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As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2021.
Registration No. 333- [ ]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
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510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 767-5576
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
R. Brad Martin
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 767-5576
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Keith Townsend
Jonathan M.A. Melmed
Kevin E. Manz
King & Spalding LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10036
(212) 556-2100
(212) 556-2222 — Facsimile
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Douglas S. Ellenoff, Esq.
Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10105
(212) 370-1300
(212) 370-7889 — Facsimile
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the 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. (Check one):
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 to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, and one-half of one Warrant(2)(4)
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28,750,000
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$10.00
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$287,500,000
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$31,366.25
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Shares of Class A common stock included as part of the Units(2)(4)
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28,750,000
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—
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—
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—(3)
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Warrants included as part of the Units(2)(4)
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14,375,000
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—
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—
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—(3)
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Total
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$287,500,000
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$31,366.25
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(1)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o). See “Underwriting.”
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(2)
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Includes 3,750,000 units, and 3,750,000 shares of Class A common stock and 1,875,000 warrants underlying such units, which may be issued on exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriter to cover overallotments, if any.
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(3)
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No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g).
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(4)
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Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
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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 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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The information in this 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 prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
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(Subject to Completion) April 7, 2021
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$250,000,000
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
25,000,000 Units
Riverview Acquisition Corp. is a recently formed blank check company that will seek to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this prospectus as our initial business combination.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. We are offering 25,000,000 units. Each unit has an offering price of $10.00 and consists of one share of our Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one whole share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus, and only whole warrants are exercisable. The warrants will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination or 12 months from the completion of this offering, and will expire five years after the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier upon redemption of our common stock or our liquidation, as described in this prospectus. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. We have also granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,750,000 units to cover overallotments, if any.
We will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of our Class A common stock upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account described below, including interest earned on the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding shares of Class A common stock that were sold as part of the units in this offering, which we refer to as our public shares, subject to the limitations described in “Proposed Business — Effecting Our Initial Business Combination.” If we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering, we will 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 any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and as further described herein.
Our sponsor, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock 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. We refer to these warrants as the private placement warrants throughout this prospectus.
Our initial holders purchased 7,187,500 shares of our Class B common stock (up to 937,500 shares of which are subject to forfeiture depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised). We refer to these shares of Class B common stock as the founder shares throughout this prospectus. The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as provided herein. Holders of our Class B common stock will have the right to elect all of our directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. On any other matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders, holders of our Class B common stock and holders of our Class A common stock will vote together as a single class, except as required by applicable law or stock exchange rule.
Currently, there is no public market for our units, Class A common stock or warrants. We have applied to list our units on Nasdaq under the symbol “RVACU”. Subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions described in “Description of Securities — Units”, the Class A common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, we anticipate the Class A common stock and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “RVAC” and “RVACW,” respectively.
We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page
34 of this prospectus. Investors will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in offerings conducted pursuant to Rule 419 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.
Public offering price
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$10.00
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$250,000,000
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Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
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$0.55
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$13,750,000
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Proceeds to us (before expenses)
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$9.45
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$236,250,000(2)
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(1)
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Cantor has agreed to defer until consummation of our initial business combination $8.75 million of their underwriting commissions (or approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full), which equals 3.5% of the gross proceeds from the units sold to the public, excluding any units purchased pursuant to the underwriter’s overallotment option, and 5.5% of the gross proceeds from the units sold to the public pursuant to Cantor’s overallotment option. This amount will be placed in the trust account and will be released to the underwriter only on completion of an initial business combination, as described in this prospectus. See the section titled “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriter.
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Of the proceeds we receive from this offering and a simultaneous private placement of warrants described in “Use of Proceeds,” $250,000,000 ($10.00 per share), or approximately $287,500,000 ($10.00 per share) if the underwriter exercises its overallotment option in full, will be deposited into a trust account in the United States maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. For a description of the trust account and the use of the funds in such account and interest generated thereby, see “Use of Proceeds” and “Proposed Business.”
The underwriter is offering the units on a firm commitment basis. The underwriter expects to deliver the units against payment on or about , 2021.
Sole Book-Running Manager
Cantor
The date of this prospectus is , 2021
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriter is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operation and prospects may have changed since that date.
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This summary provides an overview of selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our securities. You should carefully read the prospectus in its entirety before investing in our securities, including the information discussed under “Risk Factors” beginning on page
34 and our financial statements and notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus, all the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriter will not exercise its overallotment option.
As used in this prospectus:
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references to “we,” “us,” “company” or “our company” are to Riverview Acquisition Corp.;
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references to our “sponsor” are to Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The sole member of the sponsor is RBM Riverview, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The manager of RBM Riverview, LLC is RBM Venture Company. The President of RBM Venture Company is Mr. Scott Imorde;
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references to “initial holders” or “initial stockholders” are to our sponsor and any other holders of our founder shares immediately prior to this offering;
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references to “Cantor Fitzgerald” are to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., the underwriter of this offering;
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references to “founder shares” are to 7,187,500 shares of our Class B common stock held by our initial stockholders, which includes an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the overallotment option is not exercised by the underwriter;
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references to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and certain of our directors;
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references to our “public shares” are to shares of our Class A common stock 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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references to “public stockholders” refer to the holders of our public shares, which may include members of our management team if and to the extent they purchase public shares, provided that any such holder’s status as a “public stockholder” shall only exist with respect to such public shares;
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references to “private placement warrants” refer 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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Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus, and only whole warrants are exercisable. 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.
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General
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, reorganization, stock purchase, or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to in this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not selected any specific target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any target with respect to an initial business combination. To date, our efforts have been limited to administrative and organizational activities related to this offering.
We believe there are a number of enterprises that could be attractive merger partners for our company. While our management has unique operating and investment experience in a wide variety of industries, we intend to focus on consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, on the energy services and renewables sector and on the insurance and financial services sector. Our efforts will be focused on finding companies which we believe have significant growth prospects in an attractive industry with a clear and identifiable pathway to cash flow generation and growth. We intend to identify a target enterprise where our experience, relationships, and expertise will add value to the company’s strategic outlook and operations. We will be focused on generating attractive returns and creating value while adhering to the highest code of ethical conduct and governance practices.
Our Management Team
We are led by an experienced team of executives who have played important roles in helping build and grow profitable public and private businesses. Our management team has worked together on investments for years, and we operate with a shared set of core values.
We will seek to capitalize on the significant investment experience and contacts of R. Brad Martin, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer, Charles K. Slatery, our President and Chief Investment Officer, and William V. Thompson III, our Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, to identify, evaluate, acquire and operate a target business.
R. Brad Martin
R. Brad Martin, our Chairman and CEO, has significant experience in executive leadership, corporate strategy, public company governance, and entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Martin is the Retired Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated, having retired from Saks in 2007 after having served nearly 20 years as Chairman and CEO of that firm and its predecessor company. Martin was the lead investor in RBM Acquisition Company, an entity which acquired Saks’ predecessor business, Proffitt’s Incorporated in 1984. Martin became the Chief Executive Officer of Proffitt’s in 1989 when it was operating 10 stores and generating annual revenues of approximately $70 million. Over the subsequent decade, Proffitt’s grew to become one of the largest traditional department store businesses in the United States generating annualized revenues of approximately $4 billion. In 1998, Proffitt’s acquired Saks Holdings, merged it into Proffitt’s, and renamed the combined enterprise Saks Incorporated. While continuing to upgrade the Saks Fifth Avenue store base, Martin recognized the continuing consolidation of the mid-range department store industry and developed and executed a strategy to divest the traditional department store assets. Saks Incorporated shareholders received hundreds of millions of dollars of special dividends as a result of these transactions, and during the 18-year period when Martin served as CEO and Chairman of Proffitt’s/Saks, the value of its stock increased substantially.
In 1987, Martin co-founded Corporate Child Care Incorporated designed to serve the emerging market of employer-based childcare services. Martin was the company’s first CEO and recruited its long-term management team. Corporate Child Care grew successfully and became a public company trading on the NASDAQ under the name “Corporate Family Solutions.” The company subsequently merged with Bright Horizons to become part of the largest corporate-affiliated childcare company in the United States.
Martin has also served in a number of significant leadership roles on Boards of Directors of public companies.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive and Risk Committee of First Horizon National Corporation, a major regional banking company. While in that role, Martin helped lead First Horizon through the difficult times associated with the 2008 financial crisis.
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Martin joined the Board of lululemon athletica in early 2007 when it was a private company. He participated in lululemon’s successful IPO and was a member of its Board of Directors for five years, including serving as its Lead Director.
Martin has also previously served on the Board of Directors of Dillard’s, Gaylord Entertainment, and Ruby Tuesday. He chaired the Audit Committees at Dillard’s and Gaylord.
Martin also served as a member of the Board of Directors and Non-Executive Chairman of Chesapeake Energy—a major U.S. oil and gas producer. During his tenure at the company, Chesapeake overhauled its governance practices, recruited a new management team, improved its execution, and reduced its debt by billions of dollars. In the wake of the oil price collapse in March, 2020, related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Saudi Arabia/Russia supply disputes, Martin and his fellow directors oversaw Chesapeake’s entry into Chapter 11 proceedings and subsequent emergence on February 9, 2021, as a healthy enterprise with significant value preserved for its stakeholders.
Martin currently serves as Chairman of RBM Ventures, his family office, and as a member of the Board of Directors of FedEx Corporation where he chairs the Audit Committee. He is also Lead Director of the Board of Managers of Pilot/Flying J—North America’s largest travel center company owned jointly by a private family and Berkshire Hathaway.
Martin also serves as a strategic advisor to CVC, a global private equity firm, and co-chairs its U.S. Board of Advisors. He was integrally involved in facilitating a successful investment by CVC in Pilot/Flying J in 2007.
Martin has a record of involvement in philanthropic and not-for-profit activities. He chairs the Martin Family Foundation, which provides support for a variety of not-for-profit interests, was the founder of the privately funded “Hope 2 Hire” job-training program which operates in the Shelby County, Tennessee corrections system. He has served as the Interim President of the University of Memphis and was a five-term member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Martin is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Board of Trustees of the University of Memphis.
Martin holds a bachelors of science degree from the University of Memphis, a masters in business administration degree from Vanderbilt University, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Memphis.
Charles K. Slatery
Charles K. Slatery, our President and Chief Investment Officer, has over 40 years of experience in capital management, insurance operations, and private investments. Slatery is the Chairman and CEO of NFC Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor based in Memphis, Tennessee. Slatery is the Chairman and CEO of WT Holdings, Inc., a privately-owned insurance holding company based in Memphis, Tennessee. WT Holdings controls the following operating subsidiaries:
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Stillwater Insurance Company/Stillwater Property & Casualty Company, a 50-state personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile insurance based in Jacksonville, Florida. WT Holdings purchased Stillwater from Fidelity National Financial, Inc in 2012;
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Tri-State Consumer Insurance Company, a New York personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile underwriting based in Jericho, New York;
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Evergreen National Indemnity Company, a national property and casualty insurance company focused on landfill closure and post-closure and waste disposal surety programs based in Cleveland, Ohio.
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WT Holdings is also a 50% owner of Gramercy Indemnity Company, a specialty insurance company focused on niche insurance products based in New York, New York, where Slatery serves as a director.
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Slatery is the Chairman of the following private companies:
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WBL Corp, which controls National Fire and Casualty, Co, a municipal insurance company based in Bloomington, Illinois;
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Hollywood Feed, LLC, a multi-unit pet food and supply retail operation with 110 stores based in Memphis, Tennessee;
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Corrisoft, LLC, a telecommunications service provider to correctional/government agencies based in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Slatery also serves as a director of Tecton Group, LLC, a ketone-based performance drink company based in Memphis, Tennessee. He is also a director and former Chairman of St George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tennessee where he led the expansion of St George’s from a K-6 elementary school to a multi-campus K-12 school.
Slatery served as Vice President and was a principal at NewSouth Capital Management in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1985-2005. He is the former Chairman of Value Financial Services, Inc., a multi-unit financial services firm catering to the unbanked. Value Financial was sold to EZ Corp, a publicly traded company, in 2006. Mr Slatery is also the former Chairman of US Agencies, Inc, a personal lines property and casualty insurer focused on non-standard automobile insurance which was sold in 2007. He served as Chairman of Equity Bank SSB which was purchased by Triumph Bancorp, a publicly traded bank in Dallas, Texas.
Slatery holds a bachelors of arts degree from Wake Forest University and a masters in business administration in finance from the University of Tennessee. Slatery is a CFA charterholder.
William V. Thompson III
William V. Thompson III, our Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, has over 20 years of experience in capital management, insurance operations, and private investments. Thompson is the President and Chief Compliance Officer of NFC Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor based in Memphis, Tennessee. Thompson is also the Executive Vice President of WT Holdings, Inc, a privately-owned insurance holding company based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Thompson is the President of NFC Arizona Renewables, LLC, a renewable energy company based in Memphis, Tennessee, with dairy renewable natural gas operations in Arizona.
Thompson currently serves as a director of the following companies:
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Stillwater Insurance Company/Stillwater Property & Casualty Company, a 50-state personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile underwriting based in Jacksonville, Florida;
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Tri-State Consumer Insurance Company, a New York personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile underwriting based in Jericho, New York;
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ProAlliance Corporation, a surety insurance company focused on landfill reclamation and waste disposal surety based in Cleveland, Ohio;
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WBL Corp, which controls National Fire and Casualty, Co, a municipal insurance company based in Bloomington, Illinois;
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Corrisoft, LLC, a telecommunications service provider to correctional/government agencies based in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Thompson serves as a director of the Memphis/Shelby County Sports Authority and Memphis University School. He is a founder and board member of Slingshot Memphis.
Thompson served as Vice President at NewSouth Capital Management in Memphis, Tennessee from 2000-2006. He also served as Audit Committee Chair of the board of Equity Bank SSB which was purchased by Triumph Bancorp, a publicly traded bank in Dallas, Texas.
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Thompson holds a bachelors of science degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. Thompson is a CFA charterholder.
Our Board of Directors is comprised of Brad Martin, Charles Slatery, Mark Edmunds, Willie Gregory, and Leslie Starr Keating.
Mark Edmunds is a recently retired senior partner and Vice Chairman at Deloitte. He served as a director for Chesapeake Energy Corporation from August 2018 to February 2021, among numerous other professional and civic affiliations. Edmunds holds a B.B.A from The University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the AICPA and the Texas CPA Society.
Willie Gregory is currently the Director of Global Community Investment for NIKE, Inc. He is the current Board Chair for the Greater Memphis Chamber. Gregory graduated from Mississippi Valley State University and The University of Memphis.
Leslie Starr Keating is a recently retired EVP of Supply Strategy and Transformation for Advance Auto Parts. Prior to joining Advance, Keating served 31 years at PepsiCo, most recently as SVP Supply Chain. She has served as a director for SunOpta, Inc. since July 2019 and served as a director for Chesapeake Energy Corporation from September 2017 to February 2021. Keating holds a B.S. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an M.B.A. from Georgia State University.
In addition to our experienced and highly qualified management team and board, we have the support and guidance of a strategic advisor:
Anderee Berengian, our strategic advisor, is Chairman of Cie Digital, a Los Angeles-based venture studio which has helped to create and scale companies in a variety of industries such as gaming, ad tech, logistics, E-commerce, and fin tech. Berengian also serves as a strategic advisor to a number of private equity firms focused on enhancing the digital capabilities of portfolio companies. Berengian served on the boards of StyleHaul (acquired by RTL Group (RRTL)), Petco (IPO: WOOF), Titan (acquired by LINQ), ASAP Tire (acquired by TireRack), and others.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to identify, acquire, and complete our initial business combination with a company in order to further accelerate the growth of that company in the public markets. The target company can benefit from the managerial and operational experience of our management team, additional capital, and access to public securities markets. Our acquisition process will leverage our management team’s vast network of business and personal contacts, ranging from owners of private companies, directors of private and public companies, private equity and venture capital funds, investment banking relationships, commercial bank and lending relationships, attorneys, accountants, and personal friendships. Over the course of their careers, our management team has developed a broad network of diverse contacts that we believe will serve as a useful sources of acquisition opportunities. We plan to utilize the network and industry experience of our management team in seeking an initial business combination and employing our business combination strategy.
We anticipate that these various networks will provide our management team with a number of potential transaction candidates. Additionally, we anticipate numerous candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources such as private equity/venture capital firms and the broader investment banking community. Upon completion of this offering, our management team will proactively communicate with its network of relationships our desire to identify potential target companies that complement our competitive strengths and fall withing our general investment criteria.
We may pursue an initial business combination in any business or industry but expect to focus on a target in an industry where we believe our management team and founder’s expertise will provide us with a competitive advantage. Given the experience and network of our management team, we may decide to focus on consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, on the renewables and energy services sector, and/or on the insurance and financial services sector.
Consumer-Focused Enterprises, including E-Commerce
We believe the market opportunity for consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, is poised for continued growth through 2030, despite record growth experienced through the last two decades and the
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acceleration of this growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, personal consumption expenditures accounted for nearly 70% of total U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
Growth and strategic opportunities span the following industries:
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Promotions and experiences; and
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Other markets, including but not limited to, the e-commerce enablement software and diversified e-commerce markets.
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E-commerce end-markets are driving significant disruption while experiencing the emergence of a wide variety of secular trends, including:
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An increase in retail penetration and importance of e-commerce to traditional brick and mortar retailers;
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Improved customer comfort with transacting online, resulting in higher average order value and increased order frequency;
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A shift to omnichannel retail;
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A proliferation of direct-to-consumer brands that come to market quickly;
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An increase in the use of augmented and virtual reality in the shopping experience;
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A shift to product subscription models; and
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A large portion of value-conscious customers who are still underserved.
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Global supply chains have been disrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the shift to e-commerce. We expect this trend will continue after a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Renewables and Energy Services
We believe the energy and power sectors face unprecedented challenges in the coming years. With the backdrop of historic environmental challenges and sweeping industry structural change, the world’s demand for the reliable supply of energy continues to expand. While much of the existing energy and power infrastructure is aging, industry participants must keep up with the need for additional capacity, increased reliability, improved power/fuel quality, and lower environmental impact. We intend to focus our search for a target business in the energy technology arena targeting industries that require sustainable and innovative solutions to decarbonize in order to meet critical emission reduction objectives, including in the renewable energy, energy storage, mobility, advanced fuels, and carbon mitigation sectors. We believe that the next ten years will be a period of significant transformation in the energy industry as cultural preferences and regulatory edicts drive decarbonization and sustainability goals. Two ramifications of these trends will be (1) a continuing shift away from carbon intensive forms of electricity generation towards more renewable, carbon neutral generation capacity and (2) increased demand for electricity due to electrification of transportation, HVAC and other energy end uses. These trends will have potentially destabilizing impacts on the current transmission and distribution of electricity, a system which was set up to deliver dispatchable power. The anticipated increased burden and complexity of the distribution system will continue to generate significant opportunity for enhanced management of energy transportation and distribution systems to more effectively and responsibly meet demand. We believe that these challenges and dislocations will create attractive investment opportunities that we will look to take advantage of.
Within the energy industry, we intend to focus our efforts on the following segments:
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Renewables: As sustained structural shifts in U.S. power generation continue, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biofuels have attracted significant investment from many investors and operators. Continued growth in renewables and the equipment and technology providers enabling more efficient energy production, transportation and end-use applications is expected to incubate an attractive set of investment opportunities; and
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Energy Services Businesses: Services to the energy industry, such as energy transportation and logistics, and specialized services such as geophysical, completion services, drilling fluids, rentals, artificial lift, environmental services, specialty chemicals, seismic and water handling services.
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Insurance and Financial Services
Our large network of senior executives and presence across the banking and financial services sectors affords us leverageable insight into the strategic objectives and challenges the industry’s business leaders face, as well as the companies providing innovative technology solutions and services in response. This differentiated perspective has helped shape our investment themes, which are focused on two areas:
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Insurance Technology and Insurance Services: business models with unique products and/or customer acquisition strategies, including but not limited to business with specialized product design focused on regulatory capital arbitrage, with rollup opportunities among niche brokerage and agencies; and
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Financial Services: companies with durable business models, including service providers and technology companies that benefit from regulatory changes or systemic shifts in consumer or commercial preferences.
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Competitive Strengths
Management possesses a strong set of business strengths that uniquely positions them to successfully identify and acquire a target company. These capabilities are more particularly described below:
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Significant experience. Our principals have broad and deep business and investing experience which includes extensive investing in public and private equity, leading large businesses and serving on multiple public and private company boards.
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Deep relationships. Management has a wide network of contacts ranging from large family-owned businesses to private equity firms as well as relationships with a myriad of directors and CEOs of successful public companies.
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Thorough due diligence. Management has substantial experience in managing a due diligence process that emphasizes identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as determining the appropriate valuation.
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Skilled execution. Management has significant experience in sophisticated transaction construction that optimizes the capital structure of the business in order to achieve desired operating performance.
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Investment Criteria
As discussed above, we believe our management team’s extensive network and detailed understanding of the mechanics of a variety of industries will enable both flexible identification and a thorough vetting of target businesses. We will look to identify businesses with the following characteristics; this list is not exhaustive and target companies may include all, some, or none of these criteria:
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Growth potential. Are well-positioned for top line and margin growth achieved both organically as well as from potential strategic acquisitions.
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Competitive advantage. Possess a solid market share in their industry and continually focus on strengthening their competitive advantages.
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Strong Management Teams. Have a set of capable, experienced and ethical managers.
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Commitment to maximizing shareholder value as a publicly traded company. Have a clearly articulated strategy, effective operations, a strong culture, and a commitment to maximizing value while operating a strong governance framework.
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We believe our management team has the skills and experience to identify, evaluate and consummate a business combination and is positioned to assist businesses we acquire. However, our management team’s network of contacts, and its investing and operating experience, do not guarantee a successful initial business combination. The members of our management team are not required to devote any significant amount of time to our business and are involved with other businesses. We cannot guarantee that our current officers and directors will continue in their respective roles, or in any other role, after our initial business combination, and their expertise may only be of benefit to us until we complete our initial business combination. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate.
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Initial Business Combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, 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. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so 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 stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “Investment Company Act”. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial 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 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 stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.
In addition to any potential business candidates we may identify on our own, we anticipate that other target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment market participants, private equity funds and large business enterprises seeking to divest non-core assets or divisions.
In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct an extensive due diligence review which will 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.
Other Considerations
We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, nor are we prohibited from partnering, submitting joint bids, or entering into any similar transaction with our sponsor, or an affiliate of our sponsor, in the pursuit of an initial business combination. If we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company or we partner with our sponsor, or any of its affiliates in our pursuit of an initial business combination, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm with respect to fair market value that the business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view.
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As more fully discussed in “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 pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present such business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such business combination opportunity to us. Certain of our directors currently have relevant fiduciary duties or contractual obligations that may take priority over their duties to us.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or 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, or 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 stockholder 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 common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Our executive offices are located at 510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38117 and our telephone number is (901) 767-5576.
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In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of the members of our management team, but also, among other things, 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 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 “Risk Factors” beginning on page
34 of this prospectus.
Securities offered
25,000,000 units (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriter’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of:
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one share of Class A common stock; and
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one-half of one warrant.
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Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market symbols
Units: “RVACU” Common Stock: “RVAC” Warrants: “RVACW”
Trading commencement and separation of common stock and warrants
We anticipate the units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The Class A common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Cantor Fitzgerald informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject, in each case, 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. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into shares of common stock 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.
Separate trading of the common stock and warrants is prohibited until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
In no event will our Class A common stock and warrants be traded separately until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds from this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the completion of this offering, which we anticipate will take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the underwriter exercises its overallotment option following the initial filing of such Current Report, we will file a second or amended Current Report to provide updated financial information reflecting that exercise.
Units:
Number of units outstanding before this offering
0
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Number of units to be outstanding after this offering and the private placement
25,000,000(1)(2)
Common stock:
Number of shares outstanding before this offering
7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock(3)
Number of shares outstanding after this offering
31,250,000 shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock(2)(5)
Warrants:
Number of warrants outstanding before this offering
0
Number of private placement warrants to be sold simultaneously with this offering
7,400,000(4)
Number of warrants outstanding after this offering and private placement
19,900,000(6)
Exercisability
Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of our Class A common stock and only whole warrants are exercisable.
Exercise price
$11.50 per share, subject to adjustments as described herein. In addition, if (x) we issue additional share of Class A common stock 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 share of common stock (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
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common shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described adjacent to “Redemption of warrants” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
Exercise period
The warrants will become exercisable on the later of:
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30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination, or
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12 months from the completion of this offering;
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provided that no warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock is available, and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder.
We are not registering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants at this time. However, 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 reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC, and within 60 business days following our initial business combination to have declared effective, a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock 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 common stock 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, 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,
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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 best 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 time, five years after the consummation of our initial business combination or earlier upon our failure to consummate a business combination within 24 months of completion of the offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or redemption of our common stock or our 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
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as set forth in this prospectus with respect to the private placement warrants):
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in whole and not in part;
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at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
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upon a minimum of 30 days prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period; and
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if, and only if, the last sale price of our Class A common stock (or the closing bid price of our Class A common stock in the event the shares of Class A common stock are not traded on any specific trading day) equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
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We will not redeem the warrants unless a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares is available throughout the 30-day redemption period, except if the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our best efforts to register or qualify such shares of common stock under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in this offering.
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
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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 stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Class A common stock 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 shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Class A common stock 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.
None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Election of directors; voting rights
Prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, only holders of our Class B common stock will have the right to vote on the election of directors. Holders of the Class A common stock will not be entitled to vote on the election of directors during such time. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may only be amended if approved by a majority of at least 90% of our common stock voting at a stockholder meeting. With respect to any other matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including any vote in connection with our initial business combination, except as required by applicable law or stock exchange rule, holders of our Class A common stock and holders of our Class B common stock will vote together as a single class, with each share entitling the holder to one vote.
Founder shares
In February 2021, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, purchased 5,750,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 shares of Class B common stock, resulting in 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. Prior to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The number of founder shares was determined based on the expectation that the founder shares would represent 20% of the aggregate of our founder shares and our issued and outstanding public shares after this offering. If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a stock dividend or share contribution back to capital, as applicable, with respect to our Class B common stock immediately prior to the consummation of this offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our sponsor at 20% of the
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aggregate of our founder shares and our issued and outstanding public shares after this offering. Up to 937,500 founder shares will be subject to forfeiture by our sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised so that founder shares represent 20% of the aggregate of our founder shares and our issued and outstanding public shares after this offering.
The founder shares are identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the units being sold in this offering, except that:
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only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the election of directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination;
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the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below;
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our initial stockholders, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed: (1) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them, as applicable, in connection with the completion of our initial business combination; (2) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and public shares held by them in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we have not consummated our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering; and (3) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within 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 24 months). If we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, our initial stockholders, officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, we would need 9,375,001, or 37.5%, of the 25,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination
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(assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the option to purchase additional units is not exercised) in order to have such initial business combination approved;
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the founder shares are automatically convertible into shares of our Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment pursuant to certain anti-dilution rights, as described in more detail below; and
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the holders of the founder shares are entitled to registration rights.
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Transfer restrictions on founder shares
Our initial stockholders, officers and directors have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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 (iii) the date on which we complete a subsequent transaction (A) resulting in our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities or (B) involving a consolidation, merger or similar transaction that results in change in the majority of our board of directors or management team in which the company is the surviving entity. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our sponsor with respect to any founder shares. We refer to such transfer restrictions throughout this prospectus as the lock-up. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with an initial business combination, the initial holders may transfer, assign or sell their founder shares with our consent to any person or entity that agrees in writing to be bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in the prior sentence.
Founder shares conversion and anti-dilution rights
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of our initial business combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of
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Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock issued and outstanding upon completion of this offering, plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with our initial business combination, excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in our initial business combination. Holders of founder shares may also elect to convert their shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment as provided above, at any time. The term “equity-linked securities” refers to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock issued in a financing transaction in connection with our initial business combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt. Securities could be “deemed issued” for purposes of the conversion rate adjustment if such shares are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of convertible securities, warrants or similar securities.
Private placement warrants
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 private placement warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the completion of this offering. Each whole placement warrant is exercisable to purchase one whole share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to the private placement warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate a business combination within the allotted 24-month period.
Our initial holders have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their private placement warrants (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period.
Transfer restrictions on placement warrants
The private placement warrants and their underlying securities will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination except to permitted transferees. The private placement warrants will be non-redeemable so
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long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees. If the private placement warrants are held by someone other than our sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering.
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 shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Class A common stock 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 an initial 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 prohibit 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 stockholders who could sell the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants freely in the open market, the insiders could be significantly restricted from doing so. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
Proceeds to be held in trust account
The rules of Nasdaq provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the private placement be deposited in a trust account. Of the net proceeds we will receive from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants described in this prospectus, $250.0 million ($10.00 per unit), or approximately $287.5 million ($10.00 per unit) if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be deposited into a segregated trust account located in the United States at JP Morgan & Co. with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee and $1.0 million will be used to pay expenses in connection with the closing of this offering and for working capital following this offering. The proceeds to be placed in the
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trust account include $8.75 million (or up to $10.81 million if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting commissions.
Except for any interest income released to us to pay franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses, none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) subject to applicable law; or (iii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option). 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 stockholders.
Anticipated expenses and funding sources
Unless and until we complete our initial business combination, no proceeds held in the trust account, other than interest earned on the funds held in the trust account used to pay franchise and income taxes and an amount up to $100,000 for liquidation expenses, will be available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business. The funds in the trust account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds that meet certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act and that invest only in direct U.S. government obligations.
Based upon current interest rates, we expect the trust account to generate approximately $250,000 of interest annually (assuming an interest rate of 0.10% 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 such interest withdrawn from the trust account and:
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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 initially will be approximately $1,250,000 in working capital after the payment of approximately $1,150,000 in expenses relating to this offering; and
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any loans or additional investments from our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties, although they are under no obligation or other duty to loan funds to, or invest in, us, and provided that 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. If we complete our initial business combination, we expect to 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 to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of all loans made to us by our sponsor, an affiliate of our sponsor or our officers and directors may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender at the time of the business combination. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants issued to our sponsor.
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Conditions to consummating our initial business combination
There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. Subject to the Nasdaq requirement that our initial business combination must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time we sign a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses. We do not currently intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination, although there is no assurance that will be the case. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, 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. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately, or through loans in connection with our initial business combination.
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We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so 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 stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial 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 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 stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.
Permitted purchases of public shares by our affiliates
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their respective affiliates may purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination, although as of the date of this prospectus (apart from the purchase of the private placement warrants) they have no commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions. If they do effect such purchases, we anticipate that they would approach a
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limited number of large holders of our securities that have voted against the business combination or sought redemption of their shares, or that have indicated an intention to do so, and engage in direct negotiations for the purchase of such holders’ positions. All holders approached in this manner would be institutional or sophisticated holders. There is no limit on the number of shares they may acquire. Our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act or in transactions that would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10(b)-5 under the Exchange Act. Although they do not currently anticipate paying any premium purchase price for such public shares, there is no limit on the price they may pay.
They may also enter into transactions to provide such holders with incentives to acquire shares or vote their shares in favor of an initial business combination. No funds in the trust account may be used to effect purchases of shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
Redemption rights for public stockholders upon consummation of our initial business combination
We will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing deferred underwriting commissions and interest earned on the trust account not previously released to us, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account initially will be $10.00 per public share. There will be no redemption rights upon the consummation of our initial business combination with respect to our warrants. The initial holders, and our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our directors and officers have also agreed to
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waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders, our officers and directors will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period.
Manner of conducting redemptions
We will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the business combination or by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder 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 stockholder approval under the law or stock exchange listing requirement.
We currently intend to conduct redemptions pursuant to a stockholder vote unless stockholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other reasons.
If a stockholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:
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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.
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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 shares of our Class A common stock in the open market, in order to comply with Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act.
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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 stockholders not tendering more than a specified number of public shares, which number will be based on the requirement that we may not redeem public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets, after payment of the deferred underwriting commissions, 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 which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If public stockholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete such initial business combination.
If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, 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.
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We expect that a final proxy statement would be mailed to public stockholders at least 10 days prior to the stockholder vote. However, we expect that a draft proxy statement would be made available to such stockholders well in advance of such time, providing additional notice of redemption if we conduct redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation. Although we are not required to do so, we currently intend to comply with the substantive and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A in connection with any stockholder vote even if we are not able to maintain our Nasdaq listing or Exchange Act registration.
If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting. Our initial stockholders, officers and directors will count towards this quorum and have agreed to vote any founder shares and any public
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shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination. We expect that at the time of any stockholder vote relating to our initial business combination, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees will own at least 25.0% of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote thereon (excluding the shares underlying the private placement warrants). As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, we would need 9,375,001, or 37.5%, of the 25,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of a transaction (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the option to purchase additional units is not exercised) in order to have such initial business combination approved. These quorum and voting thresholds and agreements may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination and, in any event, the terms of the proposed business combination may require our net tangible assets to be greater than $5,000,001. For example, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or members of its management team, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the allocation of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. If the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A common stock that are validly tendered plus the amount of any cash payments required pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceeds the aggregate amount of cash available to us, taking into consideration the requirement that we maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 or such greater amount depending on the terms of our potential business combination, we will not consummate the business combination and any shares of common stock tendered pursuant to the tender offer will be returned to the holders thereof following the expiration of the tender offer.
Tendering share certificates in connection with a tender offer or redemption rights
We may require our public stockholders 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 tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve our initial business
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combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, 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, rather than simply voting against the initial business combination. The tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements, which will include the requirement that any beneficial owner on whose behalf a redemption right is being exercised must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares.
Limitation on redemption rights of stockholders holding 20.0% or more of the shares sold in the offering if we hold stockholder vote
Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder 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 an aggregate of 20.0% or more of the shares sold in this offering without our prior consent. We believe the restriction described above will discourage stockholders 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 sponsor or its affiliates to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 20.0% 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 or our sponsor or its affiliates at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem to no more than 20.0% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders 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 stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those stockholders that hold more than 20.0% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination.
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Redemption rights in connection with proposed amendments to our certificate of incorporation
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that any of its provisions related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of units into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances and to provide redemption rights to public stockholders as described herein) may be amended if approved by holders of at least 65% of our common stock, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders of 65% of our common stock. In all other instances (other than the election of directors), our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that it may be amended by holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote thereon, subject to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, or applicable stock exchange rules. Prior to an initial business combination, we may not issue additional securities that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or on our initial business combination or that would entitle holders thereof to receive funds from the trust account. Our initial stockholders, who will beneficially own approximately 20.0% of our common stock upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering), may participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they may choose. Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window, unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock 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, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. Our initial stockholders, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the completion of our
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initial business combination. Any permitted transferees would be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements as our initial stockholders with respect to any founder shares.
Release of funds in trust account on closing of our initial business combination
On the closing of our initial business combination, all amounts held in the trust account will be used to pay amounts due to any public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights as described above under “Redemption rights for public stockholders upon consummation of our initial business combination,” to pay the underwriter its deferred underwriting discounts, 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 we use our equity or debt securities as consideration for our initial business combination, or we do not use all of the funds released from the trust account for payment of the purchase price, we may apply the excess funds for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, including loans made to us by our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties as described under “— Anticipated expenses and funding sources”, 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 sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we will have only 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) to consummate our initial business combination. If we have not consummated a business combination within 24 months from the completion 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 all public shares then outstanding at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to
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our obligations under Delaware 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 complete our initial business combination within such completion window.
The initial holders, our officers and directors agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our directors and officers have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders and our directors and officers will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination within the 24-month period.
The underwriter has agreed to waive its rights to deferred underwriting commissions held in the trust account if we do not consummate a business combination and subsequently liquidate and, in such event, the deferred underwriting commissions held in the trust account will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares.
Our initial stockholders, executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock 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
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trust account and not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of 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 are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules).
We will pay the costs of any liquidation from the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust, and up to $100,000 of the interest income on the trust account (net of any taxes payable), and the balance of loans from our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties for working capital purposes and to pay expenses to identify an acquisition target and consummate initial business combination, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purposes. If such funds are insufficient, our sponsor has agreed to pay the balance of liquidation expenses and has agreed not to seek repayment for such amounts.
Limited payments to insiders
There will be no finder’s fees, reimbursements or cash payments made to our sponsor or any of our officers or directors, or any entity with which they are affiliated for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, other than:
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repayment of loans from Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC to us to fund organization costs and costs of this offering which will be repaid upon closing of this offering from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement, and loans from our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties, if any, to fund costs to identify an acquisition target and consummate an initial business combination, which will be repaid upon the closing of a business combination (See “— Anticipated expenses and funding sources”). Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC has committed to loan us up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering ($42,500 of which has been loaned as of February 18, 2021). These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of this offering. Up to $1,500,000 of these 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;
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reimbursement for secretarial support and administrative services provided to us by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor, in an amount up to $5,000 per month; and
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reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and
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consummating an initial business combination, provided that no proceeds of this offering held in the trust account may be applied to the payment of such expenses prior to the consummation of a business combination.
Prior to the appointment of our audit committee, our independent directors must approve all payments in excess of $5,000 to any initial holder, our directors and officers or any entity with which they are affiliated. Following this offering, our audit committee will need to approve any such payments.
Audit Committee
On or before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will have an audit committee which will, among other things, monitor compliance with the terms described above and the other terms relating to this offering. The audit committee will be responsible for taking all actions necessary to rectify any noncompliance that is identified or otherwise to cause compliance with the terms of this offering. See “Management — Board Committees — Audit Committee.”
Indemnification
The Sponsor has agreed that, if the trust account is liquidated without the consummation of a business combination, it will indemnify us to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or any claims by a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below $10.00 per public share, except for any claims by any third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account, regardless of whether such waiver is enforceable, and except for claims arising from our obligation to indemnify the underwriter of this offering pursuant to the underwriting agreement for this offering. 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 believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. We believe the likelihood of our sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all third parties that provide products or services to us and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account.
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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 Nasdaq 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 common stock 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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Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC and its affiliates manage a number of funds, separate accounts and other investment vehicles that may compete with us for business combination opportunities;
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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; and
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our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading.
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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.
Balance Sheet Data:
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Working capital (deficit)
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$(18,500)
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Total assets
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67,500
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Total liabilities
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43,500
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Stockholders’ equity
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24,000
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If we do not consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), the proceeds held in the trust account, including the deferred underwriting commissions, and interest earned on the trust account (less interest released to us for the payment of taxes or up to $100,000 in interest for dissolution expenses), will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares. Our initial holders have agreed, with respect to their founder shares to waive their redemption rights if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within such 24-month period.
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An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risks described below and all of the other information set forth in this prospectus before deciding to invest in our units. If any of the events or developments described below occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We are a newly formed company with no operating history and no revenue and, accordingly, you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a newly formed company with no operating history and no revenue. We will not commence operations until we obtain funding through this offering and consummate our initial business combination. Because we lack an operating history, you have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective of acquiring one or more operating businesses. We have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective target business concerning a business combination and may be unable to complete a business combination. If we fail to complete a 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.”
At February 18, 2021, we had $25,000 in cash and a working capital deficit of $18,500. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and 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 of 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.
Our public stockholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination, unless such vote is required by law or Nasdaq, which means we may consummate our initial business combination even though a majority of our public stockholders do not support such a combination.
We may not hold a stockholder vote to approve our initial business combination unless the business combination would require stockholder approval under applicable state law or the rules of Nasdaq or if we decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons. For example, Nasdaq rules currently allow us to engage in a tender offer in lieu of a stockholder meeting but would still require us to obtain stockholder approval if we were seeking to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares to a target business as consideration in any business combination. Therefore, if we structure a business combination that requires us to issue more than 20% of our outstanding shares, we would seek stockholder approval of such business combination. However, except as required by law, the decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination 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 stockholder approval. Accordingly, we may consummate our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock do not approve of the business combination we consummate.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, our sponsor, directors and officers have agreed to vote in favor of such initial business combination, regardless of how our public stockholders vote.
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares they hold in favor of our initial business combination. Holders of founder shares will own 20.0% of our common stock immediately following completion of this offering. Accordingly, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination, it is more likely that the necessary stockholder approval will be received than would be the case if holders of founder shares agreed to vote their founder shares and public shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by our public stockholders.
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Your ability 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, unless we seek stockholder approval of the business combination.
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 consummate a business combination without seeking stockholder approval, public stockholders may not have the right to vote on the business combination unless we seek such stockholder vote. Accordingly, your ability to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to exercising your redemption rights with respect to a proposed business combination.
The ability of our public stockholders to redeem their shares for cash may make us unattractive to potential business combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into a business combination with a target.
We may enter into a 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. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires us to provide all of our stockholders with an opportunity to redeem all of their shares in connection with the consummation of any initial business combination, although our sponsor, directors and officers and each holder of private placement warrants has agreed to waive his, her or its respective redemption rights with respect to founder shares, and in the case of the initial holders, public shares held by him, her or it in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Consequently, if accepting all properly submitted redemption requests would cause our net tangible assets to be less than the amount necessary to satisfy a closing condition as described above, or less than the $5,000,001 minimum of tangible net assets which we are required to maintain, we would not proceed with such redemption and the related business combination. Prospective targets would be aware of these risks and, thus, may be reluctant to enter into a business combination transaction with us.
The ability of our stockholders to exercise redemption rights may not allow us to consummate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
In connection with the consummation of our business combination, we may redeem up to that number of shares of common stock that would permit us to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination. However, we may be required to maintain significantly larger amounts of cash depending upon the terms of the business combination. Accordingly, we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of stockholders exercise their redemption rights than we expect. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
The ability of our public stockholders 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 stock.
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 increases. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate the trust account. If you are in need of immediate liquidity, you could attempt to sell your stock in the open market; however, at such time our stock 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 stock in the open market.
The requirement that we maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash could increase the probability that we will be unable to complete a proposed business combination and that you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your stock.
If, pursuant to the terms of our proposed business combination, we are required to maintain a minimum net worth or retain a certain amount of cash in trust in order to consummate the business combination, the ability of our public shareholders to cause us to redeem their shares in connection with such proposed transaction will
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increase the risk that we will not meet that condition and, accordingly, that we will not be able to complete the proposed transaction. If we do not complete a proposed business combination, you would not receive your pro rata portion of the trust account until we liquidate or you are able to sell your stock in the open market. If you were to attempt to sell your stock in the open market at that time, the price you receive could represent a discount to the pro rata amount in our 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.
The requirement that we complete a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination and may decrease our ability to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets as we approach our dissolution deadline, which could undermine our ability to consummate a business combination on terms that would produce value for our stockholders.
Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware that we must consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option). Consequently, such target businesses may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete a business combination with it, we may be unable to identify another target business and complete a business combination with any target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the end of the 24-month period. Depending upon when we identify a potential target business, we may have only a limited time to conduct due diligence and may enter into a business combination on terms that we might have rejected upon a more comprehensive investigation.
We may not be able to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion 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 must complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option). 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 to grow 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 a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering, or earlier, at the discretion of our board pursuant to the expiration of a tender offer conducted in connection with a failed business combination, 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 all public shares then outstanding at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us for the payment of taxes or dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
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 the 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
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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.
If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, our warrants will expire worthless.
Our outstanding warrants may not be exercised until after the completion of our initial business combination and are not entitled to participate in the redemption of the shares of our Class A common stock conducted in connection with the consummation of our business combination. Accordingly, our warrants will expire worthless if we are unable to consummate a business combination within the 24-month period, or earlier if our board resolves to liquidate and dissolve in connection with a failed business combination.
If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination, our sponsor, directors, officers and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares of common stock from public stockholders, in which case they may influence a vote in favor of a proposed business combination that you do not support.
If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their respective affiliates may purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination. Our sponsor, directors, officers and their respective affiliates may also enter into transactions with stockholders and others to provide them with incentives to, among other things, acquire shares of our common stock or vote their shares in favor of an initial business combination. Our directors, officers or their affiliates will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act or in a transaction which would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10(b)-5 under the Exchange Act. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from public stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares.
If a stockholder 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 tender offer rules or proxy rules, as applicable, when conducting redemptions in connection with our initial business combination. Despite our compliance with these rules, if a stockholder fails
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to receive our tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, such stockholder may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem its shares. In addition, the tender offer documents or proxy 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 tender or redeem public shares. For example, we may require our public stockholders 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 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 materials, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with these procedures, its shares may not be redeemed. Please see “Proposed Business — Tendering stock certificates in connection with redemption rights.”
You will not have any rights to or interest in funds from the trust account, except under limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to sell your shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the consummation of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), subject to applicable law; (iii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option); or (iv) otherwise upon our liquidation or in the event our board of directors resolves to liquidate the trust account and ceases to pursue the consummation of a business combination prior to the expiration of the 24-month period (our board of directors may determine to liquidate the trust account prior to such expiration if it determines, in its business judgment, that it is improbable within the remaining time that we will be able to identify an attractive business combination or satisfy regulatory and other business and legal requirements to consummate a business combination). In addition, if our plan to redeem our public shares if we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the date of this offering is not consummated for any reason, Delaware law may require that we submit a plan of dissolution to our then-existing stockholders for approval prior to the distribution of the proceeds held in our trust account. In that case, public stockholders may be forced to wait beyond 24 months before they receive funds from our trust account. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in the trust account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of many other blank check companies.
Since we intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to complete an initial business combination with a target business that has not been identified, 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 $5.0 million upon the completion of this offering 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 under the Securities Act. 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 a business combination than would companies subject to Rule 419. Moreover, offerings subject to Rule 419 would prohibit the release of any interest earned on funds held in the trust account to us, except in connection with our consummation of an initial business combination. For a more detailed comparison of our offering to offerings that comply with Rule 419, please see “Proposed Business — Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419.”
If we seek stockholder approval of our business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, a stockholder, or a “group” of stockholders, who are deemed to hold an aggregate of 20.0% or more of our common stock may not redeem any shares they hold that equal or exceed such 20.0% amount.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate
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of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to shares in excess of 20.0% or more of the shares sold in this offering. We refer to such shares in excess of 20.0% or more of the shares sold in the offering as “Excess Shares”. Your inability to redeem any Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to consummate a 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 consummate our business combination. As a result, you would continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 20.0% (less one share) and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell them in open market transactions, 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 a business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, you may receive only $10.00 per share from our redemption of your shares, 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, 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. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only $10.00 per share from our redemption of our shares, and our warrants will expire worthless.
If the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants not being held in the trust account are insufficient, it could limit the amount available to fund our search for a target business or businesses and complete our initial business combination and we will depend on loans from our sponsor or management team to fund our search, to pay our taxes and to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to obtain such loans, we may be unable to complete our initial business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants, only approximately $1,250,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. In the event that our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,150,000, 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 $1,150,000, the amount of funds we intend to be held outside the trust account would increase by a corresponding amount. If we are required to seek additional capital, we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, management team or other third parties to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Neither our sponsor, members of our management team nor any of their respective affiliates is under any obligation or other duty to loan funds to us in such circumstances. Any such loans would be repaid only from funds held outside the trust account or from funds released to us upon completion of our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. In such case, our public stockholders may receive only $10.00 per share, or less in certain circumstances, and our warrants will expire worthless. Please 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 stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors herein.
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Subsequent to consummation 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 our stock price, 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 examination will uncover all material risks that may be presented by a particular target business, or that factors outside of the target business and outside of our control will not later arise. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies the principal risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. As a result, from time to time following our initial business combination, we may be forced to write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. 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.
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 stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
Placing 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, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, 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, claims for fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving 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 without a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any available alternative. If we do not obtain a waiver from a third party, we will obtain the written consent of our sponsor before entering into an agreement with such third party.
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 management believes to be significantly superior to those of other consultants who would execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver and where our sponsor executes a written consent. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason. Upon redemption of our public shares, if we are unable to complete a business combination within the required time frame, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with a business combination, we will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the 10 years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders could be less than the $10.00 per share initially held in the trust account due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to a written agreement, the sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriter of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Moreover, if 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. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure you that it would be able to satisfy those obligations.
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Our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders.
If proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per public share and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy his obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against our sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.
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. 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 stockholders 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 stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’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.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy 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 stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. In addition, by making distributions to public stockholders before making provision for creditors, 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 for punitive damages.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of our stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the trust account to our public stockholders, we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by our stockholders in connection with our liquidation may be reduced.
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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;
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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.
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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 180 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: (i) the completion of our primary business objective, which is a business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide for the redemption of our public shares in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window; and (iii) absent a business combination, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public stockholders 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 consummate our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may receive only approximately $10.00 per share on the liquidation of our trust account and our warrants will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, our public stockholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares. Please 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 stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share” and other risk factors herein.
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Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments, including in particular, reporting and other requirements under the Exchange Act. 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 result in fines, injunctive relief or similar remedies which could be costly to us or limit our ability to complete an initial business combination or operate the post-combination company successfully.
Our stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If a corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. However, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following our 24th month if we do not consummate an initial business combination and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures.
Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the 10 years following our dissolution. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers or investment bankers) or prospective target businesses. If our plan of distribution complies with Section 281(b) of the DGCL, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would likely be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend beyond the third anniversary of such date. Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares if we do not consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidation distribution.
We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we consummate a business combination.
We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we consummate a business combination (unless required by Nasdaq), and thus may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL, which requires that an annual meeting of stockholders be held for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with a company’s bylaws unless directors are elected by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to our consummation of a business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211(c) of the DGCL.
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We are not registering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securities laws at this time, and such registration may not be in place when an investor desires to exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to exercise its warrants and causing such warrants to expire worthless.
We are not registering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act or any state securities laws at this time. However, under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such shares and maintain a current prospectus relating to the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and to use our best efforts to take such action as is necessary to register or qualify for sale, in those states in which the warrants were initially offered by us, the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to the extent an exemption is not available. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. If the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered under the Securities Act, we will be required to permit holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the warrant agreement. However, except as specified in the warrant agreement, in no event will we be required to issue cash, securities or other compensation in exchange for the warrants if we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws. If the issuance of the shares upon exercise of the warrants is not so registered or qualified, the warrant holder will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant 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 shares of Class A common stock included in the units. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification.
If you exercise your public warrants on a “cashless basis,” you will receive fewer shares of Class A common stock from such exercise than if you were to exercise such warrants for cash.
There are circumstances in which the exercise of the public warrants may be required or permitted to be made on a cashless basis. First, if a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of our initial business combination, warrantholders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Second, if our Class A common stock is at any 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, 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 best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. Third, if we call the public warrants for redemption, our management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a cashless basis. In the event of an exercise on a cashless basis, a holder would pay the warrant exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (as defined in the next sentence) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” is the average reported last sale price of the Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent or on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, as applicable. As a result, you would receive fewer shares of Class A common stock from such exercise than if you were to exercise such warrants for cash.
The grant of registration rights to our initial holders and purchasers of private placement warrants may make it more difficult to complete our initial business combination, and the future exercise of such rights may reduce the market price of our Class A common stock.
Pursuant to an agreement to be entered into concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, the initial holders and their permitted transferees and purchasers of private placement warrants can demand that we register the founder shares, private placement warrants and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants. These registration rights will be exercisable at any time
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commencing upon the date that such shares are released from transfer restrictions (as discussed under “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants”). We will bear the cost of registering these securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may reduce the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, the existence of the registration rights may make our initial business combination more costly or difficult to conclude because the stockholders 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 Class A common stock that is expected when the securities owned by our initial holders or their permitted transferees are registered.
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.
Although we expect to focus on consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, on the energy services and renewables sector and on the insurance and financial services sector, our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. 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 may face risks related to financial services businesses.
Business combinations with financial services businesses may involve special considerations and risks. If we complete our initial business combination with a financial services business, we will be subject to the following risks, any of which could be detrimental to us and the business we acquire:
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if the company or business we acquire provides products or services which relate to the facilitation of financial transactions, such as funds or securities settlement system, and such product or service fails or is compromised, we may be subject to claims from both the firms to whom we provide our products and services and the clients they serve;
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if we are unable to keep pace with evolving technology and changes in the financial services industry, our revenues and future prospects may decline;
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our ability to provide financial products and services to customers may be reduced or eliminated by regulatory changes;
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any business or company we acquire could be vulnerable to cyberattack or theft of individual identities or personal data;
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difficulties with any products or services we provide could damage our reputation and business;
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a failure to comply with privacy regulations could adversely affect relations with customers and have a negative impact on business;
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we may not be able to protect our intellectual property and we may be subject to infringement claims.
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Any of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination. However, our efforts in identifying prospective target businesses will not be limited to financial services businesses. Accordingly, if we acquire a target business in another industry, these risks will likely not affect us and we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific industry in which we operate or target business which we acquire, none of which can be presently ascertained.
Fluctuations in energy prices may cause a reduction in the demand or profitability of the products or services we may ultimately produce or offer.
Following a business combination, our revenues, operating results, profitability, future rate of growth and the carrying value of our energy will depend primarily upon the prevailing prices for energy. Historically, energy prices have been volatile and are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control.
The operations of a business we ultimately acquire may expose us to environmental liabilities.
If our target business with which we effect a business combination has oil or natural gas operations, we will be subject to environmental hazards and risks. Our liability for environmental hazards could include those created either by the previous owners of properties that we purchase or lease or by acquired companies prior to the date we acquire them. If we are successful in acquiring a target business, we expect to maintain insurance against some, but not all, of the risks described above. Insurance may not be adequate to cover casualty losses or liabilities. Also, following a business combination, we may not be able to obtain insurance at premium levels that justify its purchase.
Past performance by our management team may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.
Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee either (i) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate or (ii) that we will be able to locate a suitable candidate for our initial business combination. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s performance as indicative of our future performance of an investment in the company or the returns the company will, or is likely to, generate going forward.
We may seek acquisition opportunities with an early stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenue or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues or earnings, intense competition and difficulties in obtaining and retaining key personnel.
To the extent we complete our initial business combination with an early stage company, a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the operations of the business with which we combine. These risks include 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 officers and directors will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not be able to properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors and we may not 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.
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We are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm and, consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the target in our initial business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view.
Unless we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the price we are paying is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view. If we do not obtain an opinion, our stockholders 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 tender offer documents or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
We may issue additional shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination. We may also issue shares of Class A common stock upon the conversion of the Class B common stock at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions described herein. Any such issuances would dilute the interest of our stockholders and likely present other risks.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize the issuance of up to 85,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 15,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Immediately after this offering, there will be 40,250,000 and 8,750,000 (assuming in each case, that the underwriter has not exercised its option to purchase additional units) authorized but unissued shares of Class A and Class B common stock, respectively, available for issuance, which amount takes into account shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants but not upon the conversion of the Class B common stock. Shares of Class B common stock are automatically convertible into shares of our Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination, initially at a one-for-one ratio but subject to adjustment as set forth herein. Immediately after this offering, there will be no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of Class A common stock, and may issue shares of preferred stock, in order to complete our initial business combination or under an employee incentive plan after completion of our initial business combination (although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we may not issue additional securities that can vote on amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or on our initial business combination or that would entitle holders thereof to receive funds from the trust account). We may also issue shares upon conversion of the Class B common stock at a ratio greater than one-to-one at the time of our initial business combination as a result of the anti-dilution provisions described herein. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide, among other things, that prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (1) receive funds from the trust account or (2) vote on any initial business combination.
The issuance of additional shares of common or preferred stock:
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may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering;
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may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our common stock;
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could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock 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; and
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may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our units, common stock and/or warrants.
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Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate another target business and consummate our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share from our redemption of our shares 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
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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 consummate 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 due to a reduction in the funds available for expenses for relating to such efforts. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share from our redemption of their shares and our warrants will expire worthless.
We are dependent upon our officers and directors; the loss of any one or more of them could adversely affect our ability to complete a business combination.
Our operations depend upon the background, experience and contacts of our officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our officers and directors, at least until we have consummated a business combination. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our directors or officers. In addition, 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 the search for a business combination and their other business commitments. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of our business combination. Each of our executive officers and directors is engaged in other business endeavors and is not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. If our executive officers’ and directors’ other business commitments require them to devote substantial amounts of time in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which make it more difficult for us to identify an acquisition target and consummate our business combination.
Our success following our initial business combination likely will depend upon the efforts of management of the target business. The loss of any of the key personnel of the target’s management team could make it more difficult to operate the target profitably.
Although some of our key personnel may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following a business combination, we can offer no assurance that any will do so. Moreover, as a result of the existing commitments of our key personnel, it is likely that we will retain some or all of the management of the target business to conduct its operations. The departure of any key members of the target’s management team could thus make it more difficult to operate the post-combination business profitably. Moreover, to the extent that we will rely upon the target’s management team to operate the post-combination business, we will be subject to risks regarding their managerial competence. While we intend to closely scrutinize the skills, abilities and qualifications of any individuals we retain after a business combination, our ability to do so may be limited due to a lack of time resources or information. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct and that they will have the skills, abilities and qualifications we expect.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with our initial business combination. 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 would be advantageous to us.
Our key personnel may decide to remain with the company after the consummation 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 consummation of our initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business and cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination would be advantageous to us. However, we believe the ability of such individuals to remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. There is no certainty, however, that any of our key personnel will remain with us after the consummation of our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain in senior management or advisory positions with us. The determination as to whether any of our key personnel will remain with us will be made at the time of our initial business combination.
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Our officers and directors are now and 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.
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. Our executive officers and directors are now and may in the future become affiliated with entities that are engaged in the business of acquiring other entities or businesses. In each case, our executive officers and directors’ existing directorships or other responsibilities may give rise to contractual or fiduciary obligations that take priority over any obligation owed to us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, will not apply to us or any of our officers or directors or in circumstances that would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations to other entities they may have as of the date of this prospectus. See “Management — Conflicts of Interest.” Accordingly, business opportunities that may be attractive to the entities described above will not be presented to us unless such entities have declined to accept such opportunities. As a result, our officers and directors may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor or that a potential target business would not be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us.
We may engage in a business combination with one or more target businesses that have relationships with entities that may be affiliated with our executive officers, directors or existing stockholders, which may raise potential conflicts of interest.
We may decide to acquire one or more businesses affiliated with holders of founder shares, or our officers and directors. Our officers and directors also serve as officers and board members of other entities. Such entities may compete with us for business combination opportunities. The holders of founder shares and our officers and directors are not currently aware of any specific opportunities for us to consummate a business combination with any entities with which they are affiliated, and there have been no preliminary 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 the targeted affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our initial business combination — Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination” and the transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is reasonably acceptable to Cantor Fitzgerald regarding the fairness to our stockholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with one or more businesses affiliated with our executive officers, directors or holders of founder shares, 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 stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest.
We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
When evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination with a prospective target business, our ability to assess the target business’ management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. Our assessment of the capabilities of the target’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and such management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities we expected. Should the target’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.
The officers and directors of an acquisition candidate may resign upon consummation of a business combination. The loss of an acquisition 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 consummation 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 us following our initial business combination, it is possible that members of the management of an acquisition candidate will not wish to remain in place. The loss of an acquisition target’s key personnel could negatively impact the operations and profitability of our post-combination business.
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We may partner, submit a joint bid or enter into a similar transaction with holders of founder shares or an affiliate in connection with our pursuit of, or in connection with, a business combination.
We are not prohibited from partnering, submitting a joint bid or entering into any similar transaction with holders of founder shares or their affiliates in our pursuit of a business combination. Although we currently have no plans to do so, we could pursue such a transaction if we determined that such affiliated entity met our criteria for a business combination as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our initial business combination — Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination” and the transaction was approved by a majority of our disinterested directors. Despite our agreement to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is reasonably acceptable to Cantor Fitzgerald, regarding the fairness to our stockholders from a financial point of view of a business combination with any holder of founder shares or its affiliates, the terms of the business combination may not be as advantageous to our public stockholders as they would be absent any conflicts of interest. Additionally, were we successful in consummating such a transaction, conflicts could invariably arise from the interest of the holder of founder shares or its affiliate in maximizing its returns, which may be at odds with the strategy of the post-business combination company or not in the best interests of the public stockholders of the post-business combination company. Any or all of such conflicts could materially reduce the value of your investment, whether before or after our initial business combination.
Since holders of our founder shares and private placement warrants will lose some or all of their investment in us if we do not consummate a business combination, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular acquisition target is appropriate for our initial business combination.
Our initial holders currently own 7,187,500 founder shares, which will be worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. Our sponsor has committed to purchase 7,400,000 private placement warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $7.4 million. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to the founder shares, or private placement warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate a business combination within the allotted 24-month period. If we do not consummate a business combination, our sponsor will realize a loss on the private placement warrants it purchased. As a result, the personal and financial interests of certain of our officers and directors, directly or as members of our sponsor, in consummating an initial business combination, along with their flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate, may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination and completing an initial business combination that is not in the best interests of our stockholders. Consequently, the discretion of our officers and directors, in identifying and selecting a suitable target business combination may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular initial business combination are appropriate and in the best interest of our public stockholders.
We may issue notes or other debt securities, or otherwise incur substantial debt, to complete a business combination, which may adversely affect our financial condition and the value of our stockholders’ investment in us.
Although we have no commitments as of the date of this prospectus to issue any notes or other debt securities, or otherwise to incur debt, we may choose to incur substantial debt in order to complete our initial business combination. 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 meet our debt service 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 covenants that require the maintenance of 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 and the lender demands payment;
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our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if any debt we incur contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while the debt is outstanding;
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prohibitions of, or limitations on, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock;
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use of 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 common stock if declared, as well as for 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 growth strategies and other purposes and other disadvantages compared to our competitors who have less debt.
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We do not have a policy with respect to how much debt we may incur. To the extent that the amount of our debt increases, the impact of the effects listed above may also increase.
We may complete a business combination with only one business, which would result in our success being dependent solely on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services. This lack of diversification may harm our operations and profitability.
We are not limited as to the number of businesses we may acquire in our initial business combination. However, we may effectuate a business combination with only one target business because of various factors, including the limited amount of the net proceeds of this offering, 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 consummating an initial business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory risks particular to the industry area in which the acquired business operates. 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:
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solely depend upon the performance of a single business, property or asset, or
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depend upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
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We may attempt to consummate business combinations with multiple prospective targets simultaneously, which may hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination and give rise to increased costs and risks that could negatively impact our operations and profitability.
If we determine to acquire several businesses simultaneously that are owned by different sellers, we will need each seller 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 the 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, we may be unable to operate the combined business successfully, and you could lose some or all of your investment in us.
We may attempt to consummate 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 expected, or at all.
In pursuing our acquisition strategy, we may seek to effectuate our initial business combination with a privately held company. By definition, very little public information 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 the information developed during our due diligence examination, which may be limited. As a result, we could
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acquire a company that is not as profitable as we expected, or at all. Furthermore, the relative lack of information about a private company may hinder our ability to properly assess the value of such a company which could result in our overpaying for that company.
If we effect our initial business combination with a business located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such business will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
If we effect our initial business combination with a business located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which such business operates will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. The target business may not be able to enforce any of its material agreements or enforce remedies for breaches of those agreements in that jurisdiction. 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. Additionally, if we acquire a business located outside of the United States, it is likely that substantially all of our assets would be located outside of the United States and some of our officers and directors might reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under federal securities laws.
We may not maintain control of a target business after our initial business combination. We cannot provide assurance that, upon loss of control of a target business, new management will possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to profitably operate such business.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interest or assets of the target business or businesses. However, we may structure our initial business combination to acquire less than 100% of the equity interest or assets of the target business, but only if we (or any entity that is a successor to us in a business combination) acquire a majority of the outstanding voting securities or assets of the target. Even if we own a majority interest in the target, our stockholders 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 transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares of common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we would acquire a 100% interest in the target. However, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares of common stock, our stockholders immediately prior to such transaction could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock subsequent to such transaction. In addition, other minority stockholders may subsequently combine their holdings resulting in a single person or group obtaining a larger share of the company’s stock than we initially acquired. Accordingly, this may make it more likely that we will not be able to maintain our control of the target business.
We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold will make it easier for us to consummate a business combination with which a substantial number of our stockholders do not agree.
We may be able to consummate a business combination even though a substantial number of our public stockholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares or, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, if our sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates have entered into privately negotiated agreements with public stockholders to acquire public shares. However, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination, and the amount that we redeem may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. In such case, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares and the related initial business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
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In order to effectuate a business combination, we may seek to amend provisions of our certificate of incorporation and other governing instruments. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or other governing instruments in a manner that will make it easier for us to consummate a business combination that our stockholders 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 other governing instruments. For example, blank check companies have amended the definition of initial business combination, increased redemption thresholds and extended the time period in which the company must consummate its initial business combination. We cannot assure you that we will not seek to amend our charter or governing instruments in order to effectuate our initial business combination. However, if the effect of the proposed amendments would be either to (i) reduce the amount in the trust account available to redeeming stockholders to less than $10.00 per share, or (ii) delay the date on which a stockholder could otherwise redeem shares for the per share amount in the trust account and, if such amendments are approved by persons holding at least 65% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, we will provide a right for dissenting public stockholders to redeem their public shares, if such amendment is approved, in the same manner as if we were seeking a stockholder vote on a business combination except that the amount on deposit in the trust account for purposes of calculating the per share redemption price will be determined at the close of business two business days before the meeting date as set forth in “Proposed Business — Effecting our Initial Business Combination.”
Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of holders owning 65% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to facilitate the consummation of an initial business combination that our stockholders may not support.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that provisions related to pre-business combination activity may be amended if approved by holders owning 65% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, and corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by holders owning 65% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (in each case including all shares held by initial holders, holders of private placement warrants, our officers and our directors); provided, however, that if the effect of any proposed amendment, if adopted, would be either to (i) reduce the amount in the trust account available to redeeming stockholders to less than $10.00 per share, or (ii) delay the date on which a public stockholder could otherwise redeem shares for such per share amount in the trust account, we will provide a right for dissenting public shareholders to redeem public shares if such an amendment is approved). As a result, we may be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation which govern our pre-business combination actions more easily that many blank check companies, and this may increase our ability to consummate a business combination with which you do not agree.
Our initial holders, executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock 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, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. Our stockholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, this written agreement with our initial holders, executive officers and directors and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against these persons and entities for any breach of such agreement. Accordingly, in the event of a breach, our stockholders would need to pursue a stockholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
Certain agreements related to this offering may be amended without stockholder approval.
Certain agreements, including the underwriting agreement relating to this offering, the investment management trust agreement between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the letter agreement among us and our initial holders, officers and directors, the registration rights agreement among us and our initial
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holders may be amended without stockholder approval. These agreements contain various provisions that our public stockholders might deem to be material. For example, the underwriting agreement related to this offering contains (i) a representation that we will not consummate any public or private equity or debt financing prior to the consummation of a business combination, unless all investors in such financing expressly waive, in writing, any rights in or claims against the trust account and (ii) a covenant that the target company that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account at the time of signing the definitive agreement for the transaction with such target business (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) so long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on Nasdaq. 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 amendment may have an adverse effect on the value of an investment in our securities.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination or to fund the operations and growth of a target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share on our redemption.
Because of the size of our initial business combination, the obligation to repurchase for cash a significant number of shares from stockholders 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 may be unable to obtain any necessary financing on acceptable terms, if at all. The current economic environment has made it especially difficult for companies to obtain acquisition financing. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure or abandon the transaction and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination, our public stockholders may only receive $10.00 per share on our redemption. In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to consummate 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 stockholders is required to provide any financing to us after a business combination.
Our initial stockholders will control the election of our board of directors until consummation of our initial business combination and will hold a substantial interest in us. As a result, they will elect all of our directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination and may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon the closing of this offering, our initial stockholders will own approximately 20.0% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, the founder shares, all of which are held by our initial stockholders, will entitle the holders to elect all of our directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. Holders of our public shares will have no right to vote on the election of directors during such time. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may only be amended by a majority of at least 90% of our common stock voting at a stockholder meeting. As a result, you will not have any influence over the election of directors prior to our initial business combination.
Neither our initial stockholders 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 common stock. In addition, as a result of their substantial ownership in our company, our initial stockholders may exert a substantial influence on other actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of major corporate transactions. If our initial stockholders purchase any additional shares of common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, this would increase their influence over these actions. Accordingly, our initial stockholders will exert significant influence over actions requiring a stockholder vote.
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Holders of founder shares and purchasers of private placement warrants will control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.
Upon completion of this offering, holders of founder shares and purchasers of private placement warrants will own 20.0% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (20.0% if the underwriter exercise its overallotment option in full). Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Holders of founder shares are not restricted from purchasing Class A common stock in the aftermarket or in privately negotiated transactions, which would increase their control. The holders of founder shares do not 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 common stock. In addition, our board of directors, whose members were elected by our sponsor, is divided into two classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a two-year term. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office at least until the consummation of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our sponsor, because of its ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, you should anticipate that holders of founder shares and purchasers of private placement warrants will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of our initial business combination.
Our initial holders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.0035 per founder share and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our units including shares of our Class A common stock.
The difference between the public offering price per share (allocating all of the unit purchase price to the Class A common stock and none to the warrant included in the unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock after this offering constitutes the dilution to you and the other investors in this offering. The initial holders acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon completion of this offering, and assuming no value is ascribed to the warrants included in the units, you and the other public stockholders will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 93.3%, or $9.33 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $0.67 and the initial offering price of $10.00 per unit). This dilution would increase to the extent that the anti-dilution provisions of the shares of Class B common stock result in the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock on a greater than one-to-one basis upon conversion of the shares of Class B common stock at the time of our initial business combination and would become exacerbated to the extent that public stockholders seek redemptions from the trust. In addition, because of the anti-dilution protection in the founder shares, any equity or equity-linked securities issued in connection with our initial business combination would be disproportionately dilutive to our Class A common stock.
We may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants.
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 to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants approve of such amendment. Although our ability to amend the terms of the warrants with the consent of at least 65% 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, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of shares of our common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
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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 outstanding warrants (excluding any private placement warrants held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees) at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price (or the closing bid price of our Class A common stock in the event the shares of our Class A common stock are not traded on any specific trading day) of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third business day prior to the date we send proper notice of such redemption, provided that on the date we give notice of redemption and during the entire period thereafter until the time we redeem the warrants, we have an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available. 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. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you: (i) to exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) to sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your warrants.
Our warrants and founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock and make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination.
In this offering, we will be issuing warrants to purchase 12,500,000 shares of our Class A common stock (or up to 14,375,000 shares of Class A common stock if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) as part of the public units. In addition, on the closing date of this offering, we will sell 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, in a private placement. Prior to this offering, we issued an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares in a private placement. The founder shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as set forth herein. In addition, up to $1,500,000 of loans that may be made to us by our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties to fund working capital requirements or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination may be converted, at the option of the lender, into additional warrants of the post-business combination entity at $1.00 per warrant.
To the extent we issue shares of Class A common stock to effectuate a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of these warrants and conversion rights could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle to a target business. Any such issuance will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and reduce the value of the shares of Class A common stock issued to complete the business combination. Therefore, our warrants and founder shares may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business.
The private placement warrants are identical to the warrants sold as part of the units in this offering except that, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, (i) they will not be redeemable by us, (ii) they (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by our sponsor until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination and (iii) they may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis.
Because each unit contains one-half of one warrant and only a whole warrant may be exercised, the units may be worth less than units of other blank check companies.
Each unit contains one-half of one warrant. Because, pursuant to the warrant agreement, the warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares, only a whole warrant may be exercised at any given time. This is different from other offerings similar to ours whose units include one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one whole share. We have established the components of the units in this way in order to reduce the dilutive effect of the warrants upon completion of a business combination since the warrants will be exercisable in the aggregate for one-half of the number of shares compared to units that each contain a warrant to purchase
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one whole share, thus making us, we believe, a more attractive business combination partner for target businesses. Nevertheless, this unit structure may cause our units to be worth less than if they 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 common 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 common 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 Warrants” will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
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 underwriter. In determining the size of this offering, management held customary organizational meetings with representatives of the underwriter with respect to the state of capital markets, generally, and the amount the underwriter believed its 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 common stock 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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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.
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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.
A market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
Although we have applied to have our securities listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as of the date of this prospectus there is no market for our securities. Prospective stockholders therefore have no access to information about prior trading 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, general market and economic conditions and forecasts, including as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, our general business condition and the release of our financial reports. Once listed on Nasdaq, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market for such securities can be established or sustained.
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Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
We expect our units to be approved for listing on Nasdaq prior to the date of this prospectus, subject to official notice of issuance, and our Class A common stock and warrants to be 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 established by Nasdaq, we cannot assure you that our securities will be, or will continue to be, listed on Nasdaq in the future or prior to a business combination. In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq prior to a business combination, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and stock price levels. Generally, we must maintain a minimum amount in stockholders’ equity (generally $2,500,000), a minimum number of public stockholders (generally 300 public holders), and a minimum number of shares held by non-affiliates (500,000 shares). Additionally, in connection with our business combination, it is likely that Nasdaq may require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements which are more rigorous than Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board or the “pink sheets.” If this were to occur, there could be 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 common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock 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, or no, news and analyst coverage; and
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a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
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The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because we expect that our units and eventually our Class A common stock and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq, we expect that our units, common stock and warrants will be covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state, other than the state of Idaho, having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
Purchases of Class A common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions by our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates may make it difficult for us to continue to list our common stock on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange.
If our sponsor, directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares of our Class A common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, it would reduce the public “float” of our Class A common stock and the number of beneficial holders of our common stock, which may make it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of our common stock on a national securities exchange if we determine to apply for such listing in connection with the business combination. If the number of our public holders falls below 300 or if the total number of shares held by non-affiliates is less than 500,000, we will be non-compliant with Nasdaq’s continued listing rules and our common stock could be de-listed. If our common stock were de-listed, we could face the material consequences set forth in the immediately preceding risk factor.
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Because we must furnish our stockholders with target business financial statements, we may lose the ability to complete an otherwise advantageous initial business combination with some prospective target businesses.
If we hold a stockholder vote to approve our initial business combination, 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. If we make a tender offer for our public shares, we will include the same financial statement disclosure in our tender offer documents that is required under the tender offer rules. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and the historical financial statements must 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 consummate our initial business combination within our 24 month time frame.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.
As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (which we refer to as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (which we refer to as the Dodd-Frank Act), the listing requirements of Nasdaq and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may need to hire more employees in the future or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.
In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.
However, for as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirement of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.”
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 shares of common stock that are held by non-affiliates 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 during the prior three year period.
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We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth 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 stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders 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 common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of any second quarter of a fiscal year, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the end of such fiscal year. 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 accountant standards used.
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.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain a system of internal controls and, beginning with our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, that we evaluate and report on such system of internal controls. In addition, once we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we must have our system of internal controls audited. 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 company with which we seek to complete a 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 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.
Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock and could entrench management.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred shares, 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.
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An investment in this offering may result in uncertain or adverse United States federal income tax consequences.
An investment in this offering may result in uncertain United States 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 share of common stock and the one-half warrant included in each unit could be challenged by the IRS or the courts. Furthermore, the United States federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant is unclear under current law. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our shares of common stock suspend the running of a U.S. holder’s holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of common stock is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would be considered “qualified dividends” for federal income tax purposes. See the section titled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences 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.
