Convertible Promissory Note to Valuence Partners LP, an affiliate of the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate maximum amount of $1,650,943. The VP Convertible Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) the date of the Business Combination or (ii) the liquidation of the Company. At any time prior to payment in full of the principal balance of the VP Convertible Promissory Note, Valuence Partners LP may elect to convert all or any portion of the unpaid principal balance into that number of Conversion Warrants, equal to (x) the portion of the principal amount of the VP Convertible Promissory Note being converted, divided by (y) $1.50, rounded up to the nearest whole number of warrants. The aggregate amount convertible into Conversion Warrants pursuant to the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note and the VP Convertible Promissory Note shall not exceed $1,500,000. The VP Convertible Promissory Note was accounted for using the bifurcation method, and was determined that the conversion feature had no value and was recorded at par value. As of March 31, 2024, $1,650,941 has been borrowed against VP Convertible Promissory Note.
Results of Operations
As of March 31, 2024, we have not commenced any operations. All activity through March 31, 2024 relates to our formation, the IPO, and our search for an initial Business Combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the IPO placed in the Trust Account.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had a net income of $588,681, which consisted of interest earned on investments held in the Trust Account of $846,150, offset by operating costs of $257,469.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had a net income of $1,776,101, which consisted of interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $2,430,776, offset by general and administrative expenses of $654,675.
Liquidity and Capital Resources; Going Concern Consideration
As of March 31, 2024, we had cash of $25,017 and a working capital deficit of $4,605,760.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” the Company has until up to March 3, 2025 to consummate a Business Combination or liquidate, provided that we cause to be deposited the Contribution in connection with each Additional Extended Date. It is uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Management has determined that the liquidity condition and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after March 3, 2025, if we, with shareholder approval, elect to further extend such deadline. Based on the foregoing, management believes that the Company will not have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity from the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this report. However, the Working Capital Loans, the Sponsor Convertible Promissory Note and the VP Convertible Promissory Note will provide additional flexibility to continue our identification and pursuit of potential Business Combination targets. Over this time period, the Company will be using available funds, including those from the Working Capital Loans, for the purpose of paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
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Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2024. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
Other than the Contribution Notes previously disclosed in this Quarterly Report, we do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities. The underwriters are entitled to a deferred underwriting commissions of $0.35 per Unit, or $8,105,480 from the closing of the IPO. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely if we complete a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
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” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing 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 such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (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 executive compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our IPO or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the unaudited condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our 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 unaudited condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
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 the unaudited condensed 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.
Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”). Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Our ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of our balance sheets of the financial statements contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
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Warrant Instruments
We account for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the instruments’ specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the instruments are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the instruments meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the instruments are indexed to a company’s ordinary shares and whether the instrument holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of a company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the instruments are outstanding. Upon review of the warrant agreement, the Company’s management concluded that the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants issued pursuant to such warrant agreement qualify for equity accounting treatment.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES 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 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
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 March 31, 2024. 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.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II-OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in our Annual Report. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On March 3, 2022, the Company consummated the sale of 20,000,000 Units in our Initial Public Offering. On March 4, 2022 the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering partially exercised their over-allotment option and, in connection therewith, on March 8, 2022 the Company consummated the issuance and sale of an additional 2,009,963 Units in our Initial Public Offering. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds at the time of the Initial Public Offering of $220,099,630. The securities sold in our Initial Public Offering were registered under the Securities Act on a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-262246). The SEC declared the registration statement effective on February 28, 2022.
Offering costs for the Initial Public Offering and the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option amounted to $10,718,994, consisting of $4,000,000 of underwriting fees, net of $2,200,996 reimbursed from the underwriters, $8,105,480 of deferred underwriting fees payable (which are held in the Trust Account) and $814,510 of other costs. The $8,105,480 of deferred underwriting fee payable is contingent upon the consummation of a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
On October 4, 2021, our Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 5,750,000 Founder Shares, for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.0043 per share (up to 750,000 shares of which were subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised). The number of Founder Shares issued was determined based on the expectation that the Founder Shares would represent 20% of the outstanding ordinary shares upon completion of the Initial Public Offering. Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Our Sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D. As of April 14, 2022, the underwriters’ over-allotment option expired, and therefore, the 247,510 remaining Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture were forfeited, resulting in the Sponsor and Valuence Partners LP holding an aggregate of 5,502,490 Founder Shares.
In addition, our Sponsor, together with Valuence Partners LP, one of its affiliates, pursuant to a written agreement, purchased from us an aggregate of 6,666,667 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant. This purchase took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of our Initial Public Offering. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales of Founder Shares or Private Placement Warrants.
Following the closing of the IPO and sale of Private Placement Warrants, an aggregate of $226,702,619 ($10.30 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account.
Our Sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides, that we will have until up to March 3, 2025 to complete our Business Combination. If we are unable to complete our Business Combination by March 3, 2025, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation 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. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants if we fail to complete our initial Business Combination within the Combination Period.
As of March 31, 2024, after giving effect to our Initial Public Offering and our operations subsequent thereto, including the monthly Contributions made to the Trust Account, approximately $70.7 million was held in the Trust Account.
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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| Exhibit Number | Description | |
| 10.1 | Amendment No. 1 to Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated March 1, 2024, between Valuence Merger Corp. I and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Valuence Merger Corp. I on March 5, 2024). | |
| 31.1* | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15(d) to 14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31.2* | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15(d) to 14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32.1** | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32.2** | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
| 101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
| 101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
| 101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
| 101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | |
| 101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
| 104 | The cover page from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101 | |
| * | Filed herewith. | |
| ** | These certifications are furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. |
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PART III - SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| VALUENCE MERGER CORP. I | ||
| Date: May 15, 2024 | By: | /s/ Sung Yoon Woo |
| Name: | Sung Yoon Woo | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: May 15, 2024 | By: | /s/ Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung |
| Name: | Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) AND 15(D)-14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Sung Yoon Woo, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Valuence Merger Corp. I; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) 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) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| 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(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Date: May 15, 2024 | |
| /s/ Sung Yoon Woo | |
| Sung Yoon Woo | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) AND 15(D)-14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Valuence Merger Corp. I; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) 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) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
| 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(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Date: May 15, 2024 | |
| /s/ Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung | |
| Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung | |
| 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 Quarterly Report of Valuence Merger Corp. I (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Sung Yoon Woo, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as added by §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| 1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | |
| 2. | To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report. |
| Date: May 15, 2024 | |
| /s/ Sung Yoon Woo | |
| Sung Yoon Woo | |
| 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 Quarterly Report of Valuence Merger Corp. I (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as added by §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| 1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | |
| 2. | To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report. |
| Date: May 15, 2024 | |
| /s/ Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung | |
| Sungwoo (Andrew) Hyung | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |