As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2021.
No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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6770
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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86-2093703
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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4401 North Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
James C. Hunt
Chief Executive Officer
4401 North Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 533-1122
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:
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Raphael M. Russo, Esq.
Tracey A. Zaccone, Esq.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
Tel: (212) 373-3000
Fax: (212) 757-3990
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Frank Lopez, Esq.
Jonathan Ko, Esq.
James M. Shea, Jr., Esq.
Paul Hastings LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Tel: (212) 318-6000
Fax: (212) 319-4090
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
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.
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Large accelerated filer
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☐
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Accelerated filer
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☐
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Non-accelerated filer
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☒
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Smaller reporting company
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☒
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Emerging growth company
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☒
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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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered
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Amount
to be
Registered
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit
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Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)(2)
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Amount of
Registration Fee
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Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, and one-half of one redeemable warrant(2)
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23,000,000 units
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$
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10.00
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$
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230,000,000.00
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$
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25,093
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Class A ordinary shares included as part of the units(3)
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23,000,000 shares
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—
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—
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—(4)
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Redeemable warrants included as part of the units(3)
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11,500,000 warrants
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—
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—
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—(4)
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Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of redeemable warrants included as part of the units
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11,500,000 warrants
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$
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11.50
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132,250,000.00
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14,428.48
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Total
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$
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362,250,000.00
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$
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39,521.48(5)
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(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fees.
(2)
Includes 3,000,000 units, consisting of 3,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 1,500,000 redeemable warrants, which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
(3)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a), there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from share sub-divisions, share dividends or similar transactions.
(4)
No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g).
(5)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act, based on the price of the warrants.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 19, 2021
$200,000,000
Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I
20,000,000 units
Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I is a blank check company newly incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial business combination. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. We will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region in our identification and acquisition of a target company.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, terms and limitations as described herein. The underwriters have a 45-day option from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, if any.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares in connection with our initial business combination, subject to the limitations as described herein. If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will redeem 100% of the public shares for cash, subject to applicable law and certain conditions as described herein.
Our sponsor, Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, an affiliate of Hunt Companies, Inc. has agreed to purchase 6,000,000 warrants (or 6,600,000 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, in a private placement to occur concurrently with the closing of this offering.
Our initial shareholders currently own 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, up to 750,000 of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as provided herein. Holders of the Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the election or removal of our directors prior to our initial business combination and each director will need to receive the vote of two-thirds of the outstanding Class B ordinary shares in order to be elected. On any other matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders, holders of the Class B ordinary shares and holders of the Class A ordinary shares will vote together as a single class, except that in respect of any vote or votes to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of our company in such other jurisdiction), holders of Class B ordinary shares will have ten votes per share and holders of Class A ordinary shares will have one vote per share, and except as required by law or the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, then in effect.
Currently, there is no public market for our securities. We intend to apply to have our units listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “HTAQ.U” We expect that the Class A ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the NYSE under the symbols “HTAQ” and “HTAQ WS,” respectively, on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Jefferies LLC permits earlier separate trading and we have satisfied certain conditions.
We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company” under applicable federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page
34 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities. Investors will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Unit
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Total
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Public offering price
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$
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10.00
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$
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200,000,000
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Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
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$
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0.55
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$
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11,000,000
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us
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$
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9.45
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$
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189,000,000
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(1)
Includes $0.35 per unit, or $7,000,000 in the aggregate (or $8,050,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions to be placed in a trust account located in the United States as described herein and released to the underwriters only upon the consummation of an initial business combination. See “Underwriting” for a description of compensation payable to the underwriters.
All of the proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants described in this prospectus, $200,000,000, or $230,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.00 per unit in either case), will be deposited into a U.S.-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.
The underwriters are offering the units for sale on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to the purchasers on or about , 2021.
Sole Book-Running Manager
Jefferies
Co-Manager
Imperial Capital
The date of this prospectus is , 2021
We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information others may give to you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover page of this prospectus.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1
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34
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70
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71
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74
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75
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78
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83
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111
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122
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124
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126
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149
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160
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169
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169
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169
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F-1
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II-4
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SUMMARY
This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing.
Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or the context otherwise requires, references to:
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“amended and restated memorandum and articles of association” are to the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that the company will adopt prior to the consummation of this offering;
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“Companies Act” are to the Companies Act (2021 Revision) of the Cayman Islands as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time;
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“founder shares” are to our Class B ordinary shares and our Class A ordinary shares that will be issued upon the automatic conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof (for the avoidance of doubt, such Class A ordinary shares will not be “public shares”);
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“initial shareholders” are to our sponsor and any other holders of our founder shares immediately prior to this offering;
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“management” or our “management team” are to our executive officers and directors (including our director nominees that will become directors in connection with the consummation of this offering);
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“ordinary shares” are to our Class A ordinary shares and our Class B ordinary shares;
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“private placement warrants” are to the warrants to be issued to our sponsor in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering and upon conversion of working capital loans, if any;
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“public shares” are to our Class A ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market);
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“public shareholders” are to the holders of our public shares, including our sponsor and/or members of our management team to the extent our sponsor and/or members of our management team purchase public shares, provided that our sponsor’s and each member of our management team’s status as a “public shareholder” will only exist with respect to such public shares;
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“sponsor” are to Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; and
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“we,” “us,” “our,” “company” or “our company” are to Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company.
Any forfeiture of shares described in this prospectus will take effect as a surrender of shares for no consideration of such shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any conversion of the Class B ordinary shares described in this prospectus will take effect as a compulsory redemption of Class B ordinary shares and an issuance of Class A ordinary shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any share dividends described in this prospectus will take effect as share capitalizations as a matter of Cayman Islands law.
Unless we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.
General
We are a blank check company newly incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Our sponsor, Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, is an affiliate of each of James C. (Chris) Hunt, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors, and James K. (Jim) Hunt, Vice Chairman of our board of directors.
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify, acquire and operate a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience.
Our Company
Our founders are executives at Hunt Companies, Inc. and its affiliates (“Hunt Companies”) where they have worked together to acquire and operate multiple operating companies that focus on providing services to the renewable energy, critical infrastructure, and real asset services and technology end markets, among others, on behalf of the Hunt family. During their tenure at Hunt Companies, they have successfully invested in disruptive trends that are re-shaping economic and business landscapes. In the process they have created substantial value for the shareholders of Hunt Companies.
We intend to leverage the significant operational and investment experience of our management and board to identify acquisition opportunities at the intersection of several important secular trends affecting renewable energy assets, infrastructure assets and real estate assets (collectively referred to as “Real Asset”).
Our investment thesis is rooted in three core beliefs that will influence the types of investment opportunities that we will target.
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First, we believe the world is in the early stages of a dramatic energy transition of a scope and scale that is unprecedented by all historical standards. The continued adoption of renewable energy and de-carbonization technologies will continue to accelerate in years to come, which will create a large market opportunity for businesses that are at the forefront of the transition to a de-carbonized economy. We believe that businesses involved in the design, development, construction, operation and financing of renewable energy assets will benefit from strong tailwinds in years to come and may represent attractive acquisition opportunities.
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Second, we believe that government spending (particularly in the U.S.) aimed at addressing critical infrastructure shortfalls (including an ongoing shortage of affordable housing) will increase in years to come, which will create a large market opportunity for businesses that are leveraged to public and private sector infrastructure spending. We believe that businesses involved in the design, development, construction, operation and financing of critical infrastructure assets (including public infrastructure, private infrastructure and affordable housing) will benefit from strong tailwinds in years to come and may represent attractive acquisition opportunities.
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Third, we believe that owners of real assets will continue to adopt disruptive technologies and differentiated services that enhance the performance, life cycle and efficiency of their real assets, which will create a large market opportunity for businesses that are able to deliver differentiated solutions to owners of real assets. We believe that businesses involved in the delivery of differentiated services and technology for owners of real assets will benefit from strong tailwinds in years to come and may represent attractive acquisition opportunities.
We believe that our management team has several attributes that will create shareholder value against the backdrop for these trends:
1.
Deep industry relationships — Our management team has had extensive experience building relationships across the renewable energy, infrastructure and real estate industries. This experience has created numerous relationships with experts in those fields, presenting us with the unique ability to identify and shape opportunities across multiple industries.
2.
History of creating value for shareholders — Since 2000, Hunt Companies has demonstrated its ability to deliver returns by growing its estimated equity value from $0.2 billion to $2.0 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 13%. Hunt Companies’ cumulative estimated equity value (excluding adjustments for dividends) has increased by over 1,159% over that time frame, dramatically outperforming the S&P500 (which increased by 156% excluding adjustments for dividends).
3.
Relevant investments across public and private operating businesses — Hunt Companies is an active investor in both public and private companies, including extensive investments in the renewable energy, infrastructure, and Real Asset services and technology industries. We believe this investment history will assist us in identifying and acting on acquisition opportunities across our target universe.
4.
Proprietary deal flow — Hunt Companies’ senior leadership has built relationships with industry leaders and is a trusted operating partner, both of which contribute to deal flow and investment opportunities. The network of Hunt Companies investees provides an edge in target screening and evaluation, creating a tactical advantage for Hunt Companies in M&A situations. As a result, Hunt Companies has a unique ability to identify, evaluate and execute off-market acquisition opportunities. Hunt Companies has not historically competed in auction situations and has acquired almost exclusively on an “off market” basis.
5.
Rigorous underwriting criteria — Hunt Companies has decades of M&A experience which provide it a framework for identifying and approaching potential acquisition targets. Our management team will utilize a disciplined approach honed over years of public and private market investments to responsibly deploy capital. In doing so, we expect to generate long term value for shareholders.
We believe that the combination of these five components will enable us to execute on our differentiated strategy and create long-term value for shareholders. Our vision is to allow shareholders to benefit from the same strategies that have made Hunt Companies successful while leveraging the financial and tactical advantages of a public company listing. We believe our experience will enable us to help the target’s management team navigate operational, financial and strategic opportunities and challenges and build a high-growth and financially successful business. We believe these competitive advantages will allow us to execute on our founders’ shared vision to create a world class publicly traded business through our company.
We believe the renewable energy, infrastructure, and Real Asset services and technology industries possess attractive potential business combination targets that have ample opportunity for growth and the potential to provide long-term shareholder value. We believe we have assembled a team with extensive industry-related operating and acquisition expertise to capitalize on this opportunity. Our management team has comprehensive experience in identifying, acquiring and executing strategic investments globally and has done so successfully in numerous industries, including within our target industries.
Our Sponsor
Our sponsor is Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, a subsidiary of Hunt Companies. Founded in 1947, Hunt Companies is a family-owned holding company with roughly $2.0 billion in net asset value across a portfolio of owned real assets (real estate and infrastructure) and more than 20 investments in operating companies that have underlying activities that relate back to the Real Asset sector. Hunt Companies’ roots can be traced to its principal activities as a general contractor and principal real estate developer during its first approximately 50 years of existence. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hunt Companies was at the forefront of the U.S. Military Housing Privatization Initiative and today has ownership interest in a portfolio of approximately 52,000 military housing units. Since 2011, Hunt Companies has executed an active M&A strategy, aimed at diversifying the Company’s asset base, and today has a portfolio of investments in over 20 operating businesses that have underlying exposure that relate back to the Real Asset space, as well as a substantial portfolio of real assets. Since 2012, Hunt Companies has executed over 18 corporate M&A transactions with an aggregate underlying transaction value that exceeds $2.7 billion. Today, Hunt Companies is wholly-owned by the Hunt family and functions as a diversified family holding company with a portfolio of assets and operating companies that benefit from a shared commercial logic, relating back to the Real Asset space.
Our Management Team
Our management team is comprised of seasoned industry leaders, who we believe are well-positioned to identify and evaluate businesses within the renewable energy, infrastructure, and Real Asset services and technology industries that would benefit from our management team’s skills and access to the public markets. We believe our management team offers a deep network of long-standing relationships in our target industries, as well as a distinct background that can have a transformative impact on a target business.
Our management team is led by Chris Hunt, our Chief Executive Officer, Woody Hunt, our Senior Advisor, Ryan McCrory, our Head of Corporate, and Clay Parker, our Chief Financial Officer.
Chris Hunt — Chief Executive Officer and Director
Chris Hunt has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Companies, Inc. since 2015. Chris is a Director on Hunt Companies’ Board of Directors and also serves on Hunt Companies’ Executive Committee and Investment Committee. Chris is on the Board of Directors of numerous Hunt affiliates. Chris began his career at Hunt Companies in 1993 and has served in numerous capacities over his more than 25 year tenure at Hunt Companies. Immediately prior to becoming CEO, Chris served as President, COO and then CEO of Hunt Development Group. Chris is currently a director of Lument Finance Trust (LFT) and MMA Capital Holdings (MMAC). Chris graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. degree in Economics and an M.B.A. in Finance.
Woody L. Hunt — Senior Advisor
Mr. Woody L. Hunt is Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hunt Companies. and its affiliated companies. Woody served as CEO of Hunt Companies from 1977 until 2015. Woody was a member of the Board of Directors for El Paso Electric (Nasdaq: EE), PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM), and WestStar Bank. In addition to his duties with Hunt and as a corporate director, Woody is a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors; foundation trustee of the Texas Higher Education Foundation; member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center-Houston; Founding Chairman of the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso, where he now serves on the Board of Directors; member and former Chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council; Vice-Chair for the Council for Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development; an Advisory Director for WestStar Bank; member of the Executive Council of No Labels; and Co-Chair of American Business Immigration Coalition. Woody was Vice-Chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents; served seven years, three as Chairman, on the Board of Directors of The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). Woody has received the Mirabeau B. Lamar medal which is awarded to individuals that have made extraordinary contributions to higher education in the State of Texas. Woody received the Dick Weekley Public Policy Leadership Award from the Texas Business Leadership Council, which recognizes a business leader who has exemplified the positive outcomes that are derived at the intersection of volunteerism and public policy. Woody has also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas at Austin, been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame, and the El Paso Business Hall of Fame. Woody also serves as Chairman of the Hunt Family Foundation, a private family foundation he and his wife Gayle, established in 1987. Woody graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. degree in Finance, and he subsequently received his M.B.A. degree in Finance from UT. Woody also earned an M.A. degree in Management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.
Ryan McCrory — Head of Corporate
Ryan McCrory serves as Executive Vice President for Hunt Companies. Ryan is responsible for executing M&A transactions, capital markets transactions and other strategic initiatives for Hunt Companies. Ryan serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee. Prior to joining Hunt Companies in 2017, Ryan was an investment professional at CenterOak Partners, a private equity firm focused on control-oriented leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations. Prior to joining CenterOak Partners, he worked as an investment professional at Brazos Private Equity Partners, CenterOak Partners’ predecessor firm. Prior to entering the private equity industry, Ryan worked as an investment banker at Lazard Frères, where he advised on M&A and restructuring transactions across numerous sectors. Ryan received a B.B.A. in finance and accounting from Texas Christian University.
Clay Parker — Chief Financial Officer
Clay Parker serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies and is responsible for the its accounting, tax, finance, risk management, treasury and information services teams. Clay was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Prometheus Real Estate Group, located in California. Prometheus Real Estate Group is a real estate company specializing in the development,
acquisition, management and ownership of luxury multifamily and office properties located in California, Washington and Oregon. Prior to joining Prometheus, Clay worked at JPI for over ten years in various executive leadership positions including four years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the eastern division in McLean, Virginia and three years as Executive Vice President of Financial Services at the home office of JPI in Irving, Texas, overseeing the accounting, tax, treasury, risk management and financial planning teams. JPI was a national residential real estate company that specialized in the development, acquisition, construction and management of luxury multifamily, student housing and mixed-use properties. Clay received his B.B.A. degree from University of Texas, Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
Our Board of Directors
Jim Hunt — Vice Chairman, Internal Director
From November 2015 until August 2016, Jim served as the managing partner and CEO, middle market credit at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LLC, an alternative investment firm with $32.0 billion of Assets Under Management (“AUM”) that invests in the areas of energy, real estate, credit, and specialty growth capital. From August 2014 to November 2015, Jim served as non-executive chairman of the board of THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD), an externally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with $6.0 billion of AUM. Jim was a Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD), and of THL Credit Advisors, a registered investment advisor that provides administrative services to THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD). Previously, Jim was chief executive officer and managing partner of Bison Capital Asset Management, LLC, a multi-fund private equity firm. Prior to co-founding Bison Capital, Jim was the SunAmerica (formerly known as NYSE: SAI) Corporate Finance president and executive vice president of SunAmerica Investments (subsequently, AIG SunAmerica). Jim was with Citibank/Citicorp (NYSE: C) from 1975 through 1989, with his last responsibilities serving as Far West Area Head of Leveraged Capital and with Senior Credit Officer’s designation. Jim serves on the board of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI), where he also served as Lead Director from IPO until February 2021. Additionally, he serves on the boards of Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc (NYSE: ARDC), which is a closed-end management investment company. Jim formerly served on the boards of Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (NYSE: PRS), Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS) (renamed Black Knight in 2014), Falcon Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLCN) (over $200 million AUM) and CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. Jim received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and an M.B.A. degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
John P. Carey — Director Nominee
John Carey, Senior Managing Director with Treliant LLC (“Treliant”), is an accomplished banking executive and attorney with a broad mix of business, regulatory, legal, corporate governance, compliance, and management experience in major consumer financial services companies, at a national law firm, and in government service. He has extensive experience in board governance, having served on numerous bank, community, and non-profit boards. At Treliant, John is currently serving as an independent compliance monitor for a financial institution that is under a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice. He is also serving as the independent compliance auditor for a financial services firm that is under an SEC enforcement agreement. Prior to joining Treliant in late 2016, John had a 10-year career at Citigroup (NYSE: C), where he was Head of Governance, Regulatory and External Affairs for Citi’s (NYSE: C) global consumer bank and led the development of effective controls and the oversight of external, regulatory, and operational risks affecting the business. While in that role, he had direct oversight of numerous regulatory remediation projects relating to Citi’s global consumer businesses. In other roles at Citi (NYSE: C), he served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Citi North America Consumer Banking and as CAO of Citi Cards. John also served as Chairman of the Board of Banamex USA, a state-chartered institution located in Los Angeles, CA.
John took on the role to resolve the bank’s consent orders relating to its failure to meet its BSA/AML obligations. As Chairman, he led the corrective actions required by the bank’s regulators. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Banamex USA, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., Citi’s credit card bank, and as a Member of the Board of Directors of Department Stores National Bank. Currently, John serves as Chair of the Board of South Kent School. In 2009, the Federal Reserve Board appointed John to its Consumer Advisory Council, advising the Board on the exercise of its responsibilities under the Consumer Credit Protection Act and on other consumer financial services matters. Prior to joining Citi (NYSE: C) in 2006, John worked at MBNA Corporation and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), where he managed segments of the credit card business and covered legal and regulatory matters. Before joining MBNA, John served as the General Counsel to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served in the Clinton White House as Chief Counsel to the Office of Presidential Personnel, managing the legal team that vetted candidates for presidential nominations to the U.S. Senate. Prior to joining the Clinton Administration, John practiced law at Paul Hastings in Washington, DC. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable June L. Green, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. John is a graduate of Georgetown College and Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the State of New York. He is a member of the International Association of Independent Corporate Monitors.
Susan L. Harris — Director Nominee
Susan has broad legal and corporate governance expertise as she has held roles as Director and General Counsel at multiple publicly listed companies. Susan currently serves as a Director at General Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: GFN), which is a specialty rental services company offering portable storage, modular space and liquid containment solutions. Additionally, Susan serves on the Board of Directors and Balance Sheet Committee of Pacific Oak SOR BVI, a subsidiary of Pacific Oak Strategic REIT (formerly known as OTC: PCOK). In October 2020, Pacific Oak Strategic REIT announced the completion of its stock-for-stock merger with Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT II to form a $2.0 billion Company. Previously, Susan served as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee for Mobile Services Group, Inc. and Mobile Storage Group, Inc. from 2002 to 2006. Mobile Services Group, Inc. and Mobile Storage Group, Inc. provided a portable storage solution and specialty containment solutions to valued customers in the U.S. In 2000, Susan retired from SunAmerica Inc. (formerly known as NYSE: SAI), where she served in a variety of positions between 1985 and 2000, including her most recent position as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In 1998, AIG (NYSE: AIG) announced its acquisition SunAmerica in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $18.0 billion. During her tenure at SunAmerica, Susan's responsibilities included the preparation and review of public disclosure for the Company. Susan began her legal career as an Associate Attorney at Lillick, McHose & Charles in 1981. Susan earned a J.D. degree from the University of Southern California and B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
David B. Rogers — Director Nominee
David is actively involved as a principal in a wide range of project development and financing matters. He is working a number of low-carbon projects including, with partners and backed by institutional funding, the world’s first carbon capture retrofit project of a combined cycle natural gas power plant. Previously, David practiced law for 30 years with Latham & Watkins LLP where he was one of the firm’s leading partners. For many years, David served as global chair of the firm’s top-ranked project finance practice. He also served as global chair of its finance practice (project finance, leveraged finance, banking, real estate, municipal finance and structured finance). He served on the firm’s five-person executive committee which has full authority to manage the firm, having been elected by the firm’s partners for the maximum terms allowed. David advised lenders, private equity firms, developers, utilities and others in financings, acquisitions and project development matters. He had lead roles in early renewables projects including developing the first large utility-owned wind energy project in the U.S. He is also expert in risk management. David is teaching a full-term Winter 2021 graduate course at Stanford — Environment and Resources 260: “Implementing and Financing a Decarbonized Economy.” In five prior years, he has taught a full-term course on “Clean Energy Project Development and Finance” at Stanford Graduate School of Business and/or Stanford Law School. He has also taught an annual compressed course at Oxford’s Saïd Business School on International Infrastructure Development and Finance. David earned a B.A. degree in Economics with honors and distinction from Stanford in 1980 and a J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1983.
Our Market Opportunity and Business Strategy
While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector (subject to certain limitations described in this prospectus), we intend to identify and acquire a business within the renewable energy, infrastructure, or Real Asset services and technology industries. First, we believe the renewable energy sector possess attractive opportunities given a broad transition to renewable energy sources and declining renewable energy production costs. Second, we believe the infrastructure sector possesses attractive opportunities given increasing levels of public and private sector spending (particularly in the U.S.) aimed at addressing critical infrastructure shortfalls (including an ongoing shortage of affordable housing). Third, we believe the Real Asset service and technology sector possesses attractive opportunities because owners of real assets are rapidly adopting disruptive technologies and differentiated services that enhance the performance, life cycle and efficiency of real assets. Furthermore, we believe our management team’s experience investing across these industries will be valuable and will help unlock additional shareholder value as we guide the target through the next phase of its growth as a public company. Examples of verticals within these that we intend to focus on include:
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Renewables Energy — Companies that deliver climate solutions and/or operate at the forefront of the transition to a low-carbon economy. As technological innovations and government incentives have dramatically reduced the cost of renewable energy generation, consumer demands have been influenced by an increased awareness of climate change and the importance of sustainability. Accordingly, we see a significant market opportunity for businesses that are at the forefront of our shift to a low-carbon future. Hunt Companies has invested extensively across the renewable energy sector including its investments in, Amber Infrastructure, Moss & Associates, Sustainable Living Innovations and the business known as MMA Energy Capital.
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Infrastructure — Companies that are leveraged to increased public and private sector spending on infrastructure assets (including public infrastructure, private infrastructure and affordable housing). Due to population growth and years of under-investment in critical infrastructure, many countries (especially the United States) are facing a critical deficit in the quality of public infrastructure and availability of affordable housing. As a result, governments are investing significant capital to close the ongoing deficit in infrastructure and affordable housing which will create tailwinds for private businesses that are focused on delivery of services for the infrastructure and housing markets. We believe governments will increasingly look to partner with private investors for solutions that address our deficits in public infrastructure and affordable housing. We expect this trend to be especially pronounced in the United States, which has historically lagged other parts of the developed world in its approach to infrastructure investment. Hunt Companies has invested extensively across the infrastructure sector including its investments in Amber Infrastructure, City Light & Power, Hunt Military Communities, Moss & Associates and CGL.
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Real Asset Services and Technology — Companies that utilize differentiated services or technology to innovate and enhance the profitability or performance of real assets. We believe that in comparison to other sectors, the real estate sector has been slow to adopt new technology. Recent innovations have allowed technology-savvy real estate owners and managers to significantly enhance the performance, life cycle, and efficiency of their assets. We believe that traditional real estate service platforms are still susceptible to disruption. Hunt Companies has invested, directly or indirectly, extensively across the Real Asset Service and technology sector including its prior investment in Pinnacle Property Management Services (divested to Cushman & Wakefield) and a portfolio of investments in early-stage property technology businesses.
Business Combination Criteria
Consistent with our business strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating initial business combination opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines. We intend to acquire operating businesses that:
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Focus on providing differentiated solutions to the renewable energy, infrastructure or real asset services and technology industries;
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Possess high barriers to entry and a certain degree of differentiation and complexity embedded in their platform;
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Are scaled or have ability to scale within their large addressable market;
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Are run day-to-day by proven management teams that have significant financial alignment of interest with shareholders;
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Are on a promising growth path, driven by a sustainable competitive advantage, with opportunities for acceleration by a partnership with us;
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Have experienced significant organic growth, and that we believe are well-positioned to capture additional market share through both accelerated organic and external growth;
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Have robust compliance, financial controls and reporting processes in place and that we believe are ready for the regulatory requirements of a public entity, or have the potential to timely implement appropriate public company reporting, compliance and financial controls under the guidance of our management team;
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Have management and stakeholders who aspire to have their company become a public entity and generate substantial growth;
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Have defensible proprietary technology and intellectual property rights that are significantly differentiated and superior to the industry standard;
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Have an enterprise valuation between $1.0 billion and $2.0 billion; and
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Have appropriate valuations relative to industry comparables and the ability to enhance and create value for shareholders over the long term.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive or required. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we would file with the SEC. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information which will be made available to us.
Additional Disclosures
Our Acquisition Process
We have not selected any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target.
Our directors and officers presently have, and any of them in the future may have, additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our directors or officers becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may need to honor these fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, or in the case of a non-compete restriction, may not present such opportunity to us at all, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our directors or officers will materially affect our ability to identify and pursue business combination opportunities or complete our initial business combination. Our directors and officers are also not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs, and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related
due diligence. See “Risk Factors — Certain of our directors and officers are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.”
Past experience or performance of our management team and their respective affiliates is not a guarantee of either (1) our ability to successfully identify and execute a transaction or (2) success with respect to any business combination that we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of Hunt Companies, our management team or their respective affiliates as indicative of future performance. See “Risk Factor — Past performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the company.” No member of our management team has any experience operating special purpose acquisition companies.
Corporate Information
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” will have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30 and (2) our annual revenues equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year or the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.
Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies wishing to conduct business outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Law. As an exempted company, we have applied for and have received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 30 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable (1) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (2) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividend or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on March 2, 2021. Our executive offices are located at 4401 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902 The information contained on or accessible through our corporate website or any other website that we or our sponsor and/or its affiliates may maintain is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and our telephone number is (915) 533-1122. Upon completion of this offering, our corporate website address will be . Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to invest in our securities.
Initial Business Combination
So long as our securities are then listed on the NYSE, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on any interest earned on the trust account) at the time of signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. We refer to this as the 80% of net assets test. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent valuation or appraisal firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of a target business or businesses, it may be unable to do so if the board is less familiar or experienced with the target company’s business, there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the company’s assets or prospects, including if such company is at an early stage of development, operations or growth, or if the anticipated transaction involves a complex financial analysis or other specialized skills and the board determines that outside expertise would be helpful or necessary in conducting such analysis. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that the fair market value of the target business meets the 80% of net assets test, unless such opinion includes material information regarding the valuation of a target business or the consideration to be provided, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed to our shareholders. However, if required under applicable law, any proxy statement that we deliver to shareholders and file with the SEC in connection with a proposed transaction will include such opinion.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-business combination company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-business combination company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-business combination company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor. If our securities are not then listed on the NYSE for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net asset test.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. These risks include, among others, investing in a business without a proven business model and with limited historical financial data, volatile revenues or earnings, intense competition and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination.
Risk Factors Summary
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section titled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with:
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being a newly incorporated company with no operating history and no revenues;
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our ability to complete our initial business combination, including risks arising from the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;
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our public shareholders’ ability to exercise redemption rights;
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the requirement that we complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame;
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the possibility that NYSE may delist our securities from trading on its exchange;
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being declared an investment company under the Investment Company Act;
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complying with changing laws and regulations;
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our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses;
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the performance of the prospective target business or businesses;
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the pool of prospective target businesses available to us and the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential business combination opportunities;
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the issuance of additional Class A ordinary shares in connection with a business combination that may dilute the interest of our shareholders;
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the incentives to our sponsor, officers and directors to complete a business combination to avoid losing their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed;
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our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination;
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our success in retaining or recruiting, or making changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
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our ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
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our ability to amend the terms of warrants in a manner that may be adverse to the holders of public warrants;
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our ability to redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise;
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our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; and
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provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and Cayman Islands law.
THE OFFERING
In deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company and the fact that this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section below entitled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus.
20,000,000 units (or 23,000,000 units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of:
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one Class A ordinary share; and
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one-half of one redeemable warrant.
Units: “HTAQ.U”
Class A ordinary shares: “HTAQ”
Warrants: “HTAQ WS”
Trading commencement and separation of Class A ordinary shares and warrants
The units are expected to begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Jefferies LLC informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the Class A ordinary shares and warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component securities. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into Class A ordinary shares and warrants. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least two units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant.
Additionally, the units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination.
Separate trading of the Class A ordinary shares and warrants is prohibited until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
In no event will the Class A ordinary shares and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option
is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Units:
Number outstanding before this
offering
0
Number outstanding after this
offering
20,000,000(1)
Ordinary shares
Number outstanding before this
offering
5,750,000(2)(3)
Number outstanding after this
offering
25,000,000(1)(2)(4)
Warrants:
Number of private placement warrants to be sold in a private placement simultaneously with this offering
6,000,000(1)
Number of warrants to be outstanding after this offering and the sale of private placement warrants
16,000,000(1)
Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share, subject to adjustment as described herein. Only whole warrants are exercisable.
We structured each unit to contain one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share, as compared to units issued by some other similar blank check companies which contain whole warrants exercisable for one whole share, in order to reduce the dilutive effect of the warrants upon completion of our initial business combination as compared to units that each contain a whole warrant to purchase one whole share, thus making us, we believe, a more attractive business combination partner for target businesses.
(1)
Assumes the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option and corresponding forfeiture of 750,000 founder shares.
(2)
Founder shares are currently classified as Class B ordinary shares, which shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described below adjacent to the caption “Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights” and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have any redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we do not consummate an initial business combination.
(3)
Includes 750,000 founder shares that are subject to forfeiture.
(4)
Includes 20,000,000 public shares and 5,000,000 founder shares, assuming 750,000 founder shares have been forfeited.
$11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustments as described herein. In addition, if (x) we issue additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our initial shareholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume-weighted average trading price of our Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described adjacent to the caption “Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” and “Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price described adjacent to the caption “Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
The warrants will become exercisable:
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30 days after the completion of our initial business combination;
provided that we have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities or blue sky laws of the state of residence of the holder (or we permit holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the warrant agreement, including as a result of a notice of redemption described below under “Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00”). If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part registers the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrants. We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or a new registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants. We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days following the closing of our initial business combination and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the expiration or redemption of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. Because the warrants are not exercisable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, we do not currently intend to update the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or file a new registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until after the initial business combination has been consummated. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we 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. Notwithstanding the above, if our 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, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement and, in the event we do not so elect, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, five years after the completion of our initial business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. On the exercise of any warrant, the warrant exercise price will be paid directly to us and not placed in the trust account.
Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds 18.00
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the private placement warrants):
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in whole and not in part;
•
at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
•
upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, which we refer to as the “30-day redemption period”; and
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if, and only if, the last reported sale price of our Class A ordinary shares for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders (the “reference value”) equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants-Anti-Dilution Adjustments”).
We will not redeem the warrants as described above unless an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our shareholders of issuing the maximum number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of our warrants. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value. See “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants” for additional information.
Except as set forth below, none of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants:
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in whole and not in part;
•
at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to
redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table set forth under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants” based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares (as defined below) except as otherwise described in “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants”; and
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if, and only if, the reference value equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”); and
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if, and only if, the reference value is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) the private placement warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding public warrants, as described above.
The “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares as used in this section and in “ — Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” above shall mean the volume-weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. This redemption feature differs from the typical warrant redemption features used in other blank check offerings. We will provide our warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the ten trading day period described above ends. In no event will the warrants be exercisable in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment).
No fractional Class A ordinary shares will be issued upon redemption. If, upon redemption, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued to the holder. See “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants” for additional information.
On March 8, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in consideration of 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On March 10, 2021 and March 12, 2021, our sponsor transferred 25,000 founder shares to each of our director nominees and Jim Hunt, respectively, resulting in our sponsor holding 5,650,000 founder shares. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by our sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The per share price of the
founder shares was determined by dividing the amount contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or a share surrender or redemption or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. Up to 750,000 founder shares are subject to forfeiture by our initial shareholders, depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised.
The founder shares are identical to the Class A ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, except that:
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prior to our initial business combination, only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the election and removal of directors and holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason;
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in respect of any vote or votes to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of our company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, holders of our founder shares will have ten votes for every founder share and holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have one vote for every Class A ordinary share;
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the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below;
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our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame). If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business
combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 7,500,001, or 37.5% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), or 1,250,001, or 6.25% (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), of the 20,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved;
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the founder shares will automatically convert into our Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described below adjacent to the caption “Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights” and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; and
•
the founder shares are entitled to registration rights.
Transfer restrictions on
founder shares
Except as described herein, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares.
Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights
The founder shares are designated as Class B ordinary shares and will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares, which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have any redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions if we do not consummate an initial business combination, at the time of our initial 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 this 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 (as defined herein) or rights issued or deemed issued, by us in connection with or in relation to the consummation of our initial business combination, excluding any 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 of an interest in the target to us in the initial business combination and any private placement warrants issued to our sponsor, its affiliates or any member of our management team upon conversion of working capital loans. Any conversion of Class B ordinary shares described herein will take effect as a compulsory redemption of Class B ordinary shares and an issuance of Class A ordinary shares as a matter of Cayman Islands law. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at a rate of less than one-to-one.
The term “equity-linked securities” refers to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for our Class A ordinary shares issued in a financing transaction in connection with our initial business combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt.
Election and removal of directors; voting rights
Prior to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares (our Class B ordinary shares) will have the right to vote on the election or removal of directors. Holders of our public shares will not be entitled to vote on the election or removal of directors during such time. In addition, in respect of any vote or votes to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of our company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, holders of our founder shares will have ten votes for every founder share and holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have one vote for every Class A ordinary share and, as a result, our initial shareholders will be able to approve any such proposal without the vote of any other shareholder. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares. With respect to any other matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including any vote in connection with our initial business combination, except as required by law, holders of our founder shares and holders of our public shares will vote together as a single class, with each share entitling the holder to one vote. In connection with our initial business combination, we may enter into a shareholders agreement or other arrangements with the shareholders of the target or other investors to provide for voting or other governance arrangements that differ from those in effect upon completion of this offering.
Private placement warrants
Our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000 private placement warrants (or 6,600,000 private placement warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($6,000,000 in the aggregate or $6,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. If we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, the private placement warrants will expire worthless. Except as described above, the private placement warrants will be non-redeemable by us and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees (see “Description of Securities — Warrants — Private Placement Warrants”). If the private placement warrants are held by holders other than our sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us in all redemption scenarios and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering.
Transfer restrictions on private placement warrants
The private placement warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, except as described herein under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants.”
Cashless exercise of private placement
warrants
If holders of private placement warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Sponsor fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the Sponsor fair market value. The “Sponsor fair market value” shall mean the average reported closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the sponsor or its permitted transferees is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following a business combination. If they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that restrict insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods.
Except as described above, none of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Proceeds to be held in trust account
All of the proceeds we will receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants described in this prospectus, $200,000,000, or $230,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.00 per unit in either case), will be deposited into a segregated trust account located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. The proceeds to be placed in the trust account include $7,000,000, or $8,050,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, in deferred underwriting commissions.
Except with respect to any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as discussed below and subject to the requirements of law and regulation, will provide that the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account (1) to us, until the completion of our initial business combination, or (2) to our public shareholders, until the earliest of (a) the completion of our initial business combination, and then only in connection with those Class A ordinary shares that such shareholders properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (b) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, and (c) the redemption of our public shares if we have not consummated our business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law. Public shareholders who redeem their Class A ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (b) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business combination or liquidation if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, with respect to such Class A ordinary shares so redeemed. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of our public shareholders.
Anticipated expenses and funding sources
Except as described above with respect to the payment of taxes, unless and until we complete our initial business combination, no proceeds held in the trust account will be available for our use. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Assuming an interest
rate of 0.20% per year, we estimate any interest earned on the trust account will be approximately $400,000 per year; however, we can provide no assurances regarding this amount. Unless and until we complete our initial business combination, we may pay our expenses only from:
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the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not held in the trust account, which will be approximately $1,000,000 in working capital after the payment of approximately $1,000,000 in expenses relating to this offering; and
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any loans or additional investments from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors, although they are under no obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances and provided any such loans will not have any claim on the proceeds held in the trust account unless such proceeds are released to us upon completion of our initial business combination.
Conditions to completing our initial
business combination
So long as our securities are then listed on the NYSE, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on any interest earned on the trust account) at the time of signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Our shareholders may not be provided with a copy of such opinion nor will they be able to rely on such opinion. If our securities are not then listed on the NYSE for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net asset test.
We may structure our initial business combination such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons. However, we will complete our initial business combination only if the post-business combination company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or is otherwise not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to our initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-business combination company, the portion of such business or
businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test, provided that, in the event that the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking shareholder approval, as applicable.
Permitted purchases and other transactions with respect to our securities
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. Additionally, at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material nonpublic information), our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business combination or not redeem their public shares. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds held in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares or warrants in such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will be restricted from making any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. See “Proposed Business — Permitted Purchases and Other Transactions with Respect to Our Securities” for a description of how our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates will select which shareholders to purchase securities from in any private transaction.
The purpose of any such transaction could be to (1) vote in favor of the business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination, (2) reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrant holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or
(3) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
Redemption rights for public shareholders in connection with our initial business combination
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares in connection with our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. The holders will have no redemption rights in connection with our initial business combination with respect to our warrants. Further, we will not proceed with redeeming our public shares, even if a public shareholder has properly elected to redeem its shares, if a business combination does not close. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
Limitations on redemptions
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). However, a greater net tangible asset or cash
requirement may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. For example, the proposed business combination may require (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. Furthermore, although we will not redeem shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to fall below $5,000,001 or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination, we do not have a maximum redemption threshold based on the percentage of shares sold in this offering, as many blank check companies do. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, and all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
Manner of conducting redemptions
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares 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 we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. Asset acquisitions and share purchases would not typically require shareholder approval, while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares or seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association would typically require shareholder approval. We currently intend to conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote unless shareholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement or we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other reasons.
If we hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination, we will:
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conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules; and
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file proxy materials with the SEC.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary
resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 7,500,001, or 37.5% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), or 1,250,001, or 6.25% (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), of the 20,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or vote at all. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require that at least five days’ notice will be given of any such general meeting.
If we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association:
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conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers; and
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file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies.
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, we and our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase our Class A ordinary shares in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public shareholders not tendering more than the number of public shares we are permitted to redeem. If public shareholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete such initial business combination.
Limitation on redemption rights of shareholders holding more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering if we hold shareholder vote
Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we
do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering, without our prior consent. We believe the restriction described above will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to redeem their shares as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights against a business combination if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us, our sponsor or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem to no more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those shareholders that hold more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination.
Release of funds in trust account on closing of our initial business combination
On the completion of our initial business combination, the funds held in the trust account will be disbursed directly by the trustee to pay amounts due to any public shareholders who properly exercise their redemption rights as described above adjacent to the caption “Redemption rights for public shareholders in connection with our initial business combination,” to pay the underwriters their deferred underwriting commissions, to pay all or a portion of the consideration payable to the target or owners of the target of our initial business combination and to pay other expenses associated with our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or the redemption of our public shares, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of post-transaction businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
Redemption of public shares and
distribution and liquidation if no initial business combination
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we will have only 24 months from the closing of this offering to consummate our initial business combination. If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and 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, which will expire worthless if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering.
Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame).
The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the trust account in the event we do not consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the trust account that will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares.
Our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares; unless we provide our public
shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described above adjacent to the caption “Limitations on redemptions.” For example, our board of directors may propose such an amendment if it determines that additional time is necessary to complete our initial business combination. In such event, we will conduct a proxy solicitation and distribute proxy materials pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act seeking shareholder approval of such proposal and, in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above upon shareholder approval of such amendment. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer, director or director nominee, or any other person.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law.
Limited payments to insiders
There will be no finder’s fees, reimbursements or cash payments made by the company to our sponsor, officers or directors, or their affiliates, for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, other than the following payments, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination:
•
repayment of up to an aggregate of $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses;
•
reimbursement for office space and secretarial and administrative services provided to us by an affiliate of our sponsor in the amount of $10,000 per month;
•
reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating, negotiating and completing an initial business combination; and
•
repayment of any loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. Except for the foregoing,
the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans.
Any such payments will be made either (i) prior to our initial business combination using proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants held outside the trust account or from loans made to us by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors or (ii) in connection with or after the consummation of our initial business combination.
We will establish and maintain an audit committee, which will be composed entirely of independent directors. Among its responsibilities, the audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, officers or directors or their respective affiliates and monitor compliance with the other terms relating to this offering. If any noncompliance is identified, then the audit committee will be charged with the responsibility to promptly take all action necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise to cause compliance with the terms of this offering. See “Management — Committees of the Board of Directors — Audit Committee” for additional information.
Mr. Chris Hunt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Companies and a member of the Board of Hunt Companies; Mr. Clay Parker is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies; Mr. Woody L. Hunt is the Senior Chairman of the Board of Hunt Companies; Mr. Ryan McCrory is the Executive Vice President of Hunt Companies; and Mr. Jim Hunt is the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Hunt Companies. They have responsibilities that include directing Hunt Companies’ strategic growth and business development. They also have fiduciary and contractual duties to Hunt Companies. As a result, Mr. Chris Hunt, Mr. Parker, Mr. Woody Hunt, Mr. McCrory and Mr. Jim Hunt will have a duty to offer acquisition opportunities that are presented to them in their capacity as officers and directors of Hunt Companies to Hunt Companies. As a result, Hunt Companies, such other entities and their respective affiliates may compete with us for acquisition opportunities in the same industries and sectors as we may target for our initial business combination. If any of them decide to pursue any such opportunity, we may be precluded from procuring such opportunities. In addition, investment ideas generated within Hunt Companies or any of its affiliates, including by Mr. Chris Hunt, Mr. Parker, Mr. Woody Hunt, Mr. McCrory and Mr. Jim Hunt and other persons who may make decisions for the company, may be suitable for both us and for Hunt Companies or any of its affiliates or clients, and will be directed initially to Hunt Companies or such persons rather than to us. None of Mr. Chris Hunt, Mr. Parker, Mr. Woody Hunt, Mr. McCrory and Mr. Jim Hunt or any of their affiliates or members of our management team who are also employed by Hunt Companies or any of its affiliates have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware unless it is offered to them solely in
their capacity as a director or officer of the Company and after they have satisfied their contractual and fiduciary obligations to other parties.
The potential conflicts described above may limit our ability to enter into a business combination or other transactions. Hunt Companies is a diversified, family-owned holding company that invests in operating businesses, real estate assets and infrastructure assets and is engaged in multiple lines of business that are independent from, and may also from time to time conflict or compete with, our activities. These circumstances could give rise to numerous situations where interests may conflict. There can be no assurance that these or other conflicts of interest with the potential for adverse effects on the Company and investors will not arise.
Our sponsor and/or its affiliates, and their respective officers and directors may participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company prior to completion of our initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers or directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other blank check company with which they may become involved.
As further described in “Proposed Business — Sources of Target Businesses” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for one or more entities to which he or she has fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties, he or she will honor these obligations and duties to present such business combination opportunity to such entities first, and only present it to us if such entities reject the opportunity and he or she determines to present the opportunity to us (including as described above). These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
The potential conflicts described above may limit our ability to enter into a business combination or other transactions. These circumstances could give rise to numerous situations where interests may conflict. There can be no assurance that these or other conflicts of interest with the potential for adverse effects on the Company and investors will not arise.
We are a newly organized company that has conducted no operations and has generated no revenues. Until we complete our initial business combination, we will have no operations and will generate no operating revenues. In making your decision whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the background of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company. This offering is not being
conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.” You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus.
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data is presented.
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|
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March 8, 2021
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|
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Actual
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|
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As Adjusted
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Balance Sheet Data:
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|
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Working capital (deficiency)
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|
|
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$
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(61,458)
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|
|
|
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$
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194,021,122
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|
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Total assets
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$
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107,580
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|
|
|
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$
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201,021,122
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Total liabilities
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|
|
|
$
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86,458
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|
|
|
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$
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7,000,000
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|
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Value of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption
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|
|
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$
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—
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|
|
|
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$
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189,021,120
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|
|
Shareholders’ equity
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|
|
|
$
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21,122
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|
|
|
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$
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5,000,002
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|
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(1)
The “as adjusted” information gives effect to the sale of the units we are offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, including the application of the related gross proceeds and the payment of the estimated remaining costs from such sale and the repayment of the accrued and other liabilities required to be repaid.
The “as adjusted” total assets amount includes the $200,000,000 to be held in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of $7,000,000, plus $1,000,000 in cash to be held outside the trust account, plus $21,122 of actual shareholders’ equity as of March 8, 2021, assuming that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. If our initial business combination is not consummated, the funds held in the trust account, less amounts we are permitted to withdraw as described in this prospectus, will be distributed solely to our public shareholders.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Search for, and Consummation of or Inability to Consummate, an Initial Business Combination
Our shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed initial business combination and, even if we hold a vote, holders of our founder shares will participate in such vote, which means we may complete our initial business combination even though a majority of our shareholders do not support such a combination.
We may choose not to hold a shareholder vote before we complete our initial business combination if the business combination would not require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. For instance, if we were seeking to acquire a target business where the consideration we were paying in the transaction was all cash, we would typically not be required to seek shareholder approval to complete such a transaction. Except for as required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement, the decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval. Even if we seek shareholder approval, the holders of our founder shares will participate in the vote. Accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares do not approve of the business combination we complete. See “Proposed Business — Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination” for additional information.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public shareholders vote.
Our initial shareholders will own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the completion of this offering. Our sponsor and each member of our management team also may from time to time purchase Class A ordinary shares prior to our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 7,500,001, or 37.5% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised) or 1,250,001, or 6.25% (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), of the 20,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our sponsor and each member of our management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that we will receive the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares from us for cash.
At the time of your investment in us, you will not be provided with an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any target businesses. Since our board of directors may complete a business combination without seeking shareholder approval, public shareholders may not have the right or opportunity to vote on the business combination, unless we seek such shareholder approval. Accordingly, your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights within the period of time (which will be at least 20 business days) set forth in our tender offer documents mailed to our public shareholders in which we describe our initial business combination.
The ability of our public shareholders to redeem their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We may seek to enter into a business combination transaction agreement with a prospective target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. If too many public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, we would not be able to meet such closing condition and, as a result, would not be able to proceed with the business combination. Furthermore, we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or such greater amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination and may instead search for an alternate business combination. Prospective targets will be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares may not allow us to complete the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders may exercise their redemption rights and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the trust account to meet such requirements or arrange for third-party financing. In addition, if a large number of shares are submitted for redemption, we may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the trust account or arrange for additional third-party financing. Raising additional third-party financing may involve dilutive equity issuances or the incurrence of indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. The above considerations may limit our ability to complete the most desirable business combination available to us or optimize our capital structure. The amount of the deferred underwriting commissions payable to the underwriters will not be adjusted for any shares that are redeemed in connection with an initial business combination. The per-share amount we will distribute to shareholders who properly exercise their redemption rights will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commission and after such redemptions, the amount held in trust will continue to reflect our obligation to pay the entire deferred underwriting commissions.
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of our shares could increase the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your shares.
If our initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the trust account to pay the purchase price, or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, the probability that our initial business combination would be unsuccessful is increased. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your shares in the open market; however, at such time our shares may trade at a discount to the pro rata amount per share in the trust account. In either situation, you may suffer a material loss on your investment or lose the benefit of funds expected in connection with our redemption until we liquidate or you are able to sell your shares in the open market.
The requirement that we consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of this offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time we have in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, in particular as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to complete our initial business combination on terms that would produce value for our shareholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete our initial business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination with any target business. This risk will
increase as we get closer to the time frame described above. In addition, we may have limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into our initial business combination on terms that we would have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
The securities in which we invest the proceeds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the interest income available for payment of taxes or reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
The net proceeds of this offering and certain proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants, in the amount of $200,000,000, will be held in an interest-bearing trust account. The proceeds held in the trust account may only be invested in direct U.S. Treasury obligations having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in certain money market funds which invest only in direct U.S. Treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. Treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event of very low or negative yields, the amount of interest income (which we may withdraw to pay taxes, if any) would be reduced. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public shareholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income. If the balance of the trust account is reduced below $200,000,000 as a result of negative interest rates, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their respective affiliates may elect to purchase public shares or warrants, which may influence a vote on a proposed business combination and reduce the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their respective affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares or warrants in such transactions.
In the event that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their respective affiliates purchase public shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of any such transaction could be to (1) vote in favor of the business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination, (2) reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrant holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or (3) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. See “Proposed Business — Permitted Purchases and Other Transactions with Respect to Our Securities” for a description of how our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or any of their respective affiliates will select which shareholders to purchase securities from in any private transaction.
If a shareholder fails to receive notice of our offer to redeem our public shares in connection with our initial business combination, or fails to comply with the procedures for tendering its shares, such shares may not be redeemed.
We will comply with the proxy rules or tender offer rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a shareholder
fails to receive our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, such shareholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will describe the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly redeem or tender public shares. For example, we may require our public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy solicitation materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a shareholder fails to comply with these procedures, its shares may not be redeemed. See “Proposed Business — Business Strategy — Effecting Our Initial Business Combination — Tendering Share Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights” for additional information.
You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the trust account, except under certain limited circumstances. Therefore, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earliest to occur of (i) our completion of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those Class A ordinary shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, and (iii) the redemption of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. Public shareholders who redeem their Class A ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (ii) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business combination or liquidation if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, with respect to such Class A ordinary shares so redeemed. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Holders of warrants will not have any right to the proceeds held in the trust account with respect to the warrants. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Because of our limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, it may be more difficult for us to complete our initial business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
We expect to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the types of businesses we intend to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources or more local industry knowledge than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there are numerous target businesses we could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, we are obligated to offer holders of our public shares the right to redeem their shares for cash at the time of our initial business combination in conjunction with a shareholder vote or via a tender offer. Target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in
successfully negotiating a business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share” and other risk factors herein.
If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient to allow us to operate for the 24 months following the closing of this offering, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and our ability to complete our initial business combination, and we will depend on loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team to fund our search and to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, only approximately $1,000,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. We believe that, upon the closing of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account, together with funds available from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the 24 months following the closing of this offering; however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate, and our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team are under no obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances. Of the funds available to us, we expect to use a portion of the funds available to us to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business.
In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,000,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, unless funded by the proceeds of loans available from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $1,000,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. The amount held in the trust account will not be impacted as a result of such increase or decrease. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, its affiliates, members of our management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members of our management team nor their affiliates is under any obligation to us in such circumstances. Any such advances may be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. Consequently, our public shareholders may only receive an estimated $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on our redemption of our public shares, and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share” and other risk factors herein.
Subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our securities, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Even if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business with which we combine, we cannot assure you that this diligence will identify all material issues with a particular target business, that it would be possible
to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. As a result of these factors, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share.
Our placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Making such a request of potential target businesses may make our acquisition proposal less attractive to them and, to the extent prospective target businesses refuse to execute such a waiver, it may limit the field of potential target businesses that we might pursue.
Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the ten years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders could be less than the $10.00 per public share initially held in the trust account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the letter agreement (the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part), our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by (A) a third-party (other than our independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to us, or (B) a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our tax obligations, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third-party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third-party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the trust account, the funds available for our initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per public share. In such event, we may not be able to complete our initial business combination, and you would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption of your public shares. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Our independent directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our tax obligations, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per public share.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy or insolvency court may seek to recover such proceeds, and the members of our board of directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors, thereby exposing the members of our board of directors and us to claims of punitive damages.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. In addition, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and us to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our shareholders and the per share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public shareholders, we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our shareholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
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restrictions on the nature of our investments; and
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restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
In addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
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registration as an investment company with the SEC;
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adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and
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reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and compliance with other rules and regulations that we are currently not subject to.
In order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our activities do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and complete a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-transaction business or assets for the long term. We do not plan to buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to be a passive investor.
We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in the trust account may only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Pursuant to the trust agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than on buying and selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. This offering is not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of either: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares; or (iii) absent our completing an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption of the public shares. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act. If we were deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete a business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
Because we are neither limited to evaluating a target business in a particular industry or sector nor have we selected any specific target businesses with which to pursue our initial business combination, you will be unable to ascertain the merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations.
We may pursue business combination opportunities in any industry or sector, except that we will not, under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination solely with another blank check company or similar company with nominal operations. Because we have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us, there is no basis to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any particular target business’s operations, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition or prospects. To the extent we complete our initial business combination, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations with which we combine. For example, if we combine with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by the risks inherent in the business and operations of a financially unstable or a development stage entity. Although our officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors or that we will have adequate time to complete due diligence. Furthermore, some of these risks may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will ultimately prove to be more favorable to investors than a direct investment, if such opportunity were available, in a business combination target. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses, we may enter into our initial business combination with a target that does not meet such criteria and guidelines and, as a result, the target business with which we enter into our initial business combination may not have attributes entirely consistent with our general criteria and guidelines.
Although we have identified general criteria and guidelines for evaluating prospective target businesses, it is possible that a target business with which we enter into our initial business combination will not have all of these positive attributes. If we complete our initial business combination with a target that does not meet some or all of these criteria and guidelines, such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a business that does meet all of our general criteria and guidelines. In addition, if we announce a prospective business combination with a target that does not meet our general criteria and guidelines, a greater number of shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, which may make it difficult for us to meet any closing condition with a target business that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash. In addition, if shareholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, it may be more difficult for us to attain shareholder approval of our initial business combination if the target business does not meet our general criteria and guidelines. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
We may seek acquisition opportunities in industries or sectors which may or may not be outside of our management’s area of expertise.
We will consider a business combination outside of our management’s area of expertise if a business combination target is presented to us and we determine that such candidate offers an attractive acquisition opportunity for our company. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular business combination target, we cannot assure you that we will adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a business combination target. In the event we elect to pursue an acquisition outside of the areas of our management’s expertise, our management’s expertise may not be directly applicable to its evaluation or operation, and the information contained in this prospectus regarding the areas of our management’s expertise would not be relevant to an understanding of the business that we elect to acquire. As a result, our management may not be able to adequately ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value.
We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent accounting or investment banking firm and, consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the business is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view.
Unless we complete our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that the price we are paying is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. If no opinion is obtained, our shareholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. Such standards used will be disclosed in our proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
We may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the founder shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our shareholders and likely present other risks.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Immediately after this offering, there will be 480,000,000 and 45,000,000 (assuming in each case that the underwriters have not exercised their over-allotment option) authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, respectively, available for issuance which amount does not take into account shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants or shares issuable upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares, if any. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have any redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we fail to consummate an initial business combination) at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described herein and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Immediately after this offering, there will be no preference shares issued and outstanding.
We may issue a substantial number of additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares in connection with our redeeming the warrants as described in “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants” or upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions as set forth herein. However, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that prior to or in connection with our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination or on any other proposal presented to shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with a shareholder vote. The issuance of additional ordinary or preference shares:
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may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares;
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may subordinate the rights of holders of Class A ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Class A ordinary shares;
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could cause a change in control if a substantial number of Class A ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
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may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us;
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may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A ordinary shares and/or warrants; and
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may not result in adjustment to the exercise price of our warrants.
Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If we decide not to complete a specific initial business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement relating to a specific target business, we may fail to complete our initial business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may negatively impact our operations and profitability.
The net proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants will provide us with up to $200,000,000 (or $230,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) that we may use to complete our initial business combination (after taking into account the $7,000,000, or $8,050,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of deferred underwriting commissions being held in the trust account and the estimated expenses of this offering).
We may effectuate our initial business combination with a single-target business or multiple-target businesses simultaneously or within a short period of time. However, we may not be able to effectuate our initial business combination with more than one target business because of various factors, including the existence of complex accounting issues and the requirement that we prepare and file pro forma financial statements with the SEC that present operating results and the financial condition of several target businesses as if they had been operated on a combined basis. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry.
Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
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solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, property or asset; or
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dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination.
We may attempt to simultaneously complete business combinations with multiple prospective targets, which may hinder our ability to complete our initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses that are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete our initial business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation
of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
We may attempt to complete our initial business combination with a private company about which little information is available, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. Very little public information generally exists about private companies, and we could be required to make our decision on whether to pursue a potential initial business combination on the basis of limited information, which may result in a business combination with a company that is not as profitable as we suspected, if at all.
Our management may not be able to maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. Upon the loss of control of a target business, new management may not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We may structure our initial business combination so that the post-business combination company in which our public shareholders own shares will own less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for us not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We will not consider any transaction that does not meet such criteria. Even if the post-business combination company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to our initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new Class A ordinary shares, our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority shareholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s shares than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that our management will not be able to maintain control of the target business.
The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The loss of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
The role of an acquisition candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the acquisition candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place.
We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for us to complete our initial business combination with which a substantial majority of our shareholders do not agree.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association do not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. As a result, we may be able to complete our initial business combination even though a substantial majority of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, have entered into privately negotiated agreements to sell their shares to our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their respective affiliates. In the event the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount
of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and we instead may search for an alternate business combination.
In order to effectuate an initial business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and other governing instruments, including their warrant agreements. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or governing instruments, including our warrant agreement, in a manner that will make it easier for us to complete our initial business combination that holders of our securities may not support.
In order to effectuate a business combination, blank check companies have, in the recent past, amended various provisions of their charters and governing instruments, including their warrant agreements. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of business combination, increased redemption thresholds, extended the time to consummate an initial business combination and, with respect to their warrants, amended their warrant agreements to require the warrants to be exchanged for cash and/or other securities. Amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association requires at least a special resolution of our shareholders as a matter of Cayman Islands law, meaning the approval of holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company, and amending our warrant agreement will require a vote of holders of at least 50% of the public warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any provision of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding private placement warrants. In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require us to provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash if we propose an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. To the extent any of such amendments would be deemed to fundamentally change the nature of any of the securities offered through this registration statement, we would register, or seek an exemption from registration for, the affected securities.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants will be sufficient to allow us to complete our initial business combination, because we have not yet selected any prospective target business we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of our initial business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, the obligation to redeem for cash a significant number of shares from shareholders who elect redemption in connection with our initial business combination or the terms of negotiated transactions to purchase shares in connection with our initial business combination, we may be required to seek additional financing or to abandon the proposed business combination. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. The current economic environment may make it difficult for companies to obtain acquisition financing. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period, our public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per public share, or less in certain circumstances, on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless.
We may not be able to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of this offering, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem our public shares and liquidate.
We may not be able to find a suitable target business and consummate an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of this offering. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19 continues both in the U.S. and globally and, while the extent of the impact of the outbreak on us will depend on future developments, it could limit our ability to complete our initial business combination, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all. Additionally, the outbreak of COVID-19 may negatively impact businesses we may seek to acquire. If we have not consummated an initial business combination within such applicable time period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case, to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law. In either such case, our public shareholders may receive only $10.00 per public share, or less than $10.00 per public share, on the redemption of their shares, and our warrants will expire worthless. See “— If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per public share” and other risk factors herein.
Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the status of debt and equity markets.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced, which has and is continuing to spread throughout the world, including the United States. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” On January 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the United States to aid the U.S. healthcare community in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization classified the outbreak as a “pandemic.” The pandemic, together with resulting voluntary and U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. governmental actions, including, without limitation, mandatory business closures, public gathering limitations, restrictions on travel and quarantines, has meaningfully disrupted the global economy and markets. Although the long-term economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to predict, it has and is expected to continue to have ongoing material adverse effects across many, if not all, aspects of the regional, national and global economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases could result, in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic or other matters of global concern continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to
consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected.
In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and other events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity and third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.
We may seek business combination opportunities with a high degree of complexity that require significant operational improvements, which could delay or prevent us from achieving our desired results.
We may seek business combination opportunities with large, highly complex companies that we believe would benefit from operational improvements. While we intend to implement such improvements, to the extent that our efforts are delayed or we are unable to achieve the desired improvements, the business combination may not be as successful as we anticipate.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination with a large complex business or entity with a complex operating structure, we may also be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine, which could delay or prevent us from implementing our strategy. Although our management team will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business and its operations, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors until we complete our business combination. If we are not able to achieve our desired operational improvements, or the improvements take longer to implement than anticipated, we may not achieve the gains that we anticipate. Furthermore, some of these risks and complexities may be outside of our control and leave us with no ability to control or reduce the chances that those risks and complexities will adversely impact a target business. Such combination may not be as successful as a combination with a smaller, less complex organization.
Our initial business combination and our structure thereafter may not be tax-efficient to our shareholders and warrant holders. As a result of our business combination, our tax obligations may be more complex, burdensome and uncertain.
Although we will attempt to structure our initial business combination in a tax-efficient manner, tax structuring considerations are complex, the relevant facts and law are uncertain and may change, and we may prioritize commercial and other considerations over tax considerations. For example, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to any requisite shareholder approval, we may structure our business combination in a manner that requires shareholders and/or warrant holders to recognize gain or income for tax purposes, effect a business combination with a target company in another jurisdiction, or reincorporate in a different jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located). We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders or warrant holders to pay taxes in connection with our business combination or thereafter. Accordingly, a shareholder or a warrant holder may need to satisfy any liability resulting from our initial business combination with cash from its own funds or by selling all or a portion of the shares received. In addition, shareholders and warrant holders may also be subject to additional income, withholding or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after our initial business combination.
In addition, we may effect a business combination with a target company that has business operations outside of the United States, and possibly, business operations in multiple jurisdictions. If we effect such a business combination, we could be subject to significant income, withholding and other tax obligations in a number of jurisdictions with respect to income, operations and subsidiaries related to those jurisdictions. Due to the complexity of tax obligations and filings in other jurisdictions, we may have a heightened risk related to audits or examinations by U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxing authorities. This additional complexity and risk could have an adverse effect on our after-tax profitability and financial condition.
We may engage the underwriters or one of their affiliates to provide additional services to us after this offering, which may include acting as financial advisor in connection with an initial business combination or as placement agent in connection with a related financing transaction. The underwriters are entitled to receive deferred commissions that will be released from the trust only on a completion of an initial business combination. These financial incentives may cause the underwriter to have potential conflicts of interest in rendering any such additional services to us after this offering, including, for example, in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an initial business combination.
We may engage the underwriters or one of their affiliates to provide additional services to us after this offering, including, for example, identifying potential targets, providing financial advisory services, acting as a
placement agent in a private offering or arranging debt financing. We may pay the underwriters or their affiliate fair and reasonable fees or other compensation that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with the underwriters or their affiliates and no fees or other compensation for such services will be paid to the underwriters or their affiliates prior to the date that is 60 days from the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with this offering. The underwriters are also entitled to receive deferred commissions that are conditioned on the completion of an initial business combination. The fact that the underwriters or their affiliates’ financial interests are tied to the consummation of a business combination transaction may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in providing any such additional services to us, including potential conflicts of interest in connection with the sourcing and consummation of an initial business combination.
Risks Relating to Our Securities
The NYSE may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
We intend to apply to have our units listed on the NYSE on or promptly after the date of this prospectus and our Class A ordinary shares and warrants listed on or promptly after their date of separation. Although after giving effect to this offering we expect to meet, on a pro forma basis, the minimum initial listing standards set forth in the NYSE listing standards, our securities may not be listed on the NYSE in the future or prior to our initial business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on the NYSE prior to our initial business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and share price levels, such as a minimum market capitalization (generally $50,000,000) and a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 300 public holders). Additionally, our units will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination and, in connection with our initial business combination, we will be required to demonstrate compliance with the NYSE initial listing requirements, which are more rigorous than the NYSE continued listing requirements, in order to continue to maintain the listing of our securities on the NYSE. For instance, our share price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share, our total market capitalization would be required to be at least $200.0 million, the aggregate market value of publicly held shares would be required to be at least $100.0 million and we would be required to have at least 400 round lot shareholders. We may not be able to meet those listing requirements at that time, especially if there are a significant number of redemptions in connection with our initial business combination.
If the NYSE delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
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a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
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reduced liquidity for our securities;
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a determination that our Class A ordinary shares are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our Class A ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;
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a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
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a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, as amended, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because we expect that our units and eventually our Class A ordinary shares and warrants will be listed on the NYSE, our units, Class A ordinary shares and warrants will qualify as covered securities under the statute. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of
blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on the NYSE, our securities would not qualify as covered securities under the statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants are intended to be used to complete an initial business combination with a target business that has not been selected, we may be deemed to be a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, because we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the completion of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors in blank check companies, such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Among other things, this means our units will be immediately tradable and we will have a longer period of time to complete our initial business combination than do companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, if this offering were subject to Rule 419, that rule would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us unless and until the funds in the trust account were released to us in connection with our completion of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules and if you or a “group” of shareholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our Class A ordinary shares.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares,” without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offense and may be liable for a fine of $18,292.68 and imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
We may not hold an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination.
In accordance with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or extraordinary general meetings to appoint directors. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity
to appoint directors and to discuss company affairs with management. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
You will not be permitted to exercise your warrants unless we register and qualify the underlying Class A ordinary shares or certain exemptions are available.
If the issuance of the Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants is not registered, qualified or exempt from registration or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, holders of warrants will not be entitled to exercise such warrants and such warrants may have no value and expire worthless. In such event, holders who acquired their warrants as part of a purchase of units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the Class A ordinary shares included in the units.
We have agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days, after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or a new registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and thereafter to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days following the closing of our initial business combination and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration or redemption of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so if, for example, any facts or events arise which represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement or prospectus, the financial statements contained or incorporated by reference therein are not current or correct or the SEC issues a stop order.
If the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act, under the terms of the warrant agreement, holders of warrants who seek to exercise their warrants will not be permitted to do so for cash and, instead, will be required to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. In no event will warrants be exercisable for cash or on a “cashless basis,” and we will not be obligated to issue any Class A ordinary shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the Class A ordinary shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder or an exemption from registration or qualification is available.
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 “covered securities” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, not permit holders of warrants who seek to exercise their warrants to do so for cash and, instead, require them to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement or register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws and, in the event we do not so elect, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant or issue securities (other than upon a cashless exercise as described above) or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.
The grant of registration rights to our initial shareholders and holders of our private placement warrants and working capital warrants and their respective permitted transferees may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on or prior to the closing of this offering, our initial shareholders and holders of our private placement warrants and working capital warrants and their respective permitted transferees can demand that we register the resale of the Class A ordinary shares into which founder shares are convertible, the private placement warrants and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants, and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of such warrants. The registration and availability of such a
significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude. This is because the shareholders of the target business may increase the equity stake they seek in the combined entity or ask for more cash consideration to offset the negative impact on the market price of our securities that is expected when the securities owned by our initial shareholders, holders of our private placement warrants or working capital warrants or their respective permitted transferees are registered for resale.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our leverage and financial condition and thus negatively impact the value of our shareholders’ investment in us.
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or to otherwise incur outstanding debt following this offering, we may choose to incur substantial debt to complete our initial business combination. We and our officers have agreed that we will not incur any indebtedness unless we have obtained from the lender a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to the monies held in the trust account. As such, no issuance of debt will affect the per-share amount available for redemption from the trust account. Nevertheless, the incurrence of debt could have a variety of negative effects, including:
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default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
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acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
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our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;
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our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt is outstanding;
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our inability to pay dividends on our Class A ordinary shares;
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using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
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limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
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increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
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limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
Our initial shareholders paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per founder share and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our Class A ordinary shares.
The difference between the public offering price per share (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the Class A ordinary share and none to the warrant included in the unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per Class A ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. Our initial shareholders acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon closing of this offering, and assuming no value is ascribed to the warrants included in the units, you and the other public shareholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 91.8% (or $9.18 per share, assuming the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option), the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $0.82 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per unit. This dilution would increase to the extent that the anti-dilution provisions of the founder shares result in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the founder shares at the time of our initial business combination and would become exacerbated to the extent that public shareholders seek redemptions from the trust for their public shares. In addition, because of the anti-dilution protection in the founder shares, any equity or equity-linked securities or deemed
issued in connection with our initial business combination would be disproportionately dilutive to our Class A ordinary shares.
We may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
We have the ability to redeem the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant,provided that the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to proper notice of such redemption and provided that certain other conditions are met. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. As a result, we may redeem the warrants as set forth above even if the holders are otherwise unable to exercise the warrants. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you to (i) exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, we expect would be substantially less than the market value of your warrants. Except as described under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Redemption of warrants when price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00,” none of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
In addition, we have the ability to redeem the outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to proper notice of such redemption and provided that certain other conditions are met, including that holders will be able to exercise their warrants prior to redemption for a number of Class A ordinary shares determined based on the redemption date and the fair market value of our Class A ordinary shares. See “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00.” The value received upon exercise of the warrants (1) may be less than the value the holders would have received if they had exercised their warrants at a later time where the underlying share price is higher and (2) may not compensate the holders for the value of the warrants, including because the number of ordinary shares received is capped at 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment) irrespective of the remaining life of the warrants. Except as described under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Redemption of warrants when price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00,” none of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us as so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Our warrants may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares and make it more difficult to effectuate our initial business combination.
We will be issuing warrants to purchase 10,000,000 of our Class A ordinary shares (or up to 11,500,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) as part of the units offered by this prospectus and, simultaneously with the closing of this offering, we will be issuing in a private placement an aggregate of 6,000,000 private placement warrants (or 6,600,000 private placement warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. In addition, if the sponsor, its affiliates or a member of our management team makes any working capital loans, it may convert up to $2,000,000 of such loans into up to an additional 2,000,000 private placement warrants, at the price of $1.00 per warrant. We may also issue Class A ordinary shares in connection with our redemption of our warrants.
To the extent we issue ordinary shares for any reason, including to effectuate a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Such warrants, when
exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares and reduce the value of the Class A ordinary shares issued to complete the business transaction. Therefore, our warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business transaction or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry. You may have less assurance, therefore, that the offering price of our units properly reflects the value of such units than you would have in a typical offering of an operating company.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the underwriters. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with the underwriters, both prior to our inception and thereafter, with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriters believed they reasonably could raise on our behalf. Factors considered in determining the size of this offering, prices and terms of the units, including the Class A ordinary shares and warrants underlying the units, include:
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the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
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prior offerings of those companies;
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our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;
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a review of debt-to-equity ratios in leveraged transactions;
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our capital structure;
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an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;
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general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and
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other factors as were deemed relevant.
Although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities of an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results.
There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
There is currently no market for our securities. Shareholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
The federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with our tender offer documents, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may make it more difficult for us to effectuate a business combination, require substantial financial and management resources and increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2022. Only in the event
we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, would we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. The fact that we are a blank check company makes compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act particularly burdensome on us as compared to other public companies because a target business with which we seek to complete our initial business combination may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of its internal controls. The development of the internal control of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
Provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Class A ordinary shares and could entrench management.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions will include a staggered board of directors, the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preference shares, and the fact that prior to the completion of our initial business combination only holders of our Class B ordinary shares, which have been issued to our initial shareholders, are entitled to vote on the election and removal of directors, which may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, our public shareholders may be forced to wait beyond such 24 months before redemption from our trust account.
If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, the proceeds then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares, as further described herein. Any redemption of public shareholders from the trust account will be effected automatically by function of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to any voluntary winding up. If we are required to wind up, liquidate the trust account and distribute such amount therein, pro rata, to our public shareholders, as part of any liquidation process, such winding up, liquidation and distribution must comply with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act. In that case, investors may be forced to wait beyond 24 months from the closing of this offering before the redemption proceeds of our trust account become available to them, and they receive the return of their pro rata portion of the proceeds from our trust account. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to the date of our redemption or liquidation unless, prior thereto, we consummate our initial business combination or amend certain provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem their Class A ordinary shares. Only upon our redemption or any liquidation will public shareholders be entitled to distributions if we do not complete our initial business combination and do not amend certain provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law.
Holders of Class A ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote on any appointment or removal of directors; and holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes in respect of a resolution to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands prior to our initial business combination.
Prior to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares (our Class B ordinary shares) will have the right to vote on the election or removal of directors. Holders of our public shares will not be entitled to vote on the election or removal of directors during such time. In addition, in respect of any vote or votes to continue the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of the company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, holders of our founder shares will have ten votes for every founder share and holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have one vote for every Class A ordinary share and, as a result, our initial shareholders will be able to approve any such proposal without the vote of any other
shareholder. In addition, prior to our initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. Accordingly, you will not have any say in the management of our company prior to the consummation of an initial business combination.
The warrants may become exercisable and redeemable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares, and you will not have any information regarding such other security at this time.
In certain situations, including if we are not the surviving entity in our initial business combination, the warrants may become exercisable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares. As a result, if the surviving company redeems your warrants for securities pursuant to the warrant agreement, you may receive a security in a company of which you do not have information at this time. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, the surviving company will be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to register the issuance of the security underlying the warrants within twenty business days of the closing of an initial business combination.
Unlike some other similarly structured blank check companies, our initial shareholders will receive additional Class A ordinary shares if we issue shares to consummate an initial business combination.
The founder shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have any redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we fail to consummate an initial business combination) at the time of our initial 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 this 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 us in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial business combination, excluding any 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 of an interest in the target to us in the initial business combination and any private placement warrants issued to our sponsor, any of its affiliates or any members of our 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. This is different than some other similarly structured blank check companies in which the initial shareholders will only be issued an aggregate of 20% of the total number of shares to be outstanding prior to the initial business combination.
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your warrants could be increased, the exercise period could be shortened and the number of our Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.
Our warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or correct any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement set forth in this prospectus, or defective provision (ii) amending the provisions relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants approve of such amendment and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any provision of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants, 50% of the number of the then outstanding private placement warrants. Although our ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
Risks Relating to Our Management Team
Our executive officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our executive officers and directors is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he or she may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers and directors are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. In particular, Mr. Chris Hunt is the Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Companies and is also a member of the Board of Hunt Companies; Mr. Clay Parker is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies; Mr. Woody L. Hunt is the Senior Chairman of the Board of Hunt Companies; Mr. Ryan McCrory is the Executive Vice President of Hunt Companies; and Mr. Jim Hunt is the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Hunt Companies. Our independent directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. If our executive officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination. For a complete discussion of our executive officers’ and directors’ other business affairs, see “Management — Officers, Directors and Director Nominees.”
We are dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their loss could adversely affect our ability to operate.
Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our executive officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have completed our initial business combination. In addition, our executive officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or executive officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect on us.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination and to be successful thereafter will be dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following our initial business combination. The loss of key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
Our ability to successfully effect our initial business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our key personnel, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. None of our officers are required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, they will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote more substantial amounts of time to their other business activities, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs and could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial business combination. In addition, we do not have employment agreements with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our officers. The unexpected loss of the services of our key personnel could have a detrimental effect on us.
The role of our key personnel after our initial business combination, however, remains to be determined. Although some of our key personnel serve in senior management or advisory positions following our initial business combination, it is likely that most, if not all, of the management of the target business will remain in place. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination, and a particular business combination may be conditioned on the retention or resignation of such key personnel. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following our initial business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel may be able to remain with our company after the completion of our initial business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to us after the completion of the business combination. Such negotiations also could make such key personnel’s retention or resignation a condition to any such agreement. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business. In addition, pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on or prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial business combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as the sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement, which is described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Registration and Shareholder Rights.”
We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may affect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target business’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we suspected. Should the target business’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of the post-combination business may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any holders who choose to retain their securities following the business combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their securities. Such holders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value. The officers and directors of an initial business combination candidate may resign upon completion of our initial business combination. The departure of a business combination target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business. The role of an initial business combination candidate’s key personnel upon the completion of our initial business combination cannot be ascertained at this time. Although we contemplate that certain members of an acquisition candidate’s management team will remain associated with the initial business combination candidate following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place. As a result, we may need to reconstitute the management team of the post-transaction company in connection with our initial business combination, which may adversely impact our ability to complete an initial business combination in a timely manner or at all.
Our officers and directors presently have, and any of them in the future may have, additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including another blank check company and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses or entities. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have, additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other.
For a complete discussion of our executive officers’ and directors’ business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest that you should be aware of, see “Management — Officers, Directors and Director Nominees,” “Management — Conflicts of Interest” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Our executive officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, executive officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or executive officers, although we do not intend to do so. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.
The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in the company’s best interest. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of Cayman Islands law and we or our shareholders (by way of a derivative action) might have a claim against such individuals for infringing on our shareholders’ rights. See “Description of Securities — Certain Differences in Corporate Law — Shareholders’ Suits” for further information on the ability to bring such claims. However, we might not ultimately be successful in any claim we may make against them for such reason.
We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our sponsor, executive officers, directors or initial shareholders which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
In light of the involvement of our sponsor, officers and directors with other businesses, we may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with or competitive with our sponsor, officers and directors, and their respective affiliates. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities, including, without limitation, those described under “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. Our sponsor, officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to complete our initial business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no substantive discussions concerning a business combination with any such entity or entities. Although we will not be specifically focusing on, or targeting, any transaction with any affiliated entities, we would pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria and guidelines for a business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our Initial Business Combination” and “— Evaluation of a Target Business and Structuring of Our Initial Business Combination” and such transaction was approved by a majority of our independent and disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or from an independent accounting firm, regarding the fairness to our shareholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more domestic or international businesses affiliated with our sponsor, officers, directors or initial shareholders, potential conflicts of interest still may exist and, as a result, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public shareholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
Since our initial shareholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed (other than with respect to public shares they may acquire during or after this offering), a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
On March 8, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in consideration of 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On March 10, 2021 and March 12, 2021, our sponsor transferred 25,000 founder shares to each of our director nominees and Mr. Jim Hunt, respectively, resulting in our sponsor holding 5,650,000 founder shares. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by the sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The per share price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will
effect a share capitalization or a share surrender or redemption or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. The founder shares will be worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination. In addition, our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000 private placement warrants (or 6,600,000 private placement warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($6,000,000 in the aggregate or $6,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. If we do not consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, the private placement warrants will expire worthless. The personal and financial interests of our executive officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination. This risk may become more acute as the 24-month anniversary of the closing of this offering nears, which is the deadline for our consummation of an initial business combination.
We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of our directors and executive officers.
We have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account and to not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by us only if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination. Our obligation to indemnify our officers and directors may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
Involvement of members of our management and companies with which they are affiliated in civil disputes and litigation, governmental investigations or negative publicity unrelated to our business affairs could materially impact our ability to consummate an initial business combination.
Members of our management team and companies with which they are affiliated have been, and in the future will continue to be, involved in a wide variety of business affairs, including transactions, such as sales and purchases of businesses, and ongoing operations. As a result of such involvement, members of our management and companies with which they are affiliated in have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes, litigation, governmental investigations and negative publicity relating to their business affairs. Any such claims, investigations, lawsuits or negative publicity may be detrimental to our reputation and could negatively affect our ability to identify and complete an initial business combination in a material manner and may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
After our initial business combination, it is possible that a majority of our directors and officers will live outside the United States and all of our assets will be located outside the United States and, therefore, investors may not be able to enforce federal securities laws or their other legal rights.
It is possible that after our initial business combination, a majority of our directors and officers will reside outside of the United States, and all of our assets will be located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult, or in some cases not possible, for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon all of our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties on our directors and officers under United States laws.
Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed in ways adverse to us and our management team. Fewer insurance companies are offering quotes for directors and officers liability coverage, the premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. These trends may continue into the future.
The increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity may need to purchase additional insurance with respect to any such claims (“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
Risks Associated with Acquiring and Operating a Business in Foreign Countries
If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
If we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:
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costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations;
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rules and regulations regarding currency redemption;
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complex corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
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laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
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exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;
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tariffs and trade barriers;
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regulations related to customs and import/export matters;
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local or regional economic policies and market conditions;
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unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
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longer payment cycles;
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tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
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currency fluctuations and exchange controls;
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rates of inflation;
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challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
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cultural and language differences;
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employment regulations;
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underdeveloped or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems;
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corruption;
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protection of intellectual property;
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social unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances;
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regime changes and political upheaval;
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terrorist attacks, natural disasters and wars; and
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deterioration of political relations with the United States.
We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial business combination or, if we complete such combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our management following our initial business combination is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws, which could lead to various regulatory issues.
Following our initial business combination, our management may resign from their positions as officers or directors of the company and the management of the target business at the time of the business combination will remain in place. Management of the target business may not be familiar with United States securities laws. If new management is unfamiliar with United States securities laws, they may have to expend time and resources becoming familiar with such laws. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
After our initial business combination, substantially all of our assets may be located in a foreign country and substantially all of our revenue may be derived from our operations in any such country. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects will be subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and social conditions and government policies, developments and conditions in the country in which we operate.
The economic, political and social conditions, as well as government policies, of the country in which our operations are located could affect our business. Economic growth could be uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy and such growth may not be sustained in the future. If in the future such country’s economy experiences a downturn or grows at a slower rate than expected, there may be less demand for spending in certain industries. A decrease in demand for spending in certain industries could materially and adversely affect our ability to find an attractive target business with which to consummate our initial business combination and if we effect our initial business combination, the ability of that target business to become profitable.
Exchange rate fluctuations and currency policies may cause a target business’ ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
In the event we acquire a non-U.S. target, all revenues and income would likely be received in a foreign currency, and the dollar equivalent of our net assets and distributions, if any, could be adversely affected by reductions in the value of the local currency. The value of the currencies in our target regions fluctuate and are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Any change in the relative value of such currency against our reporting currency may affect the attractiveness of any target business or, following consummation of our initial business combination, our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, if a currency appreciates in value against the dollar prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, the cost of a target business as measured in dollars will increase, which may make it less likely that we are able to consummate such transaction.
General Risk Factors
We are a recently incorporated company with no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a blank check company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with no operating results, and we will not commence operations until obtaining funding through this offering. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of completing our initial business combination with one or more target businesses. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us and may be unable to complete our initial business combination. If we fail to complete our initial business combination, we will never generate any operating revenues.
Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”
As of March 8, 2021, we had $25,000 in cash and a working capital deficit of $61,458. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. Management’s
plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis for Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.
Past performance by Hunt Companies, our management team or either of their respective affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in us.
Information regarding performance is presented for informational purposes only. Any past experience or performance, including related to blank check companies sponsored by Hunt Companies or its affiliates and the associated business combinations is not a guarantee of either (i) our ability to successfully identify and execute a transaction or (ii) success with respect to any business combination that we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of Hunt Companies, our management team or either of their respective affiliates as indicative of the future performance of an investment in us or the returns we will, or are likely to, generate going forward.
Certain agreements related to this offering may be amended without shareholder approval.
Certain agreements, including the underwriting agreement relating to this offering, the letter agreement among us and our sponsor, officers and directors, and the registration rights agreement among us and our initial shareholders, may be amended without shareholder approval. These agreements contain various provisions that our public shareholders might deem to be material. While we do not expect our board to approve any amendment to any of these agreements prior to our initial business combination, it may be possible that our board, in exercising its business judgment and subject to its fiduciary duties, chooses to approve one or more amendments to any such agreement in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Any such amendments would not require approval from our shareholders, may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible, and may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our securities.
We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to “emerging growth companies” or “smaller reporting companies,” this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Class A ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised
standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30 and (2) our annual revenues equals or exceeds $100 million during such completed fiscal year or the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
We may be a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”) of our Class A ordinary shares or warrants, the U.S. Holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Our PFIC status for our current and subsequent taxable years may depend on whether we qualify for the PFIC start-up exception (see “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules”). Depending on the particular circumstances the application of the start-up exception may be subject to uncertainty, and there cannot be any assurance that we will qualify for the start-up exception. Additionally, even if we qualify for the start-up exception with respect to a given taxable year, there cannot be any assurance that we would not be a PFIC in other taxable years. Accordingly, there can be no assurances with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Moreover, if we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, upon written request, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may require, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a “qualified electing fund” election with respect to their Class A ordinary shares, but there can be no assurance that we will timely provide such required information, and such election would be unavailable with respect to our warrants in all cases. We urge U.S. investors to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules. For a more detailed discussion of the tax consequences of PFIC classification to U.S. Holders, see “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination and such reincorporation may result in taxes imposed on shareholders or warrant holders.
We may, in connection with our initial business combination and subject to requisite shareholder approval under the Companies Act, reincorporate in the jurisdiction in which the target company or business is located or in another jurisdiction. The transaction may require a shareholder or warrant holder to recognize taxable income in the jurisdiction in which the shareholder or warrant holder is a tax resident or in which its members are resident if it is a tax transparent entity. We do not intend to make any cash distributions to shareholders or warrant holders to pay such taxes. Shareholders or warrant holders may be subject to withholding taxes or other taxes with respect to their ownership of us after the reincorporation.
The provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that relate to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of a special resolution which requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other blank check companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Some other blank check companies have a provision in their charter which prohibits the amendment of certain of its provisions, including those which relate to the rights of a company’s shareholders, without approval by
a certain percentage of the company’s shareholders. In those companies, amendment of these provisions typically requires approval by between 90% and 100% of the company’s shareholders. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that any of its provisions related to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of warrants into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein) may be amended if approved by special resolution, meaning holders of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of at least 65% of our ordinary shares; provided that the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the appointment or removal of directors prior to our initial business combination may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares. Our initial shareholders and their respective permitted transferees, if any, who will collectively beneficially own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our Class A ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree. Our shareholders may pursue remedies against us for any breach of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Our sponsor, executive officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to agreements with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, executive officers, directors or director nominees for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
Our initial shareholders control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon closing of this offering, our initial shareholders will own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a shareholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. If our initial shareholders purchase any units in this offering or if our initial shareholders purchase any additional Class A ordinary shares in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their control. Neither our initial shareholders nor, to our knowledge, any of our officers or directors, have any current intention to purchase additional securities, other than as disclosed in this prospectus. Factors that would be considered in making such additional purchases would include consideration of the current trading price of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were appointed by our sponsor, is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the completion of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the completion of the business combination. If there is an annual general meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for appointment and our initial shareholders, because of their ownership position, will control the outcome, as only holders of our Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the
appointment and removal of directors and in respect of any vote or votes to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of our company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, entitle the holders to ten votes for every founder share, prior to our initial business combination. Accordingly, our initial shareholders will continue to exert control at least until the completion of our initial business combination. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our initial shareholders.
Our warrant agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.
Our warrant agreement will provide that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We will waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the warrant agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our warrants shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a warrant holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our warrant agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
Because each unit contains one-half of one redeemable warrant and only a whole warrant may be exercised, the units may be worth less than units of other blank check companies.
Each unit contains one-half of one redeemable warrant. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, no fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units, and only whole units will trade. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder. This is different from other offerings similar to ours whose units include one ordinary share and one whole warrant to purchase one whole share. We have established the components of the units in this way in order to reduce the dilutive effect of the warrants upon completion of a business combination since the warrants will be exercisable in the aggregate for one-half of the number of shares compared to units that each contain a whole warrant to purchase one whole share, thus making us, we believe, a more attractive merger partner for target businesses. Nevertheless, this unit structure may cause our units to be worth less than if a unit included a warrant to purchase one whole share.
A provision of our warrant agreement may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
Unlike most blank check companies, if (i) we issue additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a
Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share, (ii) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (iii) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger prices described below under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” and “Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price described below under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or executive officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. We will also be subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a Federal court of the United States.
We have been advised by Walkers, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain or adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, because there are no authorities that directly address instruments similar to the units we are issuing in this offering, the allocation an investor makes with respect to the purchase price of a unit between the Class A ordinary shares and the one-half of a warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share included in each unit could be challenged by the IRS or courts. Furthermore, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of warrants included in the units we are issuing in this offering are unclear under current law. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our ordinary shares suspend the running of a U.S. Holder’s (as defined below in “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — General”) holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of Class A ordinary shares is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividends we pay would be considered “qualified dividends” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations of an investment in our securities. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these and other tax consequences when purchasing, holding or disposing of our securities.
Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.
We depend on digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, including those third parties with which we may deal. Sophisticated and deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties or the cloud, could lead to corruption or misappropriation of our assets, proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. As an early-stage company without significant investments in data security protection, we may not be sufficiently protected against such occurrences. We may not have sufficient resources to adequately protect against, or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to, cyber incidents. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have adverse consequences on our business and lead to financial loss.
Since only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the election and removal of directors, upon the listing of our shares on the NYSE, the NYSE may consider us to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, as a result, we may qualify for exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
After completion of this offering, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the election and removal of directors. As a result, the NYSE may consider us to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under the NYSE corporate governance standards, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:
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we have a board that includes a majority of “independent directors,” as defined under the rules of the NYSE;
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we have a compensation committee of our board that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and
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we have a nominating and corporate governance committee of our board that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.
We do not intend to utilize these exemptions and intend to comply with the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE, subject to applicable phase-in rules. However, if we determine in the future to utilize some or all of these exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.
We may reincorporate in another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States.
The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
We are subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
We are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the SEC, which are charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from seeking a business combination target.
Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
In recent years, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause target companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
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our ability to select an appropriate target business or businesses;
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our ability to complete our initial business combination;
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our expectations around the performance of a prospective target business or businesses;
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our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
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our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination;
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our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
▪
our pool of prospective target businesses;
▪
our ability to consummate an initial business combination due to the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;
▪
the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential business combination opportunities;
▪
our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;
▪
the lack of a market for our securities;
▪
the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance;
▪
the trust account not being subject to claims of third parties; or
▪
our financial performance following this offering.
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We are offering 20,000,000 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, together with the funds we will receive from the sale of the private placement warrants, will be used as set forth in the following table:
|
|
|
No Exercise of the
Over-Allotment
Option
|
|
|
Full Exercise of the
Over-Allotment
Option
|
|
Gross proceeds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross proceeds from units offered to public
|
|
|
|
$
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
230,000,000
|
|
|
Gross proceeds from private placement warrants
|
|
|
|
|
6,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,600,000
|
|
|
Total gross proceeds
|
|
|
|
$
|
206,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
236,600,000
|
|
|
Offering expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting commissions
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,600,000
|
|
|
(% of gross proceeds from units offered to public)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
Printing expenses
|
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
SEC/FINRA Expense
|
|
|
|
|
74,522
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,522
|
|
|
Travel and road show
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
Directors and officers insurance
|
|
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
Stock exchange listing and filing fees
|
|
|
|
|
85,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
85,000
|
|
|
Miscellaneous expenses
|
|
|
|
|
10,478
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,478
|
|
|
Total offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
Proceeds after offering expenses
|
|
|
|
$
|
201,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
231,000,000
|
|
|
Net proceeds to allocate
|
|
|
|
$
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
230,000,000
|
|
|
Net proceeds held in Trust Account
|
|
|
|
$
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
230,000,000
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
100%
|
|
|
Net proceeds held in Restricted Account
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
0%
|
|
|
% of public offering size
|
|
|
|
|
100.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
100.0%
|
|
|
Per Unit Held in Trust
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Net proceeds not held in trust account
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
The following table shows the use of the estimated $1,000,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account.(4)(5)
Working Capital Expenses
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
%
|
|
Due diligence and travel in connection with business combination
|
|
|
|
|
360,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
36.0%
|
|
|
Legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations
|
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
20.0%
|
|
|
Reserve for liquidation expenses
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0%
|
|
|
Payment for office space, admin and support
|
|
|
|
|
240,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.0%
|
|
|
Stock exchange continued listing fees
|
|
|
|
|
85,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.5%
|
|
|
Other miscellaneous expenses
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5%
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
100.0%
|
|
|
|
(1)
Includes amounts payable to public shareholders who properly redeem their shares in connection with our successful completion of our initial business combination.
(2)
A portion of the offering expenses will be paid from the proceeds of loans from our sponsor of up to $300,000 as described in this prospectus. As of March 8, 2021, we had not borrowed any amounts under the promissory note with our sponsor. These amounts will be repaid upon completion of this offering out of the offering proceeds that have been allocated for the payment of offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions) and not to be held in the trust account. In the event that offering expenses are less than as set forth in this table, any such amounts will be used for post-closing working capital expenses. In the event that the offering expenses are more than as set forth in this table, we may fund such excess with funds not held in the trust account.
(3)
The underwriters have agreed to defer underwriting commissions of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of this offering. Upon and concurrently with the completion of our initial business combination, $7,000,000, which constitutes the underwriters’ deferred commissions (or $8,050,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be paid to the underwriters from the funds held in the trust account. See “Underwriting.” The remaining funds, less amounts released to the trustee to pay redeeming shareholders, will be released to us and can be used to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of the business or businesses with which our initial business combination occurs or for general corporate purposes, including payment of principal or interest on indebtedness incurred in connection with our initial business combination, to fund the purchases of other companies or for working capital. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.
(4)
These expenses are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring our initial business combination based upon the level of complexity of such business combination. In the event we identify a business combination target in a specific industry subject to specific regulations, we may incur additional expenses associated with legal due diligence and the engagement of special legal counsel. In addition, our staffing needs may vary and as a result, we may engage a number of consultants to assist with legal and financial due diligence. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would not be available for our expenses. The amount in the table above does not include interest available to us from the trust account. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Assuming an interest rate of 0.20% per year, we estimate the interest earned on the trust account will be approximately $400,000 per year, if any; however, we can provide no assurances regarding this amount.
(5)
Assumes the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option.
(6)
Includes estimated amounts that may also be used in connection with our initial business combination to fund a “no shop” provision and commitment fees for financing.
Of the $206,000,000 in proceeds we receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants described in this prospectus, or $236,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, $200,000,000 ($10.00 per unit), or $230,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.00 per unit), will be deposited into a trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, including $7,000,000, or up to $8,050,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, in deferred underwriting compensation will be used to pay expenses in connection with the closing of this offering (including the portion of the underwriting commissions payable upon closing of this offering) and for working capital following this offering. We will not be permitted to withdraw any of the principal or interest held in the trust account, except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our taxes, if any, until the earliest of (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law, and (iii) the redemption of our public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. Based on current interest rates, we expect that interest income earned on the trust account (if any) will be sufficient to pay our taxes.
The net proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete our initial business combination. If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or the redemption of our public shares, we may apply the balance of the cash released from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-business combination company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination.
We believe that amounts not held in trust, together with funds available to us from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team will be sufficient to pay the costs and expenses to which such proceeds are allocated. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and
negotiating a business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may be required to raise additional capital, the amount, availability and cost of which is currently unascertainable. If we are required to seek additional capital, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors although they are under no obligation to advance funds to us in such circumstances.
We will reimburse an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and secretarial and administrative services provided to members of our management team in the amount of $10,000 per month. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of March 8, 2021, we had not borrowed any amounts under the promissory note with our sponsor. These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and are due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 and the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the trust account.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we may repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. Otherwise, such loans may be repaid only out of funds held outside the trust account. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. Except as set forth above, the terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, its affiliates or any members of our management team as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. If we increase the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or other appropriate mechanism immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with a business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
DILUTION
The difference between the public offering price per Class A ordinary share, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering pursuant to this prospectus or the private placement warrants, and the pro forma net tangible book value per Class A ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with the sale and exercise of warrants, including the private placement warrants, which would cause the actual dilution to the public shareholders to be higher, particularly where a cashless exercise is utilized. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of Class A ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares.
At March 8, 2021, our net tangible book deficit was $61,458, or approximately $(0.01) per ordinary share. After giving effect to the sale of 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus (or 23,000,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), the sale of the private placement warrants and the deduction of underwriting commissions and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value at March 8, 2021 would have been $5,000,002 or $0.82 per share (or $0.72 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value (as decreased by the value of 18,902,112 Class A ordinary shares that may be redeemed for cash, or 21,797,112 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) of $9.19 per share (or $9.29 per share if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) to our initial shareholders as of the date of this prospectus. Total dilution to public shareholders from this offering will be $9.18 per share (or $9.28 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full).
The following table illustrates the dilution to the public shareholders on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units or the private placement warrants:
|
|
|
Without over-
allotment
|
|
|
With over-
allotment
|
|
Public Offering Price
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Net Tangible Book Value before IPO
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
|
Increase Attributable to Existing Investors
|
|
|
|
|
9.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.29
|
|
|
Pro Forma Net Tangible Book Value
|
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
Dilution to New Investors
|
|
|
|
|
9.18
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
92.8%
|
|
|
|
For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option) by $189,021,180 because holders of up to approximately 94.5% of our public shares may redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account as set forth in our tender offer or proxy materials (initially anticipated to be the aggregate amount held in trust two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares).
The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial shareholders and the public shareholders:
|
|
|
Shares Purchased
|
|
|
Total Consideration
|
|
|
Average Price
per Share
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Class B Ordinary Shares(1)
|
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
20%
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01%
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.005
|
|
|
Public Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
20,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
80%
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
99.99%
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
200,025,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
100.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Assumes the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option and the corresponding forfeiture of 750,000 Class B ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders.
The pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering (assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option) is calculated as follows:
|
|
|
Without Over-
allotment
|
|
|
With Over-
allotment
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net tangible book deficit before this offering
|
|
|
|
$
|
(61,458)
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(61,458)
|
|
|
Net proceeds from this offering and sale of the private placement warrants(1)
|
|
|
|
|
201,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
231,000,000
|
|
|
Plus: Offering costs paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value
before this offering
|
|
|
|
|
82,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
82,580
|
|
|
Less: Deferred underwriting commissions
|
|
|
|
|
(7,000,000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,050,000)
|
|
|
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to redemption(2)
|
|
|
|
|
(189,021,120)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(217,971,121)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,000,002
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,000,001
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering
|
|
|
|
|
5,750,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,750,000
|
|
|
Ordinary shares forfeited if over-allotment is not exercised
|
|
|
|
|
(750,000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Ordinary shares included in the units offered
|
|
|
|
|
20,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,000,000
|
|
|
Less: Ordinary shares subject to redemption
|
|
|
|
|
(18,902,112)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,797,112)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,097,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,952,888
|
|
|
|
(1)
Expenses applied against gross proceeds include offering expenses of $1,000,000 and underwriting commissions of $4,000,000 or $4,600,000 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option (excluding deferred underwriting fees). See “Use of Proceeds.”
(2)
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. In the event of any such purchases of our shares prior to the completion of our initial business combination, the number of Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption will be reduced by the amount of any such purchases, increasing the pro forma net tangible book value per share. See “Proposed Business Effecting Our Initial Business Combination — Effecting Our Initial Business Combination — Permitted Purchases and Other Transactions with Respect to Our Securities.”
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization at March 8, 2021, and as adjusted to give effect to the filing of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the sale of our units in this offering and the private placement warrants and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:
|
|
|
March 8, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
As Adjusted(1)
|
|
Note payable to related party(2)
|
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
Deferred underwriting commissions
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
|
Class A Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
189,021,120
|
|
|
Shareholders’ equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 preference shares authorized, actual and as adjusted; 0 preference shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Class A Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, actual and as adjusted; 0 and 1,097,888 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 18,902,112 shares subject to possible redemption), actual and as adjusted, respectively(3)
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, actual and as adjusted; 5,750,000 and 5,000,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted, respectively(3)
|
|
|
|
|
575
|
|
|
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
24,425
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,003,270
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
|
|
(3,878)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,878)
|
|
|
Total shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,122
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,000,002
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,122
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
201,021,122
|
|
|
(1)
Assumes the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option and the corresponding forfeiture of 750,000 Class B ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders.
(2)
Our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of March 8, 2021, we had not borrowed any amounts under the promissory note with our sponsor.
(3)
In connection with our initial business combination, we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein whereby redemptions cannot cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on March 8, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our shares, debt or a combination of cash, equity and debt.
The issuance of additional shares in a business combination:
▪
may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering, which dilution would increase if the anti-dilution provisions in the Class B ordinary shares resulted in the issuance of Class A ordinary shares on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the Class B ordinary shares;
▪
may subordinate the rights of holders of Class A ordinary shares if preference shares are issued with rights senior to those afforded our Class A ordinary shares;
▪
could cause a change in control if a substantial number of our Class A ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
▪
may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the share ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us;
▪
may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, Class A ordinary shares and/or warrants; and
▪
may not result in adjustment to the exercise price of our warrants.
Similarly, if we issue debt or otherwise incur significant debt, it could result in:
▪
default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after an initial business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
▪
acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
▪
our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt is payable on demand;
▪
our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt is outstanding;
▪
our inability to pay dividends on our Class A ordinary shares;
▪
using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce the funds available for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares if declared, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
▪
limitations on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate;
▪
increased vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation; and
▪
limitations on our ability to borrow additional amounts for expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our strategy and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, as of March 8, 2021, we had cash of $25,000 and deferred offering costs of $82,580. Further, we expect to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete our initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities since inception have been organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for this offering. Following this offering, we will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after the closing of this offering.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied prior to the completion of this offering through (i) $25,000 paid by our sponsor to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in exchange for the issuance of the founder shares to our sponsor and (ii) the receipt of loans to us of up to $300,000 by our sponsor under an unsecured promissory note. As of March 8, 2021, we had not borrowed any amounts under the unsecured promissory note. We estimate that the net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting estimated offering expenses of $1,000,000, underwriting commissions of $4,000,000, or $4,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (excluding deferred underwriting commissions of $7,000,000, or $8,050,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), and (ii) the sale of the private placement warrants for a purchase price of $6,000,000 (or $6,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be $201,000,000 (or $231,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of this amount, $200,000,000 (or $230,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account, which includes the deferred underwriting commissions described above. The proceeds held in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. The remaining $1,000,000 will not be held in the trust account. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,000,000, we may fund such excess with funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $1,000,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
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 and deferred underwriting commissions), to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest income (if any) to pay taxes, if any. Our annual tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. We expect the interest income earned on the amount in the trust account (if any) will be sufficient to pay our taxes. To the extent that our equity or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial 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.
Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we will have available to us the $1,000,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account, as well as certain funds from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team. We will use these funds to primarily identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business prior to our initial business combination, other than funds available from loans from our sponsor, its affiliates or members of our management team. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business
combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we may repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants. The terms of such loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. Prior to the completion of our initial business combination, we do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
We expect our primary liquidity requirements during that period to include approximately $360,000 for legal, accounting, due diligence, travel and other expenses associated with structuring, negotiating and documenting successful business combinations; $200,000 for legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations; $100,000 for liquidation expenses reserve; $240,000 for office space and secretarial and administrative services; $85,000 for stock exchange continued listing fees; and $15,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves.
These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses. In addition, we could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay commitment fees for financing, fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business or as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision (a provision designed to keep target businesses from “shopping” around for transactions with other companies or investors on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into an agreement where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a “no-shop” provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conducting due diligence with respect to, prospective target businesses.
Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination, either because the transaction requires more cash than is available from the proceeds held in our trust account, or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares in connection with our business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the required time period because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account.
Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Only in the event that we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company would we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on internal control over financial reporting. Further, for as long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to 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 requirement.
Prior to the closing of this offering, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of our internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional
controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Many small and mid-sized target businesses we may consider for our initial business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
▪
staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties;
▪
reconciliation of accounts;
▪
proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate;
▪
evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions;
▪
documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and
▪
documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expenses in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Once our management’s report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent registered public accounting firm to audit and render an opinion on such report when required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The independent registered public accounting firm may identify additional issues concerning a target business’s internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants held in the trust account will be invested in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk. However, if the interest rates of U.S. Treasury obligations become negative, we may have less interest income available to us for payment of taxes, and a decline in the value of the assets held in the trust account could reduce the principal below the amount initially deposited in the trust account.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of March 8, 2021, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have not conducted any operations to date.
JOBS Act
The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will 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 a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
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 controls 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 the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
PROPOSED BUSINESS
General
We are a blank check company newly incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Our sponsor, Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, is an affiliate of each of Chris Hunt, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors, and Jim Hunt, Vice Chairman of our board of directors.
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team to identify, acquire and operate a business or businesses that can benefit from our management team’s established global relationships and operating experience.
Our Company
Our founders are executives at Hunt Companies where they have worked together to acquire and operate multiple operating companies that focus on providing services to the renewable energy, critical infrastructure, and real asset services and technology end markets, among others, on behalf of the Hunt family. During their tenure at Hunt Companies, they have successfully invested in disruptive trends that are re-shaping economic and business landscapes. In the process they have created substantial value for the shareholders of Hunt Companies.
We intend to leverage the significant operational and investment experience of our management and board to identify acquisition opportunities at the intersection of several important secular trends affecting the Real Asset industries.
Our investment thesis is rooted in three core beliefs that will influence the types of investment opportunities that we will target.
▪
First, we believe the world is in the early stages of a dramatic energy transition of a scope and scale that is unprecedented by all historical standards. The continued adoption of renewable energy and de-carbonization technologies will continue to accelerate in years to come, which will create a large market opportunity for businesses that are at the forefront of the transition to a de-carbonized economy. We believe that businesses involved in the design, development, construction, operation and financing of renewable energy assets will benefit from strong tailwinds in years to come and may represent attractive acquisition opportunities.
▪
Second, we believe that government spending (particularly in the U.S.) aimed at addressing critical infrastructure shortfalls (including an ongoing shortage of affordable housing) will increase in years to come, which will create a large market opportunity for businesses that are leveraged to public and private sector infrastructure spending. We believe that businesses involved in the design, development, construction, operation and financing of critical infrastructure assets (including public infrastructure, private infrastructure and affordable housing) will benefit from strong tailwinds in years to come and may represent attractive acquisition opportunities.
▪
Third, we believe that owners of real assets will continue to adopt disruptive technologies and differentiated services that enhance the performance, life cycle and efficiency of their real assets, which will create a large market opportunity for businesses that are able to deliver differentiated solutions to owners of real assets. We believe that businesses involved in the delivery of differentiated services and technology for owners of real assets will benefit from strong tailwinds in years to come and may represent attractive acquisition opportunities.
We believe that our management team has several attributes that will create shareholder value against the backdrop for these trends:
1.
Deep industry relationships — Our management team has had extensive experience building relationships across the renewable energy, infrastructure industries and real estate. This experience has created numerous relationships with experts in those fields, presenting us with the unique ability to identify and shape opportunities across multiple industries.
2.
History of creating value for shareholders — Since 2000, Hunt Companies has demonstrated its ability to deliver returns by growing its estimated equity value from $0.2 billion to $2.0 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 13%. Hunt Companies’ cumulative estimated equity value (excluding adjustments for dividends) has increased by over 1,159% over that time frame, dramatically outperforming the S&P500 (which increased by 156% excluding adjustments for dividends).
3.
Relevant investments across public and private operating businesses — Hunt Companies is an active investor in both public and private companies, including extensive investments in the renewable energy, infrastructure, and differentiated Real Asset services and technology industries. We believe this investment history will assist us in identifying and acting on acquisition opportunities across our target universe.
4.
Proprietary deal flow — Hunt Companies’ senior leadership has built relationships with industry leaders and is a trusted operating partner, both of which contribute to deal flow and investment opportunities. The network of Hunt Companies investees provides an edge in target screening and evaluation, creating a tactical advantage for Hunt Companies in M&A situations. As a result, Hunt Companies has a unique ability to identify, evaluate and execute off-market acquisition opportunities. Hunt Companies has not historically competed in auction situations and has acquired almost exclusively on an “off market” basis.
5.
Rigorous underwriting criteria — Hunt Companies has decades of M&A experience which provide it a framework for identifying and approaching potential acquisition targets. Our management team will utilize a disciplined approach honed over years of public and private market investments to responsibly deploy capital. In doing so, we expect to generate long term value for shareholders.
We believe that the combination of these five components will enable us to execute on our differentiated strategy and create long-term value for shareholders. Our vision is to allow shareholders to benefit from the same strategies that have made Hunt Companies successful while leveraging the financial and tactical advantages of a public company listing. We believe our experience will enable us to help the target’s management team navigate operational, financial and strategic opportunities and challenges and build a high-growth and financially successful business. We believe these competitive advantages will allow us to execute on our founders’ shared vision to create a world class publicly traded business through our company.
We believe the renewable energy, infrastructure, and Real Asset services and technology industries possess attractive potential business combination targets that have ample opportunity for growth and the potential to provide long-term shareholder value. We believe we have assembled a team with extensive industry-related operating and acquisition expertise to capitalize on this opportunity. Our management team has comprehensive experience in identifying, acquiring and executing strategic investments globally and has done so successfully in numerous industries, including within our target industries.
Our Sponsor
Our sponsor is Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, a subsidiary of Hunt Companies. Founded in 1947, Hunt Companies is a family-owned holding company with roughly $2.0 billion in net asset value across a portfolio of owned real assets (real estate and infrastructure) and more than 20 investments in operating companies that have underlying activities that relate back to the real asset sector. Hunt Companies’ roots can be traced to its principal activities as a general contractor and principal real estate developer during its first approximately 50 years of existence. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hunt Companies was at the forefront of the U.S. Military Housing Privatization Initiative and today has ownership interest in a portfolio of approximately 52,000 military housing units. Since 2011, Hunt Companies has executed an active M&A strategy, aimed at diversifying the Company’s asset base, and today has a portfolio of investments in over 20 operating businesses that have underlying exposure that relate back to the Real Asset space, as well as a substantial portfolio of real assets. Since 2012, Hunt Companies has executed over 18 corporate M&A transactions with an aggregate
underlying transaction value that exceeds $2.7 billion. Today, Hunt Companies is wholly-owned by the Hunt family and functions as a diversified family holding company with a portfolio of assets and operating companies that benefit from a shared commercial logic, relating back to the Real Asset space.
Our Management Team
Our management team is comprised of seasoned industry leaders, who we believe are well-positioned to identify and evaluate businesses within the renewable energy, infrastructure, and Real Asset services and technology industries that would benefit from our management team’s skills and access to the public markets. We believe our management team offers a deep network of long-standing relationships in our target industries, as well as a distinct background that can have a transformative impact on a target business.
Our management team is led by Chris Hunt, our Chief Executive Officer, Woody Hunt, our Senior Advisor, Ryan McCrory, our Head of Corporate, and Clay Parker, our Chief Financial Officer.
Chris Hunt — Chief Executive Officer and Director
Chris Hunt has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Companies, Inc. since 2015. Mr. Hunt is a Director on Hunt Companies’ Board of Directors and also serves on Hunt Companies’ Executive Committee and Investment Committee. Mr. Hunt is on the Board of Directors of numerous Hunt affiliates. Mr. Hunt began his career at Hunt Companies in 1993 and has served in numerous capacities over his more than 25 year tenure at Hunt Companies. Immediately prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Hunt served as President, COO and then CEO of Hunt Development Group. Mr. Hunt is currently a director of Lument Finance Trust (LFT) and MMA Capital Holdings (MMAC). Mr. Hunt graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. degree in Economics and an M.B.A. degree in Finance.
Woody L. Hunt — Senior Advisor
Mr. Woody L. Hunt is Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hunt Companies. and its affiliated companies. Mr. Hunt served as CEO of Hunt Companies from 1977 until 2015. Mr. Hunt was a member of the Board of Directors for El Paso Electric (Nasdaq: EE), PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM), and WestStar Bank. In addition to his duties with Hunt and as a corporate director, Mr. Hunt is a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors; foundation trustee of the Texas Higher Education Foundation; member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center-Houston; Founding Chairman of the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso, where he now serves on the Board of Directors; member and former Chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council; Vice-Chair for the Council for Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development; an Advisory Director for WestStar Bank; member of the Executive Council of No Labels; and Co-Chair of American Business Immigration Coalition. Mr. Hunt was Vice-Chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents; served seven years, three as Chairman, on the Board of Directors of The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). Mr. Hunt has received the Mirabeau B. Lamar medal which is awarded to individuals that have made extraordinary contributions to higher education in the State of Texas. Mr. Hunt received the Dick Weekley Public Policy Leadership Award from the Texas Business Leadership Council, which recognizes a business leader who has exemplified the positive outcomes that are derived at the intersection of volunteerism and public policy. Mr. Hunt has also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas at Austin, been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame, and the El Paso Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Hunt also serves as Chairman of the Hunt Family Foundation, a private family foundation he and his wife Gayle, established in 1987. Mr. Hunt graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. degree in Finance, and he subsequently received his M.B.A degree in Finance from UT. Mr. Hunt also earned an M.A. degree in Management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.
Ryan McCrory — Head of Corporate
Ryan McCrory serves as Executive Vice President for Hunt Companies. Mr. McCrory is responsible for executing M&A transactions, capital markets transactions and other strategic initiatives for Hunt Companies. Mr. McCrory serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee. Prior to joining Hunt Companies in 2017, Mr. McCrory was an investment professional at CenterOak Partners, a private equity firm focused on
control-oriented leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations. Prior to joining CenterOak Partners, he worked as an investment professional at Brazos Private Equity Partners, CenterOak Partners’ predecessor firm. Prior to entering the private equity industry, Mr. McCrory worked as an investment banker at Lazard Frères, where he advised on M&A and restructuring transactions across numerous sectors. Mr. McCrory received a B.B.A. degree in finance and accounting from Texas Christian University.
Clay Parker — Chief Financial Officer
Clay Parker serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Parker has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies since 2013 and is responsible for the company’s accounting, tax, finance, risk management, treasury and information services teams. Mr. Parker was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Prometheus Real Estate Group, located in California. Prometheus Real Estate Group is a real estate company specializing in the development, acquisition, management and ownership of luxury multifamily and office properties located in California, Washington and Oregon. Prior to joining Prometheus, Mr. Parker worked at JPI for over ten years in various executive leadership positions including four years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the eastern division in McLean, Virginia and three years as Executive Vice President of Financial Services at the home office of JPI in Irving, Texas, overseeing the accounting, tax, treasury, risk management and financial planning teams. JPI was a national residential real estate company that specialized in the development, acquisition, construction and management of luxury multifamily, student housing and mixed-use properties. Mr. Parker received his B.B.A degree from University of Texas, Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
Our Board of Directors
Jim Hunt — Vice Chairman, Internal Director
From November 2015 until August 2016, Mr. Hunt served as the managing partner and CEO, middle market credit at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LLC, an alternative investment firm with $32.0 billion of AUM that invests in the areas of energy, real estate, credit, and specialty growth capital. From August 2014 to November 2015, Mr. Hunt served as non-executive chairman of the board of THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD), an externally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with $6.0 billion of AUM. Mr. Hunt was a Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD), and of THL Credit Advisors, a registered investment advisor that provides administrative services to THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD). Previously, Mr. Hunt was chief executive officer and managing partner of Bison Capital Asset Management, LLC, a multi-fund private equity firm. Prior to co-founding Bison Capital, Mr. Hunt was the SunAmerica (formerly known as NYSE: SAI) Corporate Finance president and executive vice president of SunAmerica Investments (subsequently, AIG SunAmerica). Mr. Hunt was with Citibank/Citicorp (NYSE: C) from 1975 through 1989, with his last responsibilities serving as Far West Area Head of Leveraged Capital and with Senior Credit Officer’s designation. Mr. Hunt serves on the board of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI), where he also served as Lead Director from IPO until February 2021. Additionally, he serves on the boards of Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc (NYSE: ARDC), which is a closed-end management investment company. Mr. Hunt formerly served on the boards of Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (NYSE: PRS), Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS) (renamed Black Knight in 2014), Falcon Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLCN) (over $200 million AUM) and CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. Mr. Hunt received a B.B.A degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and an M.B.A degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
John P. Carey — Director Nominee
John Carey, Senior Managing Director with Treliant, is an accomplished banking executive and attorney with a broad mix of business, regulatory, legal, corporate governance, compliance, and management experience in major consumer financial services companies, at a national law firm, and in government service. He has extensive experience in board governance, having served on numerous bank, community, and non-profit boards. At Treliant, John is currently serving as an independent compliance monitor for a financial institution that is under a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice. He is also serving as the independent compliance auditor for a financial services firm that is under an SEC enforcement agreement. Prior to
joining Treliant in late 2016, John had a 10-year career at Citigroup (NYSE: C), where he was Head of Governance, Regulatory and External Affairs for Citi’s (NYSE: C) global consumer bank and led the development of effective controls and the oversight of external, regulatory, and operational risks affecting the business. While in that role, he had direct oversight of numerous regulatory remediation projects relating to Citi’s global consumer businesses. In other roles at Citi (NYSE: C), he served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Citi North America Consumer Banking and as CAO of Citi Cards. John also served as Chairman of the Board of Banamex USA, a state-chartered institution located in Los Angeles, CA. John took on the role to resolve the bank’s consent orders relating to its failure to meet its BSA/AML obligations. As Chairman, he led the corrective actions required by the bank’s regulators. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Banamex USA, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., Citi’s credit card bank, and as a Member of the Board of Directors of Department Stores National Bank. Currently, John serves as Chair of the Board of South Kent School. In 2009, the Federal Reserve Board appointed John to its Consumer Advisory Council, advising the Board on the exercise of its responsibilities under the Consumer Credit Protection Act and on other consumer financial services matters. Prior to joining Citi (NYSE: C) in 2006, John worked at MBNA Corporation and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), where he managed segments of the credit card business and covered legal and regulatory matters. Before joining MBNA, John served as the General Counsel to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served in the Clinton White House as Chief Counsel to the Office of Presidential Personnel, managing the legal team that vetted candidates for presidential nominations to the U.S. Senate. Prior to joining the Clinton Administration, John practiced law at Paul Hastings in Washington, DC. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable June L. Green, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. John is a graduate of Georgetown College and Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the State of New York. He is a member of the International Association of Independent Corporate Monitors. Mr. Carey is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive background in finance and business.
Susan L. Harris — Director Nominee
Ms. Harris has broad legal and corporate governance expertise as she has held roles as Director and General Counsel at multiple publicly listed companies. Ms. Harris currently serves as a Director at General Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: GFN), which is a specialty rental services company offering portable storage, modular space and liquid containment solutions. Additionally, Ms. Harris serves on the Board of Directors and Balance Sheet Committee of Pacific Oak SOR BVI, a subsidiary of Pacific Oak Strategic REIT (formerly known as OTC: PCOK). In October 2020, Pacific Oak Strategic REIT announced the completion of its stock-for-stock merger with Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT II to form a $2.0 billion Company. Previously, Ms. Harris served as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee for Mobile Services Group, Inc. and Mobile Storage Group, Inc. from 2002 to 2006. Mobile Services Group, Inc. and Mobile Storage Group, Inc. provided a portable storage solution and specialty containment solutions to valued customers in the U.S. In 2000, Ms. Harris retired from SunAmerica Inc. (formerly known as NYSE: SAI), where she served in a variety of positions between 1985 and 2000, including her most recent position as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In 1998, AIG (NYSE: AIG) announced its acquisition SunAmerica in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $18.0 billion. During her tenure at SunAmerica, Ms. Harris’ responsibilities included the preparation and review of public disclosure for the Company and its four public subsidiaries. Ms. Harris began her legal career as an Associate Attorney at Lillick, McHose & Charles in 1981. Ms. Harris earned a J.D. degree from the University of Southern California and B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Harris is well qualified to serve as a director due to her extensive background in finance and business.
David B. Rogers — Director Nominee
Mr. Rogers is actively involved as a principal in a wide range of project development and financing matters. He is working a number of low-carbon projects including, with partners and backed by institutional funding, the world’s first carbon capture retrofit project of a combined cycle natural gas power plant. Previously, Mr. Rogers practiced law for 30 years with Latham & Watkins LLP where he was one of the firm’s leading partners. For many years, Mr. Rogers served as global chair of the firm’s top-ranked project finance practice. He also served as global chair of its finance practice (project finance, leveraged finance, banking, real estate, municipal finance and structured finance). He served on the firm’s five-person executive committee which has full authority to manage the firm, having been elected by the firm’s partners for the maximum terms allowed.
Mr. Rogers advised lenders, private equity firms, developers, utilities and others in financings, acquisitions and project development matters. He had lead roles in early renewables projects including developing the first large utility-owned wind energy project in the U.S. He is also expert in risk management. Mr. Rogers is teaching a full-term Winter 2021 graduate course at Stanford — Environment and Resources 260: “Implementing and Financing a Decarbonized Economy.” In five prior years, he has taught a full-term course on “Clean Energy Project Development and Finance” at Stanford Graduate School of Business and/or Stanford Law School. He has also taught an annual compressed course at Oxford’s Saïd Business School on International Infrastructure Development and Finance. Mr. Rogers earned a B.A. in Economics with honors and distinction from Stanford in 1980 and a J.D. degree from Stanford Law School in 1983. Mr. Rogers is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive background in finance, energy transition and de-carbonization.
Our Market Opportunity and Business Strategy
While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector (subject to certain limitations described in this prospectus), we intend to identify and acquire a business within the renewable energy, infrastructure, or Real Asset services and technology industries. First, we believe the renewable energy sector possess attractive opportunities given a broad transition to renewable energy sources and declining renewable energy production costs. Second, we believe the infrastructure sector possesses attractive opportunities given increasing levels of public and private sector spending (particularly in the U.S.) aimed at addressing critical infrastructure shortfalls (including an ongoing shortage of affordable housing). Third, we believe the Real Asset service and technology sector possesses attractive opportunities because owners of real assets are rapidly adopting disruptive technologies and differentiated services that enhance the performance, life cycle and efficiency of real assets. Furthermore, we believe our management team’s experience investing across these industries will be valuable and will help unlock additional shareholder value as we guide the target through the next phase of its growth as a public company. Examples of verticals within these that we intend to focus on include:
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Renewables Energy — Companies that deliver climate solutions and/or operate at the forefront of the transition to a low-carbon economy. As technological innovations and government incentives have dramatically reduced the cost of renewable energy generation, consumer demands have been influenced by an increased awareness of climate change and the importance of sustainability. Accordingly, we see a significant market opportunity for businesses that are at the forefront of our shift to a low-carbon future. Hunt Companies has invested extensively across the renewable energy sector including its investments in, Amber Infrastructure, Moss & Associates, Sustainable Living Innovations and the business known as MMA Energy Capital.
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Infrastructure — Companies that are leveraged to increased public and private sector spending on infrastructure assets (including public infrastructure, private infrastructure and affordable housing). Due to population growth and years of under-investment in critical infrastructure, many countries (especially the United States) are facing a critical deficit in the quality of public infrastructure and availability of affordable housing. As a result, governments are investing significant capital to close the ongoing deficit in infrastructure and affordable housing which will create tailwinds for private businesses that are focused on delivery of services for the infrastructure and housing markets. We believe governments will increasingly look to partner with private investors for solutions that address our deficits in public infrastructure and affordable housing. We expect this trend to be especially pronounced in the United States, which has historically lagged other parts of the developed world in its approach to infrastructure investment. Hunt Companies has invested extensively across the infrastructure sector including its investments in Amber Infrastructure, City Light & Power, Hunt Military Communities, Moss & Associates and CGL.
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Real Asset Services and Technology — Companies that utilize differentiated services or technology to innovate and enhance the profitability or performance of real assets. We believe that in comparison to other sectors, the real estate sector has been slow to adopt new technology. Recent innovations have allowed technology-savvy real estate owners and managers to significantly enhance the performance, life cycle, and efficiency of their assets. We believe that traditional real estate service platforms are still susceptible to disruption. Hunt Companies has invested, directly or indirectly, extensively across the
Real Asset Service and technology sector including its prior investment in Pinnacle Property Management Services (divested to Cushman & Wakefield) and a portfolio of investments in early-stage property technology businesses.
Business Combination Criteria
Consistent with our business strategy, we have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. We will use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating initial business combination opportunities, but we may decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet these criteria and guidelines. We intend to acquire operating businesses that:
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Focus on providing differentiated solutions to the renewable energy, infrastructure or real asset services and technology industries;
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Possess high barriers to entry and a certain degree of differentiation and complexity embedded in their platform;
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Are scaled or have ability to scale within their large addressable market;
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Are run day-to-day by proven management teams that have significant financial alignment of interest with shareholders;
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Are on a promising growth path, driven by a sustainable competitive advantage, with opportunities for acceleration by a partnership with us;
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Have experienced significant organic growth, and that we believe are well-positioned to capture additional market share through both accelerated organic and external growth;
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Have robust compliance, financial controls and reporting processes in place and that we believe are ready for the regulatory requirements of a public entity, or have the potential to timely implement appropriate public company reporting, compliance and financial controls under the guidance of our management team;
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Have management and stakeholders who aspire to have their company become a public entity and generate substantial growth;
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Have defensible proprietary technology and intellectual property rights that are significantly differentiated and superior to the industry standard;
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Have an enterprise valuation between $1.0 billion and $2.0 billion; and
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Have appropriate valuations relative to industry comparables and the ability to enhance and create value for shareholders over the long term.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive or required. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines as well as other considerations, factors and criteria that our management team may deem relevant. In the event that we decide to enter into our initial business combination with a target business that does not meet the above criteria and guidelines, we will disclose that the target business does not meet the above criteria in our shareholder communications related to our initial business combination, which, as discussed in this prospectus, would be in the form of proxy materials or tender offer documents, as applicable, that we would file with the SEC. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information which will be made available to us.
Additional Disclosures
Our Acquisition Process
We have not selected any business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target.
Our directors and officers presently have, and any of them in the future may have, additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present
a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our directors or officers becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may need to honor these fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, or in the case of a non-compete restriction, may not present such opportunity to us at all, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our directors or officers will materially affect our ability to identify and pursue business combination opportunities or complete our initial business combination. Our directors and officers are also not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs, and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. See “Risk Factors — Certain of our directors and officers are now, and all of them may in the future become, affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.”
Past experience or performance of our management team and their respective affiliates is not a guarantee of either (1) our ability to successfully identify and execute a transaction or (2) success with respect to any business combination that we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of Hunt Companies, our management team or their respective affiliates as indicative of future performance. See “Risk Factor — Past performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the company.” No member of our management team has any experience operating special purpose acquisition companies.
Corporate Information
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” will have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30 and (2) our annual revenues equals or exceeds $100 million during such completed fiscal year or the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.
Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies wishing to conduct business outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Law. As an
exempted company, we have applied for and have received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 30 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable (1) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (2) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividend or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on March 2, 2021. Our executive offices are located at 4401 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902 The information contained on or accessible through our corporate website or any other website that we or our sponsor and/or its affiliates may maintain is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and our telephone number is (915) 533-1122. Upon completion of this offering, our corporate website address will be . Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to invest in our securities.
Initial Business Combination
So long as our securities are then listed on the NYSE, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on any interest earned on the trust account) at the time of signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. We refer to this as the 80% of net assets test. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or an independent valuation or appraisal firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. While we consider it unlikely that our board will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of a target business or businesses, it may be unable to do so if the board is less familiar or experienced with the target company’s business, there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of the company’s assets or prospects, including if such company is at an early stage of development, operations or growth, or if the anticipated transaction involves a complex financial analysis or other specialized skills and the board determines that outside expertise would be helpful or necessary in conducting such analysis. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that the fair market value of the target business meets the 80% of net assets test, unless such opinion includes material information regarding the valuation of a target business or the consideration to be provided, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed to our shareholders. However, if required under applicable law, any proxy statement that we deliver to shareholders and file with the SEC in connection with a proposed transaction will include such opinion.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-business combination company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination such that the post-business combination company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-business combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-business combination company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interests of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our
shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-business combination company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of net assets test. If the business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor. If our securities are not then listed on the NYSE for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net asset test.
To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in such company or business. These risks include, among others, investing in a business without a proven business model and with limited historical financial data, volatile revenues or earnings, intense competition and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors and we may not have adequate time to complete due diligence.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination.
Status as a Public Company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination with us. In a business combination transaction with us, the owners of the target business may, for example, exchange their shares of stock, shares or other equity interests in the target business for our Class A ordinary shares (or shares of a new holding company) or for a combination of our Class A ordinary shares and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. We believe target businesses will find this method a more expeditious and cost effective method to becoming a public company than the typical initial public offering. The typical initial public offering process takes a significantly longer period of time than the typical business combination transaction process, and there are significant expenses in the initial public offering process, including underwriting discounts and commissions, that may not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us.
Furthermore, once a proposed business combination is completed, the target business will have effectively become public, whereas an initial public offering is always subject to the underwriters’ ability to complete the offering, as well as general market conditions, which could delay or prevent the offering from occurring or have negative valuation consequences. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital, an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests and the ability to use its shares as currency for acquisitions. Being a public company can offer further benefits by augmenting a company’s profile among potential new customers and vendors and aid in attracting talented employees.
While we believe that our structure and our management team’s backgrounds will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our ability to seek shareholder approval of any proposed initial business combination, negatively.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive
compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved, If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
Financial Position
With funds available for a business combination initially in the amount of $193,000,000, after payment of the estimated expenses of this offering and $7,000,000 of deferred underwriting fees (or $221,950,000 after payment of the estimated expenses of this offering and $8,050,000 of deferred underwriting fees if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), we offer a target business a variety of options such as creating a liquidity event for its owners, providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to complete our initial business combination using our cash, debt or equity securities, or a combination of the foregoing, we have the flexibility to use the most efficient combination that will allow us to tailor the consideration to be paid to the target business to fit its needs and desires. However, we have not taken any steps to secure third-party financing and there can be no assurance it will be available to us.
Effecting Our Initial Business Combination
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, our equity, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
If our initial business combination is paid for using equity or debt, or not all of the funds released from the trust account are used for payment of the consideration in connection with our initial business combination or used for redemptions of our Class A ordinary shares, we may apply the balance of the cash released to us from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of the post-business combination company, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in completing our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us. Additionally, we have not engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, to conduct any research or take any measures, directly or indirectly, to locate or contact a target business, other than our officers and directors. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination. Although our management will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business with which we may combine, we cannot assure you that this assessment will result in our identifying all risks that a target business may encounter.
Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of our control, meaning that we can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely affect a target business.
Sources of Target Businesses
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity groups, investment banking firms, consultants, accounting firms and large business enterprises. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested on an unsolicited basis, since some of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. In addition, we expect to receive a number of proprietary deal flow opportunities that would not otherwise necessarily be available to us as a result of the business relationships of our officers and directors. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. We will engage a finder only to the extent our management determines that the use of a finder may bring opportunities to us that may not otherwise be available to us or if finders approach us on an unsolicited basis with a potential transaction that our management determines is in our best interest to pursue. Payment of finder’s fees is customarily tied to completion of a transaction, in which case any such fee will be paid out of the funds held in the trust account. In no event, however, will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or their respective affiliates paid by us any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). We have agreed to pay an affiliate of our sponsor a sum of $10,000 per month for office space and secretarial and administrative services and to reimburse our sponsor for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination. Some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the post-business combination company following our initial business combination. The presence or absence of any such fees or arrangements will not be used as a criterion in our selection process of an acquisition candidate.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor or any of our officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have, additional, fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities, including entities that are affiliates of our sponsor, pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity. See “Management — Conflicts of Interest.”
Evaluation of a Target Business and Structuring of Our Initial Business Combination
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which may encompass, as applicable and among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities and a review of financial and other information about the target and its industry. We will also utilize our management team’s operational and capital planning experience. If we determine to move forward with a particular target, we will proceed to structure and negotiate the terms of the business combination transaction.
The time required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination, and the costs associated with this process, are not currently ascertainable with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of, and negotiation with, a prospective target business with which our initial business combination is not ultimately completed will result in our incurring losses and will reduce the funds we can use to complete another business combination. The company will not pay any consulting fees to members of our management team, or their respective affiliates, for services rendered to or in connection with our initial business combination. In addition, we have agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial business combination without the prior consent of our sponsor.
Lack of Business Diversification
For an indefinite period of time after the completion of our initial business combination, the prospects for our success may depend entirely on the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities that have the resources to complete business combinations with multiple entities in one or several industries, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations and mitigate the risks of being in a single line of business. By completing our initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
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subject us to negative economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact on the particular industry in which we operate after our initial business combination; and
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cause us to depend on the marketing and sale of a single product or limited number of products or services.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target’s Management Team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination with that business, our assessment of the target business’s management may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. The determination as to whether any of the members of our management team will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with the combined company. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with the combined company will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that additional managers will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination
We may conduct redemptions without a shareholder vote pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC subject to the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. However, we will seek shareholder approval if it is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement, or we may decide to seek shareholder approval for business or other reasons.
Under the NYSE’s listing rules, shareholder approval would typically be required for our initial business combination if, for example:
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we issue ordinary shares that will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of our ordinary shares then-outstanding (other than in a public offering);
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any of our directors, officers or substantial security holder (as defined by the NYSE rules) has a 5% or greater interest, directly or indirectly, in the target business or assets to be acquired or otherwise and the present or potential issuance of ordinary shares could result in an increase in issued and outstanding ordinary shares or voting power of 1% or more (or 5% or more if the related party involved is classified as such solely because such person is a substantial security holder); or
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the issuance or potential issuance of ordinary shares will result in our undergoing a change of control.
The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination in those instances in which shareholder approval is not required by law will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on business and reasons, which include a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
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the timing of the transaction, including in the event we determine shareholder approval would require additional time and there is either not enough time to seek shareholder approval or doing so would place the company at a disadvantage in the transaction or result in other additional burdens on the company;
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the expected cost of holding a shareholder vote;
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the risk that the shareholders would fail to approve the proposed business combination;
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other time and budget constraints of the company; and
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additional legal complexities of a proposed business combination that would be time-consuming and burdensome to present to shareholders.
Permitted Purchases and Other Transactions with Respect to Our Securities
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may purchase public shares or warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination.
Additionally, at any time at or prior to our initial business combination, subject to applicable securities laws (including with respect to material nonpublic information), our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, executive officers, advisors or their respective affiliates may enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares, vote their public shares in favor of our initial business combination or not redeem their public shares. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the trust account will be used to purchase public shares or warrants in such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will be restricted from making any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
In the event that our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers, advisors or their respective affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights or submitted a proxy to vote against our initial business combination, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares and any proxy to vote against our initial business combination. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will be required to comply with such rules.
The purpose of any such transaction could be to (i) vote in favor of the business combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the business combination, (ii) reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrant holders for approval in connection with our initial business combination or (iii) satisfy a closing condition in an agreement with a target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of our initial business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of our Class A ordinary shares or public warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
Our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates anticipate that they may identify the shareholders with whom our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors or their respective affiliates may pursue privately negotiated transactions by either the shareholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests submitted by shareholders (in the case of Class A ordinary shares) following our mailing of tender offer or proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. To the extent that our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors, advisors or their respective affiliates enter into a private transaction, they would identify and contact only potential selling or redeeming shareholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the trust account or vote against our initial business combination, whether or not such shareholder has already submitted a proxy with respect to our initial business combination but only if such shares have not already been voted at the general meeting related to our initial business combination. Our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors, advisors or their respective affiliates will select which shareholders to purchase shares from based on the negotiated price and number of shares and any other factors that they may deem relevant, and will be restricted from purchasing shares if such purchases do not comply with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and the other federal securities laws.
Our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates will be restricted from making purchases of shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. We expect any such purchases would be reported by such person pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements.
Redemption Rights for Public Shareholders in Connection with Our Initial Business Combination
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares in connection with our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per-share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. There will be no redemption rights in connection with our initial business combination with respect to our warrants. Further, we will not proceed with redeeming our public shares, even if a public shareholder has properly elected to redeem its shares, if a business combination does not close. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
Limitations on Redemptions
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we will not redeem public shares that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than US$5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. However, the proposed business combination may require (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or its owners, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the retention of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. In the event the aggregate
cash consideration we would be required to pay for all Class A ordinary shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to us, we will not complete the business combination or redeem any shares, and all Class A ordinary shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares 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 we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement or whether we were deemed to be a foreign private issuer (which would require a tender offer rather than seeking shareholder approval under SEC rules). Asset acquisitions and share purchases would not typically require shareholder approval while direct mergers with our company where we do not survive and any transactions where we issue more than 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares or seek to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association would typically require shareholder approval. We currently intend to conduct redemptions in connection with a shareholder vote unless shareholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement or we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other reasons. So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on the NYSE, we will be required to comply with the NYSE rules.
If we held a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association:
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conduct the redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules; and
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file proxy materials with the SEC.
In the event that we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, we will distribute proxy materials and, in connection therewith, provide our public shareholders with the redemption rights described above in connection with our initial business combination.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 7,500,001, or 37.5% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised) or 1,250,001, or 6.25% (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), of the 20,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved. Each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or vote at all. In addition, our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
If we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association:
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conduct the redemptions pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, which regulate issuer tender offers; and
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file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, which regulates the solicitation of proxies.
Upon the public announcement of our initial business combination, if we elect to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, we and our sponsor will terminate any plan established in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 to purchase Class A ordinary shares in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
In the event we conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, our offer to redeem will remain open for at least 20 business days, in accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act, and we will not be permitted to complete our initial business combination until the expiration of the tender offer period. In addition, the tender offer will be conditioned on public shareholders not tendering more than the number of public shares we are permitted to redeem. If public shareholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete such initial business combination.
Limitation on Redemption in Connection with Our Initial Business Combination If We Seek Shareholder Approval
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering, which we refer to as “Excess Shares,” without our prior consent. We believe this restriction will discourage shareholders from accumulating large blocks of shares, and subsequent attempts by such holders to use their ability to exercise their redemption rights against a proposed business combination as a means to force us or our management to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public shareholder holding more than an aggregate of 15% of the shares sold in this offering could threaten to exercise its redemption rights if such holder’s shares are not purchased by us, our sponsor or our management at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our shareholders’ ability to redeem no more than 15% of the shares sold in this offering without our prior consent, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of shareholders to unreasonably attempt to block our ability to complete our initial business combination, particularly in connection with a business combination with a target that requires as a closing condition that we have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash.
However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination.
Tendering Share Certificates in Connection with a Tender Offer or Redemption Rights
Public shareholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” will be required to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent prior to the date set forth in the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, mailed to such holders, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case up to two business days prior to the initially scheduled vote to approve the business combination. The proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate the applicable delivery requirements, which will include the requirement that a beneficial holder must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares. Accordingly, a public shareholder would have from the time we send out our tender offer materials until the close of the tender offer period, or up to two business days prior to the initially scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the business combination if we distribute proxy materials, as applicable, to tender its shares if it wishes to seek to exercise its redemption rights. Given the relatively short period in which to exercise redemption rights, it is advisable for shareholders to use electronic delivery of their public shares.
There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker a fee of approximately $80.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise redemption rights to tender their shares. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising redemption rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated.
The foregoing is different from the procedures used by many blank check companies. In order to perfect redemption rights in connection with their business combinations, many blank check companies would distribute proxy materials for the shareholders’ vote on an initial business combination, and a holder could simply vote against a proposed business combination and check a box on the proxy card indicating such holder was seeking to exercise his or her redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such shareholder to arrange for him or her to deliver his or her certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the shareholder then had an “option window” after the completion of the business combination during which he or she could monitor the price of the company’s shares in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he or she could sell his or her shares in the open market before actually delivering his or her shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which shareholders were aware they needed to commit before the general meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the completion of the business combination until the redeeming holder delivered its certificate. The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the meeting ensures that a redeeming shareholder’s election to redeem is irrevocable once the business combination is approved.
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to two business days prior to the initially scheduled vote on the proposal to approve the business combination, unless otherwise agreed to by us. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of redemption rights and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, such holder may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically). It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to holders of our public shares electing to redeem their shares will be distributed promptly after the completion of our initial business combination.
If our initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any certificates delivered by public holders who elected to redeem their shares.
If our initial proposed business combination is not completed, we may continue to try to complete a business combination with a different target until 24 months from the closing of this offering.
Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation If No Initial Business Combination
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we will have only 24 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination. If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and 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, which will expire worthless if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law.
Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame).
Our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed, pursuant to a letter agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, unless we provide our 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 funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares. However, we may not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of public shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement, we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of our public shares at such time. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer, director or director nominee, or any other person.
We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the $1,000,000 held outside the trust account plus up to $100,000 of funds from the trust account available to us to pay dissolution expenses, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose.
If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders upon our dissolution would be $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public shareholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by shareholders will not be less than $10.00. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although we will seek to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the trust account including, but not limited, to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third-party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. Jefferies LLC will not execute an agreement with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive
any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. In order to protect the amounts held in the trust account, our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by (A) a third party for services rendered or products sold to us (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), or (B) a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay our tax obligations, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. However, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and we believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that our sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the trust account as of the date of the liquidation of the trust account if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay our tax obligations, and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.00 per public share.
We will seek to reduce the possibility that our sponsor will have to indemnify the trust account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than our independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account. Our sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will have access to up to $1,000,000 following this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, shareholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors, however such liability will not be greater than the amount of funds from our trust account received by any such shareholder. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,000,000, we may fund such excess with funds from the funds not to be held in the trust account. In such case, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would decrease by a corresponding amount. Conversely, in the event that the offering expenses are less than our estimate of $1,000,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount.
If we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.00 per public share to our public shareholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders
could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only (i) in the event of the redemption of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, (ii) in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, or (iii) if they redeem their respective shares for cash in connection with our initial business combination. Public shareholders who redeem their Class A ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote described in clause (ii) in the preceding sentence shall not be entitled to funds from the trust account upon the subsequent completion of an initial business combination or liquidation if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, with respect to such Class A ordinary shares so redeemed. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a shareholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, like all provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, may be amended with a shareholder vote.
Comparison of Redemption or Purchase Prices in Connection with Our Initial Business Combination and If We Fail to Complete Our Initial Business Combination.
The following table compares the redemptions and other permitted purchases of public shares that may take place in connection with our initial business combination and if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering:
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Redemptions in connection
with Our Initial
Business Combination
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Other Permitted
Purchases of Public
Shares by Our Affiliates
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Redemption if We Fail to
Complete an Initial
Business Combination
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Impact to remaining shareholders
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The redemptions in connection with our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for our remaining shareholders, who will bear the burden of the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable.
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If the permitted purchases described above are made, there would be no impact to our remaining shareholders because the purchase price would not be paid by us.
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The redemption of our public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for the shares held by our initial shareholders, who will be our only remaining shareholders after such redemptions.
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Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares the terms of this offering to the terms of an offering by a blank check company subject to the provisions of Rule 419. This comparison assumes that the gross proceeds, underwriting commissions and underwriting expenses of our offering would be identical to those of an offering undertaken by a company subject to Rule 419, and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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Escrow of offering proceeds
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$200,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants will be deposited into a trust account located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.
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Approximately $170,100,000 of the proceeds of this offering would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account.
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Investment of net proceeds
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$200,000,000 of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants held in trust will be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.
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Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States.
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Receipt of interest on escrowed funds
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Interest income (if any) on proceeds from the trust account to be paid to shareholders is reduced by (i) any taxes paid or payable and (ii) in the event of our liquidation for failure to complete our initial business combination within the allotted time, up to $100,000 of net interest that may be released to us should we have no or insufficient working capital to fund the costs and expenses of our dissolution and liquidation.
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Interest income on funds in escrow account would be held for the sole benefit of investors, unless and only after the funds held in escrow were released to us in connection with our completion of a business combination.
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Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business
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The NYSE rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of our assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of signing the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. If our securities are
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The fair value or net assets of a target business must represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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not then listed on the NYSE for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net asset test.
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Trading of securities issued
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The units are expected to begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Jefferies LLC informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering. If the over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. The units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination.
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No trading of the units or the underlying Class A ordinary shares and warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account.
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Exercise of the warrants
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The warrants cannot be exercised until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
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The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account.
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Election to remain an investor
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We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination,
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A prospectus containing information pertaining to the business combination required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, in connection with our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein. We may not be required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement to hold a shareholder vote. If we are not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and do not otherwise decide to hold a shareholder vote, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, we hold a shareholder vote, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or vote at all. Our
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business days from the effective date of a post-effective amendment to the company’s registration statement, to decide if he, she or it elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his, her or its investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account are automatically returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all funds on deposit in the escrow account must be returned to all of the investors and none of the securities are issued.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require that at least five days’ notice will be given of any such general meeting.
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Business combination deadline
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If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, 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 100% of the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
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If an acquisition has not been completed within 18 months after the effective date of the company’s registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account are returned to investors.
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Release of funds
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Except for the withdrawal of interest income (if any) to pay our taxes, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earliest of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we have not consummated an
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The proceeds held in the escrow account are not released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.
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Terms of Our Offering
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Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
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initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, subject to applicable law; and (iii) the redemption of our public shares properly submitted in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
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Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for our initial business combination, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, including other blank check companies, private equity groups and leveraged buyout funds, public companies, operating businesses seeking strategic acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Moreover, many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources than us. Our ability to acquire larger target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Furthermore, our obligation to pay cash in connection with our public shareholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for our initial business combination and our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Either of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination.
Facilities
We currently maintain our executive offices at 4401 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902. The cost for our use of this space is included in the $10,000 per month fee we will pay to an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and secretarial and administrative services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Human Capital Management
We currently have four executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage
of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
We will register our units, Class A ordinary shares and warrants under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation or tender offer materials, as applicable, sent to shareholders. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or reconciled to, GAAP, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire because some targets may be unable to provide such statements in time for us to disclose such statements in accordance with federal proxy rules and complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with the requirements outlined above, or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with the requirements outlined above. To the extent that these requirements cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential acquisition candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
We will be required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, would we be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will file a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we will be subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies conducting business mainly outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Act. As an exempted company, we have received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 30 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations will apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable (i) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividend or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some
investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Class A ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30 and (2) our annual revenues equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year or the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such.
MANAGEMENT
Officers, Directors and Director Nominees
Our officers, directors and director nominees are as follows:
Name
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Age
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Position
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Chris Hunt
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50
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Chief Executive Officer and Director
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Clay Parker
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56
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Chief Financial Officer
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Woody L. Hunt
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75
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Senior Advisor
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Ryan McCrory
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33
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Head of Corporate
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Jim Hunt
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69
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Director
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John P. Carey
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65
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Director Nominee
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Susan Harris
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64
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Director Nominee
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David B. Rogers
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62
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Director Nominee
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Chris Hunt — Chief Executive Officer and Director. Chris Hunt is our Chief Executive Officer and Director. Chris Hunt has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Companies, Inc. since 2015. Mr. Hunt is a Director on Hunt Companies’ Board of Directors and also serves on Hunt Companies’ Executive Committee and Investment Committee. Mr. Hunt is on the Board of Directors of numerous Hunt affiliates. Mr. Hunt began his career at Hunt Companies in 1993 and has served in numerous capacities over his more than 25 year tenure at Hunt Companies. Immediately prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Hunt served as President, COO and then CEO of Hunt Development Group. Mr. Hunt is currently a director of Lument Finance Trust (LFT) and MMA Capital Holdings (MMAC). Mr. Hunt graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. degree in Economics and an M.B.A. degree in Finance. We believe that Mr. Hunt’s extensive financial background and expertise in public and private companies makes him well-qualified to serve on our board of directors.
Clay Parker — Chief Financial Officer. Clay Parker is our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Parker has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies since 2013 and is responsible for the company’s accounting, tax, finance, risk management, treasury and information services teams. Mr. Parker was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Prometheus Real Estate Group, located in California. Prometheus Real Estate Group is a real estate company specializing in the development, acquisition, management and ownership of luxury multifamily and office properties located in California, Washington and Oregon. Prior to joining Prometheus, Mr. Parker worked at JPI for over ten years in various executive leadership positions including four years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the eastern division in McLean, Virginia and three years as Executive Vice President of Financial Services at the home office of JPI in Irving, Texas, overseeing the accounting, tax, treasury, risk management and financial planning teams. JPI was a national residential real estate company that specialized in the development, acquisition, construction and management of luxury multifamily, student housing and mixed-use properties. Mr. Parker received his B.B.A. degree from University of Texas, Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
Woody L. Hunt — Senior Advisor. Woody L. Hunt is our Senior Advisor. Mr. Hunt is the Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hunt Companies. Mr. Hunt served as CEO of Hunt Companies from 1977 to 2015. Mr. Hunt was a member of the Board of Directors for El Paso Electric (Nasdaq: EE), PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM), and WestStar Bank. In addition to his duties with Hunt and as a corporate director, Mr. Hunt is a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors; foundation trustee of the Texas Higher Education Foundation; member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center-Houston; Founding Chairman of the Borderplex Alliance in El Paso, where he now serves on the Board of Directors; member and former Chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council; Vice-Chair for the Council for Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development; an Advisory Director for WestStar Bank; member of the Executive Council of No Labels; and Co-Chair of American Business Immigration Coalition. Mr. Hunt was Vice-Chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents; served seven years, three as Chairman, on the Board of Directors of The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). Mr. Hunt has received the Mirabeau B. Lamar medal which is awarded to individuals that have made extraordinary
contributions to higher education in the State of Texas. Mr. Hunt received the Dick Weekley Public Policy Leadership Award from the Texas Business Leadership Council, which recognizes a business leader who has exemplified the positive outcomes that are derived at the intersection of volunteerism and public policy. Mr. Hunt has also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas at Austin, been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame, and the El Paso Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Hunt also serves as Chairman of the Hunt Family Foundation, a private family foundation he and his wife Gayle, established in 1987. Mr. Hunt graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. degree in Finance, and he subsequently received his M.B.A degree in Finance from UT. Mr. Hunt also earned an M.A. degree in Management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.
Ryan McCrory — Head of Corporate. Ryan McCrory is our Head of Corporate. Mr. McCrory has served as Executive Vice President for Hunt Companies since 2017. As Executive Vice President, Mr. McCrory is responsible for executing M&A transactions, capital markets transactions and other strategic initiatives on behalf of the Office of the CEO. Mr. McCrory serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee. From 2015 until he joined Hunt Companies, Mr. McCrory was an investment professional at CenterOak Partners, a private equity firm focused on control-oriented leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations. Prior to joining CenterOak Partners, he worked as an investment professional at Brazos Private Equity Partners, CenterOak Partners’ predecessor firm. Prior to entering the private equity industry, Mr. McCrory worked at Lazard Frères, where he advised on M&A and restructuring transactions. Mr. McCrory received a B.B.A. degree in finance and accounting from Texas Christian University.
Jim Hunt — Director. From November 2015 until August 2016, Mr. Hunt served as the managing partner and CEO, middle market credit at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LLC, an alternative investment firm with $32.0 billion of Assets Under Management (“AUM”) that invests in the areas of energy, real estate, credit, and specialty growth capital. From August 2014 to November 2015, Mr. Hunt served as non-executive chairman of the board of THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD), an externally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with $6.0 billion of AUM. Mr. Hunt was a Founder and served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD), and of THL Credit Advisors, a registered investment advisor that provides administrative services to THL Credit, Inc. (formerly known as Nasdaq: TCRD, now First Eagle Alternative Credit Nasdaq: FCRD). Previously, Mr. Hunt was chief executive officer and managing partner of Bison Capital Asset Management, LLC, a multi-fund private equity firm. Prior to co-founding Bison Capital, Mr. Hunt was the SunAmerica (formerly known as NYSE: SAI) Corporate Finance president and executive vice president of SunAmerica Investments (subsequently, AIG SunAmerica). Mr. Hunt was with Citibank/Citicorp (NYSE: C) from 1975 through 1989, with his last responsibilities serving as Far West Area Head of Leveraged Capital and with Senior Credit Officer’s designation. Mr. Hunt serves on the board of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI), where he also served as Lead Director from IPO until February 2021. Additionally, he serves on the boards of Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund Inc (NYSE: ARDC), which is a closed-end management investment company. Mr. Hunt formerly served on the boards of Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (NYSE: PRS), Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS) (renamed Black Knight in 2014), Falcon Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLCN) (over $200 million AUM) and CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund. Mr. Hunt received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at El Paso and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
John P. Carey — Director Nominee. John P. Carey is our director nominee. Mr. Carey has been the Senior Managing Director with Treliant since 2016. Mr. Carey is an accomplished banking executive and attorney with a broad mix of business, regulatory, legal, corporate governance, compliance, and management experience in major consumer financial services companies, at a national law firm, and in government service. He has extensive experience in board governance, having served on numerous bank, community, and non-profit boards. At Treliant, John is currently serving as an independent compliance monitor for a financial institution that is under a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice. He is also serving as the independent compliance auditor for a financial services firm that is under an SEC enforcement agreement. Prior to joining Treliant in late 2016, John had a 10-year career at Citigroup, where he was Head of Governance, Regulatory and External Affairs for Citi’s global consumer bank and led the development of effective controls and the oversight of external, regulatory and operational risks affecting the business. John also served as Chairman of the Board of Banamex USA, a state-chartered institution located in Los Angeles, CA, where he led the
corrective actions required by the bank’s regulators. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Banamex USA, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., Citi’s credit card bank, and as a Member of the Board of Directors of Department Stores National Bank. Currently, Mr. Carey serves as Chair of the Board of South Kent School. Prior to joining Citi in 2006, John worked at MBNA Corporation and Bank of America, where he managed segments of the credit card business and covered legal and regulatory matters. Before joining MBNA, Mr. Carey served as the General Counsel to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He also served in the Clinton White House as Chief Counsel to the Office of Presidential Personnel, managing the legal team that vetted candidates for presidential nominations to the U.S. Senate. Prior to joining the Clinton Administration, Mr. Carey practiced law at Paul Hastings in Washington, DC. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable June L. Green, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. John is a graduate of Georgetown College and Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the State of New York. He is a member of the International Association of Independent Corporate Monitors. Mr. Carey is well qualified to serve as director due to his extensive background in finance and business.
Susan L. Harris — Director Nominee. Susan Harris is our director nominee. Ms. Harris has broad legal and corporate governance expertise as she has held roles as Director and General Counsel at multiple publicly listed companies. Ms. Harris currently serves as a Director at General Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: GFN), which is a specialty rental services company offering portable storage, modular space and liquid containment solutions. Additionally, Ms. Harris has served on the Board of Directors and Balance Sheet Committee of Pacific Oak SOR BVI, a subsidiary of Pacific Oak Strategic REIT (formerly known as OTC: PCOK) since 2016. In October 2020, Pacific Oak Strategic REIT announced the completion of its stock-for-stock merger with Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT II to form a $2.0 billion Company. Previously, Ms. Harris served as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee for Mobile Services Group, Inc. and Mobile Storage Group, Inc. from 2002 to 2006. Mobile Services Group, Inc. and Mobile Storage Group, Inc. provided a portable storage solution and specialty containment solutions to valued customers in the U.S. In 2000, Ms. Harris retired from SunAmerica Inc. (formerly known as NYSE: SAI), where she served in a variety of positions between 1985 and 2000, including her most recent position as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In 1998, AIG (NYSE: AIG) announced its acquisition SunAmerica in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at $18.0 billion. During her tenure at SunAmerica, Ms. Harris’ responsibilities included the preparation and review of public disclosure for the Company. Ms. Harris began her legal career as an Associate Attorney at Lillick, McHose & Charles in 1981. Ms. Harris earned a J.D. degree from the University of Southern California and B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Harris is well qualified to serve as a director due to her extensive background in finance and business.
David B. Rogers — Director Nominee. Mr. Rogers is our director nominee. Mr. Rogers is actively involved as a principal in a wide range of project development and financing matters since 2016. He is working a number of low-carbon projects including, with partners and backed by institutional funding, the world’s first carbon capture retrofit project of a combined cycle natural gas power plant. Previously, Mr. Rogers practiced law for 30 years with Latham & Watkins LLP where he was one of the firm’s leading partners. For many years, Mr. Rogers served as global chair of the firm’s top-ranked project finance practice. He also served as global chair of its finance practice (project finance, leveraged finance, banking, real estate, municipal finance and structured finance). He served on the firm’s five-person executive committee which has full authority to manage the firm, having been elected by the firm’s partners for the maximum terms allowed. Mr. Rogers advised lenders, private equity firms, developers, utilities and others in financings, acquisitions and project development matters. He had lead roles in early renewables projects including developing the first large utility-owned wind energy project in the U.S. He is also expert in risk management. Mr. Rogers is teaching a full-term Winter 2021 graduate course at Stanford — Environment and Resources 260: “Implementing and Financing a Decarbonized Economy.” In five prior years, he has taught a full-term course on “Clean Energy Project Development and Finance” at Stanford Graduate School of Business and/or Stanford Law School. He has also taught an annual compressed course at Oxford’s Saïd Business School on International Infrastructure Development and Finance. Mr. Rogers earned a B.A. in Economics with honors and distinction from Stanford in 1980 and a J.D. degree from Stanford Law School in 1983. Mr. Rogers is well qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive background in finance, energy transition and de-carbonization.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our board of directors is divided into three classes, with only one class of directors being appointed in each year, and with each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term. In accordance with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of [ ] and [ ], will expire at our first annual general meeting. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of [ ] and [ ], will expire at our second annual general meeting. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of [ ], will expire at our third annual general meeting.
Prior to the completion of an initial business combination, any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by a nominee chosen by holders of a majority of our founder shares. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into on or prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor, upon and following consummation of an initial business combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as the sponsor holds any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as it deems appropriate. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our officers may consist of one or more chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
Director Independence
The NYSE listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. Our board of directors has determined that each of Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers are “independent directors” as defined in the NYSE listing standards. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Executive Officer and Director Compensation
None of our executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on the NYSE through the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination and our liquidation, we will reimburse an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and secretarial and administrative services provided to us in the amount of $10,000 per month. In addition, our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or their respective affiliates will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, executive officers or directors, or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the trust account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such reimbursements, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our activities on our behalf in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid by the company to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or their respective affiliates, prior to completion of our initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials or tender offer materials furnished to our shareholders in connection with a proposed business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors
or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our executive officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors.
We do not intend to take any action to ensure that members of our management team maintain their positions with us after the consummation of our initial business combination, although it is possible that some or all of our executive officers and directors may negotiate employment or consulting arrangements to remain with us after our initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements to retain their positions with us may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business but we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with any potential business combination. We are not party to any agreements with our executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, our board of directors will have three standing committees: an audit committee, a nominating committee and a compensation committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of the NYSE require that the compensation committee and the nominating committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish an audit committee of the board of directors. Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers will serve as members of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that each of Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers is independent under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Mr. Carey will serve as the Chairman of the audit committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, all the directors on the audit committee must be independent. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
The audit committee is responsible for:
▪
meeting with our independent registered public accounting firm regarding, among other issues, audits, and adequacy of our accounting and control systems;
▪
monitoring the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm;
▪
verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;
▪
inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
▪
pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;
▪
appointing or replacing the independent registered public accounting firm;
▪
determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;
▪
establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies;
▪
monitoring compliance on a quarterly basis with the terms of this offering and, if any noncompliance is identified, immediately taking all action necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise causing compliance with the terms of this offering; and
▪
reviewing and approving all payments made to our existing shareholders, executive officers or directors and their respective affiliates. Any payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our board of directors, with the interested director or directors abstaining from such review and approval.
Nominating Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish a nominating committee of our board of directors. The members of our nominating committee will be Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers and [ ] will serve as Chairman of the nominating committee. Under the NYSE listing standards, we are required to have a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that each of Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers is independent.
The nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors. The nominating committee considers persons identified by its members, management, shareholders, investment bankers and others.
Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees
The guidelines for selecting nominees, which will be specified in a charter to be adopted by us, generally will provide that persons to be nominated:
▪
should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;
▪
should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and
▪
should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.
The nominating committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The nominating committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons.
Compensation Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish a compensation committee of our board of directors. The members of our compensation committee will be Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers, and [ ] will serve as Chairman of the compensation committee. Under the NYSE listing standards, we are required to have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that each of Mr. Carey, Ms. Harris and Mr. Rogers is independent. We will adopt a compensation committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
▪
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;
▪
reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other Section 16 executive officers;
▪
reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
▪
implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
▪
assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
▪
approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;
▪
producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
▪
reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
The charter will also provide that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser.
However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the NYSE and the SEC.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, and in the past year has not served, as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors.
Code of Ethics
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Conflicts of Interest
Under Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:
▪
duty to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole;
▪
duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose;
▪
directors should not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion;
▪
duty to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders;
▪
duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and
▪
duty to exercise independent judgment.
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of skill and care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience of that director.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders, provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer shall have any duty, except to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other.
Mr. Chris Hunt is the Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Companies and is also a member of the Board of Hunt Companies; Mr. Clay Parker is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hunt Companies; Mr. Woody L. Hunt is the Senior Chairman of the Board of Hunt Companies; Mr. Ryan McCrory is the Executive Vice President of Hunt Companies; and Mr. Jim Hunt is the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Hunt Companies. They have responsibilities that include directing Hunt Companies’ strategic growth and business
development. They also have fiduciary and contractual duties to Hunt Companies. As a result, Mr. Chris Hunt, Mr. Parker, Mr. Woody Hunt, Mr. McCrory and Mr. Jim Hunt will have a duty to offer acquisition opportunities that are presented to them in their capacity as officers and directors of Hunt Companies to Hunt Companies. As a result, Hunt Companies, such other entities and their respective affiliates may compete with us for acquisition opportunities in the same industries and sectors as we may target for our initial business combination. If any of them decide to pursue any such opportunity, we may be precluded from procuring such opportunities. In addition, investment ideas generated within Hunt Companies or any of its affiliates, including by Mr. Chris Hunt, Mr. Parker, Mr. Woody Hunt, Mr. McCrory and Mr. Jim Hunt and other persons who may make decisions for the company, may be suitable for both us and for Hunt Companies or any of its affiliates or clients, and will be directed initially to Hunt Companies or such persons rather than to us. None of Mr. Chris Hunt, Mr. Parker, Mr. Woody Hunt, Mr. McCrory and Mr. Jim Hunt or any of their affiliates or members of our management team who are also employed by Hunt Companies or any of its affiliates have any obligation to present us with any opportunity for a potential business combination of which they become aware unless it is offered to them solely in their capacity as a director or officer of the Company and after they have satisfied their contractual and fiduciary obligations to other parties.
The potential conflicts described above may limit our ability to enter into a business combination or other transactions. Hunt Companies is a diversified, family-owned holding company that invests in operating businesses, real estate assets and infrastructure assets and is engaged in multiple lines of business that are independent from, and may also from time to time conflict or compete with, our activities. These circumstances could give rise to numerous situations where interests may conflict. There can be no assurance that these or other conflicts of interest with the potential for adverse effects on the Company and investors will not arise.
Our sponsor and/or affiliates, and their respective officers and directors may participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company prior to completion of our initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers or directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other blank check company with which they may become involved. As further described in “Proposed Business Sources of Target Businesses” and “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for one or more entities to which he or she has fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties, he or she will honor these obligations and duties to present such business combination opportunity to such entities first, and only present it to us if such entities reject the opportunity and he or she determines to present the opportunity to us (including as described above). These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
The potential conflicts described above may limit our ability to enter into a business combination or other transactions. These circumstances could give rise to numerous situations where interests may conflict. There can be no assurance that these or other conflicts of interest with the potential for adverse effects on the Company and investors will not arise
Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our executive officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties, contractual obligations or other material management relationships:
Individual
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Entity
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Entity’s Business
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Affiliation
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Chris Hunt
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Hunt Companies, Inc. and its affiliates
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Diversified Holding Company
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President and Chief Executive Officer; Member of the Board; Member of the Investment Committee
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Lument Finance Trust, Inc.
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REIT
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Member of the Board of Directors
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MMA Capital Holdings, Inc.
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Real estate and renewable energy
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Member of the Board of Directors
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Clay Parker
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|
Hunt Companies, Inc. and its affiliates
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Diversified Holding Company
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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Woody L. Hunt
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Hunt Companies, Inc.
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Diversified Holding Company
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Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors
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Borderplex Alliance in El Paso
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Economic Development and Policy Advocacy Organization
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Founding Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors
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WestStar Bank
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Finance
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Advisory Director
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Ryan McCrory
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Hunt Companies, Inc. and its affiliates
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Diversified Holding Company
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Executive Vice President; Member of the Executive Committee; Member of the Investment Committee
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Jim Hunt
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Hunt Companies, Inc.
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Diversified Holding Company
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Director and Non-Executive Chairman
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PennyMac Financial
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Finance
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Lead Director
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Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc.
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Investment Company
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Director
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John P. Carey
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Legal Benefits Services, LLC
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Legal
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Director
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Treliant
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Consulting
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Senior Managing Director
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Susan Harris
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General Finance Corp.
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Finance
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Member of the Board of Directors; Chair of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Audit Committee
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Pacific Oak SOR BVI
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Finance
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Member of the Board of Directors and Balance Sheet Committee
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David B. Rogers
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THG Securities Fund, L.P.
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Hedge Fund
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Member of the Advisory
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Board
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Infrastructure Bank for America
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Finance
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Prospective Member of the Advisory Board
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If any of the above executive officers, directors or director nominees becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for any of the above entities to which he or she has current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity.
Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
▪
Our executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our executive
officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs.
▪
Our sponsor subscribed for founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and will purchase private placement warrants in a transaction that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering.
▪
Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. Additionally, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. If we do not complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, the private placement warrants will expire worthless. Except as described herein, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Except as described herein, the private placement warrants will not be transferable until 30 days following the completion of our initial business combination. Because our directors and director nominees will own ordinary shares or warrants directly or indirectly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination.
▪
Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors is included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event we seek to complete our initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor or any of our officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. We are not required to obtain such an opinion in any other context.
Furthermore, in no event will our sponsor or any of our existing officers or directors, or their respective affiliates, be paid by us any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the completion of our initial business combination. Further, commencing on the date our securities are first listed on the NYSE, we will also reimburse an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and secretarial and administrative services provided to us in the amount of $10,000 per month.
We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, willful neglect, fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We will enter into agreements with our directors and officers to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. We expect to purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.
Our indemnification obligations may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our Class A ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus, and assuming no purchase of units in this offering, by:
▪
each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares;
▪
each of our executive officers, directors and director nominees that beneficially owns ordinary shares; and
▪
all our executive officers and directors as a group. —
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the private placement warrants as these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
On March 8, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in consideration of 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On March 10, 2021 and March 12, 2021, our sponsor transferred 25,000 founder shares to each of our director nominees and Mr. Jim Hunt, respectively, resulting in our sponsor holding 5,650,000 founder shares. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by the sponsor, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The per share price of the founder shares was determined by dividing the amount contributed to the company by the number of founder shares issued. The post-offering percentages in the following table assume that the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option and that there are 25,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding after this offering.
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Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(2)
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Approximate Percentage of Issued and
Outstanding Ordinary Shares
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Before Offering
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After Offering
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
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Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC (our sponsor)
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5,650,000(3)(4)
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98.26%
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19.72%
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Chris Hunt
|
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*
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Clay Parker
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—
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*
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Woody L. Hunt(5)
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—
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*
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Ryan McCrory
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—
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*
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Jim Hunt
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25,000
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*
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*
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John P. Carey
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25,000
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*
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*
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Susan Harris
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25,000
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*
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*
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David B. Rogers
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25,000
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*
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*
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All officers, directors and director nominees as a group
(8 individuals)
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100,000
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*
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*
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*
Less than one percent.
(1)
Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of our shareholders is 4401 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902.
(2)
Interests shown consist solely of founder shares, classified as Class B ordinary shares. Such shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described in the section entitled “Description of Securities.”
(3)
The shares reported above are held in the name of our sponsor. Our sponsor is affiliated with Hunt Companies.
(4)
Includes up to 750,000 founder shares that will be surrendered to us for no consideration by our initial shareholders depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised.
(5)
Hunt Companies, of which Mr. Woody L. Hunt holds the majority of voting power, is an affiliate of Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC. The shares beneficially owned by Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC may also be deemed to be beneficially owned by Woody L. Hunt.
Immediately after this offering, our initial shareholders will beneficially own 20% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering) and will have the right to appoint all of our directors and in respect of any vote or votes to continue the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of the company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, entitle the holders to ten votes for every founder share, prior to our initial business combination. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote on any appointment or removal of directors; and holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes for every Class B ordinary share in respect of a resolution to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands prior to our initial business combination. Because of this ownership block, our initial shareholders may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all other matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions including our initial business combination. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or a share surrender or redemption or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering.
Our initial shareholders have agreed (a) to vote any founder shares and public shares held by them in favor of any proposed business combination and (b) not to redeem any founder shares or public shares held by them in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination.
Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants
The founder shares and private placement warrants and any Class A ordinary shares issued upon conversion or exercise thereof are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in the agreement entered into by our sponsor and each member of our management team. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier of (a) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (b) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. The private placement warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants are not transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. The foregoing restrictions are not applicable to transfers: (a) to our officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of our officers or directors, any direct or indirect members or partners of our sponsor or their respective affiliates, any affiliates of our sponsor; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of one of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private transfers or by other transfers made in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the founder shares, private placement warrants or Class A ordinary shares, as applicable, were originally purchased; (f) by virtue of our sponsor’s organizational documents upon liquidation or dissolution of our sponsor; (g) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination; (h) in the event of our liquidation prior to the completion of our initial business combination; or (i) in the event of our completion of a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with us agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreement.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On March 8, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in consideration of 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On March 10, 2021 and March 12, 2021, our sponsor transferred 25,000 founder shares to each of our director nominees and Mr. Jim Hunt, respectively, resulting in our sponsor holding 5,650,000 founder shares. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such founder shares would represent 20% of the issued and outstanding shares upon completion of this offering. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or a share surrender or redemption or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. Up to 750,000 founder shares are subject to forfeiture by our initial shareholders depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. The founder shares (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder.
Our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000 private placement warrants (or 6,600,000 private placement warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) for a purchase price of $1.00 per whole warrant in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. As such, our sponsor’s interest in this transaction is valued at between $6,000,000 and $6,600,000, depending on the number of private placement warrants purchased. Each private placement warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The private placement warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination.
As more fully discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Management — Conflicts of Interest,” if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity that falls within the line of business of any entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. Our officers and directors currently have certain relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
We currently maintain our executive offices at 4401 North Mesa Street, El Paso, Texas 79902. The cost for our use of this space is included in the $10,000 per month fee we will pay to an affiliate of our sponsor for office space and secretarial and administrative services, commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on the NYSE. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
No compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid to our sponsor, officers and directors, or their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination. However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
Prior to the consummation of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and are due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 and the closing of this offering. The loan will be repaid upon the closing of this offering out of the offering proceeds not held in the trust account.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete an initial business combination, we may repay such loaned
amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, its affiliates or our management team as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our shareholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our shareholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a general meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
We will enter into a registration and shareholder rights agreement pursuant to which our initial shareholders will be entitled to certain registration rights with respect to the private placement warrants, the warrants issuable upon conversion of working capital loans (if any) and the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the foregoing and upon conversion of the founder shares, and, upon consummation of our initial business combination, to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as our initial shareholders hold any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement, which is described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Registration and Shareholder Rights.” We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Policy for Approval of Related Party Transactions
The audit committee of our board of directors will adopt a charter, providing for the review, approval and/or ratification of “related party transactions,” which are those transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K as promulgated by the SEC, by the audit committee. At its meetings, the audit committee shall be provided with the details of each new, existing, or proposed related party transaction, including the terms of the transaction, any contractual restrictions that the company has already committed to, the business purpose of the transaction, and the benefits of the transaction to the company and to the relevant related party. Any member of the committee who has an interest in the related party transaction under review by the committee shall abstain from voting on the approval of the related party transaction, but may, if so requested by the chairman of the committee, participate in some or all of the committee’s discussions of the related party transaction. Upon completion of its review of the related party transaction, the committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the related party transaction.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands. Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will be adopted prior to the consummation of this offering, we will be authorized to issue 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, as well as 5,000,000 preference shares, $0.0001 par value each. The following description summarizes the material terms of our shares as set out more particularly in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.
Units
Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of the company’s Class A ordinary shares. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder.
The Class A ordinary shares and warrants comprising the units are expected to begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Jefferies LLC informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described below and having issued a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the Class A ordinary shares and warrants commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component securities. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into Class A ordinary shares and warrants. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least two units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant.
In no event will the Class A ordinary shares and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet promptly after the completion of this offering. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
Additionally, the units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded after completion of our initial business combination.
Ordinary Shares
Prior to the date of this prospectus, there were 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, all of which were held of record by our initial shareholders, so that our initial shareholders will own 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering). Upon the closing of this offering, 25,000,000 of our ordinary shares will be outstanding (assuming the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option) including:
▪
20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares underlying the units issued as part of this offering; and
▪
5,000,000 Class B ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders.
If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or a compulsory redemption or redemption or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering.
Ordinary shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. Except as described below, holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary
shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders except as required by law. Unless specified in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or as required by applicable provisions of the Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our shareholders. Approval of certain actions will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares that are voted, and pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; such actions include amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approving a statutory merger or consolidation with another company. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. Prior to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the election and removal of directors and in respect of any vote or votes to continue the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of the company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, holders of our Class B ordinary shares will have ten votes for every Class B ordinary share. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote on any appointment or removal of directors; and holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes for every Class B ordinary share in respect of a resolution to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands prior to our initial business combination. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. The provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association governing the appointment or removal of directors prior to our initial business combination may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares. In connection with our initial business combination, we may enter into a shareholders agreement or other arrangements with the shareholders of the target or other investors to provide for voting or other governance arrangements that differ from those in effect upon completion of this offering.
Because our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, if we were to enter into a business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a business combination) be required to increase the number of Class A ordinary shares which we will be authorized to issue at the same time as our shareholders vote on the business combination to the extent we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination.
Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term. In accordance with the NYSE corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or general meetings to appoint directors. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. Prior to the completion of an initial business combination, any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by a nominee chosen by holders of a majority of our founder shares. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares in connection with our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. The redemption rights will include the requirement that a beneficial owner must identify itself in order to valid redeem its
shares. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with (i) our initial business combination, and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares. Unlike many blank check companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash in connection with such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, if a shareholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. However, the participation of our sponsor, initial shareholders, officers, directors, advisors or their respective affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in this prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of the majority of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require that at least five days’ notice will be given of any general meeting.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to Excess Shares, without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Our shareholders’ inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination, and such shareholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such shareholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And, as a result, such shareholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders’ founder shares, we would need 7,500,001, or 37.5% (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), or 1,250,001, or 6.25% (assuming only the minimum number of shares representing a quorum are voted and the over-allotment option is not exercised), of the 20,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in
order to have our initial business combination approved. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or vote at all.
Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame). Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, if we wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, we will follow the foregoing procedures with respect to the liquidation of the trust account as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, subject to applicable Cayman Islands law.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company after a business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, in connection with our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein.
Founder Shares
The founder shares are designated as Class B ordinary shares and, except as described below, are identical to the Class A ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares have the same shareholder rights as public shareholders, except that: (a) only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the election or removal of directors prior to our initial business combination; (b) in respect of any vote or votes to continue the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of the company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, holders of our founder shares have ten votes for every founder share and, as a result, our initial shareholders will be able to approve any such proposal without the vote of any other shareholder; (c) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below; and (d) our sponsor and each member of our management team have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed, to the extent such exists, to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares (ii) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares; and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder
shares they hold if we fail to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame); (d) the founder shares will automatically convert into our Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof as described herein; and (e) the founder shares are entitled to registration rights. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval of an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at a general meeting. In such case, our sponsor and each member of our management team have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in favor of our initial business combination.
The founder shares are designated as Class B ordinary shares and will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account if we do not consummate an initial business combination) at the time of our initial 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 this 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 the initial business combination, excluding 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 of an interest in the target to us in the initial business combination and any private placement warrants issued to our sponsor, its affiliates or any member of our 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.
Except as described herein, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor and our directors and executive officers with respect to any founder shares.
Prior to our initial business combination, only holders of our founder shares will have the right to vote on the election and removal of directors and in respect of any vote or votes to continue the company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands (including, but not limited to, the approval of the organizational documents of the company in such other jurisdiction), which requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes of all ordinary shares, holders of our founder shares will have ten votes for every founder share and holders of our Class A ordinary shares will have one vote for every Class A ordinary share. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares will not be entitled to vote on any appointment or removal of directors; and holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes for every Class B ordinary share in respect of a resolution to continue our company in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands prior to our initial business combination. In addition, prior to the completion of an initial business combination, holders of a majority of our founder shares may remove a member of the board of directors for any reason. These provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares who attend and vote at our general meeting which shall include the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our Class B ordinary shares. With respect to any other matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including any vote in connection with our initial business combination, except as required by law, holders of our founder shares and holders of our public shares will vote together as a single class, with each share entitling the holder to one vote. In connection with our initial business combination, we may enter into a shareholders agreement or other arrangements with the shareholders of the target or other investors to provide for voting or other governance arrangements that differ from those in effect upon completion of this offering.
Register of Members
Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there will be entered therein:
▪
the names and addresses of the members, a statement of the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member and the voting rights of shares of each member;
▪
whether voting rights attached to the shares in issue;
▪
the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and
▪
the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e., the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members will be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the closing of this public offering, the register of members will be promptly updated to reflect the issue of shares by us. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name. However, there are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of members reflects the correct legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands court has the power to order that the register of members maintained by a company should be rectified where it considers that the register of members does not reflect the correct legal position. If an application for an order for rectification of the register of members were made in respect of our ordinary shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands court.
Preference Shares
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize 5,000,000 preference shares and provide that preference shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without shareholder approval, issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preference shares without shareholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preference shares issued and outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preference shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No preference shares are being issued or registered in this offering.
Warrants
Public Shareholders’ Warrants
Each whole warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, provided that we have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or we permit holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis” under the circumstances specified in the warrant agreement) and such Class A ordinary shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities or blue sky laws of the state of residence of the holder. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of Class A ordinary shares. This means only a whole warrant may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly, unless you purchase at least two units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant. The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We 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 our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and we 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. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the Class A ordinary share underlying such unit.
The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part registers the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants. We have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or a new registration statement and have an effective registration statement covering the registration under the Securities Act of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and we will thereafter use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days following the closing of our initial business combination and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the expiration or redemption of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. Because the warrants are not exercisable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, we do not currently intend to update the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or file a new registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until after the initial business combination has been consummated. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we 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. Notwithstanding the above, if our 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, we may, at our option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement and, in the event we do not so elect, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361 per warrant. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume-weighted average price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.
Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the private placement warrants):
▪
in whole and not in part;
▪
at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
▪
upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and
▪
if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares for any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders (which we refer to as the “reference value”) equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon
exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”).
We will not redeem the warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our shareholders of issuing the maximum number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of our warrants. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. Any such exercise would not be done on a “cashless” basis and would require the exercising warrant holder to pay the exercise price for each warrant being exercised. However, the price of the Class A ordinary shares may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) as well as the $11.50 (for whole shares) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants:
▪
in whole and not in part;
▪
at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table below, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares (as defined below) except as otherwise described below;
▪
if, and only if, the reference value equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”); and
▪
if, and only if, the reference value is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) the private placement warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding public warrants, as described above.
Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of Class A ordinary shares that a warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, based on the “fair market value” of our Class A ordinary shares on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their warrants and such warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per warrant), determined for these purposes and in “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” above based on volume-weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, and the number of months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the warrants, each as set forth in the
table below. We will provide our warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends.
Pursuant to the warrant agreement, references above to Class A ordinary shares shall include a security other than Class A ordinary shares into which the Class A ordinary shares have been converted or exchanged for in the event we are not the surviving company in our initial business combination. The numbers in the table below will not be adjusted when determining the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued upon exercise of the warrants if we are not the surviving entity following our initial business combination.
The share prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant or the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted as set forth under the heading “— Anti-Dilution Adjustments” below. If the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant is adjusted, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the share prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the exercise price of the warrant after such adjustment and the denominator of which is the exercise price of the warrant immediately prior to such adjustment. In such an event, the number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted by multiplying such share amounts by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a warrant as so adjusted. If the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted, (a) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the fifth paragraph under the heading “— Anti-Dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price as set forth under the heading “— Anti-Dilution Adjustments” and the denominator of which is $10.00 and (b) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading “— Anti- Dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price less the decrease in the exercise price of a warrant pursuant to such exercise price adjustment.
|
|
|
Fair Market Value of Class A Ordinary Shares
|
|
Redemption Date (period to
expiration of warrants)
|
|
|
≤$10.00
|
|
|
$11.00
|
|
|
$12.00
|
|
|
$13.00
|
|
|
$14.00
|
|
|
$15.00
|
|
|
$16.00
|
|
|
$17.00
|
|
|
≥$18.00
|
|
60 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.261
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.281
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.297
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.311
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.324
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.337
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.348
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.358
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
57 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.257
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.277
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.294
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.310
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.324
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.337
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.348
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.358
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
54 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.252
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.272
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.291
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.307
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.322
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.335
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.347
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.357
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
51 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.246
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.268
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.287
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.304
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.320
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.333
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.346
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.357
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
48 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.241
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.263
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.283
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.301
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.317
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.332
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.344
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.356
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
45 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.235
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.258
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.279
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.298
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.315
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.330
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.343
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.356
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
42 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.228
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.252
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.274
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.294
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.312
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.328
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.342
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.355
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
39 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.221
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.246
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.269
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.290
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.309
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.325
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.340
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.354
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
36 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.213
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.239
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.263
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.285
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.305
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.323
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.339
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.353
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
33 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.205
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.232
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.257
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.280
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.301
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.320
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.337
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.352
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
30 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.196
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.224
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.250
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.274
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.297
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.316
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.335
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.351
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
27 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.185
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.214
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.242
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.268
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.291
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.313
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.332
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.350
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
24 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.173
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.204
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.233
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.260
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.285
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.308
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.329
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.348
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
21 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.161
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.193
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.223
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.252
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.279
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.304
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.326
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.347
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
18 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.146
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.179
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.211
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.242
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.271
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.298
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.322
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.345
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
15 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.130
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.164
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.197
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.230
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.262
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.291
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.317
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.342
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
12 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.111
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.146
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.181
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.216
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.250
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.282
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.312
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.339
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
9 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.090
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.125
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.162
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.199
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.237
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.272
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.305
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.336
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
6 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.065
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.099
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.137
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.178
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.219
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.259
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.296
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.331
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
3 months
|
|
|
|
|
0.034
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.065
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.104
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.150
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.197
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.243
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.286
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.326
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
0 months
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.042
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.115
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.179
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.233
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.281
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.323
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.361
|
|
|
The exact fair market value and redemption date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case, if the fair market value is between two values in the table or the redemption date is between two redemption dates in the table, the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued for each warrant exercised will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower fair market values and the earlier and later redemption dates, as applicable, based on a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable. For example, if the volume-weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants is $11.00 per share, and at such time there are 57 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their warrants for 0.277 Class A ordinary shares for each whole warrant. For an example where the exact fair market value and redemption date are not as set forth in the table above, if the volume-weighted average price of our Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants is $13.50 per share, and at such time there are 38 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their warrants for 0.298 Class A ordinary shares for each whole warrant. In no event will the warrants be exercisable on a cashless basis in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 Class A ordinary shares per warrant (subject to adjustment). Finally, as reflected in the table above, if the warrants are out of the money and about to expire, they cannot be exercised on a cashless basis in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, since they will not be exercisable for any Class A ordinary shares.
This redemption feature differs from the typical warrant redemption features used in many other blank check offerings, which typically only provide for a redemption of warrants for cash (other than the private placement warrants) when the trading price for the Class A ordinary shares exceeds $18.00 per share for a specified period of time. This redemption feature is structured to allow for all of the outstanding warrants to be redeemed when the Class A ordinary shares are trading at or above $10.00 per public share, which may be at a time when the trading price of our Class A ordinary shares is below the exercise price of the warrants. We have established this redemption feature to provide us with the flexibility to redeem the warrants without the warrants having to reach the $18.00 per share threshold set forth above under “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00.” Holders choosing to exercise their warrants in connection with a redemption pursuant to this feature will, in effect, receive a number of shares for their warrants based on an option pricing model with a fixed volatility input as of this prospectus. This redemption right provides us with an additional mechanism by which to redeem all of the outstanding warrants, and therefore have certainty as to our capital structure as the warrants would no longer be outstanding and would have been exercised or redeemed. We will be required to pay the applicable redemption price to warrant holders if we choose to exercise this redemption right and it will allow us to quickly proceed with a redemption of the warrants if we determine it is in our best interest to do so. As such, we would redeem the warrants in this manner when we believe it is in our best interest to update our capital structure to remove the warrants and pay the redemption price to the warrant holders.
As stated above, we can redeem the warrants when the Class A ordinary shares are trading at a price starting at $10.00, which is below the exercise price of $11.50, because it will provide certainty with respect to our capital structure and cash position while providing warrant holders with the opportunity to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis for the applicable number of shares. If we choose to redeem the warrants when the Class A ordinary shares are trading at a price below the exercise price of the warrants, this could result in the warrant holders receiving fewer Class A ordinary shares than they would have received if they had chosen to wait to exercise their warrants for Class A ordinary shares if and when such Class A ordinary shares were trading at a price higher than the exercise price of $11.50.
No fractional Class A ordinary shares will be issued upon exercise. If, upon exercise, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued to the holder. If, at the time of redemption, the warrants are exercisable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the warrant agreement (for instance, if we are not the surviving company in our initial business combination), the warrants may be exercised for such security. At such time as the warrants become exercisable for a security other than the Class A ordinary shares, the Company (or surviving company) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities Act the security issuable upon the exercise of the warrants.
Redemption Procedures
A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments
If the number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares is increased by a capitalization or share dividend payable in Class A ordinary shares, or by a split-up of ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such capitalization or share dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding ordinary shares. A rights offering made to all or substantially all holders of ordinary shares entitling holders to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a share dividend of a number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the product of (i) the number of Class A ordinary shares actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Class A ordinary shares) and (ii) one minus the quotient of (x) the price per Class A ordinary share paid in such rights offering and (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes, (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Class A ordinary shares, in determining the price payable for Class A ordinary shares, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “historical fair market value” means the volume-weighted average price of Class A ordinary shares as reported during the 10 trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the Class A ordinary shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to all or substantially all of the holders of the Class A ordinary shares on account of such Class A ordinary shares (or other securities into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) any cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Class A ordinary shares during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A ordinary shares in connection with a proposed initial business combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, or (e) in connection with the redemption of our public shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each Class A ordinary share in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding Class A ordinary shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division or reclassification of Class A ordinary shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division, reclassification or similar event, the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Class A ordinary shares.
Whenever the number of Class A ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of Class A
ordinary shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of Class A ordinary shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In addition, if (x) we issue additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to our initial shareholders or their respective affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our initial shareholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume-weighted average trading price of our Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above under “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00” and “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price described above under “— Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such Class A ordinary shares), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the Class A ordinary shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of Class A ordinary shares or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each warrant will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and if a tender, exchange or redemption offer has been made to and accepted by such holders (other than a tender, exchange or redemption offer made by the company in connection with redemption rights held by shareholders of the company as provided for in the company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or as a result of the redemption of Class A ordinary shares by the company if a proposed initial business combination is presented to the shareholders of the company for approval) under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares, the holder of a warrant will be entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a shareholder if such warrant holder had exercised the warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the Class A ordinary shares held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustment (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in the warrant agreement. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the
holders of Class A ordinary shares in such a transaction is payable in the form of Class A ordinary shares in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants.
The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or correct any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement set forth in this prospectus, or defective provision (ii) amending the provisions relating to cash dividends on ordinary shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the warrant agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the warrant agreement as the parties to the warrant agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding public warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.
The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive Class A ordinary shares. After the issuance of Class A ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued to the warrant holder.
We have agreed that, subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. See “Risk Factors — General Risk Factors — Our warrant agreement will designate the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.” This provision applies to claims under the Securities Act but does not apply to claims under the Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum.
Private Placement Warrants
Except as described below, the private placement warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants being sold as part of the units in this offering. The private placement warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except pursuant to limited exceptions as described under “Principal Shareholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants,” to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the initial purchasers of the private placement warrants) and, except as described under ‘‘Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants — Redemption of warrants when price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00,’’ and they will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by
our sponsor or its permitted transferees. Our sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the private placement warrants on a cashless basis. If the private placement warrants are held by holders other than our sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us in all redemption scenarios and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. Any amendment to the terms of the private placement warrants or any provision of the warrant agreement with respect to the private placement warrants will require a vote of holders of at least 50% of the number of the then outstanding private placement warrants.
If holders of the private placement warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Sponsor fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the Sponsor fair market value. For these purposes, the “Sponsor fair market value” shall mean the average reported closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by our sponsor and its permitted transferees is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following a business combination. If they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that restrict insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public shareholders who could exercise their warrants and sell the Class A ordinary shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Up to $2,000,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of our initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to our initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. If we increase the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or other appropriate mechanism immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the number of founder shares, on an as-converted basis, at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with a business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our ordinary shares and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its shareholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any claims and losses due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Certain Differences in Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Act. The Companies Act is modeled on English law but does not follow recent English law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United
States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
In certain circumstances, the Companies Act allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands exempted company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction).
Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution (usually a majority of 66 2/3% in value of the voting shares voted at a general meeting) of the shareholders of each company; or (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; and (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted.
Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands exempted company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidated is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
Where the above procedures are adopted, the Companies Act provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid a payment of the fair value of his shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, that procedure is as follows: (a) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for his shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (b) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (c) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares; (d) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (b) above or seven days following the date
on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; and (e) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company (and any dissenting shareholder) must file a petition with the Cayman Islands Grand Court to determine the fair value and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenters holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date or where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
Moreover, Cayman Islands law has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a “scheme of arrangement” which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedures for which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
▪
we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;
▪
the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
▪
the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and
▪
the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act or that would amount to a “fraud on the minority.”
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights (providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares), which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations.
Squeeze-Out Provisions
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares to whom the offer relates within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements of an operating business.
Shareholders’ Suits
Walkers, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court.
Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based both on Cayman Islands authorities and on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
▪
a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;
▪
the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or
▪
those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.
We have been advised by Walkers, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
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an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
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an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection;
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an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
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an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 30 years in the first instance); and
▪
an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions designed to provide certain rights and protections relating to this offering that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without a special resolution under Cayman Islands law. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a resolution is deemed to be a special resolution where it has been approved by either (i) the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (or any higher threshold specified in a company’s articles of association) of a company’s shareholders entitled to vote and so voting at a general meeting for which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been given; or (ii) if so authorized by a company’s articles of association, by a unanimous written resolution of all of the company’s shareholders. Other than as described above, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that special resolutions must be approved either by at least two-thirds of our shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company (i.e., the lowest threshold permissible under Cayman Islands law), or by a unanimous written resolution of all of our shareholders.
Our initial shareholders and their respective permitted transferees, if any, who will collectively beneficially own 20% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide, among other things, that:
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If we have not consummated an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes that were paid by us or are payable by us, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses) divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law;
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Prior to or in connection with our initial business combination, we may not issue additional securities that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote as a class with our public shares (a) on our initial business combination or on any other proposal presented to shareholders prior to or in connection with the completion of an initial business combination or (b) to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (x) extend the time we have to consummate a business combination beyond 24 months from the closing of this offering or (y) amend the foregoing provisions;
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Although we do not intend to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such a business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view;
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If a shareholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act;
▪
So long as our securities are then listed on the NYSE, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting discounts held in
trust and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination;
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If our shareholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any, divided by the number of the then-outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein; and
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We will not effectuate our initial business combination solely with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we will not redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that we do not become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination.
The Companies Act permits a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands to amend its memorandum and articles of association with the approval of a special resolution which requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of such company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares who attend and vote at a general meeting or by way of unanimous written resolution. A company’s articles of association may specify that the approval of a higher majority is required but, provided the approval of the required majority is obtained, any Cayman Islands exempted company may amend its memorandum and articles of association regardless of whether its memorandum and articles of association provide otherwise.
Accordingly, although we could amend any of the provisions relating to our proposed offering, structure and business plan which are contained in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we view all of these provisions as binding obligations to our shareholders and neither we, nor our officers or directors, will take any action to amend or waive any of these provisions unless we provide dissenting public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares.
Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing, Prevention of Proliferation Financing and Financial Sanctions Compliance — Cayman Islands
If any person resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that another person is engaged in criminal conduct, is involved with terrorism or terrorist property or proliferation financing or is the business combination partner of a financial sanction and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct, money laundering or proliferation financing or is the business combination partner of a financial sanction; or (ii) a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report will not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise. We reserve the right to refuse to make any payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, prevention of proliferation financing and financial sanctions or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
Data Protection-Cayman Islands
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act, 2017 (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the “DPA”) based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Privacy Notice
Introduction
This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment in us you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA (“personal data”). In the following discussion, the “company” refers to us and our affiliates and/or delegates, except where the context requires otherwise.
Investor Data
We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities of on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.
In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a “data controller” for the purposes of the DPA, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our “data processors” for the purposes of the DPA or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.
We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder’s investment activity.
Who this Affects
If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation your investment in the company, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transmit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.
How the Company May Use a Shareholder’s Personal Data
The company, as the data controller, may collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular:
(a)
where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any purchase agreements;
(b)
where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or
(c)
where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.
Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.
Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data
In certain circumstances we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.
We anticipates disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the United States, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.
The Data Protection Measures We Take
Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA.
We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual general meetings.
Our authorized but unissued Class A ordinary shares and preference shares will be available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved Class A ordinary shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will provide for advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors or a committee of our board of directors. In order for any matter to be properly brought before a meeting, a shareholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a shareholder notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will allow the chairman of the meeting at a meeting of the shareholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of us.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
Immediately after this offering, we will have 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares (or 23,000,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) issued and outstanding on an as-converted basis. Of these shares, the Class A ordinary shares sold in this offering (20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 23,000,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any Class A ordinary shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the outstanding founder shares (5,000,000 founder shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 5,750,000 founder shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) and all of the outstanding private placement warrants (6,000,000 private placement warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised and 6,600,000 private placement warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.
Rule 144
Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the twelve months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.
Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares or warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
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1% of the total number of ordinary shares then-outstanding, which will equal 200,000 shares immediately after this offering (or 230,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full); or
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the average weekly reported trading volume of the Class A ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
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the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;
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the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and
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the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding twelve months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
As a result, our initial shareholders will be able to sell their founder shares and private placement warrants, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination.
Registration and Shareholder Rights
The holders of the founder shares, private placement warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and shareholder rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lockup period, which occurs (i) in the case of the founder shares, as described in the following paragraph, and (ii) in the case of the private placement warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Except as described herein, our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell their founder shares until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination and (B) subsequent
to our initial business combination, (x) if the closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up.
In addition, pursuant to the registration and shareholder rights agreement, our initial shareholders, upon and following consummation of an initial business combination, will be entitled to nominate three individuals for appointment to our board of directors, as long as our initial shareholders hold any securities covered by the registration and shareholder rights agreement.
Listing of Securities
We intend to apply to have our units listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HTAQ.U” Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, we expect that the Class A ordinary shares and warrants will be listed on the NYSE under the symbols “HTAQ” and “HTAQ WS,” respectively. The units will automatically separate into their component parts and will not be traded following the completion of our initial business combination.
TAXATION
The following summary of certain Cayman Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations generally relevant to of an investment in our units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant, which we refer to collectively as our securities, is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our Class A ordinary shares and warrants, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
Prospective investors should consult their advisors on the possible tax consequences of investing in our securities under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile.
Cayman Islands Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in the securities of the Company. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.
Under Existing Cayman Islands Laws
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our securities will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the securities nor will gains derived from the disposal of the securities be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporate tax. The Cayman Islands currently has no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of the warrants. An instrument of transfer in respect of a warrant is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our Class A ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of such shares. An instrument of transfer in respect of Class A ordinary shares is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.
The Company has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and, as such, has received an undertaking from the Financial Secretary of the Cayman Islands substantially in the following form:
The Tax Concessions Act
Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the provision of Section 6 of The Tax Concessions Act (as amended), the Financial Secretary undertakes with Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the “Company”):
1.
That no law which is hereafter enacted in the Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to the Company or its operations; and
2.
In addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable:
2.1
On or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company; or
2.2
by way of the withholding in whole or part, of any relevant payment as defined in Section 6(3) of the Tax Concessions Act (as amended).
These concessions shall be for a period of 30 years from the date hereof.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
General
The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units (each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant) that are purchased in this offering by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). Because the components of a unit are generally separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying Class A ordinary share and one-half of one warrant components of the unit. As a result, the discussion below with respect to holders of Class A ordinary shares and warrants should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying Class A ordinary shares and warrants that constitute the units).
This discussion is limited to certain U.S. federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of our securities who are initial purchasers of a unit pursuant to this offering and hold the unit and each component of the unit as a capital asset under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion assumes that the Class A ordinary shares and warrants will trade separately and that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our Class A ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion is a summary only and does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a unit by a prospective investor in light of its particular circumstances, nor does it address investors subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws including:
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our sponsor, founders, officers or directors;
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banks, financial institutions or financial services entities;
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broker-dealers;
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dealers in securities or foreign currencies;
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persons deemed to sell our securities under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;
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taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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tax-exempt entities;
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S-corporations;
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governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
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qualified foreign pension funds (or any entities the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund);
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controlled foreign corporations;
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passive foreign investment companies;
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insurance companies;
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regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;
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persons subject to the “applicable financial statement” rules of Section 451(b) of the Code;
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persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our shares by vote or value;
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expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
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persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation or in connection with services;
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persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction;
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U.S. Holders that are required to pay the 3.8 percent tax on “net investment income” or “undistributed net investment income”; or
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U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
Moreover, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof. Those authorities
may be repealed, revoked, modified or subject to differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address the alternative minimum tax or any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of units, Class A ordinary shares or warrants that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
▪
an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
▪
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
▪
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
▪
a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.
This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our securities, we urge you to consult your own tax advisor.
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-UNITED STATES TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of a unit or instruments similar to a unit for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant, a whole one of which is exercisable to acquire one Class A ordinary share. We intend to treat the acquisition of a unit in this manner and, by purchasing a unit, you agree to adopt such treatment for applicable tax purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the one Class A ordinary share and the one-half of one redeemable warrant based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. Under U.S. federal income tax law, each investor must make his or her own determination of such value based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each investor to consult his or her tax advisor regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant should constitute the holder’s initial tax basis in such share or warrant. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant based on their respective relative fair market values at the time of disposition (as determined by each such unit holder based on all relevant facts and circumstances). Neither the separation of
the Class A ordinary share and the one-half of one redeemable warrant constituting a unit nor the combination of halves of a warrant into a single warrant should be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing treatment of the units, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as dividends the amount of any distribution paid on our Class A ordinary shares to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such amount will be includable in gross income by such U.S. Holder in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends paid by us will be taxable to a corporate U.S. Holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. Subject to the PFIC rules described below, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such Class A ordinary shares (see “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants” below).
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, under tax laws currently in effect and subject to certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), dividends generally will be taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants” below) only if our Class A ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, the Company is not treated as a PFIC at the time the dividend was paid or in the preceding year and provided certain holding period requirements are met. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of such lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our Class A ordinary shares.
Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A ordinary shares or warrants (including on our dissolution and liquidation if we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period). Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Class A ordinary shares or warrants exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose.
The amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other taxable disposition generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the Class A ordinary shares or warrants are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the Class A ordinary shares or warrants based upon the then relative fair market values of the Class A ordinary shares and the warrants included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A ordinary shares or warrants so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A ordinary shares and warrants generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a Class A ordinary share or one-half of one redeemable warrant, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) reduced by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder is currently eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. See “— Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant” below for a discussion
regarding a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A ordinary share acquired pursuant to the exercise of a warrant. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, in the event that a U.S. Holder’s Class A ordinary shares are redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in “Description of Securities — Ordinary Shares” or if we purchase a U.S. Holder’s Class A ordinary shares in an open market transaction (in either case referred to herein as a “redemption”), the treatment of the redemption for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Class A ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as described under “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described above under “— Taxation of Distributions.” Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of our shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder described in the following paragraph) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption. The redemption of Class A ordinary shares generally will be treated as a sale of the Class A ordinary shares (rather than as a corporate distribution) if such redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only our Class A ordinary shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder, but also our shares that are constructively owned by such U.S. Holder for this purpose. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to shares owned directly, shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any shares the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include Class A ordinary shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the warrants. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of Class A ordinary shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80 percent of the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption. Prior to our initial business combination, the Class A ordinary shares may not be treated as voting shares for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially disproportionate test may not be applicable. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of our shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed and the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by certain family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other shares of ours. The redemption of the Class A ordinary shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a U.S. Holder if it results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.
If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “— Taxation of Distributions” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed Class A ordinary shares will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining shares, or, if it has none, to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its warrants or possibly in other shares constructively owned by such U.S. Holder.
Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below and except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. Holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of a Class A ordinary share on the exercise of a warrant for cash. A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in a Class A ordinary share received upon exercise of the warrant generally will equal the sum of the U.S. Holder’s initial investment
in the warrant (that is, the portion of the U.S. Holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrant, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) and the exercise price. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary share will commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period of such Class A ordinary share will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the warrant. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the warrant.
The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant are not clear under current law. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a cashless exercise may not be taxable, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either situation, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A ordinary shares received generally would equal the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrants. If the cashless exercise was not a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary share will commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held the warrant. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the Class A ordinary shares would include the holding period of the warrants.
It is also possible that a cashless exercise may be treated in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. Holder may be deemed to have surrendered a number of warrants having an aggregate fair market value equal to the aggregate exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, the U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such warrants. In this case, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A ordinary shares received would equal the sum of the U.S. Holder’s initial investment in the warrants exercised (i.e., the portion of the U.S. Holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrant, as described above under “— Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit”) and the exercise price of such warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary share would commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder held of the warrant.
Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.
Subject to the PFIC rules described below, if we redeem warrants for cash pursuant to the redemption provisions described in “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants” or if we purchase warrants in an open market transaction, such redemption or purchase generally will be treated as a taxable disposition to the U.S. Holder, taxed as described above under “— Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants.” The tax consequences of an exercise of a warrant occurring after our giving notice of an intention to redeem the warrant for $0.01 or $0.10 as described in “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants,” are unclear under current law. In the case of a cashless exercise, the exercise may be treated either as if we redeemed such warrant for Class A ordinary shares or as an exercise of the warrant. If the cashless exercise of a warrant for Class A ordinary shares is treated as a redemption, then such redemption generally should be treated as a tax-deferred recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case a U.S. Holder should not recognize any gain or loss on such redemption, and accordingly, a U.S. Holder’s basis in the Class A ordinary shares received should equal the U.S. Holder’s basis in the warrant and the holding period of the Class A ordinary shares would include the holding period of the warrant. If the cashless exercise of a warrant is treated as such, the tax consequences generally should be similar to those described in the previous paragraphs. In the case of an exercise of a warrant for cash, the tax treatment generally should be as described above in the first paragraph under the heading “— U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant.” Due to the lack of clarity under current law regarding the treatment of an exercise of a warrant after our giving notice of an intention to redeem the warrant, there can be no assurance as to which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the exercise of a warrant occurring after our giving notice of an intention to redeem the warrant as described above.
Possible Constructive Distributions
The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of Class A ordinary shares for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events, as discussed in “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Shareholders’ Warrants.” An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The U.S. Holders of the warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment increases such U.S. Holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of Class A ordinary shares that would be obtained upon exercise or through a decrease to the exercise price, including, for example, the decrease to the exercise price of the warrants where additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities are issued in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per ordinary share, as described under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property to the holders of our Class A ordinary shares which is taxable to the U.S. Holders of such Class A ordinary shares as described under “— Taxation of Distributions” above. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under “— Taxation of Distributions” above in the same manner as if the U.S. Holders of the warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) corporation will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year (ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year), including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income (the “start-up year”), if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC, (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the two taxable years following the start-up year and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the start-up exception to us is uncertain and will not be known until after the close of our current taxable year (or possibly not until after the close of the first two taxable years following our start-up year, as described under the start-up exception). After the acquisition of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC, then we will likely not qualify for the start-up exception and will be a PFIC for our current taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year (and, in the case of the start-up exception to our current taxable year, perhaps until after the end of our two taxable years following our start-up year). Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.
Although our PFIC status is determined annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held (or was deemed to hold) Class A ordinary shares or warrants while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder of our Class A ordinary shares or warrants and, in the case of our Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely and valid qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Class A ordinary shares, a QEF election along with a purging election, or a mark-to-market election, each as described below, such U.S. Holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to (i) any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its Class A ordinary shares or warrants (which may include gain realized by reason of transfers of Class A ordinary shares or warrants that would otherwise qualify as nonrecognition transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and (ii) any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the
average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the Class A ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary shares).
Under these rules:
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the U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A ordinary shares or warrants;
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the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, and to the portion of the U.S. Holder’s holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income;
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the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and
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an additional tax equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the U.S. Holder with respect to the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder.
In general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect of our Class A ordinary shares (but not our warrants) by making a timely and valid QEF election (if eligible to do so) to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case, whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder generally may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
A U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its warrants to acquire our Class A ordinary shares. As a result, if a U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of such warrants (other than upon exercise of such warrants) and we were a PFIC at any time during the U.S. Holder’s holding period of such warrants, any gain recognized generally will be treated as an excess distribution, taxed as described above. If a U.S. Holder that exercises such warrants properly makes a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired Class A ordinary shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to our Class A ordinary shares), the QEF election will apply to the newly acquired Class A ordinary shares. Notwithstanding such QEF election, the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired Class A ordinary shares (which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the U.S. Holder held the warrants), unless the U.S. Holder makes a purging election under the PFIC rules. Under one type of purging election, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold such shares at their fair market value and any gain recognized on such deemed sale will be treated as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of this election, the U.S. Holder will have additional basis (to the extent of any gain recognized on the deemed sale) and, solely for purposes of the PFIC rules, a new holding period in the Class A ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the warrants. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the application of the rules governing purging elections to their particular circumstances (including a potential separate “deemed dividend” purging election that may be available if we are a controlled foreign corporation).
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC Annual Information Statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular circumstances.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC Annual Information Statement from us. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, upon written request, we
will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election, but there is no assurance that we will timely provide such required information. There is also no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our Class A ordinary shares, and the excess distribution rules discussed above do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale of our Class A ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no additional tax or interest charge will be imposed under the PFIC rules. As discussed above, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder of our Class A ordinary shares that has made a QEF election will be currently taxed on its pro rata share of our earnings and profits, whether or not distributed for such year. A subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable when distributed to such U.S. Holder. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. In addition, if we are not a PFIC for any taxable year, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to our Class A ordinary shares for such taxable year.
Alternatively, if we are a PFIC and our Class A ordinary shares constitute “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder may avoid the adverse PFIC tax consequences discussed above if such U.S. Holder, at the close of the first taxable year in which it holds (or is deemed to hold) our Class A ordinary shares, makes a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. Such U.S. Holder generally will include for each of its taxable years as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its Class A ordinary shares at the end of such year over its adjusted basis in its Class A ordinary shares. The U.S. Holder also will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis of its Class A ordinary shares over the fair market value of its Class A ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its Class A ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to warrants.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” generally, stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the NYSE (on which we intend to list the Class A ordinary shares), or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares ceased to qualify as “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consented to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election with respect to our Class A ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC. We will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. The mark-to-market election discussed above will not apply to any lower-tier PFIC. There can be no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC. In addition, we may not hold a controlling interest in any such lower-tier PFIC and thus there can be no assurance we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide such required information. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is made) and such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department. Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations until such required information is furnished to the IRS.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and warrants are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our securities under their particular circumstances.
Tax Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes will be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Furthermore, certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities will be required to report information with respect to such U.S. Holder’s investment in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets), subject to certain exceptions. An interest in the Company constitutes a specified foreign financial asset for these purposes. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes will be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the foreign financial asset and other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in our Class A ordinary shares and warrants.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder.” As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our units, Class A ordinary shares or warrants (other than a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
▪
a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates);
▪
a foreign corporation; or
▪
an estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder;
but generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of our securities.
Dividends (including constructive dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of our Class A ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States). In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other taxable disposition of our Class A ordinary shares or warrants unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
Dividends (including constructive dividends) and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of a Non-U.S. Holder’s exercise of a warrant, the lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. Holder or the redemption of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. Holder generally will correspond to the characterization described under “— U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of a Warrant” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise or redemption results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described in the preceding paragraphs above for a Non-U.S. Holder’s gain on the sale or other disposition of our Class A ordinary shares and warrants.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our Class A ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our Class A ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status on the appropriate tax form. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is included for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder’s particular situation. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Class A ordinary shares and warrants, including the tax consequences under state, local, estate, foreign and other tax laws and tax treaties and the possible effects of changes in U.S. or other tax laws.
UNDERWRITING
Jefferies LLC is acting as book-running manager and Imperial Capital LLC is acting as co-manager of the offering and Jefferies LLC is acting as the representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement between us and Jefferies LLC, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of units shown opposite its name below:
Underwriter
|
|
|
Number of
Units
|
|
Jefferies LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Imperial Capital LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
20,000,000
|
|
|
|
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the units included in this offering are subject to all applicable laws and regulations and certain conditions precedent such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions and approval of certain legal matters by their counsel. The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all of the units if any of them are purchased (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below). If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the units as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the units, that you will be able to sell any of the units held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.
The underwriters are offering the units subject to their acceptance of the units from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. In addition, the underwriters have advised us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Commission and Expenses
The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the units to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers, which may include the underwriters, at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per unit. The underwriters may allow, and certain dealers may reallow, a discount from the concession not in excess of $ per unit to certain brokers and dealers. After the offering, the initial public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the representative. No such reduction will change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
The following table shows the public offering price, the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay the underwriters and the proceeds, before expenses, to us in connection with this offering. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units.
|
|
|
Paid by Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I(2)
|
|
|
|
|
No Exercise
|
|
|
Full Exercise
|
|
Per Unit(1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.55
|
|
|
Total(1)
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,650,000
|
|
|
(1)
$0.20 per unit, or $4,000,000 in the aggregate (or $4,600,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units is exercised in full), is payable upon the closing of this offering. $0.35 per unit, or $7,000,000 in the aggregate (or $8,050,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units is exercised in full) payable to the underwriters for deferred underwriting commissions will be placed in a trust account located in the United States as described herein. The deferred commissions will be released to the underwriters only on and concurrently with completion of an initial business combination.
If we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, the underwriters have agreed that (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account and (ii) the deferred underwriters’ discounts and commissions will be distributed on a pro rata basis, together with any accrued interest thereon (which interest will be net of taxes payable) to the public shareholders.
We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $1,000,000. We have agreed to pay for FINRA-related fees and expenses of the underwriters’ legal counsel, not to exceed $25,000 and have agreed to provide Jefferies LLC with a right of first refusal to provide investment banking and/or financial advisory services in connection with certain future transactions.
Determination of Offering Price
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our securities. Consequently, the initial public offering price for our units was determined by negotiations between us and the representative. Among the factors considered in these negotiations were the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies, prior offerings of those companies, our management, our capital structure, and currently prevailing general conditions in equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company.
We offer no assurances that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which the units will trade in the public market subsequent to the offering or that an active trading market for the units will develop and continue after the offering.
Listing
We intend to apply to have our units listed on NYSE the trading symbol “HTAQ.U” We expect that our Class A ordinary shares and warrants will be listed under the symbols “HTAQ” and “HTAQ WS,” respectively, once the Class A ordinary shares and warrants begin separate trading.
Stamp Taxes
If you purchase units offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.
Option to Purchase Additional Units
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of 3,000,000 units from us at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to specified conditions, to purchase a number of additional units proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment as
indicated in the table above. This option may be exercised only if the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
Letter Agreement
We, our sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Jefferies LLC, offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell (including any short sale), hypothecate, pledge, transfer, establish or increase a “put equivalent position or decrease a call equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-(h) under the Exchange Act, as amended, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any units, warrants, ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, ordinary shares currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that we may (1) issue and sell the private placement warrants, (2) issue and sell the additional units to cover our underwriters’ over-allotment option (if any), (3) register with the SEC pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, the resale of the private placement warrants and shares of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and the founder shares and (4) issue securities in connection with an initial business combination. Jefferies in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.
Our initial shareholders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the reported closing price of our Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange, or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants”). Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares, private placement warrants and shares of Class A ordinary shares issued upon conversion or exercise thereof. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up.
The private placement warrants (including the shares of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Shareholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants”).
Stabilization
The underwriters have advised us that they, pursuant to Regulation M under the Exchange Act, as amended, and certain persons participating in the offering may engage in short sale transactions, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the units at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales.
“Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional units in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional units or purchasing units in the open market. In determining the source of units to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the option to purchase additional units.
“Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional units. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely
to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of units on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the units. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of units on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriter’s purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our units or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our units. As a result, the price of our units may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the units originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our units. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, any of the activities may be discontinued at any time.
The underwriters may also engage in passive market making transactions in our units on Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of our units in this offering and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available by e-mail or on the websites or through online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of units for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by any of the underwriters is not part of this prospectus, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.
Other Activities and Relationships
We have agreed to provide Jefferies with a right of first refusal to provide investment banking and/or financial advisory services in connection with certain future transactions. Any of the underwriters may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future, including by acting as a placement agent in a private offering or underwriting or arranging debt financing. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such underwriters fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm’s length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with any of the underwriters and no fees for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters prior to the date that is 60 days from the date of this prospectus, unless such payment would not be deemed underwriters’ compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriters of this offering or any entity with which they are affiliated a finder’s fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the completion of a business combination. Any fees we may pay the underwriters or their affiliates for services rendered to us after this offering may be contingent on the completion of a business combination and may include non-cash compensation. The underwriters or their affiliates that provide these services to us may have a potential conflict of interest given that the underwriters are entitled to the deferred portion of their underwriting compensation for this offering only if an initial business combination is completed within the specified timeframe.
The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory,
investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. An affiliate of Jefferies LLC is a lender under a credit facility to an affiliate of the Sponsor. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us and our affiliates, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments issued by us and our affiliates. The underwriters and certain of their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Canada
Resale Restrictions
The distribution of the securities in Canada is being made only in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of these securities are made. Any resale of the securities in Canada must be made under applicable securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made under available statutory exemptions or under a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the securities.
Representations of Canadian Purchasers
By purchasing the securities in Canada and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation, a purchaser is representing to us and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that:
▪
the purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase the securities without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under those securities laws as it is an “accredited investor” as defined under National Instrument 45-106 — Prospectus Exemptions;
▪
the purchaser is a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 — Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations;
▪
where required by law, the purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent; and
▪
the purchaser has reviewed the text above under Resale Restrictions.
Conflicts of Interest
Canadian purchasers are hereby notified that the underwriters are relying on the exemption set out in section 3A.3 or 3A.4, if applicable, of National Instrument 33-105 — Underwriting Conflicts from having to provide certain conflict of interest disclosure in this document.
Statutory Rights of Action
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if the prospectus (including any amendment thereto) such as this document contains a misrepresentation; provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser of these securities in Canada should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Enforcement of Legal Rights
All of our directors and officers, as well as the experts named herein, may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon us or those persons. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of those persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against us or those persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against us or those persons outside of Canada.
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Canadian purchasers of the securities should consult their own legal and tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the securities in their particular circumstances and about the eligibility of the securities for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.
Australia
This prospectus is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this prospectus in Australia:
You confirm and warrant that you are either:
▪
a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;
▪
a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the Company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;
▪
a person associated with the Company under Section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or
▪
a “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.
To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this prospectus is void and incapable of acceptance.
You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the securities issued to you pursuant to this prospectus for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Member State”), no units have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of units may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
(a)
to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;
(b)
to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or
(c)
in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,
provided that no such offer of units shall require the issuer or any manager to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any units in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any units, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended.
Hong Kong
No securities have been offered or sold, and no securities may be offered or sold, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as
principal or agent; or to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (“SFO”) and any rules made under that ordinance; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (“CO”) or which do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public for the purpose of the CO or the SFO. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under that Ordinance.
This prospectus has not been registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.
Israel
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968 (the “Israeli Securities Law”), and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the units is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum (the “Addendum”), to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50.0 million and “qualified individuals,” each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.
Japan
The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended) (“FIEL”), and the underwriters will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Singapore
This prospectus has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA. Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the units are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and
“Excluded Investment Products” (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).
Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
▪
a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
▪
a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
▪
to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
▪
where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer
▪
where the transfer is by operation of law;
▪
as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or
▪
as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.
Switzerland
The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.
United Kingdom
In relation to the United Kingdom, no units have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units that either (i) has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with the transitional provisions in Regulation 74 of the Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU exit) Regulations 2019, except that offers of units may be made to public in the United Kingdom at any time under the following exemptions under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended, as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”):
a.
to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation;
b.
to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or
c.
in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”),
provided that no such offer of units shall require the issuer or the underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any units in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any units.
In the United Kingdom, this prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation who are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) high net worth entities or other persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA in connection with the issue or sale of any units may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”).
LEGAL MATTERS
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus with respect to units and warrants. Walkers will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus with respect to the ordinary shares and matters of Cayman Islands law. In connection with this offering, Paul Hastings LLP advised the underwriters in connection with the offering of the securities.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I as of March 8, 2021, and for the period from March 2, 2021 (inception) through March 8, 2021, appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.
Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Page
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Audited Financial Statements of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I:
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F-2
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F-3
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F-4
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F-5
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F-6
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F-7
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the “Company”) as of March 8, 2021, the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from March 2, 2021 (inception) through March 8, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 8, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from March 2, 2021 (inception) through March 8, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph — Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company has a significant working capital deficiency, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Los Angeles, CA
March 19, 2021
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 8, 2021
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ASSETS
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Current assets – cash
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$
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25,000
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Deferred offering costs
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82,580
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Total Assets
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$
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107,580
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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Current Liabilities:
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Accrued formation costs
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$
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3,878
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Accrued offering costs
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82,580
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Total Current Liabilities
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86,458
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Commitments and contingencies
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Shareholders’ Equity:
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Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and
outstanding
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—
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Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
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—
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Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding(1)
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575
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Additional paid-in capital
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24,425
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Accumulated deficit
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|
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(3,878)
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Total Shareholders’ Equity
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|
|
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21,122
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Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
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|
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$
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107,580
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(1)
Includes an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 7).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 2, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 8, 2021
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Formation costs
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$
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3,878
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Net loss
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$
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(3,878)
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Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)
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5,000,000
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Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share
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$
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(0.00)
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(1)
Excludes an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 7).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 2, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 8, 2021
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Class B Ordinary Shares
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Additional
Paid-in
Capital
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Accumulated
Deficit
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Total
Shareholders’
Equity
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Shares
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Amount
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Balance, March 2, 2021 (inception)
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—
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$
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—
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$
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—
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|
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|
|
$
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—
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|
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|
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$
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—
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|
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Issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sponsor(1)
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|
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5,750,000
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575
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24,425
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—
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25,000
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Net loss
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|
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|
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—
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—
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—
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(3,878)
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(3,878)
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Balance, March 8, 2021
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5,750,000
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$
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575
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$
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24,425
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|
$
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(3,878)
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|
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|
$
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21,122
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(1)
Includes an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriters (see Note 7).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 2, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 8, 2021
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Cash flows from operating activities:
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Net loss
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$
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(3,878)
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|
|
Changes in accrued formation and offering costs
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3,878
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Net cash used in operating activities
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|
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—
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Cash flows from financing activities:
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Proceeds from issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sponsor
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|
|
|
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25,000
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
Cash at beginning of period
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
Cash at end of period
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
Non-cash financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred offering costs included in accrued offering costs
|
|
|
|
$
|
82,580
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 2, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 8, 2021
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN
Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on March 2, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”).
The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. 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 8, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from March 2, 2021 (inception) through March 8, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering (“Proposed Public Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion an initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Proposed Public Offering. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a Proposed Public Offering of 20,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary share included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) at $10.00 per Unit (or 23,000,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), which is discussed in Note 3, and the sale of 6,000,000 warrants (or 6,600,000 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised on full) (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in private placements to Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC (the “Sponsor”) that will close simultaneously with the Proposed Public Offering.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed 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 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the amount of deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account). The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-Business Combination company owns or acquires 50% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that $10.00 per Unit sold in the Proposed Public Offering, including proceeds of the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, will be held in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) and 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 investing solely in U.S. Treasuries and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Company’s shareholders, as described below.
The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Shareholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares either (i) in connection with a shareholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer in connection with the Business Combination. 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. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially
anticipated to be $10.00 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). The holders will have no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The Public Shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”
The Company will not redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 (so that it does not then become subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to the Business Combination. If the Company seeks shareholder approval of the Business Combination, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination only if the Company receives an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law approving a Business Combination, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company, or such other vote as required by law or stock exchange rule. If a shareholder vote is not required 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 (the “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 Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Proposed 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 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.
The Sponsor has 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 initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, 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, if any, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares.
The Company will have until 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering to consummate a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). However, if the Company has not completed a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company 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 100% of the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the rights of the Public Shareholders as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining Public Shareholders and its Board of Directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to the Company’s 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 the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
The Sponsor has agreed to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares it will receive if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor or any of its 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 Proposed Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).
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 discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (1) $10.00 per Public Share and (2) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share, due to reductions in the value of trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay taxes. This liability will not apply to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under 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.
At March 8, 2021, the Company had cash and a working capital deficit of $25,000 and $61,458, respectively. The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of time within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through the Proposed Public Offering as discussed in Note 3. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to raise capital or to consummate a Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
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, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have
not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of 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 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.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist of costs incurred in connection with preparation for the Proposed Public Offering. These costs, together with the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be charged to additional paid in capital upon completion of the Proposed Public Offering or charged to operations if the Proposed Public Offering is not completed. As of March 8, 2021, the Company had deferred offering costs of $82,580.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of March 8, 2021. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.
There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands. In accordance with Cayman income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company. Consequently, income taxes are not reflected in the Company’s financial statements.
Net Loss per Ordinary Share
Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding shares of ordinary shares subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 750,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares that are
subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 5). At March 8, 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.
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 Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE 3 — PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Proposed Public Offering, the Company intends to offer for sale 20,000,000 Units (or 23,000,000 Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one share of Class A ordinary shares and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one share of Class A ordinary shares at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7).
NOTE 4 — PRIVATE PLACEMENTS
The Sponsor has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000 Private Placement Warrants (or 6,600,000 Private Placement Warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant ($6,000,000, or an aggregate of $6,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full) from the Company in private placements that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A ordinary shares at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7). The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants will be added to the net proceeds from the Proposed Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain exceptions.
NOTE 5 — RELATED PARTIES
Founder Shares
On March 8, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 5,750,000 of the Company’s Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”) for an aggregate price of $25,000. The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will equal, on an as-converted basis, approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares after the Proposed Public Offering. On March 10, 2021 and on March 12, 2021, 25,000 Founder Shares were purchased by each of our three independent directors and Mr. Jim Hunt, respectively, at a purchase price of $0.004 per share. The independent directors paid $400.0 dollars in the aggregate for 100,000 shares.
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination and
(B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On March 8, 2021, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering. As of March 8, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under the Promissory Note.
Administrative Services Agreement
Commencing on the date the Units are first listed on the NYSE, the Company has agreed to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.
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”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes may be repaid upon completion of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $2,000,000 of the notes may be converted upon completion of a Business Combination into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. 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. As of March 8, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Loans.
NOTE 6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Risks and Uncertainties
Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 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, close of the Proposed Public Offering and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any shares of ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of Proposed Public Offering requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to shares of Class A ordinary shares). The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to completion of a Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until the securities covered thereby are released from their lock-up restrictions. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of Proposed Public Offering to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Proposed Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
The underwriters will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $4,000,000 in the aggregate (or $4,600,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $7,000,000 in the aggregate (or $8,050,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
NOTE 7 — SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
Preferred Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of March 8, 2021, there were no shares of preferred shares issued or outstanding.
Class A Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. As of March 8, 2021, there were no shares of Class A ordinary shares issued or outstanding.
Class B Ordinary Shares — The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. As of March 8, 2021, there were 5,750,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares of Class B ordinary shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part so that the number of Founder Shares will equal 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares after the Proposed Public Offering.
Only holders of the Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on the election of directors prior to the Business Combination. Holders of ordinary shares, holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders except as otherwise required by law. In connection with our initial business combination, we may enter into a shareholders agreement or other arrangements with the shareholders of the target or other investors to provide for voting or other corporate governance arrangements that differ from those in effect upon completion of this offering.
The shares of 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 holder, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A ordinary shares, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts issued in the Proposed Public Offering and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B ordinary shares shall convert into shares of Class A ordinary shares will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Class B ordinary shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B ordinary shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of ordinary shares outstanding upon the completion of Proposed Public Offering plus all shares of Class A ordinary shares and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination (net of the number of shares of Class A ordinary shares redeemed in connection with a Business Combination), excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued or issuable to any seller of an interest in the target to us in a Business Combination.
Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (b) 12 months
from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A ordinary share 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 covering the issuance of the shares of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A ordinary shares is available, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of residence of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available.
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file, and within 60 business days following a Business Combination to have declared effective, a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A ordinary share is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies 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 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 Share of Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $18.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:
▪
in whole and not in part;
▪
at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant;
▪
upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period to each warrant holder; and
▪
if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-day trading period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Share of Class A Ordinary Share Equals or Exceeds $10.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:
▪
in whole and not in part;
▪
at a price of $0.10 per warrant provided that the holder will be able to exercise their warrants on cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares based on the redemption date and the fair market value of the Class A ordinary shares;
▪
upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption;
▪
if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) on the trading day prior to the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and
▪
if, and only if, the last reported sale price of our Class A ordinary shares is less than $18.00 per Class A ordinary share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
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 stock 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. Accordingly, the Public Warrants may expire worthless.
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 $9.20 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 holders of the Class B ordinary shares or their respective affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor, holders of the Class B ordinary shares or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of a Business Combination on the date of the consummation of a Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume-weighted average trading price of its Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which the Company consummates its Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
The Private Placement Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Proposed Public Offering, 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 saleable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be 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. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
NOTE 8 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, other than the below, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements On March 18, 2021, the Company borrowed $50,000 under the related party Promissory Note.
$200,000,000
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
, 2021
Sole Book-Running Manager
Jefferies
Co-Manager:
Imperial Capital
Until , 2021, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13.
Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:
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SEC/FINRA expenses
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$
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74,522
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Accounting fees and expenses
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30,000
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Printing and engraving expenses
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40,000
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Legal fees and expenses
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300,000
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Stock exchange listing and filing fees
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85,000
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Travel and road show expenses
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10,000
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Director and officers liability insurance premiums(1)
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450,000
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Miscellaneous
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10,478
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Total
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$
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1,000,000
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(1)
This amount represents the approximate amount of annual director and officer liability insurance premiums the registrant anticipates paying following the completion of its initial public offering and until it completes a business combination.
Item 14.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, willful neglect, fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We will enter into agreements with our directors and officers to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. We expect to purchase a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 15.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
On March 8, 2021, our sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering and formation costs in consideration of 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On March 10, 2021 and March 12, 2021, our sponsor transferred 25,000 founder shares to each of our director nominees and Mr. Jim Hunt, respectively, resulting in our sponsor holding 5,650,000 founder shares. 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. Each of the equity holders in our sponsor is an accredited investor under Rule 501 of Regulation D. The sole business of our sponsor is to act as the company’s sponsor in connection with this offering.
Our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000 private placement warrants (or 6,600,000 private placement warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), each exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($6,000,000 in the aggregate or $6,600,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. This issuance will be 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.
Item 16.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)
The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
(b)
The financial statements and notes thereto beginning on page F-1 are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17.
Undertakings.
(i)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(ii)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(iii)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
1.
For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
2.
For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
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Description
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1.1**
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Form of Underwriting Agreement.
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3.1*
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3.2**
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Form of Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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4.1*
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Specimen Unit Certificate.
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4.2*
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Specimen Class A Ordinary Share Certificate.
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4.3**
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Specimen Warrant Certificate.
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4.4**
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Form of Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.
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5.1*
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5.2*
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10.1*
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10.2**
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Form of Letter Agreement Form of Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement among the Registrant, the Sponsor and the Holders signatory thereto.
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10.3**
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Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement Form of Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and the Sponsor.
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10.4**
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement Form of Indemnity Agreement.
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10.5*
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Securities Subscription Agreement Promissory Note, dated March 8, 2021, issued by the Registrant to the Sponsor.
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10.6**
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Form of Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2021, between the Registrant and the Sponsor.
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10.7**
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Form of Indemnity Agreement Form of Letter Agreement among the Registrant, the Sponsor and director and executive officer of the Registrant.
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10.8**
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Form of Administrative Support Agreement between the Registrant and the Sponsor.
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23.1*
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23.2*
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23.3*
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Consent of Walkers (included on Exhibit 5.2).
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99.1*
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99.2*
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99.3*
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*
Filed herewith.
**
To be filed by amendment.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of El Paso, Texas on the 19th day of March, 2021.
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
By:
/s/ James C. Hunt
Name: James C. Hunt
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ James C. Hunt
James C. Hunt
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Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director
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March 19, 2021
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/s/ Clay Parker
Clay Parker
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
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March 19, 2021
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/s/ James K. Hunt
James K. Hunt
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Director
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March 19, 2021
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Exhibit 3.1
THE
COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
Memorandum OF association
of
Hunt
Companies Acquisition Corp. I
REF:
CF/JH/D2963-169155
THE
COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY
LIMITED BY SHARES
MEMORANDUM
of ASSOCIATION
OF
Hunt
Companies Acquisition Corp. I
1.
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The name of the company is Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the "Company").
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2.
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The registered office of the Company will be situated at the offices of Walkers Corporate Limited,
190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands or at such other location as the Directors may from time to
time determine.
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3.
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The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full
power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Act
(as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Act").
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4.
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The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full
capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by Section 27(2) of the Companies Act.
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5.
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The Company will not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in
furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this section shall be
construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands
all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.
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6.
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The liability of the shareholders of the Company is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the
shares respectively held by them.
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7.
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The authorised share capital of the Company is US$55,500 divided into 500,000,000 Class A
ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001; 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a nominal or par
value of US$0.0001 and 5,000,000 preference shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each provided always
that subject to the Companies Act and the Articles of Association the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its
shares and to sub-divide or consolidate the said shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original,
redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement
of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly
provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part
of the Company hereinbefore provided.
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8.
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The Company may exercise the power contained in Section 206 of the Companies Act to deregister
in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in some other jurisdiction.
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The undersigned, whose name, address and
description are set out below, wishes the Company to be incorporated as a company in the Cayman Islands in accordance with this
Memorandum of Association, and agrees to take the number of shares in the capital of the Company as set out opposite the undersigned's
name.
THE COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
Articles OF association
of
Hunt
Companies Acquisition Corp. I
REF:
JM/JJ/H3748-169774
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
CLAUSE
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PAGE
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TABLE A
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1
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Interpretation
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1
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Preliminary
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4
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Shares
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5
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Modification Of Rights
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6
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Certificates
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7
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Fractional Shares
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7
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Lien
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7
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Calls On Shares
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8
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Forfeiture Of Shares
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8
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Transfer Of Shares
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9
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Transmission Of Shares
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10
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Alteration Of SHARE Capital
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10
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Redemption, Purchase and Surrender Of Shares
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11
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Treasury Shares
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11
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General Meetings
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12
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Notice Of General Meetings
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12
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Proceedings At General Meetings
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13
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Votes Of shareholders
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14
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Corporations Acting By Representatives At Meetings
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15
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Directors
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15
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Alternate Director
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16
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Powers And Duties Of Directors
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16
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Borrowing Powers Of Directors
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18
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The Seal
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18
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Disqualification Of Directors
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18
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Proceedings Of Directors
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19
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Dividends
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21
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Accounts, Audit and annual return and declaration
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22
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Capitalisation Of reserves
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22
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Share Premium Account
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23
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Notices
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23
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Indemnity
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24
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Non-Recognition Of Trusts
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25
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Winding Up
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25
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Amendment Of Articles Of Association
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26
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Closing of register or fixing record date
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26
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Registration By Way Of Continuation
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26
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Mergers and Consolidation
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27
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disclosure
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27
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THE
COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
Company
Limited by Shares
ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
OF
Hunt
Companies Acquisition Corp. I
TABLE
A
The Regulations contained or
incorporated in Table 'A' in the First Schedule of the Companies Act shall not apply to Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the
"Company") and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
Interpretation
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1.
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In these Articles the following defined terms will have the meanings ascribed to them, if not inconsistent
with the subject or context:
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"Articles" means
these articles of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
"Branch Register"
means any branch Register of such category or categories of Members as the Company may from time to time determine.
“Business Combination”
means a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganisation or similar business combination involving the
Company, with one or more businesses or entities (the “target business”), which Business Combination: (a) must
occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in
the Trust Fund (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Fund) at the
time of the agreement to enter into a Business Combination; and (b) must not be effectuated with another blank cheque company
or a similar company with nominal operations.
"Class" or "Classes"
means any class or classes of Shares as may from time to time be issued by the Company.
“Class A Shares”
means the Class A ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company of $0.0001 nominal or par value designated as Class A
Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
“Class B Shares”
means the Class B ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company of $0.0001 nominal or par value designated as Class B
Shares, and having the rights provided for in these Articles.
"Companies Act"
means the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands.
"Directors"
means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee
thereof.
“IPO” means
the Company’s initial public offering of securities.
"Memorandum of Association"
means the memorandum of association of the Company, as amended or substituted from time to time.
"Office" means
the registered office of the Company as required by the Companies Act.
"Officers" means
the officers for the time being and from time to time of the Company.
"Ordinary Resolution"
means a resolution:
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(a)
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passed by a simple majority of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or,
where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing
a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or
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(b)
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approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company
in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the resolution so adopted shall
be the date on which the instrument, or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed.
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"paid up" means
paid up as to the par value in respect of the issue of any Shares and includes credited as paid up.
"Person" means
any natural person, firm, company, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association or other entity (whether or not having
a separate legal personality) or any of them as the context so requires, other than in respect of a Director or Officer in which
circumstances Person shall mean any person or entity permitted to act as such in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
“Preference Shares”
means the Preference Shares in the capital of the Company of $0.0001 nominal or par value designated as Preference Shares, and
having the rights provided for in these Articles.
"Principal Register",
where the Company has established one or more Branch Registers pursuant to the Companies Act and these Articles, means the Register
maintained by the Company pursuant to the Companies Act and these Articles that is not designated by the Directors as a Branch
Register.
"Register" means
the register of Members of the Company required to be kept pursuant to the Companies Act and includes any Branch Register(s) established
by the Company in accordance with the Companies Act.
"Seal" means
the common seal of the Company (if adopted) including any facsimile thereof.