If we effect our initial business combination with a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we effect our initial business combination with a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States, 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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higher costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations and complying with different commercial and legal requirements of overseas markets;
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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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tariffs and trade barriers;
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regulations related to customs and import/export matters;
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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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challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
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cultural and language differences;
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employment regulations;
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crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks, natural disasters and wars;
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deterioration of political relations with the United States; and
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government appropriation of assets.
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We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer, which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary
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duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
The forum selection provision is intended to apply “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” to the above-specified types of actions and proceedings, including, to the extent permitted by the federal securities laws, to lawsuits asserting both the above-specified claims and federal securities claims. However, application of the forum selection provision may in some instances be limited by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act provides: “The district courts of the United States ... shall have exclusive jurisdiction of violations of [the Exchange Act] or the rules and regulations thereunder, and of all suits in equity and actions at law brought to enforce any liability or duty created by [the Exchange Act] or the rules and regulations thereunder.” As a result, the forum selection provision will not apply to actions arising under the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. It could apply, however, to a suit that falls within one or more of the categories enumerated in the exclusive forum provision and asserts claims under the Securities Act, inasmuch as Section 22 of the Securities Act, creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision with respect to claims under the Securities Act, and our stockholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. As such, stockholders of the Company seeking to bring a claim regarding the internal affairs of the Company may be subject to increased costs associated with litigating in Delaware as opposed to their home state or other forum, precluded from bringing such a claim in a forum they otherwise consider to be more favorable, and discouraged from bringing such claims as a result of the foregoing or other factors related to forum selection. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this prospectus that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and any other statements of a future or forward-looking nature, constitute “forward-looking statements” for the purposes of federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “approximately,” “shall” 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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the ability of our officers and directors to generate potential investment opportunities;
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our ability to complete our initial business combination;
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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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the allocation by our officers and directors of their time to other businesses and their potential conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination;
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our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;
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the pool of prospective target businesses;
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the listing on, or the delisting of our securities from, Nasdaq or our ability to have our securities listed on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange following our initial business combination;
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potential changes in control if we acquire one or more target businesses for stock;
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the potential liquidity and trading of the securities we will issue in this offering;
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the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; or
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our financial performance following this offering.
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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. We cannot assure you 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.
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We are offering 25,000,000 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 (of which $250.0 million will be deposited into the trust account) will be used as set forth in the following table.
Gross proceeds
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Proceeds from units offered to the public
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$250,000,000
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$287,500,000
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Proceeds from private placement
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7,400,000
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7,400,000
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Total gross proceeds
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$257,400,000
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$294,900,000
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Estimated offering expenses(1)
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Underwriting commissions (2.0% of gross proceeds from firm units offered to public, excluding deferred portion)(2)
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$5,000,000
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$5,000,000
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Legal fees and expenses
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250,000
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250,000
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Printing and engraving expenses
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45,000
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45,000
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Accounting fees and expenses
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45,000
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45,000
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SEC fees
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31,366
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31,366
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FINRA fees
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43,625
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42,625
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Nasdaq Capital Market Listing Fees
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75,000
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75,000
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Travel and roadshow
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20,000
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20,000
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D&O Insurance
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400,000
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400,000
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Miscellaneous expenses
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240,009
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240,009
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Total offering expenses
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$6,150,000
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$6,150,000
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Proceeds after offering expenses
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251,250,000
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288,750,000
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Held in trust account
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$250,000,000
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$287,500,000
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% of public offering proceeds held in trust(3)
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100.0%
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100.0%
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Held outside trust account
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$1,250,000
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$1,250,000
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The following table shows the use of the net proceeds of this offering and the private placement held out of the trust account.(4)
Use of net proceeds not held in trust(4)
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Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, consulting and other expenses in connection with any business combination(5)
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$400,000
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32.0%
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Payment for administrative services and support (up to $5,000 per month for up to 24 months)
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120,000
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9.6%
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Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations
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200,000
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16.0%
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Reserve for liquidation expenses
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100,000
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8.0%
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Nasdaq continued listing fees
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75,000
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6.0%
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Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses
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355,000
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28.4%
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Total
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$1,250,000
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100.0%
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(1)
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As of February 18, 2021, $42,500 of these expenses have been paid from the proceeds of loans made to us by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC. Loans by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC will be repaid upon the earlier of the completion of this offering or December 31, 2021. If offering expenses actually paid are less than the estimates set forth in this table, the balance will be used for post-closing working capital.
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(2)
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The underwriter has agreed to defer until consummation of our initial business combination $8.75 million of its underwriting commissions (or approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full), which equals 3.5% of the gross proceeds from the units sold to the public, excluding any units purchased pursuant to the underwriter’s overallotment option, and 5.5% of the gross proceeds from the units sold to the public pursuant to the underwriter’s overallotment option. This amount will be placed in the trust account and will be released to the underwriter only on completion of an initial business combination, as described
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in this prospectus. See the section titled “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriter. The underwriter will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.
(3)
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$250.0 million from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement (approximately $287.5 million if the underwriter exercise its overallotment option in full), including deferred underwriting commissions of $8.75 million (approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter exercises its overallotment option in full), will be placed in a trust account held at J.P. Morgan & Co., located in the United States, with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee.
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(4)
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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 a business combination based upon the level of complexity of such business combination. If we identify an acquisition target in a specific industry subject to industry specific regulation, 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.
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(5)
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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.
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The rules of Nasdaq provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private placement warrants be deposited in a trust account. A total of $250.0 million (or approximately $287.5 million if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the aggregate net proceeds from this offering and the private placement, including $8.75 million (or approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter exercises its overallotment option in full) of the deferred underwriting discount, will be placed in a trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee and will be invested only in United States government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in United States Treasuries and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. Except for interest income released to us for the payment of taxes or dissolution expenses, none of the funds held in the trust account will be released, subject to the requirements of law, until the earlier of (i) the consummation of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), subject to applicable law; (iii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option); or (iv) otherwise upon our liquidation or if our board of directors resolves to liquidate the trust account and ceases to pursue the consummation of a business combination prior to the expiration of the 24-month period (our board of directors may determine to liquidate the trust account prior to such expiration if it determines, in its business judgment, that it is improbable within the remaining time to identify an attractive business combination or satisfy regulatory and other business and legal requirements to consummate a business combination). Based on current interest rates, we estimate that the interest earned on the trust account will be approximately $250,000 per year, assuming an interest rate of 0.10% per year.
The net proceeds held in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriting commissions) may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we ultimately complete a business combination. If we pay for our initial business combination using stock or debt securities, or if we do not use all of the funds released from the trust account for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination, we may use the remaining cash released from the trust account for general corporate purposes, including for maintenance or expansion of the operations of acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating the initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We believe that the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust will be sufficient to pay our costs and expenses prior to our initial business combination. This belief is based on the fact that while we may begin preliminary due diligence of a target business in connection with an indication of interest, we intend to undertake in-depth due diligence, depending on the circumstances of the relevant prospective acquisition, only after we have negotiated and signed a letter of intent or other preliminary agreement that addresses the terms of a business combination. 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. In this event, we could seek such additional capital through loans or additional investments from members of our
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management team, but such members of our management team are not under any obligation to advance funds to, or invest in, us. In addition, if we increase or decrease the size of this offering, it would result in a proportionate increase or decrease in the amount of interest earned in the trust account and available to us. While we currently do not know what our future working capital expenses will be and while they will not necessarily be proportionate to the size of the offering, we believe that any additional interest income earned would facilitate our ability to finance the exploration and consideration of a greater number of potential acquisition targets.
Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC has committed to loan us up to an aggregate of $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering ($42,500 of which has been loaned as of February 18, 2021). These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of this offering. In addition, in order to fund transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to us. Otherwise, such loans would 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 $1,500,00 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 issued to our sponsor as part of 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. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates 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 will reimburse our sponsor or its affiliate for secretarial support and administrative services provided to members of our management team, in an amount up to $5,000 per month. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their respective affiliates may purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination, although as of the date of this prospectus (apart from the purchase of the private placement warrants) they have no commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions. If they do effect such purchases, we anticipate that they would approach a limited number of large holders of our securities that have voted against the business combination or sought redemption of their shares, or that have indicated an intention to do so, and engage in direct negotiations for the purchase of such holders’ positions. All holders approached in this manner would be institutional or sophisticated holders. There is no limit on the number of shares they may acquire. Our sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act or in transactions that would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10(b)-5 under the Exchange Act. Although they do not currently anticipate paying any premium purchase price for such public shares, there is no limit on the price they may pay. They may also enter into transactions to provide such holders with incentives to acquire shares or vote their shares in favor of an initial business combination. No funds in the trust account may be used to effect purchases of shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
In no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination. Moreover, the redemption threshold may be further limited by the terms and conditions of our initial business combination. If the amount of redemptions plus any cash required by our initial business combination would cause our net tangible assets to fall below $5,000,000, we would not proceed with the redemption of our public shares or the business combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
A public stockholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the consummation of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), subject to applicable law; (iii) the redemption of any
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public shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option); or (iv) otherwise upon our liquidation or in the event our board of directors resolves to liquidate the trust account and ceases to pursue the consummation of a business combination prior to the expiration of the 24-month period (our board of directors may determine to liquidate the trust account prior to such expiration if it determines, in its business judgment, that it is improbable within the remaining time that we will be able to identify an attractive acquisition target or satisfy regulatory and other business and legal requirements to consummate a business combination). In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
The initial holders, our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our directors and officers have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders and our directors and officers will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends before we complete our initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will depend upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of an initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to an initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we may effect a stock dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in an amount such that founder shares will remain equal to 20.0% of the aggregate of our public shares and the founder shares. Further, if we incur any indebtedness in connection with a business combination, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants imposed by the debt instruments.
The difference between the public offering price per share of common stock, 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 share of our common stock 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 stockholders 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 common stock which may be redeemed for cash), by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock.
At February 18, 2021, our net tangible book value deficit was $18,500, or approximately $(0.00) per share of common stock. After giving effect to the sale of 25,000,000 shares of common stock included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, 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 February 18, 2021, would have been $5,000,010 or $0.67 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value (as decreased by the value of the approximately 23,752,399 shares of common stock that may be redeemed
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for cash and assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) of $0.67 per share to the initial stockholders as of the date of this prospectus and an immediate dilution of $9.33 per share or 93.3% to our public stockholders not exercising their redemption rights.
The following table illustrates the dilution to the public stockholders on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units or the private placement warrants:
For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) by $237,523,990 because holders of up to 95.0% 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 days prior to the commencement of our tender offer or stockholders meeting, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us, the payment of taxes or dissolution expenses), divided by the number of shares of common stock sold in this offering.
Public offering price
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|
|
|
|
|
$10.00
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Net tangible book value before this offering
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|
|
$(0.00)
|
|
|
|
Increase attributable to new investors
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering and sale of private placement warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.67
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Dilution to new investors
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|
|
|
|
|
$9.33
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The following table sets forth information with respect to holders of founder shares and the public stockholders:
Holders of founder shares
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|
|
6,250,000
|
|
|
20.0%
|
|
|
$25,000
|
|
|
0.001%
|
|
|
$0.004
|
Public stockholders
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|
|
25,000,000
|
|
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80.0%
|
|
|
250,000,000
|
|
|
99.999%
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|
|
$10.00
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Total
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|
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31,250,000
|
|
|
100.0%
|
|
|
$250,025,000
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|
|
100.000%
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|
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(1)
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Assumes no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option and corresponding forfeiture of 937,500 founder shares by the initial stockholders as a result thereof.
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(2)
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Assumes no value is attributed to the private placement warrants.
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The pro forma net tangible book value per share after the offering is calculated as follows:
Numerator:
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|
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Net tangible book value before this offering
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|
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$(18,500)
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Net proceeds from this offering and sale of private placement warrants
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|
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251,250,000
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Plus: Offering costs incurred in advance
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42,500
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Less: Deferred underwriting commission(1)
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(8,750,000)
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Less: Proceeds held in the trust account which may be used to redeem shares
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(237,523,990)
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|
|
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$5,000,010(1)
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Denominator:
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Shares of common stock outstanding before this offering
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|
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7,187,500
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Less: Shares subject to forfeiture assuming no overallotment option exercised(1)
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(937,500)
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Shares of common stock included in the units offered
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25,000,000
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Less: Shares subject to redemption to maintain net tangible assets of $5,000,001(2)
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(23,752,399)
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7,497,601
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(1)
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Assumes no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option and that 937,500 founder shares have been forfeited by the initial stockholders as a result thereof.
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(2)
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Assumes no value is attributed to the private placement warrants.
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The following table sets forth our capitalization at February 18, 2021 and as adjusted to give effect to the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the sale of our units and the private placement warrants and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:
Promissory note – related party
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$42,500
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|
—
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Deferred underwriting commissions
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|
|
—
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|
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8,750,000
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Common stock, subject to redemption(2)
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|
|
—
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|
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237,523,990(4)
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Stockholder’s equity:
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|
|
|
|
|
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Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
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|
|
—
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|
|
—
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Common stock
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|
|
|
|
|
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Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, 85,000,000 shares authorized (actual and as adjusted); no shares issued and outstanding (actual); 1,247,601 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 23,752,399 shares subject to redemption) (as adjusted)
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|
|
—
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|
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1,248
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Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized (actual and as adjusted); 7,187,500 shares issued and outstanding (actual); 6,250,000 shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)(3)
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|
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7,188
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|
|
6,251
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Additional paid-in capital
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|
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17,812
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|
|
4,993,511
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Accumulated deficit
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|
|
(1,000)
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|
|
(1,000)
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Total stockholders’ equity
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|
|
24,000
|
|
|
5,000,010
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Total capitalization
|
|
|
$61,500
|
|
|
251,274,000
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(1)
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Includes the $7.4 million we will receive from the sale of the private placement warrants.
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(2)
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Upon the consummation of our initial business combination, we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account See “Proposed Business — Effecting our Initial Business Combination”.
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(3)
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The “as adjusted” amount assumes the overallotment option has not been exercised and a corresponding forfeiture of an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares held by the initial stockholders.
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(4)
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The “as adjusted” calculation equals the “as adjusted” total assets, less the “as adjusted” total liabilities, less the “as adjusted” stockholders’ equity, which is set to approximate the minimum net tangible assets threshold of at least $5,000,001.
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(5)
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Excludes 23,752,399 shares of common stock purchased in the public market which are subject to redemption in connection with our initial business combination. The “as adjusted” calculation equals the “as adjusted” total assets, less the “as adjusted” total liabilities, less the value of public shares that may be redeemed in connection with our initial business combination for an estimated $10.00 per share.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a blank check company 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. We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, directly or indirectly, with respect to identifying any acquisition target. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private placement warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination.
The issuance of additional shares of our stock in a business combination:
•
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may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors in this offering;
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•
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may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded our common stock;
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•
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could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of our common stock is 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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•
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may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of us; and
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•
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may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock and/or warrants.
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Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:
•
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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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•
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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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•
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our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand and the lender demands payment;
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•
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limitations on our ability to obtain additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to incur debt;
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•
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our inability to pay dividends on our common stock due to covenants limiting or prohibiting dividends;
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•
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using a substantial portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on our debt, which will reduce, or possibly eliminate, the funds available for use as dividends on our common stock, expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
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•
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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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•
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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.
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As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, at February 18, 2021, we had $25,000 in cash, deferred offering costs of $42,500.
Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
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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, at the earliest, the consummation of our initial business combination. We will generate non-operating revenues in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after this offering. There has been no significant change in our financial position since the date of our audited financial statements. After this offering, we expect to incur significantly increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for expenses incurred in identifying and examining target businesses and completing our initial business combination.
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act. Section 107 of the JOBS Act 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.
Upon the issuance of a new or revised accounting standard that applies to our financial statements and has a different effective date for public and private companies, we will disclose the date on which adoption is required for non-emerging growth companies and the date on which we will adopt the recently-issued accounting standard.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At February 18, 2021, we had $25,000 in cash and a working capital deficiency of $18,500. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. Management’s plans to address this uncertainty through this offering are discussed below. Our plans to raise capital or to consummate our initial business combination may not be successful.
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the founder shares to the initial holders and loans of $42,500. Loans up to $300,000 have been committed by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC. We estimate that the net proceeds from: (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $1,150,000 and the non-deferred underwriter’s discount of $5.0 million, but including deferred underwriting commissions of $8.75 million (or approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full), and (ii) the sale of 7,400,000 private placement warrants to our sponsor for a purchase price of $7.4 million, will be $251.25 million (or approximately $288.75 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full), of which $250.0 million (or approximately $287.5 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account. If our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,150,000, we may fund such excess with the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust. If our offering expenses are less than our estimate of $1,150,000, the balance will be used for post-closing working capital.
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 amounts released to us to pay taxes and deferred underwriting commissions), to consummate our initial business combination. We may use interest earned on the trust account to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses. We estimate our annual franchise tax obligations, based on the number of shares of our common stock authorized and outstanding after the completion of this offering to be approximately $200,000. Our annual income tax obligations will depend on the amount of interest and other income earned on the amounts held in the trust account. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to consummate 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 consummation of our initial business combination, we will have available to us the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust, and up to $100,000 for dissolution expenses. Should these amounts be insufficient, our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or third parties may fund our additional working capital requirements or finance transaction costs, as necessary. However, they are under no obligation to do so. We will use these funds, including any such loans, to
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identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, production facilities 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 consummate a business combination. We will depend on these funds to provide working capital we may need to identify one or more target businesses and to complete our initial business combination, as well as to pay franchise and income taxes that we may owe.
As stated above, in order to fund working capital requirements and finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may loan us funds to fund our additional working capital requirements and transaction costs. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. If we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use a portion of any working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts; however, no proceeds from the trust account may be used for such repayment. If such funds are insufficient to repay the loan amounts, the unpaid amounts would be forgiven. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted into additional warrants at $1.00 per warrant of the post-business combination entity at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants issued to our sponsor.
We expect our primary liquidity requirements during the period between the completion of this offering and the consummation of our initial business combination to include approximately $1,150,000 in expenses, as described in more detailed under “Use of Proceeds.” These amounts are estimates and may differ materially from our actual expenses. We may incur additional expenses in connection with this offering over and above the amounts set forth in “Use of Proceeds.” In addition, we may use the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of 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 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.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required to identify and acquire a target business. However, if our estimate of the costs of undertaking due diligence investigations and negotiating an initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to pursue and consummate our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing if we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only obtain such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination.
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Controls and Procedures
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain a system of internal controls, and beginning with our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls. In addition, once we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we will be subject to the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to have our system of internal controls audited. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the consummation 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 a business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
•
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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;
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•
|
documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and
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•
|
documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
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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 expense 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 auditors to audit and render an opinion on such report when required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The independent auditors 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 private placement, including amounts in the trust account, will be invested in United States government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in United States Treasuries and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Related Party Transactions
On February 18, 2021, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC purchased 5,750,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. This number includes an aggregate of 750,000 founder shares that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the overallotment option is not exercised by the underwriter. On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 Founder Shares, resulting in 7,187,500 Founder Shares outstanding, with 937,500 shares now subject to forfeiture. The initial holders and their permitted transferees have the right to require us to register their founder shares for resale as described in “Principal Stockholders — Registration Rights.”
As of February 18, 2021, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC loaned us a total of $42,500 for use in funding a portion of the expenses of this offering. These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of this offering.
Commencing on the date that our securities are first listed on Nasdaq, we have agreed to pay our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor a total of up to $5,000 per month for secretarial support and administrative services. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
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Our sponsor, has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $7.4 million in a private placement to occur concurrently with the closing of this offering. Each whole placement warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at $11.50 per share. The private placement warrants, and their underlying common stock, are subject to transfer restrictions. See “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants.” Holders of private placement warrants (and underlying securities) or their permitted transferees have the right to require us to register the private placement warrants for resale as described in “Principal Stockholders — Registration Rights.” We will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements. The private placement warrants will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by our sponsor or their permitted transferees. The private placement warrants may also be exercised by our sponsor or their permitted transferees, for cash or on a cashless basis. Other than as stated above, 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.
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination and working capital expenses, our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may, but are not obligated to, loan us additional funds to fund our additional working capital requirements and transaction costs. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. If we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use a portion of any working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts; however, no proceeds from the trust account may be used for such repayment. If such funds are insufficient to repay the loan amounts, the unpaid amounts would be forgiven. Up to $1,500,000 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.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of February 18, 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 conducted no operations to date.
JOBS Act
On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We 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 control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.
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Introduction
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, reorganization, stock purchase, or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to in this prospectus as our initial business combination. We have not selected any specific target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any target with respect to an initial business combination. To date, our efforts have been limited to administrative and organizational activities related to this offering.
We believe there are a number of enterprises that could be attractive merger partners for our company, and we may pursue an initial business combination in any business or industry. Given the experience and network of our management team, we may decide to focus on consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, on the renewables and energy services sector, and/or on the insurance and financial services sector. Our efforts will be focused on finding companies which we believe have significant growth prospects in an attractive industry with a clear and identifiable pathway to cash flow generation and growth. We intend to identify a target enterprise where our experience, relationships, and expertise will add value to the company’s strategic outlook and operations. We will be focused on generating attractive returns and creating value while adhering to the highest code of ethical conduct and governance practices.
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, 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. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects.
We anticipate structuring our initial business combination either (i) in such a way so that the post-transaction company in which our public stockholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses, or (ii) in such a way so 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 stockholders, or for other reasons. However, we will only complete an initial business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the initial 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 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 stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. If the initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% fair market value test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the transactions and we will treat the target businesses together as the initial business combination for purposes of a tender offer or for seeking stockholder approval, as applicable.
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Our Management Team
We are led by an experienced team of executives who have played important roles in helping build and grow profitable public and private businesses. Our management team has worked together on investments for years, and we operate with a shared set of core values.
We will seek to capitalize on the significant investment experience and contacts of R. Brad Martin, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer, Charles K. Slatery, our President and Chief Investment Officer, and William V. Thompson III, our Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, to identify, evaluate, acquire and operate a target business.
R. Brad Martin
R. Brad Martin, our Chairman and CEO, has significant experience in executive leadership, corporate strategy, public company governance, and entrepreneurial ventures. Mr. Martin is the Retired Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated, having retired from Saks in 2007 after having served nearly 20 years as Chairman and CEO of that firm and its predecessor company. Martin was the lead investor in RBM Acquisition Company, an entity which acquired Saks’ predecessor business, Proffitt’s Incorporated in 1984. Martin became the Chief Executive Officer of Proffitt’s in 1989 when it was operating 10 stores and generating annual revenues of approximately $70 million. Over the subsequent decade, Proffitt’s grew to become one of the largest traditional department store businesses in the United States generating annualized revenues of approximately $4 billion. In 1998, Proffitt’s acquired Saks Holdings, merged it into Proffitt’s, and renamed the combined enterprise Saks Incorporated. While continuing to upgrade the Saks Fifth Avenue store base, Martin recognized the continuing consolidation of the mid-range department store industry and developed and executed a strategy to divest the traditional department store assets. Saks Incorporated shareholders received hundreds of millions of dollars of special dividends as a result of these transactions, and during the 18-year period when Martin served as CEO and Chairman of Proffitt’s/Saks, the value of its stock increased substantially.
In 1987, Martin co-founded Corporate Child Care Incorporated designed to serve the emerging market of employer-based childcare services. Martin was the company’s first CEO and recruited its long-term management team. Corporate Child Care grew successfully and became a public company trading on the NASDAQ under the name “Corporate Family Solutions.” The company subsequently merged with Bright Horizons to become part of the largest corporate-affiliated childcare company in the United States.
Martin has also served in a number of significant leadership roles on Boards of Directors of public companies.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive and Risk Committee of First Horizon National Corporation, a major regional banking company. While in that role, Martin helped lead First Horizon through the difficult times associated with the 2008 financial crisis.
Martin joined the Board of lululemon athletica in early 2007 when it was a private company. He participated in lululemon’s successful IPO and was a member of its Board of Directors for five years, including serving as its Lead Director.
Martin has also previously served on the Board of Directors of Dillard’s, Gaylord Entertainment, and Ruby Tuesday. He chaired the Audit Committees at Dillard’s and Gaylord.
Martin also served as a member of the Board of Directors and Non-Executive Chairman of Chesapeake Energy—a major U.S. oil and gas producer. During his tenure at the company, Chesapeake overhauled its governance practices, recruited a new management team, improved its execution, and reduced its debt by billions of dollars. In the wake of the oil price collapse in March, 2020, related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Saudi Arabia/Russia supply disputes, Martin and his fellow directors oversaw Chesapeake’s entry into Chapter 11 proceedings and subsequent emergence on February 9, 2021, as a healthy enterprise with significant value preserved for its stakeholders.
Martin currently serves as Chairman of RBM Ventures, his family office, as a member of the Board of Directors of FedEx Corporation where he chairs the Audit Committee. He is also Lead Director of the Board of Managers of Pilot/Flying J—North America’s largest travel center company owned jointly by a private family and Berkshire Hathaway.
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Martin also serves as a strategic advisor to CVC, a global private equity firm, and co-chairs its U.S. Board of Advisors. He was integrally involved in facilitating a successful investment by CVC in Pilot/Flying J in 2007.