"Secretary"
means any Person appointed by the Directors to perform any of the duties of the secretary of the Company.
"Series" means
a series of a Class as may from time to time be issued by the Company.
"Share" means
a share in the capital of the Company. All references to "Shares" herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Classes
as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt in these Articles the expression "Share" shall include a fraction
of a Share.
"Shareholder"
or "Member" means a Person who is registered as the holder of Shares in the Register and includes each subscriber
to the Memorandum of Association pending entry in the Register of such subscriber.
"Share Premium Account"
means the share premium account established in accordance with these Articles and the Companies Act.
"signed" means
bearing a signature or representation of a signature affixed by mechanical means.
"Special Resolution"
means a special resolution of the Company passed in accordance with the Companies Act, being a resolution:
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(a)
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passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of such Shareholders as, being entitled to do
so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention
to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given and where a poll is taken regard shall be had in computing
a majority to the number of votes to which each Shareholder is entitled; or
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(b)
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approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company
in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted
shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed.
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"Sponsor" means
Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
"Treasury Shares"
means Shares that were previously issued but were purchased, redeemed, surrendered or otherwise acquired by the Company and not
cancelled.
“Trust Fund”
means the trust account established by the Company upon the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net
proceeds of the IPO, together with certain of the proceeds of any private placement of warrant issued simultaneously with the closing
date of the IPO, will be deposited.
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2.
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In these Articles, save where the context requires otherwise:
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(a)
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words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa;
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(b)
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words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and any Person as the
context may require;
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(c)
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the word "may" shall be construed as permissive and the word "shall" shall
be construed as imperative;
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(d)
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reference to a dollar or dollars or USD (or $) and to a cent or cents is reference to dollars and
cents of the United States of America;
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(e)
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reference to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof
for the time being in force;
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(f)
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reference to any determination by the Directors shall be construed as a determination by the Directors
in their sole and absolute discretion and shall be applicable either generally or in any particular case; and
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(g)
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reference to "in writing" shall be construed as written or represented by any means reproducible
in writing, including any form of print, lithograph, email, facsimile, photograph or telex or represented by any other substitute
or format for storage or transmission for writing or partly one and partly another.
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3.
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Subject to the preceding Articles, any words defined in the Companies Act shall, if not inconsistent
with the subject or context, bear the same meaning in these Articles.
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Preliminary
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4.
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The business of the Company may be commenced at any time after incorporation.
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5.
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The Office shall be at such address in the Cayman Islands as the Directors may from time to time
determine. The Company may in addition establish and maintain such other offices and places of business and agencies in such places
as the Directors may from time to time determine.
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6.
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The expenses incurred in the formation of the Company and in connection with the offer for subscription
and issue of Shares shall be paid by the Company. Such expenses may be amortised over such period as the Directors may determine
and the amount so paid shall be charged against income and/or capital in the accounts of the Company as the Directors shall determine.
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7.
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The Directors shall keep, or cause to be kept, the Register at such place or (subject to compliance
with the Companies Act and these Articles) places as the Directors may from time to time determine. In the absence of any such
determination, the Register shall be kept at the Office. The Directors may keep, or cause to be kept, one or more Branch Registers
as well as the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Act, provided always that a duplicate of such Branch Register(s) shall
be maintained with the Principal Register in accordance with the Companies Act.
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Shares
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8.
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Subject to these Articles, all Shares for the time being unissued shall be under the control of
the Directors who may:
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(a)
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issue, allot and dispose of the same to such Persons, in such manner, on such terms and having
such rights and being subject to such restrictions as they may from time to time determine; and
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(b)
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grant options with respect to such Shares and issue warrants or similar instruments with respect
thereto;
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and, for such purposes, the Directors
may reserve an appropriate number of Shares for the time being unissued.
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9.
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The Directors, or the Shareholders by Ordinary Resolution, may authorise the division of Shares
into any number of Classes and sub-classes and Series and sub-series and the different Classes and sub-classes and Series and
sub-series shall be authorised, established and designated (or re-designated as the case may be) and the variations in the relative
rights (including, without limitation, voting, dividend and redemption rights), restrictions, preferences, privileges and payment
obligations as between the different Classes and Series (if any) may be fixed and determined by the Directors or the Shareholders
by Ordinary Resolution.
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10.
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The Company may insofar as may be permitted by law, pay a commission to any Person in consideration
of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe whether absolutely or conditionally for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied
by the payment of cash or the lodgement of fully or partly paid-up Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. The
Company may also pay such brokerage as may be lawful on any issue of Shares.
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11.
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The Directors may refuse to accept any application for Shares, and may accept any application in
whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason.
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FOUNDER SHARES CONVERSION AND ANTI-DILUTION
RIGHTS
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12.
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At the time of the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination, the issued
and outstanding Class B Shares shall automatically be converted into such number of Class A Shares as is equal to, on
an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of:
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(a)
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the total number of Class A Shares and Class B Shares in issue at the time of the IPO
(including pursuant to an over-allotment option granted to an underwriter of the IPO), plus
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(b)
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the total number of Class A Shares issued or deemed issued, or issuable upon the conversion
or exercise of any equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued, by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation
of the initial Business Combination, excluding (x) any Class A Shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or
convertible into Class A Shares issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial Business Combination and (y) any
private placement warrants issued to the Sponsor.
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13.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein in no event shall the Class B Shares
convert into Class A Shares at a ratio that is less than one-for-one.
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14.
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References in Articles 12 to Article 16 to “converted”, “conversion”
or “exchange” shall mean the compulsory redemption without notice of Class B Shares of any Member and, on behalf
of such Members, automatic application of such redemption proceeds in paying for such new Class A Shares into which the Class B
Shares have been converted or exchanged at a price per Class B Share necessary to give effect to a conversion or exchange
calculated on the basis that the Class A Shares to be issued as part of the conversion or exchange will be issued at par.
The Class A Shares to be issued on an exchange or conversion shall be registered in the name of such Member or in such name
as the Member may direct.
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15.
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Each Class B Share shall convert into its pro rata number of Class A Shares as set forth
in this Article 15. The pro rata share for each holder of Class B Shares will be determined as follows: Each Class B
Ordinary Share shall convert into such number of Class A Shares as is equal to the product of 1 multiplied by a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be the total number of Class A Shares into which all of the issued and outstanding Class B
Shares shall be converted pursuant to this Article 15 and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and
outstanding Class B Shares at the time of conversion.
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16.
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The Directors may effect such conversion in any manner available under applicable law, including
redeeming or repurchasing the relevant Class B Shares and applying the proceeds thereof towards payment for the new Class A
Shares. For purposes of the repurchase or redemption, the Directors may, subject to the Company being able to pay its debts in
the ordinary course of business, make payments out of amounts standing to the credit of the Company’s share premium account
or out of its capital.
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Modification
Of Rights
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17.
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Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different Classes
(and as otherwise determined by the Directors) the rights attached to any such Class may, subject to any rights or restrictions
for the time being attached to any Class only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued Shares of the relevant Class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at
a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of such Class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting.
To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings
thereat shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be one or more Persons at least holding or
representing by proxy one-third in nominal or par value amount of the issued Shares of the relevant Class (but so that if
at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum as above defined is not present, those Shareholders who are present shall form
a quorum) and that, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, every Shareholder
of the Class shall on a poll have one vote for each Share of the Class held by him. For the purposes of this Article the
Directors may treat all the Classes or any two or more Classes as forming one Class if they consider that all such Classes
would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as
separate Classes. The Directors may vary the rights attaching to any Class without the consent or approval of Shareholders
provided that the rights will not, in the determination of the Directors, be materially adversely varied or abrogated by such action.
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18.
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The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any Class issued with preferred or
other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the Shares of that Class, be deemed
to be materially adversely varied or abrogated by, inter alia, the creation, allotment or issue of further Shares ranking
pari passu with or subsequent to them or the redemption or purchase of any Shares of any Class by the Company.
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Certificates
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19.
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No Person shall be entitled to a certificate for any or all of his Shares, unless the Directors
shall determine otherwise.
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Fractional
Shares
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20.
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The Directors may issue fractions of a Share and, if so issued, a fraction of a Share shall be
subject to and carry the corresponding fraction of liabilities (whether with respect to nominal or par value, premium, contributions,
calls or otherwise), limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights (including, without prejudice to
the generality of the foregoing, voting and participation rights) and other attributes of a whole Share. If more than one fraction
of a Share of the same Class is issued to or acquired by the same Shareholder such fractions shall be accumulated.
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Lien
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21.
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The Company has a first and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) for all amounts
(whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that Share. The Company also has a first
and paramount lien on every Share (whether or not fully paid) registered in the name of a Person indebted or under liability to
the Company (whether he is the sole registered holder of a Share or one of two or more joint holders) for all amounts owing by
him or his estate to the Company (whether or not presently payable). The Directors may at any time declare a Share to be
wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The Company's lien on a Share extends to any amount payable
in respect of it.
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22.
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The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors may determine, any Share on which the Company
has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless an amount in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable nor until the expiration
of fourteen days after a notice in writing, demanding payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as
is presently payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the Share, or the Persons entitled thereto
by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
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23.
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For giving effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise some Person to transfer the Shares
sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer
and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any
irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.
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24.
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The proceeds of the sale after deduction of expenses, fees and commission incurred by the Company
shall be received by the Company and applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently
payable, and the residue shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares prior to the sale)
be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares immediately prior to the sale.
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Calls
On Shares
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25.
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The Directors may from time to time make calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid
on their Shares, and each Shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen days' notice specifying the time or times of
payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on such Shares.
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26.
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The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay calls in respect thereof.
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27.
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If a sum called in respect of a Share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof,
the Person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest upon the sum at the rate of eight percent per annum from the day appointed
for the payment thereof to the time of the actual payment, but the Directors shall be at liberty to waive payment of that interest
wholly or in part.
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28.
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The provisions of these Articles as to the liability of joint holders and as to payment of interest
shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether
on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of premium, as if the same had become payable by virtue of a call duly made and
notified.
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29.
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The Directors may make arrangements on the issue of partly paid Shares for a difference between
the Shareholders, or the particular Shares, in the amount of calls to be paid and in the times of payment.
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30.
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The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Shareholder willing to advance the same
all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid upon any partly paid Shares held by him, and upon all or any of the moneys so
advanced may (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (not exceeding without
the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution, eight percent per annum) as may be agreed upon between the Shareholder paying the sum in
advance and the Directors.
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Forfeiture
Of Shares
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31.
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If a Shareholder fails to pay any call or instalment of a call in respect of any Shares on the
day appointed for payment, the Directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains
unpaid, serve a notice on him requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid, together with any interest which
may have accrued.
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32.
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The notice shall name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen days from the
date of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-payment
at or before the time appointed the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
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33.
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If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any Share in respect
of which the notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before the payment required by notice has been made, be forfeited
by a resolution of the Directors to that effect.
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34.
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A forfeited Share may be sold or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the
Directors think fit, and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors
think fit.
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35.
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A Person whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Shareholder in respect of the forfeited
Shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were payable
by him to the Company in respect of the Shares forfeited, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment
in full of the amount unpaid on the Shares forfeited.
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36.
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A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director, and that a Share has been
duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts in the declaration as against all
Persons claiming to be entitled to the Share.
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|
37.
|
The Company may receive the consideration, if any, given for a Share on any sale or disposition
thereof pursuant to the provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture and may execute a transfer of the Share in favour of the
Person to whom the Share is sold or disposed of and that Person shall be registered as the holder of the Share, and shall not be
bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity
or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the disposition or sale.
|
|
38.
|
The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any
sum which by the terms of issue of a Share becomes due and payable, whether on account of the amount of the Share, or by way of
premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
|
Transfer
Of Shares
|
39.
|
The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in any usual or common form or such other form
as the Directors may determine and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share,
or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate
(if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of
the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Shareholder until the name of the transferee is
entered in the Register in respect of the relevant Shares.
|
|
40.
|
Subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any Class, no Shares may be
transferred, assigned or disposed of without the prior consent in writing of the Directors or their agents, which may be withheld
on their determination.
|
|
41.
|
The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the Directors
may from time to time determine.
|
|
42.
|
All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company, but any instrument
of transfer that the Directors decline to register shall (except in any case of fraud) be returned to the Person depositing the
same.
|
Transmission
Of Shares
|
43.
|
The legal personal representative of a deceased sole holder of a Share shall be the only Person
recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share. In the case of a Share registered in the name of two or more
holders, the survivors or survivor, or the legal personal representatives of the deceased holder of the Share, shall be the only
Person recognised by the Company as having any title to the Share.
|
|
44.
|
Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder
shall upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, have the right either to be registered
as a Shareholder in respect of the Share or, instead of being registered himself, to make such transfer of the Share as the deceased
or bankrupt Person could have made; but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration
as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the deceased or bankrupt Person before the death or bankruptcy.
|
|
45.
|
A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder shall
be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered Shareholder, except
that he shall not, before being registered as a Shareholder in respect of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any
right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company.
|
Alteration
Of SHARE Capital
|
46.
|
The Company may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by such sum,
to be divided into Shares of such Classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe.
|
|
47.
|
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution:
|
|
(a)
|
consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of a larger amount than its
existing Shares;
|
|
(b)
|
convert all or any of its paid up Shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up Shares
of any denomination;
|
|
(c)
|
subdivide its existing Shares, or any of them into Shares of a smaller amount provided that in
the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced Share shall be the same as
it was in case of the Share from which the reduced Share is derived; and
|
|
(d)
|
cancel any Shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed
to be taken by any Person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled.
|
|
48.
|
The Company may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve
in any manner authorised by law.
|
Redemption,
Purchase and Surrender Of Shares
|
49.
|
Subject to the Companies Act, the Company may:
|
|
(a)
|
issue Shares on terms that they are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of
the Company or the Shareholder on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine;
|
|
(b)
|
purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) on such terms and in such manner as the
Directors may determine and agree with the Shareholder;
|
|
(c)
|
make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner authorised
by the Companies Act, including out of its capital; and
|
|
(d)
|
accept the surrender for no consideration of any paid up Share (including any redeemable Share)
on such terms and in such manner as the Directors may determine.
|
|
50.
|
Any Share in respect of which notice of redemption has been given shall not be entitled to participate
in the profits of the Company in respect of the period after the date specified as the date of redemption in the notice of redemption.
|
|
51.
|
The redemption, purchase or surrender of any Share shall not be deemed to give rise to the redemption,
purchase or surrender of any other Share.
|
|
52.
|
The Directors may when making payments in respect of redemption or purchase of Shares, if authorised
by the terms of issue of the Shares being redeemed or purchased or with the agreement of the holder of such Shares, make such payment
either in cash or in specie including, without limitation, interests in a special purpose vehicle holding assets of the Company
or holding entitlement to the proceeds of assets held by the Company or in a liquidating structure.
|
Treasury
Shares
|
53.
|
Shares that the Company purchases, redeems or acquires (by way of surrender or otherwise) may,
at the option of the Company, be cancelled immediately or held as Treasury Shares in accordance with the Companies Act. In the
event that the Directors do not specify that the relevant Shares are to be held as Treasury Shares, such Shares shall be cancelled.
|
|
54.
|
No dividend may be declared or paid, and no other distribution (whether in cash or otherwise) of
the Company's assets (including any distribution of assets to members on a winding up) may be declared or paid in respect of a
Treasury Share.
|
|
55.
|
The Company shall be entered in the Register as the holder of the Treasury Shares provided that:
|
|
(a)
|
the Company shall not be treated as a member for any purpose and shall not exercise any right in
respect of the Treasury Shares, and any purported exercise of such a right shall be void;
|
|
(b)
|
a Treasury Share shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting of the Company and
shall not be counted in determining the total number of issued shares at any given time, whether for the purposes of these Articles
or the Companies Act, save that an allotment of Shares as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a Treasury Share is permitted and
Shares allotted as fully paid bonus shares in respect of a treasury share shall be treated as Treasury Shares.
|
|
56.
|
Treasury Shares may be disposed of by the Company on such terms and conditions as determined by
the Directors.
|
General
Meetings
|
57.
|
The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting of the Company.
|
|
58.
|
The Directors may cancel or postpone any duly convened general meeting at any time prior to such
meeting, except for general meetings requisitioned by the Shareholders in accordance with these Articles, for any reason or for
no reason at any time prior to the time for holding such meeting or, if the meeting is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned
meeting. The Directors shall give Shareholders notice in writing of any cancellation or postponement. A postponement may be for
a stated period of any length or indefinitely as the Directors may determine.
|
|
59.
|
General meetings shall also be convened on the requisition in writing of any Shareholder or Shareholders
entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital
of the Company deposited at the Office specifying the objects of the meeting by notice given no later than 21 days from the date
of deposit of the requisition signed by the requisitionists, and if the Directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later
than 45 days after the date of such deposit, the requisitionists themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner,
as nearly as possible, as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred
by the requisitionists as a result of the failure of the Directors to convene the general meeting shall be reimbursed to them by
the Company.
|
|
60.
|
If at any time there are no Directors, any two Shareholders (or if there is only one Shareholder
then that Shareholder) entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company may convene a general meeting in the same manner as
nearly as possible as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors.
|
Notice
Of General Meetings
|
61.
|
At least seven clear days' notice in writing counting from the date service is deemed to take place
as provided in these Articles specifying the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business,
shall be given in the manner hereinafter provided or in such other manner (if any) as may be prescribed by the Company by Ordinary
Resolution to such Persons as are, under these Articles, entitled to receive such notices from the Company, but with the consent
of all the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of some particular meeting and attend and vote thereat, that meeting may be
convened by such shorter notice or without notice and in such manner as those Shareholders may think fit.
|
|
62.
|
The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice of a meeting
by any Shareholder shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.
|
Proceedings
At General Meetings
|
63.
|
All business carried out at a general meeting shall be deemed special with the exception of sanctioning
a dividend, the consideration of the accounts, balance sheets, any report of the Directors or of the Company's auditors, and the
fixing of the remuneration of the Company's auditors. No special business shall be transacted at any general meeting without
the consent of all Shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting unless notice of such special business has been given
in the notice convening that meeting.
|
|
64.
|
No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Shareholders is present
at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as otherwise provided by these Articles, one or more Shareholders
holding at least a majority of the paid up voting share capital of the Company present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote
at that meeting shall form a quorum.
|
|
65.
|
If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting,
if convened upon the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same
day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from
the time appointed for the meeting the Shareholder or Shareholders present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum.
|
|
66.
|
If the Directors wish to make this facility available for a specific general meeting or all general
meetings of the Company, participation in any general meeting of the Company may be by means of a telephone or similar communication
equipment by way of which all Persons participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall
be deemed to constitute presence in person at the meeting.
|
|
67.
|
The chairman, if any, of the Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the
Company.
|
|
68.
|
If there is no such chairman, or if at any general meeting he is not present within fifteen minutes
after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as chairman, any Director or Person nominated by the Directors
shall preside as chairman, failing which the Shareholders present in person or by proxy shall choose any Person present to be chairman
of that meeting.
|
|
69.
|
The chairman may adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place either:
|
|
(a)
|
with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed
by the meeting); or
|
|
(b)
|
without the consent of such meeting if, in his sole opinion, he considers it necessary to do so
to:
|
|
(i)
|
secure the orderly conduct or proceedings of the meeting; or
|
|
(ii)
|
give all persons present in person or by proxy and having the right to speak and / or vote at such
meeting, the ability to do so,
|
|
|
but no business shall be transacted
at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting,
or adjourned meeting, is adjourned for fourteen days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the manner provided
for the original meeting. Save as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business
to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
70.
|
At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of
hands, unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the chairman or one or more
Shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote, and unless a poll is so demanded, a declaration by the chairman that
a resolution has, on a show of hands, been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry
to that effect in the book of the proceedings of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number
or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.
|
|
71.
|
If a poll is duly demanded it shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs, and the result
of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.
|
|
72.
|
In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the
meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.
|
|
73.
|
A poll demanded on the election of a chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment shall
be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time as the chairman of the meeting directs.
|
Votes
Of shareholders
|
74.
|
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Share, on a show of hands
every Shareholder present in person and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall, at a general meeting of the Company,
each have one vote and on a poll every Shareholder and every Person representing a Shareholder by proxy shall have one vote for
each Share of which he or the Person represented by proxy is the holder.
|
|
75.
|
In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior who tenders a vote whether in person or by
proxy shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders and for this purpose seniority shall be determined
by the order in which the names stand in the Register.
|
|
76.
|
A Shareholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having
jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him, whether on a show of hands or on
a poll, by his committee, or other Person in the nature of a committee appointed by that court, and any such committee or other
Person, may vote in respect of such Shares by proxy.
|
|
77.
|
No Shareholder shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting of the Company unless all calls,
if any, or other sums presently payable by him in respect of Shares carrying the right to vote held by him have been paid.
|
|
78.
|
On a poll votes may be given either personally or by proxy.
|
|
79.
|
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his
attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under Seal or under the hand of an Officer or
attorney duly authorised. A proxy need not be a Shareholder.
|
|
80.
|
An instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors
may approve.
|
|
81.
|
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Office or at such other place as is
specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting no later than the time for holding the meeting or, if the meeting
is adjourned, the time for holding such adjourned meeting.
|
|
82.
|
The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding
a poll.
|
|
83.
|
A resolution in writing signed by all the Shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice
of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall
be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.
|
Corporations
Acting By Representatives At Meetings
|
84.
|
Any corporation which is a Shareholder or a Director may by resolution of its directors or other
governing body authorise such Person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any meeting
of holders of a Class or of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, and the Person so authorised shall be entitled to
exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual
Shareholder or Director.
|
Directors
|
85.
|
The name(s) of the first Director(s) shall either be determined in writing by a majority
(or in the case of a sole subscriber that subscriber) of, or elected at a meeting of, the subscribers of the Memorandum of Association.
|
|
86.
|
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any Person to be a Director.
|
|
87.
|
Subject to these Articles, a Director shall hold office until such time as he is removed from office
by Ordinary Resolution.
|
|
88.
|
The Company may by Ordinary Resolution from time to time fix the maximum and minimum number of
Directors to be appointed but unless such numbers are fixed as aforesaid the minimum number of Directors shall be one and the maximum
number of Directors shall be unlimited.
|
|
89.
|
The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
|
|
90.
|
There shall be no shareholding qualification for Directors unless determined otherwise by Ordinary
Resolution.
|
|
91.
|
The Directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any Person to be a
Director, either as a result of a casual vacancy or as an additional Director, subject to the maximum number (if any) imposed by
Ordinary Resolution.
|
Alternate
Director
|
92.
|
Any Director may in writing appoint another Person to be his alternate and, save to the extent
provided otherwise in the form of appointment, such alternate shall have authority to sign written resolutions on behalf of the
appointing Director, but shall not be authorised to sign such written resolutions where they have been signed by the appointing
Director, and to act in such Director's place at any meeting of the Directors. Every such alternate shall be entitled to
attend and vote at meetings of the Directors as the alternate of the Director appointing him and where he is a Director to have
a separate vote in addition to his own vote. A Director may at any time in writing revoke the appointment of an alternate
appointed by him. Such alternate shall not be an Officer solely as a result of his appointment as an alternate other than
in respect of such times as the alternate acts as a Director. The remuneration of such alternate shall be payable out of
the remuneration of the Director appointing him and the proportion thereof shall be agreed between them.
|
Powers
And Duties Of Directors
|
93.
|
Subject to the Companies Act, these Articles and to any resolutions passed in a general meeting,
the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering
the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company. No resolution passed by the Company in general meeting shall invalidate
any prior act of the Directors that would have been valid if that resolution had not been passed.
|
|
94.
|
The Directors may from time to time appoint any Person, whether or not a Director to hold such
office in the Company as the Directors may think necessary for the administration of the Company, including but not limited to,
the office of president, one or more vice-presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer, manager or controller, and for such term
and at such remuneration (whether by way of salary or commission or participation in profits or partly in one way and partly in
another), and with such powers and duties as the Directors may think fit. Any Person so appointed by the Directors may be
removed by the Directors or by the Company by Ordinary Resolution. The Directors may also appoint one or more of their number
to the office of managing director upon like terms, but any such appointment shall ipso facto terminate if any managing director
ceases from any cause to be a Director, or if the Company by Ordinary Resolution resolves that his tenure of office be terminated.
|
|
95.
|
The Directors may appoint any Person to be a Secretary (and if need be an assistant Secretary or
assistant Secretaries) who shall hold office for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions and with such powers
as they think fit. Any Secretary or assistant Secretary so appointed by the Directors may be removed by the Directors or
by the Company by Ordinary Resolution.
|
|
96.
|
The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such member or members
of their body as they think fit; any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations
that may be imposed on it by the Directors.
|
|
97.
|
The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney (whether under Seal or
under hand) or otherwise appoint any company, firm or Person or body of Persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the
Directors, to be the attorney or attorneys or authorised signatory (any such person being an "Attorney" or "Authorised
Signatory", respectively) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not exceeding
those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they
may think fit, and any such power of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience
of Persons dealing with any such Attorney or Authorised Signatory as the Directors may think fit, and may also authorise any such
Attorney or Authorised Signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretion vested in him.
|
|
98.
|
The Directors may from time to time provide for the management of the affairs of the Company in
such manner as they shall think fit and the provisions contained in the three next following Articles shall not limit the general
powers conferred by this Article.
|
|
99.
|
The Directors from time to time and at any time may establish any committees, local boards or agencies
for managing any of the affairs of the Company and may appoint any Person to be a member of such committees or local boards and
may appoint any managers or agents of the Company and may fix the remuneration of any such Person.
|
|
100.
|
The Directors from time to time and at any time may delegate to any such committee, local board,
manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in the Directors and may authorise the
members for the time being of any such local board, or any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies
and any such appointment or delegation may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Directors may think fit
and the Directors may at any time remove any Person so appointed and may annul or vary any such delegation, but no Person dealing
in good faith and without notice of any such annulment or variation shall be affected thereby.
|
|
101.
|
Any such delegates as aforesaid may be authorised by the Directors to sub-delegate all or any of
the powers, authorities, and discretion for the time being vested in them.
|
|
102.
|
The Directors may agree with a Shareholder to waive or modify the terms applicable to such Shareholder's
subscription for Shares without obtaining the consent of any other Shareholder; provided that such waiver or modification does
not amount to a variation or abrogation of the rights attaching to the Shares of such other Shareholders.
|
|
103.
|
The Directors shall have the authority to present a winding up petition on behalf of the Company
without the sanction of a resolution passed by the Company in general meeting.
|
Borrowing
Powers Of Directors
|
104.
|
The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge
its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, or to otherwise provide for a security interest to be taken
in such undertaking, property or uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whenever money
is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
|
The
Seal
|
105.
|
The Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the
Directors provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of the Seal and if given after may be
in general form confirming a number of affixings of the Seal. The Seal shall be affixed in the presence of a Director or a Secretary
(or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose and every
Person as aforesaid shall sign every instrument to which the Seal is so affixed in their presence.
|
|
106.
|
The Company may maintain a facsimile of the Seal in such countries or places as the Directors may
appoint and such facsimile Seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of a resolution of the Directors
provided always that such authority may be given prior to or after the affixing of such facsimile Seal and if given after may be
in general form confirming a number of affixings of such facsimile Seal. The facsimile Seal shall be affixed in the presence
of such Person or Persons as the Directors shall for this purpose appoint and such Person or Persons as aforesaid shall sign every
instrument to which the facsimile Seal is so affixed in their presence and such affixing of the facsimile Seal and signing as aforesaid
shall have the same meaning and effect as if the Seal had been affixed in the presence of and the instrument signed by a Director
or a Secretary (or an assistant Secretary) or in the presence of any one or more Persons as the Directors may appoint for the purpose.
|
|
107.
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Secretary or any assistant Secretary shall have the authority
to affix the Seal, or the facsimile Seal, to any instrument for the purposes of attesting authenticity of the matter contained
therein but which does not create any obligation binding on the Company.
|
Disqualification
Of Directors
|
108.
|
The office of Director shall be vacated, if the Director:
|
|
(a)
|
becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;
|
|
(b)
|
dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind;
|
|
(c)
|
resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company;
|
|
(d)
|
is removed from office by Ordinary Resolution;
|
|
(e)
|
is removed from office by notice addressed to him at his last known address and signed by all of
his co-Directors (not being less than two in number); or
|
|
(f)
|
is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.
|
Proceedings
Of Directors
|
109.
|
The Directors may meet together (either within or outside the Cayman Islands) for the despatch
of business, adjourn, and otherwise regulate their meetings and proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting
shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
A Director may, and a Secretary or assistant Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of
the Directors.
|
|
110.
|
A Director may participate in any meeting of the Directors, or of any committee appointed by the
Directors of which such Director is a member, by means of telephone or similar communication equipment by way of which all Persons
participating in such meeting can communicate with each other and such participation shall be deemed to constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
|
|
111.
|
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors,
and unless so fixed, if there be two or more Directors the quorum shall be two, and if there be one Director the quorum shall be
one. A Director represented by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining
whether or not a quorum is present.
|
|
112.
|
A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed
contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors. A general notice given
to the Directors by any Director to the effect that he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement which
may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract
so made. A Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be
interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the Directors
at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration.
|
|
113.
|
A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office
of auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise) as
the Directors may determine and no Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the
Company either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor
shall any such contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director is in any way interested,
be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any
profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relation
thereby established. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting of the
Directors whereat he or any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Company or whereat
the terms of any such appointment are arranged and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement.
|
|
114.
|
Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company, and he
or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; provided that nothing herein
contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as auditor to the Company.
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|
115.
|
The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books or loose-leaf folders provided for the purpose
of recording:
|
|
(a)
|
all appointments of Officers made by the Directors;
|
|
(b)
|
the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the
Directors; and
|
|
(c)
|
all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and of the Directors and of committees
of Directors.
|
|
116.
|
When the chairman of a meeting of the Directors signs the minutes of such meeting the same shall
be deemed to have been duly held notwithstanding that all the Directors have not actually come together or that there may have
been a technical defect in the proceedings.
|
|
117.
|
A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors
entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject
as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf
of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors
or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one
or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate.
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|
118.
|
The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body but if and for so long
as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing
Directors may act for the purpose of increasing the number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other
purpose.
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|
119.
|
The Directors may elect a chairman of their meetings and determine the period for which he is to
hold office but if no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the
time appointed for holding the meeting, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
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|
120.
|
Subject to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, a committee appointed by the Directors
may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within
fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one of their number
to be chairman of the meeting.
|
|
121.
|
A committee appointed by the Directors may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper. Subject
to any regulations imposed on it by the Directors, questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes
of the committee members present and in case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
|
|
122.
|
All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of Directors, or by any Person
acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any
such Director or Person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such Person
had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.
|
Dividends
|
123.
|
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, or as otherwise
provided for in the Companies Act and these Articles, the Directors may from time to time declare dividends (including interim
dividends) and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully
available therefor.
|
|
124.
|
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by
Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.
|
|
125.
|
The Directors may determine, before recommending or declaring any dividend, to set aside out of
the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall be applicable
for meeting contingencies, or for equalising dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied and
pending such application may, at the determination of the Directors, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested
in such investments as the Directors may from time to time think fit.
|
|
126.
|
Any dividend may be paid in any manner as the Directors may determine. If paid by cheque
it will be sent through the post to the registered address of the Shareholder or Person entitled thereto, or in the case of joint
holders, to any one of such joint holders at his registered address or to such Person and such address as the Shareholder or Person
entitled, or such joint holders as the case may be, may direct. Every such cheque shall be made payable to the order of the
Person to whom it is sent or to the order of such other Person as the Shareholder or Person entitled, or such joint holders as
the case may be, may direct.
|
|
127.
|
The Directors when paying dividends to the Shareholders in accordance with the foregoing provisions
of these Articles may make such payment either in cash or in specie and may determine the extent to which amounts may be withheld
therefrom (including, without limitation, any taxes, fees, expenses or other liabilities for which a Shareholder (or the Company,
as a result of any action or inaction of the Shareholder) is liable).
|
|
128.
|
Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, all dividends
shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares, but if and for so long as nothing is paid up on any
of the Shares dividends may be declared and paid according to the par value of the Shares.
|
|
129.
|
If several Persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, any of them may give effectual
receipts for any dividend or other moneys payable on or in respect of the Share.
|
|
130.
|
No dividend shall bear interest against the Company.
|
Accounts,
Audit and annual return and declaration
|
131.
|
The books of account relating to the Company's affairs shall be kept in such manner as may be determined
from time to time by the Directors.
|
|
132.
|
The books of account shall be kept at the Office, or at such other place or places as the Directors
think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.
|
|
133.
|
The Directors may from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and
places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection
of Shareholders not being Directors, and no Shareholder (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or
book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
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|
134.
|
The accounts relating to the Company's affairs shall only be audited if the Directors so determine,
in which case the accounting principles will be determined by the Directors. The financial year of the Company shall end on 31
December of each year or such other date as the Directors may determine.
|
|
135.
|
The Directors in each year shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual return and declaration
setting forth the particulars required by the Companies Act and deliver a copy thereof to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman
Islands.
|
Capitalisation
Of reserves
|
136.
|
Subject to the Companies Act and these Articles, the Directors may:
|
|
(a)
|
resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a Share Premium Account,
capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution;
|
|
(b)
|
appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the Shareholders in proportion to the nominal
amount of Shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards:
|
|
(i)
|
paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on Shares held by them respectively, or
|
|
(ii)
|
paying up in full unissued Shares or debentures of a nominal amount equal to that sum,
|
and allot the Shares or debentures,
credited as fully paid, to the Shareholders (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the
other, but the Share Premium Account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may,
for the purposes of this Article, only be applied in paying up unissued Shares to be allotted to Shareholders credited as fully
paid;
|
(c)
|
make any arrangements they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised
reserve and in particular, without limitation, where Shares or debentures become distributable in fractions the Directors may deal
with the fractions as they think fit;
|
|
(d)
|
authorise a Person to enter (on behalf of all the Shareholders concerned) into an agreement with
the Company providing for either:
|
|
(i)
|
the allotment to the Shareholders respectively, credited as fully paid, of Shares or debentures
to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or
|
|
(ii)
|
the payment by the Company on behalf of the Shareholders (by the application of their respective
proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing
Shares,
|
and any such agreement made under
this authority being effective and binding on all those Shareholders; and
|
(e)
|
generally do all acts and things required to give effect to any of the actions contemplated by
this Article.
|
Share
Premium Account
|
137.
|
The Directors shall in accordance with the Companies Act establish a Share Premium Account and
shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue
of any Share.
|
|
138.
|
There shall be debited to any Share Premium Account on the redemption or purchase of a Share the
difference between the nominal value of such Share and the redemption or purchase price provided always that at the determination
of the Directors such sum may be paid out of the profits of the Company or, if permitted by the Companies Act, out of capital.
|
Notices
|
139.
|
Any notice or document may be served by the Company or by the Person entitled to give notice to
any Shareholder either personally, or by posting it airmail or air courier service in a prepaid letter addressed to such Shareholder
at his address as appearing in the Register, or by electronic mail to any electronic mail address such Shareholder may have specified
in writing for the purpose of such service of notices, or by facsimile should the Directors deem it appropriate. In the case of
joint holders of a Share, all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register in
respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all the joint holders.
|
|
140.
|
Any Shareholder present, either personally or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company shall for
all purposes be deemed to have received due notice of such meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which such meeting
was convened.
|
|
141.
|
Any notice or other document, if served by:
|
|
(a)
|
post, shall be deemed to have been served five clear days after the time when the letter containing
the same is posted;
|
|
(b)
|
facsimile, shall be deemed to have been served upon production by the transmitting facsimile machine
of a report confirming transmission of the facsimile in full to the facsimile number of the recipient;
|
|
(c)
|
recognised courier service, shall be deemed to have been served 48 hours after the time when the
letter containing the same is delivered to the courier service; or
|
|
(d)
|
electronic mail, shall be deemed to have been served immediately upon the time of the transmission
by electronic mail.
|
In proving service by post or
courier service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice or documents was properly addressed and duly
posted or delivered to the courier service.
|
142.
|
Any notice or document delivered or sent in accordance with the terms of these Articles shall notwithstanding
that such Shareholder be then dead or bankrupt, and whether or not the Company has notice of his death or bankruptcy, be deemed
to have been duly served in respect of any Share registered in the name of such Shareholder as sole or joint holder, unless his
name shall at the time of the service of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the Share,
and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on all Persons interested (whether
jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the Share.
|
|
143.
|
Notice of every general meeting of the Company shall be given to:
|
|
(a)
|
all Shareholders holding Shares with the right to receive notice and who have supplied to the Company
an address for the giving of notices to them; and
|
|
(b)
|
every Person entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder, who
but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting.
|
No other Person shall be entitled
to receive notices of general meetings.
Indemnity
|
144.
|
Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any
alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, assistant Secretary, or other Officer (but
not including the Company's auditors) and the personal representatives of the same (each an "Indemnified Person")
shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and funds of the Company against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges,
expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified
Person's own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in or about the conduct of
the Company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties,
powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses
or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning
the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
|
|
145.
|
No Indemnified Person shall be liable:
|
|
(a)
|
for the acts, receipts, neglects, defaults or omissions of any other Director or Officer or agent
of the Company; or
|
|
(b)
|
for any loss on account of defect of title to any property of the Company; or
|
|
(c)
|
on account of the insufficiency of any security in or upon which any money of the Company shall
be invested; or
|
|
(d)
|
for any loss incurred through any bank, broker or other similar Person; or
|
|
(e)
|
for any loss occasioned by any negligence, default, breach of duty, breach of trust, error of judgement
or oversight on such Indemnified Person's part; or
|
|
(f)
|
for any loss, damage or misfortune whatsoever which may happen in or arise from the execution or
discharge of the duties, powers, authorities, or discretions of such Indemnified Person's office or in relation thereto;
|
unless the same shall happen
through such Indemnified Person's own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Non-Recognition
Of Trusts
|
146.
|
Subject to the proviso hereto, no Person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any Share
upon any trust and the Company shall not, unless required by law, be bound by or be compelled in any way to recognise (even when
having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share or (except only as otherwise provided
by these Articles or as the Companies Act requires) any other right in respect of any Share except an absolute right to the entirety
thereof in each Shareholder registered in the Register, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled
to recognise any such interests as shall be determined by the Directors.
|
Winding
Up
|
147.
|
If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in such manner
and order as he thinks fit in satisfaction of creditors' claims.
|
|
148.
|
If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of an Ordinary Resolution
divide amongst the Shareholders in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist
of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any property to be divided
as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different Classes. The
liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit
of the Shareholders as the liquidator, with the like sanction shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to
accept any assets whereon there is any liability.
|
Amendment
Of Articles Of Association
|
149.
|
Subject to the Companies Act and the rights attaching to the various Classes, the Company may at
any time and from time to time by Special Resolution alter or amend these Articles in whole or in part.
|
Closing
of register or fixing record date
|
150.
|
For the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend
or vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of
any dividend, or in order to make a determination as to who is a Shareholder for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that
the Register shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not exceed in any case 40 days. If the Register
shall be so closed for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at
a meeting of Shareholders the Register shall be so closed for at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting and the record
date for such determination shall be the date of the closure of the Register.
|
|
151.
|
In lieu of or apart from closing the Register, the Directors may fix in advance a date as the record
date for any such determination of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of the
Shareholders and for the purpose of determining those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment of any dividend the Directors
may, at or within 90 days prior to the date of declaration of such dividend, fix a subsequent date as the record date for such
determination.
|
|
152.
|
If the Register is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of those Shareholders
entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders or those Shareholders that are entitled to receive payment
of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is posted or the date on which the resolution of the Directors declaring
such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination
of those Shareholders that are entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at a meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided
in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
|
Registration
By Way Of Continuation
|
153.
|
The Company may by Special Resolution resolve to be registered by way of continuation in a jurisdiction
outside the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated, registered or existing. In
furtherance of a resolution adopted pursuant to this Article, the Directors may cause an application to be made to the Registrar
of Companies to deregister the Company in the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction in which it is for the time being incorporated,
registered or existing and may cause all such further steps as they consider appropriate to be taken to effect the transfer by
way of continuation of the Company.
|
Mergers
and Consolidation
|
154.
|
The Company may merge or consolidate in accordance with the Companies Act.
|
|
155.
|
To the extent required by the Companies Act, the Company may by Special Resolution resolve to merge
or consolidate the Company.
|
disclosure
|
156.
|
The Directors, or any authorised service providers (including the Officers, the Secretary and the
registered office agent of the Company), shall be entitled to disclose to any regulatory or judicial authority, or to any stock
exchange on which the Shares may from time to time be listed, any information regarding the affairs of the Company including, without
limitation, information contained in the Register and books of the Company.
|
Exhibit 4.1
SPECIMEN UNIT CERTIFICATE
NUMBER U–[ ]
|
|
UNITS
|
|
|
|
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
|
CUSIP [ ]
|
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
UNITS
CONSISTING OF ONE CLASS A ORDINARY SHARE AND ONE-HALF OF ONE
REDEEMABLE WARRANT, EACH WHOLE WARRANT ENTITLING THE HOLDER TO PURCHASE ONE CLASS A ORDINARY SHARE
THIS CERTIFIES THAT [ ]
is the owner of Units.