Martin has a record of involvement in philanthropic and not-for-profit activities. He chairs the Martin Family Foundation, which provides support for a variety of not-for-profit interests, was the founder of the privately funded “Hope 2 Hire” job-training program which operates in the Shelby County, Tennessee corrections system. He has served as the Interim President of the University of Memphis and was a five-term member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Martin is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Board of Trustees of the University of Memphis.
Martin holds a bachelors of science degree from the University of Memphis, a masters in business administration degree from Vanderbilt University, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Memphis.
Charles K. Slatery
Charles K. Slatery, our President and Chief Investment Officer has over 40 years of experience in capital management, insurance operations, and private investments. Slatery is the Chairman and CEO of NFC Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor based in Memphis, Tennessee. Slatery is the Chairman and CEO of WT Holdings, Inc., a privately-owned insurance holding company based in Memphis, Tennessee. WT Holdings controls the following operating subsidiaries:
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Stillwater Insurance Company/Stillwater Property & Casualty Company, a 50-state personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile insurance based in Jacksonville, Florida. WT Holdings purchased Stillwater from Fidelity National Financial, Inc in 2012;
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Tri-State Consumer Insurance Company, a New York personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile underwriting based in Jericho, New York;
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Evergreen National Indemnity Company, a national property and casualty insurance company focused on landfill closure and post-closure and waste disposal surety programs based in Cleveland, Ohio.
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WT Holdings is also a 50% owner of Gramercy Indemnity Company, a specialty insurance company focused on niche insurance products based in New York, New York, where Slatery serves as a director.
Slatery is the Chairman of the following private companies:
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WBL Corp, which controls National Fire and Casualty, Co, a municipal insurance company based in Bloomington, Illinois;
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Hollywood Feed, LLC, a multi-unit pet food and supply retail operation with 110 stores based in Memphis, Tennessee;
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Corrisoft, LLC, a telecommunications service provider to correctional/government agencies based in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Slatery also serves as a director of Tecton Group, LLC, a ketone-based performance drink company based in Memphis, Tennessee. He is also a director and former Chairman of St George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tennessee where he led the expansion of St George’s from a K-6 elementary school to a multi-campus K-12 school.
Slatery served as Vice President and was a principal at NewSouth Capital Management in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1985-2005. He is the former Chairman of Value Financial Services, Inc., a multi-unit financial services firm catering to the unbanked. Value Financial was sold to EZ Corp, a publicly traded company, in 2006. Mr Slatery is also the former Chairman of US Agencies, Inc, a personal lines property and casualty insurer focused on non-standard automobile insurance which was sold in 2007. He served as Chairman of Equity Bank SSB which was purchased by Triumph Bancorp, a publicly traded bank in Dallas, Texas.
Slatery holds a bachelors of arts degree from Wake Forest University and a masters in business administration in Finance from the University of Tennessee. Slatery is a CFA charterholder.
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William V. Thompson III
William V. Thompson III, our Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, has over 20 years of experience in capital management, insurance operations, and private investments. Thompson is the President and Chief Compliance Officer of NFC Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor based in Memphis, Tennessee. Thompson is also the Executive Vice President of WT Holdings, Inc, a privately-owned insurance holding company based in Memphis, Tennessee.
Thompson is the President of NFC Arizona Renewables, LLC, a renewable energy company based in Memphis, Tennessee, with dairy renewable natural gas operations in Arizona.
Thompson currently serves as a director of the following companies:
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Stillwater Insurance Company/Stillwater Property & Casualty Company, a 50-state personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile underwriting based in Jacksonville, Florida;
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Tri-State Consumer Insurance Company, a New York personal lines property and casualty insurance company focused on home and automobile underwriting based in Jericho, New York;
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ProAlliance Corporation, a surety insurance company focused on landfill reclamation and waste disposal surety based in Cleveland, Ohio;
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WBL Corp, which controls National Fire and Casualty, Co, a municipal insurance company based in Bloomington, Illinois;
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Corrisoft, LLC, a telecommunications service provider to correctional/government agencies based in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Thompson serves as a director of the Memphis/Shelby County Sports Authority and Memphis University School. He is a founder and board member of Slingshot Memphis.
Thompson served as Vice President at NewSouth Capital Management in Memphis, Tennessee, from 2000-2006. He also served as Audit Committee Chair of the board of Equity Bank SSB which was purchased by Triumph Bancorp, a publicly traded bank in Dallas, Texas.
Thompson holds a bachelors of science degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. Thompson is a CFA charterholder.
Our Board of Directors is comprised of Brad Martin, Charles Slatery, Mark Edmunds, Willie Gregory, and Leslie Starr Keating.
Mark Edmunds is a recently retired senior partner and Vice Chairman at Deloitte. He has served as a director for Chesapeake Energy Corporation from August 2018 to February 2021, among numerous other professional and civic affiliations. Edmunds holds a B.B.A from The University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the AICPA and the Texas CPA Society.
Willie Gregory is currently the Director of Global Community Investment for NIKE, Inc. He is the current Board Chair for the Greater Memphis Chamber. Gregory graduated from Mississippi Valley State University and The University of Memphis.
Leslie Starr Keating is a recently retired EVP of Supply Strategy and Transformation for Advance Auto Parts. Prior to joining Advance, Keating served 31 years at PepsiCo, most recently as SVP Supply Chain. She has served as a director for SunOpta, Inc. since July 2019 and served as a director for Chesapeake Energy Corporation from September 2017 to February 2021. Keating holds a bachelors of science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a masters in business administration from Georgia State University.
In addition to our experienced and highly qualified management team and board, we have the support and guidance of a strategic advisor:
Anderee Berengian, our strategic advisor, is Chairman of Cie Digital, a Los Angeles-based venture studio which has helped to create and scale companies in a variety of industries such as gaming, ad tech, logistics, E-commerce, and fin tech. Berengian also serves as a strategic advisor to a number of private equity firms
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focused on enhancing the digital capabilities of portfolio companies. Berengian served on the boards of StyleHaul (acquired by RTL Group (RRTL)), Petco (IPO: WOOF), Titan (acquired by LINQ), ASAP Tire (acquired by TireRack), and others.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to identify, acquire, and complete our initial business combination with a company in order to further accelerate the growth of that company in the public markets. The target company can benefit from the managerial and operational experience of our management team, additional capital, and access to public securities markets. Our acquisition process will leverage our management team’s vast network of business and personal contacts, ranging from owners of private companies, directors of private and public companies, private equity and venture capital funds, investment banking relationships, commercial bank and lending relationships, attorneys, accountants, and personal friendships. Over the course of their careers, our management team has developed a broad network of diverse contacts that we believe will serve as a useful sources of acquisition opportunities. We plan to utilize the network and industry experience of our management team in seeking an initial business combination and employing our business combination strategy.
We anticipate that these various networks will provide our management team with a number of potential transaction candidates. Additionally, we anticipate numerous candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources such as private equity/venture capital firms and the broader investment banking community. Upon completion of this offering, our management team will proactively communicate with its network of relationships our desire to identify potential target companies that complement our competitive strengths and fall withing our general investment criteria.
We may pursue an initial business combination in any business or industry but expect to focus on a target in an industry where we believe our management team and founder’s expertise will provide us with a competitive advantage. Given the experience and network of our management team, we may decide to focus on consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, on the renewables and energy services sector, and/or on the insurance and financial services sector.
Consumer-Focused Enterprises, including E-Commerce
We believe the market opportunity for consumer-focused enterprises, including e-commerce, is poised for continued growth through 2030, despite record growth experienced through the last two decades and the acceleration of this growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2020, personal consumption expenditures accounted for nearly 70% of total U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
Growth and strategic opportunities span the following industries:
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Promotions and experiences; and
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Other markets, including but not limited to, the e-commerce enablement software and diversified e-commerce markets.
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E-commerce end-markets are driving significant disruption while experiencing the emergence of a wide variety of secular trends, including:
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An increase in retail penetration and importance of e-commerce to traditional brick and mortar retailers;
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Improved customer comfort with transacting online, resulting in higher average order value and increased order frequency;
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A shift to omnichannel retail;
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A proliferation of direct-to-consumer brands that come to market quickly;
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An increase in the use of augmented and virtual reality in the shopping experience;
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A shift to product subscription models; and
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A large portion of value-conscious customers who are still underserved.
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Global supply chains have been disrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the shift to e-commerce. We expect this trend will continue after a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Renewables and Energy Services
We believe the energy and power sectors face unprecedented challenges in the coming years. With the backdrop of historic environmental challenges and sweeping industry structural change, the world’s demand for the reliable supply of energy continues to expand. While much of the existing energy and power infrastructure is aging, industry participants must keep up with the need for additional capacity, increased reliability, improved power/fuel quality, and lower environmental impact. We intend to focus our search for a target business in the energy technology arena targeting industries that require sustainable and innovative solutions to decarbonize in order to meet critical emission reduction objectives, including in the renewable energy, energy storage, mobility, advanced fuels, and carbon mitigation sectors. We believe that the next ten years will be a period of significant transformation in the energy industry as cultural preferences and regulatory edicts drive decarbonization and sustainability goals. Two ramifications of these trends will be (1) a continuing shift away from carbon intensive forms of electricity generation towards more renewable, carbon neutral generation capacity and (2) increased demand for electricity due to electrification of transportation, HVAC and other energy end uses. These trends will have potentially destabilizing impacts on the current transmission and distribution of electricity, a system which was set up to deliver dispatchable power. The anticipated increased burden and complexity of the distribution system will continue to generate significant opportunity for enhanced management of energy transportation and distribution systems to more effectively and responsibly meet demand. We believe that these challenges and dislocations will create attractive investment opportunities that we will look to take advantage of.
Within the energy industry, we intend to focus our efforts on the following segments:
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Renewables: As sustained structural shifts in U.S. power generation continue, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biofuels have attracted significant investment from many investors and operators. Continued growth in renewables and the equipment and technology providers enabling more efficient energy production, transportation and end-use applications is expected to incubate an attractive set of investment opportunities; and
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Energy Services Businesses: Services to the energy industry, such as energy transportation and logistics, and specialized services such as geophysical, completion services, drilling fluids, rentals, artificial lift, environmental services, specialty chemicals, seismic and water handling services.
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Insurance and Financial Services
Our large network of senior executives and presence across the banking and financial services sectors affords us leverageable insight into the strategic objectives and challenges the industry’s business leaders face, as well as the companies providing innovative technology solutions and services in response. This differentiated perspective has helped shape our investment themes, which are focused on two areas:
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Insurance Technology and Insurance Services: business models with unique products and/or customer acquisition strategies, including but not limited to business with specialized product design focused on regulatory capital arbitrage, with rollup opportunities among niche brokerage and agencies; and
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Financial Services: companies with durable business models, including service providers and technology companies that benefit from regulatory changes or systemic shifts in consumer or commercial preferences.
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Investment Criteria
We believe our management team’s extensive network and detailed understanding of the mechanics of a variety of industries will enable both flexible identification and a thorough vetting of target businesses. We will look to identify businesses with the following characteristics; this list is not exhaustive and target companies may include all, some, or none of these criteria:
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Growth potential. Are well-positioned for top line and margin growth achieved both organically as well as from potential strategic acquisitions.
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Competitive advantage. Possess a solid market share in their industry and continually focus on strengthening their competitive advantages.
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Strong Management Teams. Have a set of capable, experienced and ethical managers.
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Commitment to maximizing shareholder value as a publicly traded company. Have a clearly articulated strategy, effective operations, a strong culture, and a commitment to maximizing value while operating a strong governance framework.
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We believe our management team has the skills and experience to identify, evaluate and consummate a business combination and is positioned to assist businesses we acquire. However, our management team’s network of contacts, and its investing and operating experience, do not guarantee a successful initial business combination. The members of our management team are not required to devote any significant amount of time to our business and are involved with other businesses. We cannot guarantee that our current officers and directors will continue in their respective roles, or in any other role, after our initial business combination, and their expertise may only be of benefit to us until we complete our initial business combination. Past performance by our management team is not a guarantee of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate.
Competitive Strengths
Management possesses a strong set of business strengths that uniquely positions them to successfully identify and acquire a target company. These capabilities are more particularly described below:
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Significant experience. Our principals have broad and deep business and investing experience which includes extensive investing in public and private equity, leading large businesses and serving on multiple public and private company boards.
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Deep relationships. Management has a wide network of contacts ranging from large family-owned businesses to private equity firms as well as relationships with a myriad of directors and CEOs of successful public companies.
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Thorough due diligence. Management has substantial experience in managing a due diligence process that emphasizes identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as determining the appropriate valuation.
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Skilled execution. Management has significant experience in sophisticated transaction construction that optimizes the capital structure of the business in order to achieve desired operating performance.
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Effecting Our Initial Business Combination
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations following this offering until our initial business combination. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these as the consideration to be paid in our initial business combination.
If we pay for our initial business combination using stock or debt securities, or we do not use all of the funds released from the trust account for payment of the purchase price in connection with our business combination or for redemptions or purchases of our common stock, 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 acquired businesses, the payment of principal or interest due on indebtedness incurred in consummating our initial business combination, to fund the purchase of other companies or for working capital.
We have not identified any acquisition target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, initiated any discussions, with respect to identifying any acquisition target. From the period prior to our formation through the date of this prospectus, there have been no communications or discussions between any of our officers, directors or our sponsor and any of their potential contacts or relationships regarding a potential initial business combination. 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. Accordingly, there is no current basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the
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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 impact a target business.
Nasdaq rules require that our initial business combination be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. However, if our securities are not listed on Nasdaq or another securities exchange, we will no longer be subject to that requirement.
We may seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities to finance our initial business combination, and we may effectuate an initial business combination using the proceeds of such offering rather than using the amounts held in the trust account. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would consummate such financing only simultaneously with the consummation of our business combination. In the case of an initial business combination funded with assets other than the trust account assets, our tender offer documents or proxy materials disclosing the business combination would disclose the terms of the financing and, only if required by law or Nasdaq, we would seek stockholder approval of such financing. There are no prohibitions on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. At this time, we are not a party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising any additional funds through the sale of securities or otherwise.
Sources of Acquisition Candidates
We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds, brokers and other members of the financial community and corporate executives. These target candidates may present solicited or unsolicited proposals. We expect such sources to become aware that we are seeking a business combination candidate by a variety of means, including publicly available information relating to this offering, public relations and marketing efforts or direct contact by management following the completion of this offering.
Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates of which they become aware through their contacts. 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 if 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 we pay our sponsor or any of our officers or directors, or any entity with which they are affiliated, any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is), other than (i) repayment of loans made to us prior to the date of this prospectus by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, to cover offering-relating and organization expenses, (ii) repayment of loans that our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may make to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination (provided that if we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use 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), (iii) payments to our sponsor or its affiliate of a total of up to $5,000 per month for secretarial support and administrative services, and (iv) to reimburse our sponsor for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination. None of the initial holders, our officers, our directors or any entity with which they are affiliated will be allowed to receive any compensation, finder’s fees or consulting fees from a prospective acquisition target in connection with a
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contemplated acquisition of such target by us. Although some of our officers and directors may enter into employment or consulting agreements with the acquired business following our initial business combination, the presence or absence of any such 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, directors or their affiliates. Additionally, we are not prohibited from partnering, submitting joint bids, or entering into any similar transaction with such persons in the pursuit of an initial business combination. If we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company or we partner with such persons in our pursuit of an initial business combination, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that such an initial business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view. Generally, such opinion is rendered to a company’s board of directors and investment banking firms may take the view that stockholders may not rely on the opinion. Such view will not impact our decision on which investment banking firm to hire.
Unless we consummate our initial business combination with an affiliated entity, we are not required to obtain a financial fairness opinion from an independent investment banking firm. If we do not obtain such an opinion, our stockholders will be relying on the judgment of our board of directors, who will determine fair market value and fairness based on standards generally accepted by the financial community. The application of such standards would involve a comparison, from a valuation standpoint, of our business combination target to comparable public companies, as applicable, and a comparison of our contemplated transaction with such business combination target to other then-recently announced comparable private and public company transactions, as applicable. The application of such standards and the basis of our board of directors’ determination will be discussed and disclosed in our tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, related to our initial business combination.
Selection of a target business and structuring of our initial business combination
Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. The fair market value of our initial business combination will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as discounted cash flow valuation, a valuation based on trading multiples of comparable public businesses or a valuation based on the financial metrics of M&A transactions of comparable businesses. If our board of directors is not able to independently determine the fair market value of our initial business combination, 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. While we consider it unlikely that our board of directors will not be able to make an independent determination of the fair market value of our initial business combination, it may be unable to do so if it is less familiar or experienced with the business of a particular target or if there is a significant amount of uncertainty as to the value of a target’s assets or prospects. We do not intend to purchase multiple businesses in unrelated industries in conjunction with our initial business combination. Subject to this requirement, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting one or more prospective target businesses, although we will not be permitted to effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
In any case, we will only complete an initial business combination in which we own or acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquire a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If we own or acquire less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses, the portion of such business or businesses that are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company is what will be taken into account for purposes of Nasdaq’s 80% fair market value test. There is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of any target business with which we may ultimately complete our initial business combination.
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
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company or business. 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.
In evaluating a prospective business target, we expect to conduct a thorough due diligence review, which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspection of facilities, as well as a review of financial and other information that will be made available to us.
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.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
The target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and any taxes payable on the interest earned) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, although we may acquire a target business whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance.
We currently anticipate structuring a business combination involving 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination where we merge directly with the target business or involving less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we could acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target; however, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% fair market value test. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund-raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our Board of Directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). The proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents used by us in connection with any proposed transaction will provide public stockholders with our analysis of the fair market value of the target business, as well as the basis for our determinations. If our Board of Directors is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if our Board of Directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold.
Lack of business diversification
For an indefinite period of time after consummation 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
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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 consummating a 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.
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Limited ability to evaluate the target’s management team
Although we intend to closely scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating a target business, our assessment of the target business’ 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. The future role of members of our management team, if any, in the target business cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that one or more of our directors will remain associated in some capacity with us following a business combination, it is unlikely that any of them will devote their full efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination. Moreover, we cannot assure you that members of our management team will have 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.
Stockholders may not have the ability to approve a business combination
We may not seek stockholder approval before we effect our initial business combination as not all business combinations require stockholder approval under applicable state law. However, we will seek stockholder approval if it is required by law or Nasdaq, or we may decide to seek stockholder approval for business or other reasons. Presented in the table below is a table of the types of initial business combinations we may consider and whether stockholder approval is currently required under Delaware law for each such transaction.
Purchase of assets
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No
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Purchase of stock of target not involving a merger with the company
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No
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Merger of target into a subsidiary of the company
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No
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Merger of the company with a target
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Yes
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Permitted purchases of our securities
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, directors, officers or their respective affiliates may purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions either prior to or following the consummation of our initial business combination, although as of the date of this prospectus (apart from the purchase of the private placement warrants) they have no commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions. If they do effect such purchases, we anticipate that they would approach a limited number of large holders of our securities that have voted against the business combination or sought redemption of their shares, or that have indicated an intention to do so, and engage in direct negotiations for the purchase of such holders’ positions. All holders approached in this manner would be institutional or sophisticated holders. There is no limit on the number of shares they may acquire. Our sponsor, directors,
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officers, advisors or their affiliates will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material nonpublic information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act or in transactions that would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10(b)-5 under the Exchange Act. Although they do not currently anticipate paying any premium purchase price for such public shares, there is no limit on the price they may pay. They may also enter into transactions to provide such holders with incentives to acquire shares or vote their shares in favor of an initial business combination. No funds in the trust account may be used to effect purchases of shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
The purpose of such purchases would be to (i) increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the business combination or (ii) to 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 the business combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of a business combination that may not otherwise have been possible.
As a consequence of any such purchases by our initial holders, directors, officers or their affiliates, the public “float” of our common stock may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to obtain the continued listing of our securities on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange in connection with our initial business combination
Our initial holders, officers, directors and/or their respective affiliates anticipate that they will identify the public stockholders with whom they may pursue privately negotiated purchases through either direct contact by the public stockholders or by our receipt of redemption requests or votes against the business combination submitted by such public stockholders following our mailing of proxy materials in connection with our initial business combination. The sellers of any shares so purchased by our initial holders, officers, advisors, directors and/or their affiliates would, as part of the sale arrangement, revoke their election to redeem such shares and withdraw their vote against the business combination. The terms of such purchases would operate to facilitate our ability to consummate a proposed business combination by potentially reducing the number of shares redeemed for cash.
Redemption rights for public stockholders upon consummation of our initial business combination
We will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing deferred underwriting commissions and interest earned on the trust account not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account initially will be $10.00 per public share. There will be no redemption rights upon the consummation of our initial business combination with respect to our warrants. The initial holders, our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our directors and officers have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders and our directors and officers will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period.
Manner of Conducting Redemptions
We will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the business combination or by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether we will seek
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stockholder 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 stockholder approval under the law or stock exchange listing requirement.
We currently intend to conduct redemptions pursuant to a stockholder vote unless stockholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other reasons.
If a stockholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation:
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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 any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of the proposed business combination, and
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file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination that will 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.
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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 shares of our Class A common stock 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 stockholders not tendering more than a specified number of public shares, which number will be based on the requirement that we may not redeem public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets, after payment of the deferred underwriting commissions, 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 which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination. If public stockholders tender more shares than we have offered to purchase, we will withdraw the tender offer and not complete such initial business combination.
If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law or Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, 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.
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We expect that a final proxy statement would be mailed to public stockholders at least 10 days prior to the stockholder vote. However, we expect that a draft proxy statement would be made available to such stockholders well in advance of such time, providing additional notice of redemption if we conduct redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation. Although we are not required to do so, we currently intend to comply with the substantive and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A in connection with any stockholder vote even if we are not able to maintain our Nasdaq listing or Exchange Act registration.
If we seek stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting. Our initial stockholders, officers and directors will count towards this quorum and have agreed to vote any founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination. We expect that at the time of any stockholder vote relating to our initial business combination, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees will own at least 20.0% of our outstanding shares of common
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stock entitled to vote thereon. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, we would need 9,375,001, or 37.5%, of the 25,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of a transaction (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the option to purchase additional units is not exercised) in order to have such initial business combination approved. These quorum and voting thresholds and agreements may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination. Each public stockholder may elect to redeem its public shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination and, in any event, the terms of the proposed business combination may require our net tangible assets to be greater than $5,000,001. For example, the proposed business combination may require: (i) cash consideration to be paid to the target or members of its management team, (ii) cash to be transferred to the target for working capital or other general corporate purposes or (iii) the allocation of cash to satisfy other conditions in accordance with the terms of the proposed business combination. If the aggregate cash consideration we would be required to pay for all shares of Class A common stock that are validly tendered plus the amount of any cash payments required pursuant to the terms of the proposed business combination exceeds the aggregate amount of cash available to us, taking into consideration the requirement that we maintain net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 or such greater amount depending on the terms of our potential business combination, we will not consummate the business combination and any shares of common stock tendered pursuant to the tender offer will be returned to the holders thereof following the expiration of the tender offer.
Limitation on redemption upon consummation of a business combination if we seek stockholder approval
Notwithstanding the foregoing redemption rights, if we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder 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 an aggregate of 20.0% or more of the shares sold in this offering without our prior consent. We believe the restriction described above will discourage stockholders 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 sponsor or its affiliates to purchase their shares at a significant premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. Absent this provision, a public stockholder holding more than an aggregate of 20.0% 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 or our sponsor or its affiliates at a premium to the then-current market price or on other undesirable terms. By limiting our stockholders’ ability to redeem to no more than 20.0% of the shares sold in this offering, we believe we will limit the ability of a small group of stockholders 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 stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including all shares held by those stockholders that hold more than 20.0% of the shares sold in this offering) for or against our initial business combination.
Tendering stock certificates in connection with redemption rights
We may require our public stockholders 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 tender offer documents mailed to such holders, or up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve our initial business combination in the event we distribute proxy materials, 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, rather than simply voting against the initial business combination. The tender offer or proxy materials, as applicable, that we will furnish to holders of our public shares in connection with our initial business combination will indicate whether we are requiring public stockholders to satisfy such delivery requirements, which will include the requirement that any beneficial owner on whose behalf a redemption right is being exercised must identify itself in order to validly redeem its shares.
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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 $45.00 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 stockholders’ 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 redemption rights. After the business combination was approved, the company would contact such stockholder to arrange for him to deliver his certificate to verify ownership. As a result, the stockholder then had an “option window” after the consummation of the business combination during which he could monitor the price of the company’s stock in the market. If the price rose above the redemption price, he could sell his shares in the open market before actually delivering his shares to the company for cancellation. As a result, the redemption rights, to which stockholders were aware they needed to commit before the stockholder meeting, would become “option” rights surviving past the consummation 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 holder’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 the date set forth in the tender offer materials or the date of the stockholder meeting set forth in our proxy materials, as applicable. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivers 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 a business combination.
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders 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 consummated, we may continue to try to consummate a business combination with a different target until 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option).
Redemption of public shares and liquidation if no initial business combination
Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed that we will have only 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) to consummate our initial business combination. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the 24-month period, we will distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, pro rata to our public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up our affairs. If we have not consummated a business combination within 24 months from the completion 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 all public shares then outstanding at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware 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 complete our initial business combination within such completion window.
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The initial holders, our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our officers and directors have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders and our officers and directors will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination within the 24-month period.
The underwriter has agreed to waive its rights to deferred underwriting commissions held in the trust account if we do not consummate a business combination and subsequently liquidate and, in such event, the deferred underwriting commissions held in the trust account will be available to fund the redemption of our public shares.
Our initial stockholders, executive officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock 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 franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of 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 are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules).
We will pay the costs of any liquidation from the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust, and up to $100,000 of the interest income on the trust account (net of any taxes payable) which may be released to us, and the balance of loans from our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties for working capital purposes and to pay expenses to identify an acquisition target and consummate initial business combination, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purposes. If such funds are insufficient, our sponsor has agreed to pay the balance of liquidation expenses and has agreed not to seek repayment for such amounts.
The proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of our public stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by stockholders will not be less than the $10.00 per public share initially on deposit in the trust account. Under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our stockholders. 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, 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 any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, 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
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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. If we do not obtain a waiver from a third party, we will obtain the written consent of our sponsor before our entering into an agreement with such third party. 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 and where our sponsor executes a written consent. 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, pursuant to a written agreement, our sponsor has agreed that he will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a definitive transaction agreement, reduce the amounts in the trust account to below $10.00 per share, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of rights to seek access to the trust account and except as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriter 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. We cannot assure you, however, that our sponsor will be able to satisfy those obligations.
If the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per public share and our sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy any applicable 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 a 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 have access to the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust, any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation). If we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, stockholders who received funds from our trust account could be liable for claims made by creditors. If our offering expenses exceed our estimate of $1,150,000, we may fund such excess with the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust. Conversely, if the offering expenses are less than our estimate, the balance will be used for post-closing working capital.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares if we do not consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.
Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of our public shares in the event we do not consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case
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of a liquidation distribution. If we have not consummated a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), or earlier at the discretion of our board, 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 all public shares then outstanding at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following our 24th month and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent 10 years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account.
As a result of this obligation and our Sponsor’s indemnification of the trust account against certain claims as previously described in this section, we believe that the claims that could be made against us will be significantly limited and that the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the trust account is remote. Further, our Sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per public share, and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriter 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.
If we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.00 per share to our public stockholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board 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 stockholders 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 stockholders 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 consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or (iii) if they redeem their respective shares for cash upon the consummation of the initial business combination. Also, our management may cease to pursue a business combination prior to the expiration
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of the 24-month period (our board of directors may determine to liquidate the trust account prior to such expiration if it determines, in its business judgment, that it is improbable within the remaining time to identify an attractive business combination or satisfy regulatory and other business and legal requirements to consummate a business combination). In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account. In the event we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the business combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares for an applicable pro rata share of the trust account. Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights described above.
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Comparison of redemption or purchase prices in connection with our initial business combination and if we fail to consummate a business combination.
The following table compares the redemptions and other permitted purchases of public shares that may take place in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination and if we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option).
Calculation of redemption price
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Redemptions at the time of our initial business combination may be made pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a stockholder vote. The redemption price will be the same whether we conduct redemptions pursuant to a tender offer or in connection with a stockholder vote. In either case, our public stockholders may redeem their public shares for cash equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share), including any amounts representing deferred underwriting commissions and interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us for the payment of taxes or dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares; subject to the limitation that no redemptions will take place if all of the redemptions would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of a proposed business combination.
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If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our affiliates may enter into privately negotiated transactions to purchase public shares from stockholders. There is no limit to the prices that our initial stockholders, directors, officers or their affiliates may pay in these transactions.
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If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), we will redeem all public shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount, then on deposit in the trust account (which is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share), including any amounts representing deferred underwriting commissions and interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.
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Impact to remaining stockholders
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The redemptions in connection with our initial business combination will reduce the book value per share for our remaining stockholders, who will bear the burden of the deferred underwriting commissions and franchise and income taxes payable.
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None.
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The redemption of our public shares if we fail to consummate a business combination will reduce the book value per share for the founder shares and the private placement warrants held by our initial stockholders, who will be our only remaining stockholders 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 underwriter will not exercise its overallotment option. None of the provisions of Rule 419 apply to our offering.
Escrow of offering proceeds
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$250.0 million of the net proceeds (approximately $287.5 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) of this offering and the private placement, which includes $8.75 million in deferred underwriting commissions (approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full), will be deposited into a trust account in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee.
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Approximately $212.63 million of the offering proceeds, (approximately $245.2 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) representing the gross 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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$250.0 million of the net proceeds (approximately $287.5 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) of this offering and the private placement, which includes $8.75 million in deferred underwriting commissions (approximately $10.81 million if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) held in trust will be invested only in United States government treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in United States Treasuries and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act.
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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 funds in trust account
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We will be entitled to withdraw interest income earned on the funds in the trust account to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses. Our stockholders will have no
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Interest on funds in the 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 consummation of a
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right to receive any pro-rata portion of interest income earned on the proceeds held in the trust account released to us.
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business combination.
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Trading of securities issued
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The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Cantor Fitzgerald informs us of their decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our having filed the Current Report on Form 8-K described under “Description of Securities — Units” 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 completion of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the overallotment 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 overallotment option.
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No trading of the units or the underlying common stock 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 the later of 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination or 12 months from the completion of this offering.
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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 stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Class A common stock upon the consummation of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing deferred underwriting commissions and interest earned on the trust account not previously released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the trust account initially will be $10.00 per public share. There will be no redemption rights upon the consummation of our initial business combination with respect to our warrants.
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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 not less than 20 business days and no more than 45 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 stockholder of the company or requires 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 would be automatically returned to the stockholder. 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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The initial holders, our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our directors and officers have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders and our directors and officers will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period.
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Business combination deadline
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If we are unable to complete a business combination within 24 months from completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), 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 any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses,
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If an acquisition has not been consummated 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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divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
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Release of funds
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Except for interest income earned on the trust account balance, which will be released to us to pay our taxes or to pay dissolution expenses (up to $100,000), none of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering, subject to applicable law; or (iii) otherwise upon our liquidation or in the event our board of directors resolves to liquidate the trust account and ceases to pursue the consummation of a business combination prior to the expiration of the 24-month period.
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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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Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business for a 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 and 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 to our public stockholders who exercise their redemption rights may reduce the resources available to us for an initial business combination. In addition, the number of 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 510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38117. The cost for our use of this space is included in the up to $5,000 per month fee we will pay to our sponsor or its affiliate for administrative services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
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Employees
We currently have three (3) executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our affairs 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 consummation of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
We will register our units, common stock 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.
Prior to the date of this prospectus, we will file a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to 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 business combination.
We will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials sent to stockholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with GAAP. 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 GAAP or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with GAAP. To the extent that this requirement 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 and report on our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. A target company 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.
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 stockholder 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 common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
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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, and we and the members of our management team have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 12 months preceding the date of this prospectus.
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Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
Our directors, director nominees and executive officers are as follows:
R. Brad Martin
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Charles K. Slatery
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President, Chief Investment Officer and Director
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William V. Thompson III
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Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
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Leslie Starr Keating
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Independent Director Nominee
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Mark Edmunds
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Independent Director Nominee
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Willie Gregory
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Independent Director Nominee
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R. Brad Martin is the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Martin was Chairman of the Board of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, a producer of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, a position he held from October 2015 to February 2021. In addition, Mr. Martin has served as Chairman of RBM Ventures, a private investment company, since 2007. Mr. Martin was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Incorporated from 1989 to 2006 and remained Chairman until his retirement in 2007. He is the former Interim President of the University of Memphis, a position he held from July 2013 until May 2014. He was previously a director of First Horizon National Corporation, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Dillard’s, Inc., Gaylord Entertainment Company, lululemon athletica inc., and Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Mr. Martin served five terms as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever elected to the Tennessee legislature. He is involved in a number of civic and philanthropic activities and chairs the Martin Family Foundation. Mr. Martin graduated from the University of Memphis where he served as President of the student body and earned a masters in business administration from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
Charles K. Slatery is our President, Chief Investment Officer and a director on our Board of Directors. Since June 2004, Mr. Slatery has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of NFC Investments LLC, a national financial advisory firm headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Slatery served as treasurer of St. George’s Day School, and Board Chair and Treasurer of St. George’s High School. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University where he majored in history. Mr. Slatery received his masters in business administration degree from the University of Tennessee.
William V. Thompson III is our Secretary and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Thompson has over 20 years of experience in capital management, insurance operations, and private investments. Thompson is the President and Chief Compliance Officer of NFC Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor based in Memphis, Tennessee. Thompson is also the Executive Vice President of WT Holdings, Inc, a privately-owned insurance holding company based in Memphis, Tennessee. Thompson serves as a director of the Memphis/Shelby County Sports Authority and Memphis University School. He is a founder and board member of Slingshot Memphis. Thompson served as Vice President at NewSouth Capital Management in Memphis, Tennessee, from 2000-2006. He also served as Audit Committee Chair of the board of Equity Bank SSB which is now Triumph Bancorp, a publicly traded bank in Dallas, Texas.
Leslie Starr Keating will serve as an independent director immediately upon the effective date of this prospectus. Ms. Keating a highly successful corporate executive with 35 years of leadership experience in the consumer products industry with a proven track record of achievements contributing to enhanced corporate performance through effective P&L leadership of operations and supply chain functions for multi-billion dollar corporations. Ms. Keating has demonstrated results in leading and motivating teams, strategic rigor and deep P&L operating experience. Ms. Keating served as EVP Supply Strategy and Transformation for Advance Auto Parts from March 2017 until her retirement in December 2018. While in this role she led the development and execution of the re-architecture of the business model to deliver transformative P&L value. Prior to joining Advance, Ms. Keating was with PepsiCo for over 31 years and served as the SVP PepsiCo Supply Chain from 2008 until her retirement in 2017 with responsibility for Frito Lay’s North American Supply Chain. Previous to her role as SVP Supply Chain, Ms. Keating served as SVP of Commercialization and Supply Chain. Before joining PepsiCo Ms. Keating started her career with Procter and Gamble. Ms. Keating has advised boards in compliance, organizational effectiveness and governance, and she has served on the Board of Directors of
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SunOpta, Inc. since July 2019. She served on the Board of Directors of Chesapeake Energy Corporation from September 2017 to February 2021. She has been recognized with the PepsiCo “Harvey C. Russell Inclusion Award” for her inclusion leadership and as “Collin County Professional Woman of the Year” by the Texas Business Woman Association. Furthermore, Women’s Enterprise magazine recognized Ms. Keating for her manufacturing innovation and leadership. Ms. Keating earned her bachelors in science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and her masters in business administration from Georgia State University.
Mark Edmunds will serve as an independent director immediately upon the effective date of this prospectus. Mr. Edmunds served as the Vice Chairman of Deloitte, a global accounting and consulting firm from June 2018 to June 2019. During his 39-year tenure at Deloitte, Mr. Edmunds has held several leadership roles within the firm, including US leader of Energy/Utilities, West Region Managing Partner, US Board of Directors and Chair of Global Committee. He has also led the Americas and Asia Pacific Oil and Gas sectors from San Francisco and Singapore respectively. Mr. Edmunds has served as lead and advisory partner for a number of Deloitte’s strategic clients, including public and private companies in the U.S. Mr. Edmunds’ primary industry focus has been energy & utilities throughout his career, including a short sabbatical from the firm to serve the Independent Petroleum Association of America in Washington, D.C. Mr. Edmunds served on the Audit and Compensation Committees of Chesapeake Energy Corporation from August 2018 until February 2021. He participated in the Executive Committee of the California Chamber of Commerce from 2001 to 2007, and from 2006 to 2011 in the Executive Committee of the Bay Area Council. Mr. Edmunds graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA and the Texas CPA Society. Mr. Edmunds will qualify as an audit committee financial expert.
Willie Gregory will serve as an independent director immediately upon the effective date of this prospectus. Mr. Gregory serves as Director of Global Community Investment at NIKE, Inc., a leading global apparel company, where he has been employed since 1993. Prior to joining NIKE, Mr. Gregory worked at IBM Corporation as regional marketing/sales manager. Mr. Gregory is the recipient of several awards and has affiliations with several community based organizations that promote education, cultural awareness and civic responsibility, including The 100 Black Men of America, NIKE’s African American Network Person of the Year Award; LeMoyne Owen College’s Beacon of Hope Honoree; The Ralph Hatley University of Memphis Hall of Fame Athletic Award; Memphis City Schools Hall of Fame Inductee and AutoZone Liberty Bowl President 2010. Mr. Gregory is a former Board Member of the National Civil Rights Museum, Youth Villages, Memphis Development Foundation; a former Board Chair of Big Brothers /Big Sisters of Greater Memphis; a former Board Chair of Memphis/ Shelby County Sports Authority; and currently a Board Chair of the Greater Memphis Chamber. Mr. Gregory attained a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University and The University of Memphis.
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 elected in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a two-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Mr. Martin and Mr. Slatery, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Mr. Gregory and Ms. Keating, will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the third class of directors, consisting of Mr. Edmunds, will expire at our third annual meeting of stockholders. Collectively, through their positions described above, our officers and directors have extensive experience in public companies. These individuals will play a key role in identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target businesses, and structuring, negotiating and consummating their acquisition.
Director Independence
Nasdaq rules require that a majority of the board of directors of a company listed on Nasdaq must be composed of “independent directors.” An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. We have determined that Messrs. Edmunds and Gregory, and Ms. Starr Keating are independent directors under the Nasdaq rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
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Executive Officer and Director Compensation
None of our executive officers or directors has received any cash compensation for services rendered. No compensation of any kind, including finder’s and consulting fees, will be paid to our sponsor, executive officers and directors, or any entity with which they are affiliated, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of an initial business combination other than (i) repayment of loans made to us prior to the date of this prospectus by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, to cover offering-relating and organization expenses, (ii) repayment of loans that our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may make to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination (provided that if we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use 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), (iii) payments to our sponsor or its affiliate of a total of up to $5,000 per month for secretarial support and administrative services, and (iv) to reimburse for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigation and completing an initial business combination. Prior to the appointment of our audit committee, our independent directors must approve all payments in excess of $5,000 to any initial holder, sponsor, our directors and officers or our or their affiliates. Following the appointment of an audit committee, the audit committee will approve such payments.
After the consummation of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain in one of those capacities may be paid director, consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed business combination. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee consisting solely of 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 the initial business combination. The existence or terms of any such employment or consulting arrangements may influence our management’s motivation in identifying or selecting a target business although we do not believe that the ability of our management to remain with us after the consummation of an 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.
Board Committees
Audit Committee
Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq and Section 10A of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Upon or prior to the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish an audit committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Messrs. Edmunds and Gregory, and Ms. Keating. Each of Messrs. Edmunds and Gregory, and Ms. Keating meet the independent director standard under Nasdaq’s listing standards and under Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Edmunds will serve as Chairman of our audit committee.
The audit committee’s duties, which are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:
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reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor our annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our Form 10-K;
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discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;
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discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;
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monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;
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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;
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reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;
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inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
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pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;
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appointing or replacing the independent auditor;
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determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (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;
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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; and
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approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.
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Financial Expert on Audit Committee
The audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of independent directors who are “financially literate” as defined under Nasdaq’s listing standards. The Nasdaq listing standards define “financially literate” as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
In addition, we must certify to the Nasdaq Capital Market that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. We have determined that Mr. Edmunds satisfies Nasdaq’s definition of financial sophistication and also qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.
Compensation Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors. The members of our Compensation Committee will be Messrs. Edmunds and Gregory, and Ms. Keating and Ms. Keating will serve as chairman of the compensation committee. We will adopt a compensation committee charter, which will detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
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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’s based on such evaluation;
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reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers;
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reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
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implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
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assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
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approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;
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producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement;
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reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors; and
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monitoring compliance with the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relating to loans to directors and officers, and with all other applicable laws affecting employee compensation and benefits.
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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 Nasdaq and the SEC.
Nominating and Governance 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 Messrs. Martin, Edmunds and Gregory, and Ms. Keating, and Mr. Martin will serve as chairman of the nominating committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards, we are required to have a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Edmunds and Gregory, and Ms. Keating 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:
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should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;
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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
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should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.
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The nominating and governance 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 and governance 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.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
Effective upon completion of this offering, we will adopt a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws.
Other Board Committees
Our board of directors intends to establish a nominating committee upon consummation of our initial business combination. At that time, our board of directors intends to adopt a charter for this committee. Prior to such time, our independent directors will address any nominations process, as required by Nasdaq.
Conflicts of Interest
In general, officers and directors of a Delaware corporation are required to present business opportunities to the corporation if:
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the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
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the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and
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it would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.
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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, however, that the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, will not apply to us or any of our officers or directors or in circumstances that would conflict with any current or future fiduciary duties or contractual obligations.
Accordingly, 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 pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she may be required to present the opportunity to such entity prior to presenting the opportunity to us or, if he or she is subject to a non-compete obligation that includes business opportunities, he or she may be prohibited from referring such opportunity to us. Below is a table summarizing the companies to which our officers, directors and director nominees owe fiduciary obligations that could conflict with their fiduciary obligations to us, all of which may have to (i) be presented appropriate potential target businesses by our officers or directors, and (ii) reject the opportunity to acquire such potential target business, before the opportunity may be presented to us:
R. Brad Martin
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RBM Venture Company
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Asset Management
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Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
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Cherry Road Leasing, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Brands GP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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Mallard Assets, GP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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RBM Advantage, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Center Holdings, Inc.
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Asset Management
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Majority Owner
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RBM Cherry Road Partners, GP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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RBM Europa, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Lids, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Mountain, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Nativo, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Opinion, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Packaging, LLC
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Contract Manufacturing
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Managing Member
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RBM Paint, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Partners, LP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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RBM Pet, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Pilot, GP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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RBM Pilot Two, GP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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R. Brad Martin Family Foundation
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Charitable Organization
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Director
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RBS Solutions, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBS Two, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Teneo GP
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Asset Management
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General Partner
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RBM Investments LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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Osprey Nest Family Partners LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Mapp, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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RBM Riverview, LLC
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Asset Management
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Managing Member
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FedEx Corporation
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Delivery Services
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Director
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Pilot Travel Centers, LLC
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Travel Center Company
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Director
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Charles. K Slatery
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NFC Investments, LLC
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Asset Management
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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WT Holdings, Inc.
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Asset Management
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Stillwater Insurance Co.
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Financial Services
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Director
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Stillwater P&C Co.
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Financial Services
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Director
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Tri-State Consumer Insurance Co.
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Financial Services
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Director
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Evergreen National Indemnity Co.
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Financial Services
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Director
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Gramercy Indemnity Company
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Financial Services
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Director
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WBL Corp
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Financial Services
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Chairman
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Hollywood Feed, LLC
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Pet Food & Supply
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Chairman
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Corrisoft, LLC
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Telecommunications
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Chairman
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Tecton Group, LLC
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Food & Beverage
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Director
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William V. Thompson III
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NFC Investments, LLC
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Asset Management
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President and Chief Compliance Officer
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WT Holdings, Inc.
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Asset Management
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Executive Vice President and Director
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Stillwater Insurance Co.
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Financial Services
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Director
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Tri-State Consumer Insurance Co.
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Financial Services
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Director
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ProAlliance Corporation
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Financial Services
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Director
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WBL Corp
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Financial Services
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Director
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Corrisoft, LLC
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Telecommunications
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Director
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NFC Arizona Renewables, LLC
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Energy
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President
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Leslie Starr Keating
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SunOpta, Inc.
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Food and Minerals
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Director
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Mark A. Edmunds
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Willie H. Gregory
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Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
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None of our officers and directors is required to commit his or her full time to our affairs and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating his or her time among various business activities.
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Each of the holders of the founder shares and private placement warrants, has agreed that his, her or its founder shares, will be subject to transfer restrictions and that he, she or it will not sell or transfer such shares until the applicable forfeiture provisions no longer apply. Holders of founder shares have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within the 24 months period or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, our initial holders will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period. To the extent our holders of founder shares transfer any of these securities to certain permitted transferees, such permitted transferees will agree, as a condition to such transfer, to waive these same redemption rights. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such
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24-month period, the portion of the proceeds of the sale of the private placement warrants placed into the trust account will be used to fund the redemption of our public shares. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our founder shares or private placement warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate an initial business combination within 24 months of the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option). Except as described under “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants”, the founder shares, private placement warrants and their underlying securities will not be transferable, assignable or salable.
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Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
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We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with holders of founder shares, our officers or directors or their affiliates. Additionally, we are not prohibited from partnering, submitting joint bids, or entering into any similar transaction with holders of founder shares, our officers or directors and their affiliates, in the pursuit of an initial business combination. The interests of our partners in any such transaction may differ materially from ours. If we seek to complete an initial business combination with such a company or we partner with such related persons in our pursuit of an initial business combination, we, or a committee of independent directors, would obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that such an initial business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in no event will these related persons be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination other than (i) repayment of loans made to us prior to the date of this prospectus by Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, to cover offering-relating and organization expenses and (ii) repayment of any incremental loans which our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may make to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination (provided that if we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use 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). Commencing on the date our securities are first listed on Nasdaq, we will pay an amount up to $5,000 per month to our sponsor or its affiliate for secretarial support and administrative services provided to us.
We cannot assure you that any of the above-mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
In the event that we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, our sponsor and each of our initial stockholders has agreed to vote their founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination. Our sponsor and the other initial holders will own, upon completion of this offering and the private placement and assuming they buy no shares in this offering (which they have indicated they do not intend to do), a total of 6,250,000 shares of Class B common stock, or 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full, representing 20.0% and 20.0% respectively of our then-outstanding shares. Accordingly 9,375,001 public shares (10,781,251 public shares if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) constituting 37.5% (37.5% if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) of outstanding public shares must be voted in favor of our initial business combination in order for it to be approved.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by applicable Delaware law. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated bylaws. Our amended and restated bylaws also will permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability
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arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We will 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.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against 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.
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The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our common stock included in the units offered by this prospectus, by:
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each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;
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each of our officers, directors and director nominees that beneficially owns shares of our common stock; and
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all our officers, directors and director nominees as a group.
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Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock 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.
R. Brad Martin
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7,187,500(5)
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100.0%
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6,250,000
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20.0%
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Charles K. Slatery
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William V. Thompson III
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Leslie Starr Keating
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Mark Edmunds
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Willie Gregory
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All directors and officers as a group (6 persons)
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7,187,500
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100.0%
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6,250,000
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20.0%
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Greater than 5% Beneficial Owners
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Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC
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7,187,500(5)
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100.0%
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6,250,000
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20.0%
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(1)
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Includes an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the overallotment option is not exercised by the underwriter.
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(2)
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Assumes (i) the underwriter’s overallotment option has not been exercised and, as a result, an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares have been forfeited, and (ii) that 7,400,000 private placement warrants have been purchased by the sponsor.
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(3)
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Total shares outstanding after the offering includes 6,250,000 founder shares.
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(4)
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Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the persons and entities listed above is 510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38117.
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(5)
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Our sponsor is the record holder of such shares. Mr. Martin, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is the managing member of our sponsor. As such, each of the sponsor and Mr. Martin may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the common stock held directly by our sponsor. Mr. Martin disclaims any beneficial ownership of the common stock held directly by our sponsor, and disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly.
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After giving effect to the issuance of founder shares and private placement of the private placement warrants, our initial stockholders and purchasers of the private placement warrants, will own 20.0% of the outstanding common stock following the offering and 20.0% if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full (assuming that holders of founder shares and purchasers of the private placement warrants do not purchase any public shares in the offering or the public market). Because of this ownership block, our initial stockholders will have significant influence over the outcome of all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of our initial business combination.
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To the extent the underwriter does not exercise the overallotment option, up to an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares will be forfeited. Our initial holders will be required to forfeit only a number of founder shares necessary so that the collective number of founder shares represents 20.0% of the aggregate of our founder shares and our public shares, in each case after giving effect to the offering and the exercise, if any, of the underwriter’s overallotment option.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, in a private placement to occur concurrently with the closing of this offering. Each placement warrant entitles the holder to purchase one whole share of our Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our founder shares and private placement warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not complete our initial business combination with 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option). The private placement warrants and their underlying securities are subject to the transfer restrictions described below under “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants”). The private placement warrants will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by our sponsor or their permitted transferees. If the private placement warrants are held by holders other than our sponsor or their permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. The private placement warrants may also be exercised by our sponsor or their permitted transferees on a cashless basis. Otherwise, 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.