Each unit (“Unit”)
consists of one (1) Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”),
of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), and one-half
(1/2) of one redeemable warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to
purchase one (1) Ordinary Share for $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment). Each whole Warrant will become exercisable thirty
(30) days after the Company’s completion of a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or
other similar business combination with one or more businesses (each, a “Business Combination”) and will
expire unless exercised before 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on the date that is five (5) years after the date on which the
Company completes its initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation (the “Expiration Date”).
The Ordinary Shares and Warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately prior to
[ ], 2021, unless Jefferies
LLC elects to allow earlier separate trading, subject to the Company’s filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission of a Current Report on Form 8-K containing an audited balance sheet reflecting the Company’s
receipt of the gross proceeds of the initial public offering and issuing a press release announcing when separate trading will
begin. No fractional Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Warrants are exercisable. The terms of
the Warrants are governed by the Warrant Agreement, dated as of [ ],
2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Warrant Agreement”), between
the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions
contained therein, all of which terms and provisions the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of
the Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of the Warrant Agent at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004, and
are available to any holder of the Warrants on written request and without cost.
The Units represented by this certificate
will automatically separate into the Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants comprising such Units after completion of a Business
Combination.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned
by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar of the Company.
This certificate shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
Witness the facsimile signatures of its
duly authorized officers.
By:
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Transfer
Agent
|
Hunt
companies acquisition corp. I
The Company will furnish without charge
to each unitholder who so requests a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or
other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
of such preferences and/or rights.
The following abbreviations, when used in
the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable
laws or regulations:
TEN
COM
|
—
|
as tenants in common
|
UNIF GIFT
MIN ACT
|
—
|
Custodian
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Cust)
|
(Minor)
|
TEN
ENT
|
—
|
as tenants by the entireties
|
|
|
under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JT TEN
|
—
|
as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common
|
|
|
(State)
|
Additional abbreviations may also be used
though not in the above list.
For value received, hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER(S) OF ASSIGNEE(S))
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME(S) AND
ADDRESS(ES), INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE(S))
Units
represented by the within Certificate, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said Units on
the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
|
|
|
Notice:
The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the
|
|
|
|
name as written
upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement
or any change whatever.
|
Signature(s) Guaranteed:
|
|
|
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN
ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE
GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).
|
|
|
As more fully described in, and subject
to the terms and conditions described in, the Company’s final prospectus for its initial public offering, dated [ ],
2021, the holder(s) of this certificate shall be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of certain funds held in the trust
account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering only in the event that (i) the Company
redeems the Ordinary Shares sold in its initial public offering and liquidates because it does not consummate an initial business
combination within the period of time set forth in the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
(as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association”), (ii) the Company redeems the Ordinary Shares sold in its initial public
offering in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that
would modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of the Ordinary Shares the right to have
their shares redeemed in connection with the Company’s initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the Ordinary Shares
if the Company does not complete its initial business combination within the time period set forth therein or (B) with respect
to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of the Ordinary Shares, or (iii) if the holder(s) seek(s) to
redeem for cash his, her or its respective Ordinary Shares in connection with a tender offer (or proxy solicitation, solely in
the event the Company seeks shareholder approval of the proposed initial business combination) setting forth the details of a proposed
initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall the holder(s) have any right or interest of any kind in or to
the trust account.
Exhibit 4.2
SPECIMEN CLASS A ORDINARY SHARE
CERTIFICATE
NUMBER C–[ ]
|
|
SHARES
|
|
|
|
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
|
CUSIP [ ]
|
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES
This
Certifies that [ ]
is the owner of fully paid and non-assessable Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share, of Hunt Companies Acquisition
Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), subject to the Company’s amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association, as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time and transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate
properly endorsed.
The Company will be forced to redeem all
of its Class A ordinary shares if it is unable to complete a business combination within the period set forth in the Company’s
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, all as more fully described in the Company’s final prospectus for its initial public offering, dated [ ],
2021.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned
by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar of the Company.
Witness the facsimile signatures of its
duly authorized officers.
By:
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Transfer
Agent
|
HUNT
COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. i
The Company will furnish without charge
to each shareholder who so requests a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions
of such preferences and/or rights.
This certificate and the Class A ordinary
shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Company’s amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association, as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
and resolutions of the board of directors of the Company providing for the issue of the Class A ordinary shares (copies of
which may be obtained from the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents. The following
abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out
in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN
COM
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—
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as tenants in common
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UNIF GIFT
MIN ACT
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—
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Custodian
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|
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(Cust)
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(Minor)
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TEN
ENT
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—
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as tenants by the entireties
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under Uniform Gifts to
Minors Act
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JT TEN
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—
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as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common
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(State)
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Additional abbreviations may also be used
though not in the above list.
For value received, hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER(S) OF ASSIGNEE(S))
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME(S) AND
ADDRESS(ES), INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF
ASSIGNEE(S))
Class A Ordinary Shares represented
by the within Certificate, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said Class A Ordinary
Shares on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
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Notice:
The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the
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name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
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Signature(s) Guaranteed:
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THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN
ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE
GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).
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As more fully described in, and subject
to the terms and conditions described in, the Company’s final prospectus for its initial public offering, dated [ ],
2021, the holder(s) of this certificate shall be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of certain funds held in the trust
account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering only in the event that (i) the Company
redeems the Class A ordinary shares sold in its initial public offering and liquidates because it does not consummate an initial
business combination within the period of time set forth in the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, (ii) the
Company redeems the Class A ordinary shares sold in its initial public offering in connection with a shareholder vote to amend
the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of the Company’s
obligation to provide holders of the Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the
Company’s initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the Class A ordinary shares if the Company does not complete
its initial business combination within the time period set forth therein or (B) with respect to any other provision relating
to the rights of holders of the Class A ordinary shares, or (iii) if the holder(s) seek(s) to redeem for cash
his, her or its respective Class A ordinary shares in connection with a tender offer (or proxy solicitation, solely in the
event the Company seeks shareholder approval of the proposed initial business combination) setting forth the details of a proposed
initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall the holder(s) have any right or interest of any kind in or to
the trust account.
Exhibit 5.1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind,
Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of
the Americas
New York, New York
10019-6064
March [_], 2021
Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I
4401 North Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
Registration Statement on Form S-1
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Hunt Companies
Acquisition Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated with limited liability (the “Company”),
in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of the Company, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”),
and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Rules”). You have asked us to furnish our opinion as to the legality
of the securities being registered under the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement relates to the registration under
the Act of (i) up to 23,000,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company that may be offered by the Company (including
Units issuable by the Company upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), each such unit consisting of one
Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Shares”), and one-half of one
warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”) to purchase a Class A Share and (ii) all Class A Shares
and all Warrants issued as part of the Units as specified in the Registration Statement.
In connection with the furnishing of this
opinion, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents
(collectively, the “Documents”):
1.
the Registration Statement;
2.
the form of the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), included as Exhibit 1.1 to the
Registration Statement;
3.
the Specimen Unit Certificate, included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement;
4.
the Specimen Class A Ordinary Share Certificate, included as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement;
5.
the Specimen Warrant Certificate, included as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement; and
6.
the form of the Warrant Agreement by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”)
and the Company, included as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement (the “Warrant Agreement”).
In addition, we have examined such other certificates,
agreements and documents that we deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. We have also relied
upon the factual matters contained in the representations and warranties of the Company made in the Documents and upon certificates
of public officials and the officers of the Company.
In
our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed, without independent investigation, the genuineness of all
signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents reviewed by us, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic,
reproduced or conformed copies of valid existing agreements or other documents, the authenticity of all the latter documents and
that the statements regarding matters of fact in the certificates, records, agreements, instruments and documents that we have
examined are accurate and complete. We have also assumed, without independent investigation, (i) that the Company is validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) that the Company has all necessary corporate power
to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Units, the Warrants and the Warrant Agreement, (iii) that the execution,
delivery and performance of the Units, the Warrants and the Warrant Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action and do not violate the Company’s organizational documents or the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and (iv)
the due execution and delivery of the Units, the Warrants and the Warrant Agreement by the Company.
Based upon the above, and subject to the stated
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications, we are of the opinion that:
1. The
Units, when duly issued, delivered and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms
of the Underwriting Agreement, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, as transfer agent, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their terms, except that the enforceability of the Units may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and possible
judicial action giving effect to governmental actions relating to persons or transactions or foreign laws affecting creditors’
rights and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law).
2. The
Warrants included in the Units, when the Units are duly issued, delivered and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement
and in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Warrant Agreement, and assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery of the Warrants by the Warrant Agent, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that (i) the enforceability of the Warrants may be subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally
and possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions relating to persons or transactions or foreign laws affecting
creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law) and (ii) we express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of the second
proviso in Section 4.5 of the Warrant Agreement or any related provision in the Warrants that requires or relates to adjustments
to the conversion rate in an amount that a court would determine in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonable
or a penalty or forfeiture.
The opinions expressed above are limited to
the laws of the State of New York. Our opinion is rendered only with respect to the laws, and the rules, regulations and orders
under those laws, that are currently in effect.
We hereby consent to use of this opinion as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” contained in
the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the Rules.
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Very truly yours,
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PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
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Exhibit 5.2
[Date]
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Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I
c/o Walkers Corporate Limited
190 Elgin Avenue
George Town
Grand Cayman KY1-9008
Cayman Islands
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Dear Sir or Madam
Hunt
Companies Acquisition Corp. I
We
have been asked to provide this legal opinion to you with regard to the laws of the Cayman Islands in connection with the registration
of an initial public offering by Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the "Company"), of:
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(i)
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up to 20,000,000 units (the "Units"), each Unit consisting of one Class A ordinary
share in the capital of the Company, par value US$0.0001 (each such Class A ordinary share issued as part of the Units and the
Over-Allotment Units and issued upon exercise of the Warrants (each as defined below) included in the Units and the Over-Allotment
Units an "Ordinary Share" and together, the "Ordinary Shares"), and one-half of one redeemable
warrant to purchase one Ordinary Share (the "Warrants);
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(ii)
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up to an additional 3,000,000 Units (the "Over-Allotment Units"), which may be
issued upon exercise of an option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any;
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(iii)
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all Ordinary Shares and all Warrants issued as part of the Units and the Over-Allotment Units;
and
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(iv)
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all Ordinary Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Warrants included in the Units and
the Over-Allotment Units,
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in each case under the United States Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and pursuant to the terms of the Registration Statement (as defined
in Schedule 1).
For the purposes of giving this opinion,
we have examined and relied upon the originals or copies of the documents listed in Schedule 1.
We are Cayman Islands Attorneys at Law
and express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the Cayman Islands in force and as interpreted at the date of this
opinion.
Walkers
190 Elgin Avenue, George Town
Grand Cayman KY1-9001, Cayman Islands
T +1 345 949 0100 F
+1 345 949 7886 www.walkersglobal.com
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Based upon the foregoing examinations and
the assumptions and qualifications set out below and having regard to legal considerations which we consider relevant, and under
the laws of the Cayman Islands, as at the date hereof, we give the following opinions in relation to the matters set out below.
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1.
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The Company is an exempted company duly incorporated with limited liability, validly existing under
the laws of the Cayman Islands and in good standing with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands (the "Registrar").
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2.
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The Ordinary Shares, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will have been duly authorised
by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and upon the issue of the Ordinary Shares (by the entry of the name of the registered
owner thereof in the Register of Members of the Company confirming that such Ordinary Shares have been issued and credited as fully
paid), delivery and payment therefore by the purchaser in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association (as defined
in Schedule 1) and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Underwriting Agreement (as defined in Schedule
1), the Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no additional sums may be levied in
respect of such Ordinary Shares on the holder thereof by the Company).
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3.
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The Ordinary Shares, to be issued upon redemption of the Warrants as contemplated by the Warrant
Documents (as defined in Schedule 1), have been duly authorised by all necessary corporate action of the Company and upon the issue
of such Ordinary Shares (by the entry of the name of the registered owner thereof in the Register of Members of the Company confirming
that such Ordinary Shares have been issued and credited as fully paid), delivery and redemption of the Warrants in accordance with
the Memorandum and Articles of Association and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Warrant Documents
(as defined in Schedule 1), such Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (meaning that no additional
sums may be levied in respect of such Ordinary Shares on the holder thereof by the Company).
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4.
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The execution, delivery and performance of the Unit Certificate and the Warrant Documents (each
as defined in Schedule 1) will have been authorised by and on behalf of the Company and, once the Unit Certificate and the Warrant
Documents have been executed and unconditionally delivered by the Company, such documents, will be duly executed and delivered
on behalf of the Company and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance
with their terms.
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The foregoing opinions are given based
on the following assumptions.
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1.
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The originals of all documents examined in connection with this opinion are authentic. The signatures,
initials and seals on the Documents are, or will be, genuine and are, or will be, those of a person or persons given power to execute
the Documents under the Resolutions (as defined in Schedule 1). All documents purporting to be sealed have been, or will be, so
sealed. All copies are complete and conform to their originals. The Documents when executed will conform in every material respect
to the latest drafts of the same produced to us prior to the date hereof and, where provided in successive drafts, have been marked
up to indicate all changes to such Documents.
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2.
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The Company Records are complete and accurate and all matters required by law and the memorandum
and articles of association of the Company in effect on the date hereof to be recorded therein are completely and accurately so
recorded.
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3.
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There are no records of the Company (other than the Company Records), agreements, documents or
arrangements other than the documents expressly referred to herein as having been examined by us which materially affect, amend
or vary the transactions envisaged in the Documents or restrict the powers and authority of the directors of the Company in any
way or which would affect any opinion given herein.
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4.
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The Resolutions have been duly executed (and where by a corporate entity such execution has been
duly authorised if so required) by or on behalf of each director of the Company and the signatures and initials thereon are those
of a person or persons in whose name the Resolutions have been expressed to be signed.
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5.
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The Memorandum and Articles of Association will be the Memorandum and Articles of Association in
effect at the time of the issue of the Ordinary Shares.
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6.
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We have relied upon the statements and representations of directors, officers and other representatives
of the Company as to factual matters.
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7.
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The Company will receive consideration in money or money’s worth for each Ordinary Share
offered by the Company when issued at the agreed issue price as per the terms of the Registration Statement, such price in any
event not being less than the stated par or nominal value of each Ordinary Share.
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8.
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The preparation and filing of the Registration Statement has been duly authorised by or on behalf
of the Company prior to the issue and sale of the Ordinary Shares.
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9.
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Each
of the Documents will be duly authorised, executed and delivered by or on behalf of all
relevant parties prior to the issue and sale of the Ordinary Shares and will be legal,
valid, binding and enforceable against all relevant parties in accordance with their
terms under the laws of the State of New York and all other relevant laws (other than
the laws of the Cayman Islands).
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10.
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The
choice of New York law as the governing law of the Documents has been made in good faith
and would be regarded as a valid and binding selection which will be upheld by the courts
of the State of New York as a matter of New York law and all other relevant laws (other
than the laws of the Cayman Islands).
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11.
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The power, authority and legal right of all parties under all relevant laws and regulations (other
than the Company under the laws of the Cayman Islands) to enter into, execute and perform their respective obligations under the
Documents.
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12.
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All preconditions to the obligations of the parties to the Underwriting Agreement, the Unit Certificate
and Warrant Documents will be satisfied or duly waived prior to the issue and sale of the Ordinary Shares and there will be no
breach of the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Unit Certificate and Warrant Documents.
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The opinions
expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:
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1.
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The term "enforceable"
and its cognates as used in this opinion means that the obligations assumed by any party under the Documents are of a type which
the courts of the Cayman Islands (the "Courts"
and each a "Court") enforce. This does not
mean that those obligations will necessarily be enforced in all circumstances in accordance with their terms. In particular:
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(a)
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enforcement of obligations and the priority of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
liquidation, reorganisation, readjustment of debts or moratorium and other laws of general application relating to or affecting
the rights of creditors or by prescription or lapse of time;
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(b)
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enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity and, in particular, the availability
of certain equitable remedies such as injunction or specific performance of an obligation may be limited where a Court considers
damages to be an adequate remedy;
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(c)
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claims may become barred under statutes of limitation or may be or become subject to defences of
set-off, counterclaim, estoppel and similar defences;
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(d)
|
where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands, they may not
be enforceable in the Cayman Islands to the extent that performance would be illegal under the laws of, or contrary to the public
policy of, that jurisdiction;
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(e)
|
a judgment of a Court may be required to be made in Cayman Islands dollars;
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(f)
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to the extent that any provision of the Documents is adjudicated to be penal in nature, it will
not be enforceable in the Courts; in particular, the enforceability of any provision of the Documents that is adjudicated to constitute
a secondary obligation which imposes a detriment on the contract-breaker out of all proportion to any legitimate interest of the
innocent party in the enforcement of the primary obligation may be limited;
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(g)
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to the extent that the performance of any obligation arising under the Documents would be fraudulent
or contrary to public policy, it will not be enforceable in the Courts;
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(h)
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in the case of an insolvent liquidation of the Company, its liabilities are required to be translated
into the functional currency of the Company (being the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operated as at
the commencement of the liquidation) at the exchange rates prevailing on the date of commencement of the voluntary liquidation
or the day on which the winding up order is made (as the case may be);
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(i)
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a Court will not necessarily award costs in litigation in accordance with contractual provisions
in this regard;
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(j)
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the effectiveness of terms in the Documents excusing any party from a liability or duty otherwise
owed or indemnifying that party from the consequences of incurring such liability or breaching such duty shall be construed in
accordance with, and shall be limited by, applicable law, including generally applicable rules and principles of common law and
equity.
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2.
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Our opinion as to good standing is based solely upon receipt of the Certificate of Good Standing
issued by the Registrar. The Company shall be deemed to be in good standing under section 200A of the Companies Act (as amended)
of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Act") on
the date of issue of the certificate if all fees and penalties under the Companies Act have been paid and the Registrar has no
knowledge that the Company is in default under the Companies Act.
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This opinion is limited to the matters
referred to herein and shall not be construed as extending to any other matter or document not referred to herein. This opinion
is given solely for your benefit and the benefit of your legal advisers acting in that capacity in relation to this transaction
and may not be relied upon by any other person, other than persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the provisions of the Securities
Act, without our prior written consent.
This opinion shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
We hereby consent to the filing of this
opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm, as Cayman Islands counsel to the Company,
in the Registration Statement.
Yours faithfully
Walkers
Schedule
1
LIST
OF DOCUMENTS EXAMINED
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1.
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The Certificate of Incorporation dated 2 March 2021, Register of Directors and Register of Officers,
in each case, of the Company, copies of which have been provided to us by its registered office in the Cayman Islands (together
the "Company Records"), and a draft of the Amended
and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company to be in effect upon the consummation of the sale of the Ordinary
Shares (the "Memorandum and Articles of Association").
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2.
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The
Cayman Online Registry Information System (CORIS), the Cayman Islands' General Registry's
online database, searched on [Date].
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3.
|
The
Register of Writs and other Originating Process of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands
kept at the Clerk of Court's Office, George Town, Grand Cayman, examined at 9.00am on
[Date].
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4.
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A
copy of a Certificate of Good Standing dated [Date] in respect of the Company issued
by the Registrar (the "Certificate
of Good Standing").
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5.
|
A
copy of executed written resolutions of the directors of the Company approving the offering
for sale of the Ordinary Shares dated [Date] (the "Resolutions").
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6.
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Copies
of the following documents (the "Documents"):
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(a)
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the
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, (Registration No. [Registration number])
initially filed on [Date] by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission registering the Units, Ordinary Shares and Warrants under the Securities
Act (as filed, the "Registration Statement");
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(b)
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a draft of the form of the warrant agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as warrant agent, and the warrant certificate constituting the Warrants (the "Warrant
Documents");
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(c)
|
a draft of the form of the unit certificate constituting the Units (the "Unit Certificate");
and
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(d)
|
a draft form of Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") to be entered
into between the Company the several underwriters listed therein.
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Exhibit 10.1
THIS PROMISSORY NOTE (THIS “NOTE”)
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED
FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE THEREOF UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY IN FORM, SCOPE AND SUBSTANCE TO MAKER (AS DEFINED BELOW) THAT SUCH
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
PROMISSORY NOTE
Principal Amount: up to $300,000
(as set forth on the Schedule of Borrowings
attached hereto)
Dated as of March 8, 2021
Hunt Companies Acquisition
Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company and blank check company (“Maker”), promises to pay to the order of
Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or its registered assigns or successors in interest (“Payee”),
or order, the principal sum of up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars U.S. dollars ($300,000) (as set forth on the Schedule of Borrowings
attached hereto) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and conditions described below. All payments on
this Note shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds or as otherwise determined by Maker to such account
as Payee may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Note.
1.
Principal. The principal balance of this Note shall be payable by Maker on the earlier
of (i) December 31, 2021 and (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities (the “IPO”).
The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any
officer, director, employee or shareholder of Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of Maker hereunder.
2.
Interest. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note.
3.
Drawdown Requests. Maker and Payee agree that Maker may request up to Three Hundred Thousand
U.S. Dollars ($300,000) for costs reasonably related to Maker’s initial public offering of its securities. The principal
of this Note may be drawn down from time to time prior to the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 and (ii) the date on which Maker
consummates an initial public offering of its securities, upon written request from Maker to Payee (each, a “Drawdown
Request”). Each Drawdown Request must state the amount to be drawn down, and must not be
an amount less than One Thousand U.S. Dollars ($1,000) unless agreed upon by Maker and Payee. Payee shall fund each Drawdown Request
no later than one (1) business day after receipt of a Drawdown Request; provided, however, that the maximum amount
of drawdowns collectively under this Note is Three Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars ($300,000). No fees, payments or other amounts
shall be due to Payee in connection with, or as a result of, any Drawdown Request by Maker.
4.
Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied first to payment in full of any
costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorney’s fees,
then to the payment in full of any late charges and finally to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note.
5.
Events of Default. The following shall constitute an event of default (an “Event
of Default”):
(a)
Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by Maker to pay the principal amount due pursuant to this Note within
five (5) business days of the date specified above.
(b)
Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by Maker of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law, or the consent by it to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part of its
property, or the making by it of any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure of Maker generally to pay its debts
as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
(c)
Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises
in respect of Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part of its property,
or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect
for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days.
6.
Remedies.
(a)
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a) hereof, Payee may, by written notice to Maker, declare
this Note to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable
thereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.
(b)
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 5(b) and 5(c), the unpaid principal balance of this Note,
and all other sums payable with regard to this Note, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable, in all cases without
any action on the part of Payee.
7.
Waivers. Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive
presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to this Note, all errors, defects
and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Payee under the terms of this Note, and all benefits that might accrue to Maker
by virtue of any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any
sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from
civil process, or extension of time for payment; and Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment
obtained by virtue hereof, on any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order
desired by Payee.
8.
Unconditional Liability. Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional,
without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time,
renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers
or modifications that may be granted by Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agrees that additional
makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without notice to Maker or affecting Maker’s liability
hereunder.
9.
Notices. All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated
by this Note shall be (i) in writing and delivered personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier
service or facsimile or electronic transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently
provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party and (iii) by electronic
mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated
in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery,
if delivered personally, on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission,
one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail.
10.
Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.
11.
Severability. Any provision contained in this Note which is prohibited or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate
or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
12.
Trust Waiver. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Payee hereby waives any
and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in or to any
distribution of or from the trust account to be established in which the proceeds of the IPO conducted by Maker (including the
deferred underwriters discounts and commissions) and certain of the proceeds of the sale of the warrants issued in a private placement
to occur in connection with the consummation of the IPO are to be deposited, as described in greater detail in the registration
statement and prospectus to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the IPO, and hereby agrees
not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.
13.
Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made
with, and only with, the written consent of Maker and Payee.
14.
Assignment. No assignment or transfer of this Note or any rights or obligations hereunder
may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party hereto
and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed by the undersigned
as of the day and year first written above.
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HUNT
COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
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a Cayman Islands exempted
company
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By:
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/s/ Ryan McCrory
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Name: Ryan McCrory
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Title: Head of Corporate
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[Signature Page
to Promissory Note – Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I]
SCHEDULE OF BORROWINGS
The following increases or decreases in
this Promissory Note have been made:
Date of Increase or
Decrease
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Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of
this Promissory Note
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Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of
this Promissory Note
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Principal Amount of
this Promissory Note
following such decrease
or increase
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Exhibit 10.5
HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
4401 North Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
March 8, 2021
Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC
4401 North Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
RE: Securities Subscription Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are pleased to accept
the offer Hunt Companies Sponsor, LLC (the “Subscriber” or “you”) has made to purchase 5,750,000
of Class B ordinary shares (the “Shares”), $0.0001 par value per share (the “Class B Ordinary
Shares” and, together with all other classes of the Company’s (as defined below) ordinary shares, the “Ordinary
Shares”), up to 750,000 Shares of which are subject to complete or partial forfeiture by you if the underwriters of the
initial public offering (“IPO”) of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the
“Company”), do not fully exercise their over-allotment option (the “Over-allotment Option”).
The terms (this “Agreement”) on which the Company is willing to sell the Shares to the Subscriber, and the Company
and the Subscriber’s agreements regarding the Shares, are as follows:
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1.1
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Subscription and Purchase of Shares. For the sum of $25,000 (the “Purchase Price”),
which the Company acknowledges receiving from or on behalf of the Subscriber, the Company hereby issues the Shares to the Subscriber,
and the Subscriber hereby subscribes for and purchases the Shares from the Company, 750,000 of which are subject to forfeiture,
on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to shares of the Company
being forfeited shall take effect as surrenders for no consideration of such shares as matter of Cayman Islands law.
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1.2
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Repurchase of Class B Ordinary Share. Prior to the issue of the Shares, the Company
hereby repurchases the one (1) Class B ordinary share held by the Subscriber following the incorporation of the Company
for the purchase price of $0.0001, on a fully paid basis.
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2.
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Representations, Warranties and Agreements.
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2.1
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Subscriber’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Company to
issue the Shares to the Subscriber, the Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the Company and agrees with the Company as
follows:
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2.1.1
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No Government Recommendation or Approval. The Subscriber understands that no federal or
state agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the offering of the Shares.
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2.1.2
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No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation
by the Subscriber of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the
certification of formation and the limited liability company agreement of the Subscriber, (ii) any agreement, indenture or
instrument to which the Subscriber is a party, (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Subscriber is
subject, or (iv) any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Subscriber is subject.
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2.1.3
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Organization and Authority. The Subscriber is a Delaware limited liability company, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and possesses all requisite power and authority necessary
to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Upon execution and delivery by you, this Agreement will be a legal,
valid and binding agreement of the Subscriber, enforceable against the Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement
of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in
a proceeding at law or in equity).
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2.1.4
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Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. The Subscriber is (i) sophisticated
in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Shares and (ii) able to bear
the economic risk of its investment in the Shares for an indefinite period of time because the Shares have not been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and therefore cannot be resold unless subsequently
registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Subscriber is capable of evaluating
the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests. The Subscriber must bear
the economic risk of this investment until the Shares are sold pursuant to (x) an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or (y) an exemption from registration available with respect to such sale. The Subscriber is able to bear the
economic risks of an investment in the Shares and to afford a complete loss of the Subscriber’s investment in the Shares.
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2.1.5
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Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement,
the Subscriber has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an
investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain
additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, the
Subscriber has relied solely on the Subscriber’s own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon
the Subscriber’s own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. The Subscriber
understands that no person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations which were not furnished
pursuant to this Section 2 and the Subscriber has not relied on any other representations or information in making its investment
decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations or its prospects.
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2.1.6
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Regulation D Offering. The Subscriber represents that it is an “accredited investor”
as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and acknowledges the sale contemplated
hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption applicable to “accredited investors” or similar exemptions
under federal and state law.
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2.1.7
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Investment Purposes. The Subscriber is purchasing the Shares solely for investment purposes,
for the Subscriber’s own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the
distribution or dissemination thereof. The Subscriber did not enter into this Agreement as a result of any general solicitation
or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
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2.1.8
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Restrictions on Transfer; Shell Company. The Subscriber understands the Shares are being
offered in a transaction not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Subscriber understands the
Shares will be “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and the Subscriber
understands that the certificate representing the Shares will contain a legend in respect of such restrictions. If in the future
the Subscriber decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Shares, the Shares may be offered, resold, pledged or
otherwise transferred only in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1 hereof. The Subscriber agrees that if any transfer
of the Shares or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, The Subscriber may
be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or an exemption, the
Subscriber agrees not to resell the Shares. The Subscriber further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144
may not be available to the Subscriber for the resale of the Shares until one year following consummation of the initial business
combination of the Company, despite technical compliance with the certain requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver
of any contractual transfer restrictions.
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2.1.9
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No Governmental Consents. No governmental, administrative or other third party consents
or approvals are required, necessary or appropriate on the part of the Subscriber in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
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2.2
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Company’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Subscriber to
purchase the Shares, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Subscriber and agrees with the Subscriber as follows:
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2.2.1
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Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a Cayman Islands exempted company and is
qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition, operating results or assets of the Company. The Company possesses all requisite corporate
power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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2.2.2
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No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation
by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the
certificate of incorporation or the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, (ii) any agreement, indenture or
instrument to which the Company is a party, (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject,
or (iv) any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject.
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2.2.3
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Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms
hereof, the Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment
pursuant to, the terms hereof the Subscriber will have or receive good title to the Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims
and encumbrances of any kind, other than (a) transfer restrictions hereunder and other agreements to which the Shares may
be subject which have been notified to the Subscriber in writing, (b) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities
laws, and (c) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of the Subscriber.
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2.2.4
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No Adverse Actions. There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending,
threatened against or affecting the Company which (i) seek to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise affect
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) question the validity or legality of any transactions or seek to recover
damages or to obtain other relief in connection with any transactions.
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3.1
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Partial or No Exercise of the Over-allotment Option. In the event the Over-allotment Option
granted to the representative of the underwriters of the IPO is not exercised in full, the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that
it shall forfeit any and all rights to such number of Shares (up to an aggregate of 750,000 Shares and pro rata based upon the
percentage of the Over-allotment Option exercised) such that immediately following such forfeiture, the Subscriber (and all other
initial shareholders prior to the IPO, if any) will own an aggregate number of Shares (not including Shares issuable upon exercise
of any warrants or any Ordinary Shares purchased by Subscriber in the IPO or in the aftermarket) equal to 20% of the issued and
outstanding Ordinary Shares immediately following the IPO.
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3.2
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Termination of Rights as Shareholder. If any of the Shares are forfeited in accordance with
this Section 3, then after such time the Subscriber (or successor in interest), shall no longer have any rights as a holder
of such Shares, and the Company shall take such action as is appropriate to cancel such Shares.
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4.
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Waiver of Liquidation Distributions; Redemption Rights. In connection with the Shares purchased
pursuant to this Agreement, the Subscriber hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions
by the Company from the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders and
into which substantially all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”), in the event
of a liquidation of the Company upon the Company’s failure to timely complete an initial business combination. For purposes
of clarity, in the event the Subscriber purchases Ordinary Shares in the IPO or in the aftermarket, any additional Ordinary Shares
so purchased shall be eligible to receive any liquidating distributions by the Company. However, in no event will the Subscriber
have the right to redeem any Shares for funds held in the Trust Account upon the successful completion of an initial business combination
by the Company.
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5.
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Restrictions on Transfer.
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5.1
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Restrictive Legends. All certificates representing the Shares shall have endorsed thereon
legends substantially as follows:
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“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED
HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES
NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN
THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, IS AVAILABLE.”
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED
BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO LOCKUP PROVISIONS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED
DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PERIOD.”
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5.2
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Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of the declaration of a share
dividend, the declaration of a special dividend payable in a form other than Ordinary Shares, a spin-off, a share split, an adjustment
in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares without
receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities or other property which are by reason of such transaction
distributed with respect to any Shares subject to this Section 5 or into which such Shares thereby become convertible shall
immediately be subject to this Section 5 and Section 3. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such securities
or property shall be made to the number or class of Shares subject to this Section 5 and Section 3.
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5.3
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Registration Rights. The Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares are being purchased pursuant
to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions
are met or they are registered pursuant to a Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement to be entered into with the Company
prior to the closing of the IPO.
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6.1
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Further Assurances. The Subscriber agrees to execute such further instruments and to take
such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
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6.2
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Notices. All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated by
this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered (i) personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight
courier service or facsimile or electronic transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number
most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party and (iii) by
electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may
be designated in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on
the day of delivery, if delivered personally, on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile
or electronic transmission, one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after
mailing if sent by mail.
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6.3
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Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with that certain Insider Letter and the Registration
Rights Agreement, each substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, embodies
the entire agreement and understanding between the Subscriber and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. No statement, representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect, or be used to interpret, change or restrict,
the express terms and provisions of this Agreement.
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6.4
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Modifications and Amendments. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified
or amended only by written agreement executed by all parties hereto.
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6.5
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Waivers and Consents. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, or consent
for the departure therefrom granted, only by written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions.
No such waiver or consent shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver or consent with respect to any other terms or provisions
of this Agreement, whether or not similar. Each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the purpose for which it was given, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or consent.
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6.6
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Assignment. The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by either
party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.
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6.7
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Benefit. All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement
shall be binding on the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each
party hereto. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto,
and no person or entity shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
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6.8
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Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts wholly performed within
the borders of such state, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.
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6.9
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Severability. In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that
any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement shall be unreasonable or unenforceable in any respect, then
such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent that such court deems it reasonable and enforceable, and as so limited shall
remain in full force and effect. In the event that such court shall deem any such provision, or portion thereof, wholly unenforceable,
the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.
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6.10
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No Waiver of Rights, Powers and Remedies. No failure or delay by a party hereto in exercising
any right, power or remedy under this Agreement, and no course of dealing between the parties hereto, shall operate as a waiver
of any such right, power or remedy of such party. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy under this Agreement
by a party hereto, nor any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce any such right, power or remedy, shall preclude such
party from any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. The election of
any remedy by a party hereto shall not constitute a waiver of the right of such party to pursue other available remedies. No notice
to or demand on a party not expressly required under this Agreement shall entitle the party receiving such notice or demand to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the party giving
such notice or demand to any other or further action in any circumstances without such notice or demand.
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6.11
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Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by the
parties hereto in this Agreement or in any other agreement, certificate or instrument provided for or contemplated hereby, shall
survive the execution and delivery hereof and any investigations made by or on behalf of the parties.
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6.12
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No Broker or Finder. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other that
no broker, finder or other financial consultant has acted on its behalf in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby in such a way as to create any liability on the other. Each of the parties hereto agrees to indemnify and hold the other
harmless from any claim or demand for commission or other compensation by any broker, finder, financial consultant or similar agent
claiming to have been employed by or on behalf of such party and to bear the cost of legal expenses incurred in defending against
any such claim.
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6.13
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Headings and Captions. The headings and captions of the various sections of this Agreement
are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions
hereof.
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6.14
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Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when
taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by
each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event
that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create
a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect
as if such signature page were an original thereof.
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6.15
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Construction. The words “include,” “includes,” and
“including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine,
feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to
include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,”
“hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation,
warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation,
warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant
relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached
will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant.
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6.16
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Mutual Drafting. This Agreement is the joint product of the Subscriber and the Company and
each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed
for or against any party hereto.
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7.
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Voting and Redemption of Shares. The Subscriber agrees to vote the Shares in favor of an
initial business combination that the Company negotiates and submits for approval to the Company’s shareholders and shall
not seek redemption with respect to such Shares. Additionally, the Subscriber agrees not to redeem any Shares in connection with
a redemption or tender offer presented to the Company’s shareholders in connection with an initial business combination negotiated
by the Company.
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[Signature Page Follows]
If the foregoing accurately
sets forth our understanding and agreement, please sign the enclosed copy of this Agreement and return it to us.
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Very truly yours,
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HUNT COMPANIES ACQUISITION CORP. I
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By:
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/s/ Ryan McCrory
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Name:
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Ryan McCrory
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Title:
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Head of Corporate
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Accepted and agreed this 3rd day of March, 2021.
HUNT COMPANIES SPONSOR, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Ryan McCrory
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Name:
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Ryan McCrory
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Title:
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Authorized Person
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[Signature
Page to Securities Subscription Agreement]
Exhibit 23.1
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the inclusion in this
Registration Statement of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I (the “Company”) on Form S-1 of our report dated
March 19, 2021, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as going concern,
with respect to our audit of the financial statements of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I as of March 8, 2021 and for
the period from March 2, 2021 (inception) through March 8, 2021, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is
part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in
such Prospectus.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Los Angeles, CA
March 19, 2021
Exhibit 99.1
CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE
In connection with the filing by Hunt Companies
Acquisition Corp. I of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being
named as a nominee to the board of directors of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I in the Registration Statement and any and all
amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and
any amendments thereto.
Dated: March 12, 2021
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/s/ John
P. Carey
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Name: John P. Carey
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Exhibit 99.2
CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE
In connection with the filing by Hunt Companies
Acquisition Corp. I of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being
named as a nominee to the board of directors of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I in the Registration Statement and any and all
amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and
any amendments thereto.
Dated: March 12, 2021
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/s/ Susan Harris
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Name: Susan Harris
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Exhibit 99.3
CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE
In connection with the filing by Hunt Companies
Acquisition Corp. I of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being
named as a nominee to the board of directors of Hunt Companies Acquisition Corp. I in the Registration Statement and any and all
amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and
any amendments thereto.
Dated: March 12, 2021
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/s/ David B. Rogers
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Name: David B. Rogers
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