Our sponsor and executive officers are deemed to be our “promoters” as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants
The founder shares and private placement warrants, and securities contained therein, are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in the letter agreements with us to be entered into among us, the holders of founder shares and purchasers of private placement warrants. Those lock-up provisions provide that such securities are not transferable or salable: (i) in the case of the founder shares, until the earlier of (a) one year after the completion of our initial business combination, (b) the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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 (c) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a subsequent transaction (I) resulting in our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities or (II) involving a consolidation, merger or similar transaction that results in change in the majority of our board of directors or management team in which the company is the surviving entity; and (ii) in the case of the private placement warrants, including the component securities therein, until 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination, except in each case (a) to our officers, our directors, the initial stockholders, (b) to an affiliate or immediate family member of any of our officers, directors, initial stockholders, (c) to any member, officer or director of our sponsor, or any immediate family member, partner, affiliate or employee of a member of our sponsor, (d) by gift to any permitted transferee under any of the immediately preceding subsections (a) through (c), a trust, the beneficiaries of which are one or more permitted transferees under any of the immediately preceding subsections (a) through (c), or a charitable organization, (e) by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of any of our officers, our directors, the initial stockholders, members of our sponsor, (f) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (g) in the event of our liquidation prior to consummation of our initial business combination, (h) by virtue of the laws of Delaware, our sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of any sponsor, (i) subsequent to our initial business combination, upon and in connection with a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property or (j) subsequent to our initial business combination, in the event of a consolidation merger, stock exchange or similar transaction in which the company is the surviving entity that results in a change in the majority of our board of directors or management team; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f) and (h) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the letter agreements provide that, in connection with an initial business combination, the initial holders may transfer, assign or sell their founder
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shares with our consent to any person or entity that agrees in writing to be bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in the prior sentence, and any such transferee shall be a permitted transferee under the letter agreements.
Registration Rights
The holders of the founders shares, private placement warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of loans made by our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties, if any, will have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any of our securities held by them (in the case of the founder shares, only after conversion to our Class A common stock) pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. These holders will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that we register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders will have “piggy-back” registration rights to include such securities in other registration statements filed by us and rights to require us to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs: (i) in the case of the founder shares, upon the earlier of (a) one year after the completion of our initial business combination, (b) the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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 (c) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property; and (ii) in the case of the private placement warrants and the respective Class A common stock underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. We will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Holders of founder shares currently own 7,187,500 founder shares. If the underwriter determines the size of the offering should be increased, a stock dividend would be effectuated so that founder shares represent 20% of the aggregate of our founder shares and our issued and outstanding public shares after this offering.
If the underwriter does not exercise all or a portion of its overallotment option, holders of founder shares have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will forfeit up to an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares in proportion to the portion of the underwriter’s overallotment option that was not exercised.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $7.4 million in a private placement to occur concurrently with the closing of this offering. The private placement warrants will be identical to the warrants sold in this offering, except that if held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, they (a) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, (b) are not subject to being called for redemption and (c) they (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions (as described in more detail under “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants”), be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our founder shares or placement warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not complete an initial business combination.
The private placement warrants will be sold in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(2) or Regulation D of the Securities Act and will be exempt from registration requirements under the federal securities laws. As such, the holders of the private placement warrants will be able to exercise such private placement warrants even if, at the time of exercise, an effective registration statement and a current prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not available. Other than (i) repayment of loans made to us prior to the date of this prospectus by Riverview Sponsor Partners to cover offering-relating and organization expenses, (ii) repayment of any incremental loans which our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may make to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination (provided that if we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use 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), (iii) payments to our sponsor or its affiliate of a total of up to $5,000 per month for secretarial support and administrative services, and (iv) to reimburse our sponsor for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigation and completing an initial business combination, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to our initial stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). Prior to the appointment of our audit committee, our independent directors must approve all payments in excess of $120,000 to any initial holder, our directors and officers or entities with which they are affiliated. Following the appointment of an audit committee, the audit committee will approve such payments.
As of February 18, 2021, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, has loaned us an aggregate of $42,500 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. These loans are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2021 or the completion of this offering.
Commencing on the date our securities are first listed on Nasdaq, we will pay an amount up to $5,000 per month to our sponsor or its affiliate for secretarial support and administrative services provided to us.
Our sponsor has agreed that, if the trust account is liquidated without the consummation of a business combination, it will indemnify us to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or any claims by a prospective target business with which we have discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the trust account to below $10.00 per public share, except for any claims by any third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the trust account, regardless of whether such waiver is enforceable, and except for claims arising from our obligation to indemnify the underwriter of this offering pursuant to the underwriting agreement for this offering. We have not independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy his indemnity obligations, we have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such obligations and he may not be able to satisfy those obligations. We believe
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the likelihood of our sponsor having to indemnify the trust account is limited because we will endeavor to have all third parties that provide products or services to us and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the trust account.
In order to fund working capital requirements and finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds to fund our additional working capital requirements and transaction costs. The loans will be interest free. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. If we do not consummate an initial business combination, we may use a portion of any working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts; however, no proceeds from the trust account may be used for such repayment. If such funds are insufficient to repay the loan amounts, the unpaid amounts would be forgiven. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be converted into additional warrants at $1.00 per warrant of the post-business combination entity at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants issued to our sponsor.
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 stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. 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 stockholder 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.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any member of our management team or his or her respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us at that time, based upon other similar arrangements known to us, to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. It is our intention to obtain estimates from unaffiliated third parties for similar goods or services to ascertain whether such transactions with affiliates are on terms that are no less favorable to us than are otherwise available from such unaffiliated third parties. If a transaction with an affiliated third party were found to be on terms less favorable to us than with an unaffiliated third party, we would not engage in such transaction.
Upon or prior to completion of this offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with respect to the founder shares, placement warrants and warrants which may be issued upon any conversion of up to $1,500,000 of loans from our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties described above, which is described under the heading “Principal Stockholders — Registration Rights.”
Related Party Policy
We have not yet adopted a formal policy for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Accordingly, the transactions discussed above were not reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with any such policy.
Prior to the consummation of this offering, we will adopt a Code of Ethics requiring us to avoid, wherever possible, all conflicts of interests, except under guidelines or resolutions approved by our board of directors (or the appropriate committee of our board) or as disclosed in our public filings with the SEC. Under our Code of Ethics, conflict of interest situations will include any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the company.
In addition, our audit committee, pursuant to a written charter that we will adopt prior to the consummation of this offering, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions to the extent that we enter into such transactions. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the audit committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be required in order to approve a related party transaction. A majority of the members of the entire audit committee will constitute a quorum. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the audit committee will be required to approve a related party transaction. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made by us to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or any of their affiliates.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.
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To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our sponsor, officers or directors unless we, or a committee of independent and disinterested directors, have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm which is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. There will be no finder’s fees, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation paid by us to our sponsor, officers or directors or our or any of their respective affiliates, for services rendered to us prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, the following payments may be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, and, if made prior to our initial business combination will be made from (i) funds held outside the trust account or (ii) permitted withdrawals:
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repayment of an aggregate of up to $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses;
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payment to an affiliate of our sponsor of a total of up to $5,000 per month, for up to 24 months, for administrative and support services;
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reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and
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repayment of loans which may be made by our sponsor, an affiliate of our sponsor or our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 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.
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These payments may be made using funds that are not held in the trust account or, upon completion of the initial business combination, from any amounts remaining from the proceeds of the trust account released to us in connection therewith.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock will consist of 85,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 15,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.001 par value. The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital stock. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.
Units
Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise his, her or its warrants only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that only a whole warrant may be exercised at any 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.
We anticipate that the Class A common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Cantor Fitzgerald 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 shares of common stock 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 shares of Class A common stock and warrants.
In no event will the Class A common stock 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 of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the completion of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days after the date of this prospectus. The audited balance sheet will include proceeds we received from the exercise of the overallotment option if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Current Report on Form 8-K. If the underwriter’s overallotment 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 underwriter’s overallotment option.
Common Stock
As of the date of this prospectus, there were 7,187,500 founder shares outstanding. This includes an aggregate of 937,500 founder shares which will be forfeited to the extent that the underwriter’s overallotment option is not exercised in full. Holders of founder shares will hold an aggregate of 20.0% of the issued and outstanding common stock (20.0% if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) following the offering and the expiration of the underwriter’s overallotment option. Upon completion of this offering, 31,250,000 shares of our common stock will be outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option).
Common stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of our Class B common stock will have the right to elect all of our directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. On any other matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders, holders of our Class B common stock and holders of our Class A common stock will vote together as a single class, except as required by applicable law or stock exchange rule. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may only be amended if approved by a majority of at least 90% of our common stock voting at a stockholder meeting. Unless specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or as required by applicable law or stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of common stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our stockholders (other than the election of directors). Directors will be divided into two classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of two years with only one class elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors. Our stockholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
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Because our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, if we were to enter into an initial business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a business combination) be required to increase the number of shares of common stock which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our stockholders vote on the initial business combination.
We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we consummate our initial business combination, and thus may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to our consummation of our initial business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211(c) of the DGCL.
We will provide all stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, either in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the business combination or by means of a tender offer, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing deferred underwriting commissions and interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us for the payment of taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations described herein and any limitations (including but not limited to cash requirements) agreed to in connection with the negotiation of terms of a proposed business combination. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share.
The initial holders, our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders and our officers and directors have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders and our officers and directors will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination within the 24-month period. To the extent our initial stockholders or purchasers of private placement warrants transfer any of these securities to certain permitted transferees, such permitted transferees will agree, as a condition to such transfer, to waive these same redemption rights. Also, our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock 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. If we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, our sponsor, the other initial holders, our officers and our directors, have agreed to vote their respective founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination.
The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder 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 stockholder approval under the law or stock exchange listing requirement. We currently intend to conduct redemptions pursuant to a stockholder vote unless stockholder approval is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement and we choose to conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC for business or other reasons.
If a stockholder vote is not required and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to consummating our initial business combination. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial
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business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law or Nasdaq, or we decide to obtain stockholder 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 stockholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination. A quorum for such meeting will consist of the holders present in person or by proxy of shares of outstanding capital stock of the company representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the company entitled to vote at such meeting. Our initial stockholders, officers and directors will count towards this quorum and have agreed to vote any founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination. We expect that at the time of any stockholder vote relating to our initial business combination, our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees will own at least 20.0% of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote thereon. As a result, in addition to our initial stockholders’ founder shares, we would need 9,375,001, or 37.5%, of the 25,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of a transaction (assuming all issued and outstanding shares are voted and the option to purchase additional units is not exercised) in order to have such initial business combination approved. These quorum and voting thresholds and agreements may make it more likely that we will consummate our initial business combination.
Assuming our initial business combination is approved, to the extent provided in this prospectus, each public stockholder may elect to redeem his, her or its public shares irrespective of whether he, she or it votes for or against the proposed transaction, for cash equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest but less interest released to us to pay taxes or dissolution costs and excluding the deferred underwriting discount.
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, if we are unable to consummate a business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), 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 any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The initial holders, our officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares they hold (i) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (ii) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) and (iii) if we fail to consummate a business combination within the 24-month period or if we liquidate prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. The initial holders, our officers and directors have also agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to public shares in connection with the consummation of a business combination and in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the 24-month period. However, the initial holders, our officers and directors will be entitled to redemption rights with respect to any public shares held by them if we fail to consummate a business combination or liquidate within the 24-month period.
If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up after our initial business combination, our stockholders 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 stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock, except that upon the consummation of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein, we will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of our common stock for
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cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes and up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses.
Founder Shares
The founder shares are identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the units being sold in this offering, and holders of founder shares have the same stockholder rights as public stockholders, except that (i) only holders of the founder shares have the right to vote on the election of directors prior to our initial business combination; (ii) the founder shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants”, and (iii) each holder of founder shares has agreed, and each purchaser of private placement warrants will agree, to waive his, her or its redemption rights with respect to his, her or its founder shares, (A) in connection with the consummation of a business combination, (B) in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), (C) if we fail to consummate our initial business combination within the 24-month period and (D) upon our liquidation prior to the expiration of the 24-month period. To the extent holders of founder shares or purchasers of private placement warrants transfer any of these securities, such transferees will agree, as a condition to such transfer, to waive these same redemption rights. If we submit our initial business combination to our public stockholders for a vote, our sponsor and the other initial holders have agreed, and our officers and directors will each agree, to vote their respective founder shares and any public shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of the business combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock issued and outstanding upon completion of this offering, plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with our initial business combination, excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in our initial business combination. Holders of founder shares may also elect to convert their shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment as provided above, at any time.
With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with our initial holders, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of (i) one year after the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the last sale price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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, and (iii) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our public stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock 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, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects.
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The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder 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 preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in this offering. However, if issued prior to our initial business combination, none of the shares of our preferred stock will have any right to amounts held in the trust account.
Warrants
Public Warrants
Each whole warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one whole share of our Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of 12 months from the closing of this offering or 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrantholder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. This means that only a whole warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrantholder. 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 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise for cash 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 shares of Class A common stock 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 shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt from the registration or qualifications requirements of the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants has not been declared effective by the end of 60 business days following 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 shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
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 reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC, and within 60 business days following our initial business combination to have declared effective, a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock 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 common stock 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, 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 best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may call the warrants for redemption:
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in whole and not in part;
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at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
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upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and
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if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the common stock (or the closing bid price of our common stock in the event shares of our common stock are not traded on any specific day) equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
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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.
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 its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the Class A common stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price as well as the $11.50 (for whole shares) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of our warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Class A common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of Class A common stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the warrants after our initial business combination. If we call our warrants for redemption and our management does not take advantage of this option, our sponsor and its permitted transferees would still be entitled to exercise their private placement warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the same formula described above that other warrant holders would have been required to use had all warrant holders been required to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, as described in more detail below.
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 shares of Class A common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
If the number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Class A common stock, or by a split-up of shares of Class A common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Class A common stock. A rights offering to holders of Class A common stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Class A common stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Class A common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Class A common stock 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 common stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Class A common stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Class A common stock, in determining the price payable for Class A common stock, there will be
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taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of Class A common stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Class A common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of Class A common stock on account of such shares of Class A common stock (or other shares of our capital stock into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A common stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Class A common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our Class A common stock if we do not complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, 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 share of Class A common stock in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Class A common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Class A common stock.
Whenever the number of shares of Class A common stock 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 shares of Class A common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Class A common stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In addition, if (x) we issue additional Class A common 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 common 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 common shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Class A common stock), 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 shares of Class A common stock), 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 shares of our Class A common stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following
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any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of Class A common stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of Class A common stock 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 warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which was 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 agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding public warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of public warrants.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of Class A common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of Class A common stock. After the issuance of shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one (1) vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Class A common stock to be issued to the warrant holder. As a result, warrant holders not purchasing an even number of warrants must sell any odd number of warrants in order to obtain full value from the fractional interest that will not be issued.
Private placement warrants and Loan Warrants
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $7.4 million in a private placement to occur concurrently with the closing of this offering. In addition, working capital loans, if any, by our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties may be converted into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant (warrants to purchase a maximum of 1,500,000 whole shares if $1,500,000 is loaned and that amount is converted into warrants). The placement and loan warrants will be identical to the warrants sold in this offering, except that, if held by the initial holder or its permitted transferees, as the case may be, they (a) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis; (b) are not subject to being called for redemption and (c) they (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions (as described in more detail under “Principal Stockholders — Transfers of Founder Shares and Private placement warrants”), be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination.
The placement and loan warrants will become worthless if we do not consummate our initial business combination. The personal and financial interests of holders of the placement and loan warrants may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business and completing our initial business combination in a timely manner. See “Management — Conflicts of Interest.”
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock 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 stockholders, directors, officers and employees against
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all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Amendments to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the consummation of our initial business combination. These provisions, which cannot be amended without the approval of holders owning 65% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, are as follows:
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if we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within 24 months from the completion of this offering (excluding any exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), 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 any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account, less any interest released to us for the payment of taxes or dissolution expenses, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law;
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after the completion of this offering and prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the trust account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination;
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although we do not currently intend to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with holders of founder shares, our directors or officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. If we propose to do so, we, or a committee of independent directors, must obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of FINRA or an independent accounting firm that such a business combination is fair to our stockholders from a financial point of view;
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if a stockholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law or Nasdaq and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, we must 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 consummating our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act;
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if our stockholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our business combination within 24, we will provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of common stock 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 franchise and income taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares; and
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we may not effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.
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If, however, the effect of any proposed amendment, if adopted, would be either to (i) reduce the amount in the trust account available to redeeming stockholders to less than $10.00 per share, or (ii) delay the date on which a public stockholder could otherwise redeem shares for such per share amount in the trust account and, if such amendment is approved by persons holding at least 65% of our outstanding shares of common stock we will provide a right for dissenting public shareholders to redeem their public shares in the same manner as if we were seeking a stockholder vote on a business combination, except that the amount on deposit in the trust account for purposes of calculating the per share redemption price will be determined at the close of business
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two business days before the meeting date. Our initial holders, executive officers and directors have agreed to vote any founder shares and public shares they hold in favor of any such amendments that we may propose and, accordingly, will have no redemption rights in connection therewith.
In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that under no circumstances will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of our initial business combination. This notwithstanding, if the effect of any proposed amendment, if adopted, would be either to (i) reduce the amount in the in the trust account available to redeeming stockholders to less than $10.00 per public share, or (ii) delay the date on which a public stockholder could otherwise redeem shares for such per share amount in the trust account, we will provide a right for dissenting public shareholders to redeem public shares if such an amendment is approved.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law
We will be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers upon completion of this offering. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
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a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”);
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an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or
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an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder.
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A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:
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our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction;
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after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or
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on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
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Exclusive Forum Selection
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this provision benefits our company by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
The forum selection provision is intended to apply “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law'' to the above-specified types of actions and proceedings, including, to the extent permitted by the federal securities laws, to lawsuits asserting both the above-specified claims and federal securities claims. However, application of the forum selection provision may in some instances be limited by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act provides: “The district courts of the United States ... shall have exclusive jurisdiction of violations of [the Exchange Act] or the rules and regulations thereunder, and of all suits in equity and actions at law brought to enforce any liability or duty created by [the Exchange Act] or the rules and regulations thereunder.” As a result, the forum selection provision will not apply to actions arising under the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. It could apply, however, to a suit that falls within one or more of the categories enumerated in the exclusive forum provision and asserts claims under the Securities Act, inasmuch as Section 22 of the Securities Act, creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce
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any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision with respect to claims under the Securities Act, and our stockholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
Immediately after this offering we will have 31,250,000 shares of common stock outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), or 35,937,500 shares of common stock outstanding (assuming the underwriter exercises its overallotment option in full). Of these shares, the 25,000,000 shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option), or 28,750,000 shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering (assuming the underwriter exercises its overallotment option in full), will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining 5,000,000 founder shares (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) or 7,187,500 founders shares (assuming the underwriter exercises its overallotment option in full), and 7,400,000 shares underlying the private placement warrants (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option) are 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 of our common stock or warrants for at least six months would be entitled to sell his, her or its securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale. However, 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. Rule 144 does include 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;
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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 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and
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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.
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As a result, the initial holders and purchasers of private placement warrants will be able to sell their founder shares, private placement warrants, and warrants that may be issued on conversion of loans by our sponsor, members of our management team or any of their respective affiliates or other third parties (and shares issued upon their exercise), as applicable, pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination. However, if they remain one of our affiliates, they will only be permitted to sell a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:
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1% of the total number of shares of common stock then outstanding, which will equal 312,500 shares immediately after this offering (or 359,375 shares if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full); or
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the average weekly reported trading volume of the common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
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Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 would also be limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
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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 Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the private placement warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the working capital loans) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering requiring us to register such securities for resale (in the case of the founder shares, only after conversion to our Class A common stock). 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 and rights to require us to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs: (i) in the case of the founder shares, on the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination, (B) the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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, and (C) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A common stock for cash, securities or other property; and (ii) in the case of the private placement warrants and the respective Class A common stock 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.
Listing of Securities
We have applied to list our units on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “RVACU”, and we anticipate that our common stock and warrants will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “RVAC” and “RVACW”, respectively. We anticipate our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the shares of our common stock and warrants are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the shares of our common stock and warrants will be listed separately and as a unit on Nasdaq.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units, shares of common stock and warrants, which we refer to collectively as our securities. Because the components of a unit are 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 common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant components of the unit, as the case may be. As a result, the discussion below with respect to actual holders of common stock and warrants should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying common stock and warrants that comprise the units). This discussion applies only to securities that are held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and is applicable only to holders who purchased units in this offering.
This discussion is a summary only and does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, including but not limited to the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on certain investment income and the different consequences that may apply if you are subject to special rules that apply to certain types of investors, including but not limited to:
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financial institutions or financial services entities;
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governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
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regulated investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
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persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more (by vote or value) of our shares;
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persons that acquire our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;
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dealers or traders subject to a mark-to-market method of accounting with respect to the securities;
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persons holding the securities as part of a “straddle,” hedge, integrated transaction or similar transaction;
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U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
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partnerships or other pass through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any beneficial owners of such entities;
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controlled foreign corporations; and
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passive foreign investment companies.
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If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership or other pass-thru entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our securities, the tax treatment of a partner, member or other beneficial owner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner, member or other beneficial owner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner, member or other beneficial owner level. If you are a partner, member or other beneficial owner of a partnership holding our securities, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities.
This discussion is based on the Code and administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations as of the date hereof, which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus may affect the tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. taxation, or any U.S. federal taxes other than income taxes (such as gift and estate taxes).
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We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or 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 future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of U.S. federal tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction.
Personal Holding Company Status
We could be subject to a second level of U.S. federal income tax on a portion of our income if we are determined to be a personal holding company, or PHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a PHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a given taxable year if (i) at any time during the last half of such taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency and including as individuals for this purpose certain entities such as certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts) own or are deemed to own (pursuant to certain constructive ownership rules) more than 50% of the stock of the corporation by value and (ii) at least 60% of the corporation’s adjusted ordinary gross income, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for such taxable year consists of PHC income (which includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain royalties, annuities and, under certain circumstances, rents).
Depending on the date and size of our initial business combination, it is possible that at least 60% of our adjusted ordinary gross income may consist of PHC income. In addition, depending on the concentration of our stock in the hands of individuals, including the members of our sponsor and certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts, it is possible that more than 50% of our stock may be owned or deemed owned (pursuant to the constructive ownership rules) by such persons during the last half of a taxable year. Thus, no assurance can be given that we will not be a PHC following this offering or in the future. If we are or were to become a PHC in a given taxable year, we would be subject to an additional PHC tax, currently 20%, on our undistributed PHC income, which generally includes our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments.
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 share of our common stock and one-half of one warrant to acquire one share of our common stock. 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 share of common stock and the one-half of one warrant based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses how to determine the fair market value of securities, such as the common stock and warrants, that are included as part of a unit but that do not trade separately from the unit at such time (which will be the case on the date the units are issued pursuant to this offering). Therefore, 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 adviser regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each share of common stock and the one-half of one warrant should be the stockholder’s tax basis in such share or one-half of one warrant, as the case may be. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the share of common stock and the one-half of one warrant comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the common stock and the one-half of one warrant based on their respective relative fair market values (as determined by each such unit holder on all the relevant facts and circumstances) at the time of disposition. The separation of shares of common stock and warrants comprising units should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing treatment of the shares of common stock 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 own tax advisors 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.
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U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. holder.” A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our units, shares of common stock or warrants who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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an estate or trust the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
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a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.
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Taxation of Distributions. If we pay distributions in cash or other property (other than certain distributions of our stock or rights to acquire our stock) to U.S. holders of shares of our common stock, such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below.
Dividends we pay to a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. holder may constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at preferential long-term capital gains rates. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the common stock described in this prospectus may prevent a U.S. holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be. If the holding period requirements are not satisfied, then a corporation may not be able to qualify for the dividends received deduction and would have taxable income equal to the entire dividend amount, and non-corporate holders may be subject to tax on such dividend at regular ordinary income tax rates instead of the preferential rate that applies to qualified dividend income.
Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants. Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock or warrants which, in general, would include a redemption of common stock or warrants that is treated as a sale of such securities as described below, and including as a result of a dissolution and liquidation in the event we do not consummate an initial business combination within the required time period, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock or warrants. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock or warrants so disposed of exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights with respect to the common stock described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. If the running of the holding period for the common stock is suspended, then non-corporate U.S. holders may not be able to satisfy the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, in which case any gain on a sale or taxable disposition of the shares or warrants would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder is an amount 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 common stock or warrants are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the
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amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the common stock or the warrants based upon the then fair market values of the common stock and the warrants included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants so disposed of. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost (that is, as discussed above, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a share of common stock or one-half of one warrant or, as discussed below, the U.S. holder’s initial basis for common stock received upon exercise of warrants) less, in the case of a share of common stock, any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.
Redemption of Common Stock. In the event that a U.S. holder’s common stock is redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in this prospectus under the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Common Stock” or if we purchase a U.S. holder’s common stock in an open market transaction (each of which we refer to as a “redemption”), the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the common stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of the common stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” above. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of the common stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described above under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions”. Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of shares of our stock treated as held by the U.S. holder (including any stock constructively owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption of common stock generally will be treated as a sale of the common stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the 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 stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, but also shares of our stock that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock 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 stock the U.S. holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include common stock 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 stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder immediately following the redemption of common stock must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder immediately before the redemption. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of our stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of our stock 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 stock owned by certain family members and the U.S. holder does not constructively own any other shares of our stock (including any stock constructively owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants). The redemption of the common stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if the redemption 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 stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.
If none of the foregoing tests is satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions,” above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. holder in the redeemed common stock will be added to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining stock, or, if it has none, to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its warrants or possibly in other stock constructively owned by it.
Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant. Except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. holder generally will not recognize taxable gain or loss on the acquisition of common stock upon
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exercise of a warrant for cash. The U.S. holder’s tax basis in the share of our common stock received upon exercise of the warrant generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the warrant (i.e., the portion of the U.S. holder’s purchase price for a unit 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 the U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock received upon exercise of the warrants will begin on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrants; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. 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 tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a gain realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. holder’s basis in the common stock received would equal the holder’s basis in the warrants exercised therefor. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a gain realization event, it is unclear when a U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock would be treated as commencing. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the common stock would include the holding period of the warrants exercised therefor.
It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated in whole or in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. holder could be deemed to have surrendered a number of warrants having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. The U.S. holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the common stock received in respect of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in such warrants. Such gain or loss would be long-term or short-term, depending on the U.S. holder’s holding period in the warrants deemed surrendered. In this case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received would equal the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the exercised warrants (i.e., the portion of the U.S. holder’s purchase price for the units that is allocated to the warrants, 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 common stock would commence on the date following the date of exercise or on the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period would not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrant. There may also be alternative characterizations of any such taxable exchange that would result in similar tax consequences, except that a U.S. Holder’s gain or loss would be short-term.
Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, including when a U.S. holder’s holding period would commence with respect to the common stock received, 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 should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.
Possible Constructive Distributions. The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events, as discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Redeemable Warrants — Public Stockholders’ 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 to the number of such shares or to such exercise price increases the warrantholders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of common stock that would be obtained upon exercise or through a decrease in the exercise price of the warrant) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property, such as other securities, to the holders of shares of our common stock, or as a result of the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of shares of our common stock, in each case which is taxable to the holders of such shares as a distribution. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax 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 resulting from the adjustment.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividends paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our units, shares of
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common stock and warrants, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
All U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding to them.
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, common stock or warrants who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates);
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a foreign corporation; or
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an estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder
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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 should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or sale or other disposition of our securities.
Taxation of Distributions. In general, any distributions (including constructive distributions) we make to a Non-U.S. holder of shares of our common stock, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided such dividends are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). In the case of any constructive dividend, it is possible that this tax would be withheld from any amount owed to a Non-U.S. holder by the applicable withholding agent, including cash distributions on other property or sales proceeds from warrants or other property subsequently paid or credited to such holder. Any distribution not constituting a dividend will be treated first as reducing (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from the sale or other disposition of the common stock, which will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below. In addition, if we determine that we are likely to be classified as a “United States real property holding corporation” (see “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants” below), we will withhold 15% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
The withholding tax does not apply to dividends paid to a Non-U.S. holder who provides an IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax as if the Non-U.S. holder were a United States resident, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. A Non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate).
Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants. A Non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, taxable exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock, which would include a
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dissolution and liquidation in the event we do not complete an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, or warrants (including an expiration or redemption of our warrants), in each case without regard to whether those securities were held as part of a unit, unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, under certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. holder); or
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we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held our common stock, and, in the case where shares of our common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of our common stock. There can be no assurance that our common stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose.
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Unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates as if the Non-U.S. holder were a United States resident. Any gains described in the first bullet point above of a Non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or lower treaty rate).
If the second bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock or warrants will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer of our common stock or warrants from such holder may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. Although it is not our expectation, we cannot determine whether we will be a United States real property holding corporation in the future until we complete an initial business combination. We will be classified as a United States real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50 percent of the sum of the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Redemption of Common Stock. The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. holder’s common stock generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. holder’s common stock, as described under “U.S. Holders — Redemption of Common Stock” above, and the consequences of the redemption to the Non-U.S. holder will be as described above under “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions” and “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants,” as applicable. Because it may not be certain at the time a Non-U.S. holder is redeemed whether such Non-U.S. holder’s redemption will be treated as a sale of shares or a distribution constituting a dividend, and because such determination will depend in part on a Non-U.S. holder’s particular circumstances, we or the applicable withholding agent may not be able to determine whether (or to what extent) a Non-U.S. holder is treated as receiving a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, we or the applicable withholding agent may withhold tax at a rate of 30% on the gross amount of any consideration paid to a Non-U.S. holder in redemption of such Non-U.S. holder’s common stock unless special procedures are available to Non-U.S. holders to certify that they are entitled to exemptions from, or reductions in, such withholding tax. However, there can be no assurance that such special certification procedures will be available. A Non-U.S. holder generally may obtain a refund of any such excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rules in light of their particular facts and circumstances.
Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. holder’s exercise of a warrant, or the lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a warrant by a U.S. holder, as described under “U.S. holders — Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described above in “Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock and Warrants.”
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Possible Constructive Distributions. The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events, as discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Warrants.” An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The Non-U.S. holders of the warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment to the number of such shares or to such exercise price increases the warrantholders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of common stock that would be obtained upon exercise or through a decrease in the exercise price of the warrant, including, for example, the decrease to the exercise price of the warrants where additional common stock 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 common share, as described under “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Warrants”) as a result of a distribution of cash or other property, such as other securities, to the holders of shares of our common stock, or as a result of the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of shares of our common stock, in each case which is taxable to the holders of such shares as a distribution. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. holders of the warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest resulting from the adjustment. It is possible that any withholding tax on such a constructive distribution might be satisfied by us or the applicable withholding agent through a sale of a portion of the Non-U.S. holder’s shares of common stock, warrants or other property held or controlled by us or the applicable withholding agent on behalf of the Non-U.S. holder or might be withheld from distributions or proceeds subsequently paid or credited to the Non-U.S. holder.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of dividends and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our units, shares of common stock and warrants. A Non-U.S. holder may have to comply with certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person in order to avoid information reporting and backup withholding requirements. The certification procedures required to claim a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty generally will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding as well.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
All Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding to them.
FATCA Withholding Taxes. Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (commonly referred as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” or “FATCA”) generally impose withholding at a rate of 30% in certain circumstances on dividends in respect of our securities which are held by or through certain “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and certain other non-U.S. entities, unless any such institution (1) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (2) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our securities are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our securities held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exceptions will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies to us or the applicable withholding agent that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which will in turn be provided to the U.S. Department of Treasury. All prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our securities.
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Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is acting as sole book-running manager of the offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriter has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, 25,000,000 units.
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter to purchase the units included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriter is obligated to purchase all of the units (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if it purchases any of the units.
Units sold by the underwriter to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any units sold by the underwriter to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $[ ] per unit. After the initial public offering, the underwriter may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The underwriter has advised us that it does not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts. Sales of any units outside the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriter.
If the underwriter sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional units at the public offering price. The underwriter may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. Any units issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other units that are the subject of this offering.
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 the underwriter, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any units, warrants, shares of common stock or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of common stock, subject to certain exceptions. The underwriter in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice, other than in the case of the officers and directors, which shall be with notice. Our sponsor, officers and directors are also subject to separate transfer restrictions on their founder shares and private placement warrants, pursuant to the letter agreement as described herein.
Our initial stockholders 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 last reported sale price of our Common stock common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled “Principal Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares, Private placement warrants”). The private placement warrants (including the Common stock common stock 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 Stockholders — Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares, Private placement warrants”).
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our securities. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the units was determined by negotiations between us and the underwriter. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price 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 the equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, Common stock common stock or warrants will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our units, Common stock common stock or warrants will develop and continue after this offering.
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We have applied to list our units on Nasdaq under the symbol “RVACU.” We cannot guarantee that our securities will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. We expect that our units will be listed on Nasdaq on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. We expect that our Common stock common stock and warrants will be listed under the symbols “RVAC” and “RVACW,” respectively, once the Common stock common stock and warrants begin separate trading.
Commissions and Discounts
The following table summarizes the compensation we will pay:
Public offering price
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$10.00
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$250,000,000
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$287,500,000
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Underwriting discount(1)
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$0.20
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$5,000,000
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$5,000,000
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Deferred underwriting discount(2)
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$0.35
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$8,750,000
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$10,812,500
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Proceeds before expenses
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$9.45
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$236,250,000
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$271,687,500
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(1)
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Based on the underwriter’s discount equal to 2.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of units sold to the public, excluding any units sold pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
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(2)
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Based on the deferred underwriting discount payable to the representative equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the initial $250.0 million in units sold to the public and 5.5% of the gross proceeds from the units sold pursuant to the over-allotment option. The deferred underwriting discount will be deposited in the trust account as deferred underwriting commissions and will become payable from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the event we consummate our initial business combination. Fee per unit shown assumes no exercise of the underwriter’s overallotment option.
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In connection with the offering, the underwriter may purchase and sell units in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option and stabilizing purchases, in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
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Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriter of a greater number of units than it is required to purchase in the offering.
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“Covered” short sales are sales of units in an amount up to the number of units represented by the underwriter’s over-allotment option.
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“Naked” short sales are sales of units in an amount in excess of the number of units represented by the underwriter’s over-allotment option.
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Covering transactions involve purchases of units either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions.
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To close a naked short position, the underwriter must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
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To close a covered short position, the underwriter must purchase units in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the source of units to close the covered short position, the underwriter 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 over-allotment option.
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Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase units so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
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Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriter for its own account, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the units.
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They may also cause the price of the units to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriter may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriter commences any of these transactions, it may discontinue them at any time.
In addition, our sponsor, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, has made a $300,000 loan commitment to us to fund our expenses relating to investigating and selecting a target business and other working capital requirements (provided that in no event will such loans be convertible into our securities).
We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering payable by us will be $1,150,000, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for all expenses and fees (including counsel fees) related to the review by FINRA, which will not exceed $15,000, and the expenses of investigations and background checks of our principals not to exceed the lesser of $2,000 per principal and $20,000 in the aggregate for investigations and background checks.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriter may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
We are not under any contractual obligation to engage the underwriter to provide any services for us after this offering and have no present intention to do so. However, the underwriter may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future. If the underwriter provide services to us after this offering, we may pay the underwriter 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 the underwriter and no fees for such services will be paid to the underwriter prior to the date that is 90 days from the date of this prospectus, unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriter’s compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriter of this offering or any entity with which it is affiliated a finder’s fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the completion of an initial business combination.
The underwriter and its affiliates may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates, for which it may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for any such transactions.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriter and its 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. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates.
The underwriter and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
This document is not a prospectus for the purpose of the Prospectus Regulation. In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, a “relevant member state”), an offer of units described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the units that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that an offer of our units may be made to the public in that relevant member state at any time:
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to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;
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to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant underwriter; or
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in any other circumstances that do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation.
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Each purchaser of units described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any units being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the units acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances that may give rise to an offer of any units to the public other than their offer or resale in a relevant state to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriter have been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.
For the purpose of this provision, the expression an “offer of units to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the units to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the units, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of units through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriter with a view to the final placement of the units as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the units, other than the underwriter, is authorized to make any further offer of the units on behalf of us or the underwriter.
MiFID II Product Governance
Any person offering, selling or recommending the units (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturers’ target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the units (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers’ target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.
Notice to Prospective Investors 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 Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). The units are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase or otherwise acquire such units will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents or use it as a basis for taking any action.
Notice to Prospective Investors in France
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The units have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the units has been or will be:
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released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or
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used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the units to the public in France.
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Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:
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To qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;
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to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
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in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1° -or-2° -or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).
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The units may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The units may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the units 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 in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to units which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The units offered in this prospectus have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan. The units have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan (including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been 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 units may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the units 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, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where the units are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is
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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
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a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures 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 shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
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to an institutional investor (for corporations, under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and
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interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than $200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA;
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where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or
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where the transfer is by operation of law.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The units may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the units must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) 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 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.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriter is not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The securities to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act. Any offer in Australia of the securities may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The securities applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring securities must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions. This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the
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investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in 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 document 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 document 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 document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (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 units.
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Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by King & Spalding LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriter by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York.
The financial statements of Riverview Acquisition Corp. as of February 18, 2021 and for the period from February 4, 2021 (inception) through February 18, 2021, appearing in this prospectus, have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Riverview Acquisition Corp. to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), thereon appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given on the authority of Marcum LLP 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. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholder and Board of Directors of
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) as of February 18, 2021, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the period from February 4, 2021 (inception) through February 18, 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 February 18, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from February 4, 2021 (inception) through February 18, 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 to the financial statements, the Company’s ability to execute its business plan is dependent upon its completion of the proposed initial public offering described in Note 3 to the financial statements. The Company has a working capital deficiency as of February 18, 2021 and lacks the financial resources it needs to sustain operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with regard to these matters are also described in Notes 1 and 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might become necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
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) (the “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.
New York, NY
March 3, 2021, except for Note 8 which is dated April 7, 2021
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
ASSETS
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|
|
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Current assets - cash
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|
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$25,000
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Deferred offering costs
|
|
|
42,500
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
$67,500
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
$1,000
|
Promissory note – related party
|
|
|
42,500
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Total Liabilities
|
|
|
43,500
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholder’s Equity
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
|
|
|
—
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Class A common stock, $0.001 par value; 85,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
|
|
|
—
|
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value; 15,00,000 shares authorized; 7,187,500 shares issued and outstanding(1)
|
|
|
7,188
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Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
17,812
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Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(1,000)
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Total Stockholder’s Equity
|
|
|
24,000
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Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity
|
|
|
$67,500
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(1)
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Includes up to 937,500 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 5). On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 shares of Class B common stock, resulting in 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock outstanding (see Notes 5 and 8).
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 4, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Formation costs
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|
|
$1,000
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Net loss
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|
|
$(1,000)
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Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)
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|
|
6,250,000
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Basic and diluted net loss per common share
|
|
|
$(0.00)
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(1)
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Excludes up to 937,500 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 5). On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 shares of Class B common stock, resulting in 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock outstanding (see Notes 5 and 8).
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 4, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Balance – February 4, 2021 (inception)
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|
|
—
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|
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$—
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|
|
$—
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|
|
$—
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|
|
$—
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Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor(1)
|
|
|
7,187,500
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|
|
7,188
|
|
|
17,812
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|
|
—
|
|
|
25,000
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Net loss
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|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,000)
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|
|
(1,000)
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Balance – February 18, 2021
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|
|
7,187,500
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|
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$7,188
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|
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$17,812
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|
|
$(1,000)
|
|
|
$24,000
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(1)
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Includes up to 937,500 shares of Class B common stock subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full or in part by the underwriter (see Note 5). On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 shares of Class B common stock, resulting in 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock outstanding (see Notes 5 and 8).
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 4, 2021 (INCEPTION) THROUGH FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Cash flows from Operating Activities:
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|
|
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Net loss
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|
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$(1,000)
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
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|
|
|
Accrued expenses
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|
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1,000
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Net cash used in operating activities
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|
|
—
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|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
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|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to the Sponsor
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|
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25,000
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Advances from related party
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|
|
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Proceeds from promissory note – related party
|
|
|
42,500
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Payment of offering costs
|
|
|
(42,500)
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Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
Net Change in Cash
|
|
|
25,000
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Cash – Beginning
|
|
|
—
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Cash – Ending
|
|
|
$25,000
|
|
|
|
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Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on February 4, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effectuating a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other 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 February 18, 2021, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All activity for the period February 4, 2021 (inception) through February 18, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed initial public offering (the “Proposed Public Offering”), which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company 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 initial public offering of 25,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit (or 28,750,000 units if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “Units” and, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”) which is discussed in Note 3 and the sale of 7,400,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant that will close in a private placement to Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC (the “Sponsor”), simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering (see Note 4).
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. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the signing a definitive agreement to enter a Business Combination. The Company will only complete a 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 (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 the proceeds from 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 meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the consummation of a Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Company’s stockholders, as described below.
The Company will provide its holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “public stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion. The public stockholders 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 earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Public Shares subject to redemption will be recorded at redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”
The Company will proceed with a Business Combination only if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either prior to or upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by law and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder 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 stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or don’t vote at all.
Notwithstanding the above, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a public stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to its Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination, (b) to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering and (c) not to propose an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (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 its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless the Company provides the public stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.
The Company will have until 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company is unable to complete 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 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 the Company to pay its tax obligations (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (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 stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware 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 liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor acquires
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Public Shares in or after the Proposed Public Offering, 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 in 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 to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party 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 $10.00 per Public Share except for any claims by any third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account, regardless of whether such waiver is enforceable, and except for claims arising from the Company’s obligation to indemnify the underwriters of the Proposed Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, 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 (except 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.
Going Concern Consideration
At February 18, 2021, the Company had no cash and a working capital deficit of $18,500. 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.
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.
NOTE 2. — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity 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 (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
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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 stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company, which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of February 18, 2021.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist of legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to stockholder’s equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses incurred, will be charged to operations.
Income Taxes
The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
penalties as of February 18, 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. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
The provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the period from February 4, 2021 (inception) through February 18, 2021. The Company’s deferred tax assets were deemed to be de minimis as of February 18, 2021.
Net Loss Per Common Share
Net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding shares of common stock subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 937,500 shares of Class B common stock that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriter (see Note 5). At February 18, 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock 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.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying 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 will offer for sale up to 25,000,000 Units (or 28,750,000 Units if the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised in full) at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share (see Note 7).
NOTE 4 — PRIVATE PLACEMENT
The Sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $7,400,000, in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Each Private Placement Warrant is exercisable to purchase one Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7). A portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement Warrants will be added to the proceeds from the Proposed Public Offering to be 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 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.
NOTE 5 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
On February 18, 2021, the Sponsor purchased 5,750,000 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 Founder Shares, resulting in 7,187,500 Founder Shares outstanding (see Note 8). All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock dividend. The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriter’s
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the Sponsor will collectively own, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming the Sponsor does not purchase any Public Shares in the Proposed Public Offering).
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (1) one year after the completion of a Business Combination or (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, 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 Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company intends to enter into an agreement, commencing on the date that the securities are first listed on Nasdaq through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to pay the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor a total of up to $5,000 per month for secretarial and administrative services.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On February 18, 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 is payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering. As of February 18, 2021, there was $42,500 outstanding under the Promissory Note.
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 directors and officers may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.
NOTE 6 — COMMITMENTS
Registration and Stockholders Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans (and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the 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 our Class A common stock). 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 the 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
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
agreement will provide that the Company will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidated damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering the Company’s securities. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company will grant the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 3,750,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments at the Proposed Public Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
The underwriter will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $5,000,000 in the aggregate, 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 $8,750,000 in the aggregate (or $10,812,500 in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full). The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter 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 — STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value preferred stock. At February 18, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue up to 85,000,000 shares of Class A, $0.001 par value common stock. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At February 18, 2021, there were no shares of Class A common stock issued or outstanding.
Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of Class B, $0.001 par value common stock. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At February 18, 2021, there were 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 937,500 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 Sponsor will own 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming Sponsor does not purchase any Public Shares in the Proposed Public Offering) (see Note 8).
Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except as required by law.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, 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 the shares of Class B common stock will convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock agree to waive such anti-dilution adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of all shares of common stock issued and outstanding upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering, plus all shares of our Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination, excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in our a Business Combination.
Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the consummation of a Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years from the consummation of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise for cash of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Securities Act with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt from the registration or qualifications requirements of the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.
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 reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC, 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 common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A common stock 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, and in the event the Company does not so elect, the Company will use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may call the warrants for redemption:
•
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in whole and not in part;
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•
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at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant;
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•
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upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and
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•
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if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the common stock (or the closing bid price of the common stock in the event shares of common stock are not traded on any specific day) equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
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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.
The exercise price and number of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Public Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of Class A common stock 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.
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 will and the common shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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 as described below, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements. On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 Founder Shares, resulting in 7,187,500 Founder Shares outstanding. All share and per-share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock dividend.
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$250,000,000
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
25,000,000 Units
PROSPECTUS
, 2021
Sole Book-Running Manager
Cantor
Until [ ], 2021, all dealers that buy, sell or trade these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
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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:
SEC filing fee
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$31,366
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FINRA filing fee
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43,625
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Accounting fees and expenses
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45,000
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Printing and engraving expenses
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45,000
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Legal fees and expenses
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250,000
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NASDAQ Capital Market fees
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75,000
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Travel and roadshow
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20,000
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Directors and officers insurance
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400,000
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Miscellaneous expenses(1)
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240,009
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Total
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$1,150,000
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(1)
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This amount represents additional expenses that may be incurred by us in connection with the offering over and above those specifically listed above, including distribution and mailing costs, transfer agent fees, warrant agent fees and trustee fees.
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
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Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents will be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.
Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.
(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust account or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust account or other enterprise against expenses including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit
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was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust account or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(i) For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.
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(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC 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 of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.
Our amended and restated bylaws will provide for the indemnification of our directors, officers or other persons, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We will 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.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, we have agreed to indemnify the underwriter, and the underwriter have agreed to indemnify us, against certain civil liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
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On February 18, 2021, Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, purchased 5,750,000 founder shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. On April 7, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 Founder Shares, resulting in 7,187,500 Founder Shares outstanding. The number of founder shares issued was determined based on the expectation that the founder shares would represent 25% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock upon completion of this offering. Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D.
Our sponsor has committed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants, each exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, at a price of $1.00 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $7.4 million). This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of our initial public 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.
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In addition, if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, we may effect a stock dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our sponsor’s collective ownership of founder shares at 20% of the aggregate of our founder shares and our public shares upon consummation of the offering. If we decrease the size of the offering, we expect to effect a reverse split of our common stock immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain our sponsor’s collective ownership of founder shares at 20% of the aggregate of our founder shares and our public shares of upon the date of this prospectus. Any such increased number of shares will be subject to forfeiture in the event that the underwriter’s overallotment option is not exercised in full. Any such decreased number of shares will be forfeited, with the remainder subject to forfeiture in the event that the underwriter’s overallotment option is not exercised in full.
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Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
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1.1
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Form of Underwriting Agreement.**
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Certificate of Incorporation.*
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Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation*
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3.1(c)
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Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.**
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Bylaws.*
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3.2(b)
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Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws.**
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Specimen Unit Certificate.*
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Specimen Common Stock Certificate.*
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Specimen Warrant Certificate (included in Exhibit 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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Opinion of King & Spalding LLP**
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Form of Investment Management Trust Account Agreement [___] and the Registrant.*
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and security holders.*
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Form of Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement with [___].*
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Form of Letter Agreement by and between the Registrant, the Registrant’s security holders named therein, and the officers and directors of the Registrant.*
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Promissory Note for expenses prior to initial public offering expenses from Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC to Registrant.*
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Securities Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and the Sponsor.*
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Form of Administrative Services Agreement.*
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Form of Indemnity Agreement.*
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14.1
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.**
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Consent of Marcum LLP.*
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23.2
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Consent of King & Spalding LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).**
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Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement).*
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99.1
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Form of Audit Committee Charter.**
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99.2
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Form of Compensation Committee Charter.**
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99.3
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Form of Nominating and Governance Committee Charter.**
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Consent of Willie Gregory.*
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99.5
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Consent of Leslie Starr Keating.**
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99.6
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Consent of Mark Edmunds.**
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* Filed herewith
** To be Filed by Subsequent Amendment
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(a)
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The undersigned hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
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(b)
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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(c)
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
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(1)
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For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.
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(2)
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For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.
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(3)
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For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
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(4)
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For the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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(i)
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Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
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(ii)
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Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned registrant;
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(iii)
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The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
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(iv)
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Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 Chattanooga, Tennessee on this 7th day of April, 2021.
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Riverview Acquisition Corp.
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By:
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/s/ R. Brad Martin
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Each of the undersigned officers and directors of Riverview Acquisition Corp. hereby constitutes and appoints each of R. Brad Martin, Charles K. Slatery and William V. Thompson III as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement of Riverview Acquisition Corp. on Form S-1, and any other registration statement relating to the same offering (including any registration statement, or amendment thereto, that is to become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ R. Brad Martin
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Chairman and Chief Executive Officer)
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April 7, 2021
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R. Brad Martin
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/s/ Charles K. Slatery
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President, Chief Investment Officer and Director
(President, Chief Investment Officer and Director)
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April 7, 2021
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Charles K. Slatery
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/s/ William V. Thompson III
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Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
(Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer)
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April 7, 2021
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William V. Thompson III
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Exhibit 3.1(a)
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Delaware
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Page 1
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The First State
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I,
JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF “RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE FOURTH DAY OF FEBRUARY,
A.D. 2021, AT 4:44 O’CLOCK P.M.
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/s/ Jeffrey W. Bullock
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Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
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4993446 8100
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Authentication: 202447433
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SR# 20210339655
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Date: 02-04-21
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You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml
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CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION OF
RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
I,
the undersigned, for the purpose of creating and organizing a corporation under the provisions
of and subject to the requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), certify
as follows:
1.
The name of the corporation is Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”).
2.
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801
in New Castle County. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is National Registered Agents, Inc.
3.
The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or
promoted by the Corporation is
to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
4.
The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is two hundred fifty (250). All shares shall
be Common Stock par value $0.001 per share and are to be of one class.
5.
The name and mailing address of the incorporator of the Corporation are:
Name
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Mailing Address
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Mary Ann Jackson
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165 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000
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Memphis, TN 38103
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6.
Unless and except to the extent that the by-laws of the Corporation (the “By-Laws”) shall
so require. the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.
7.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or to
its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, No amendment to, modification of, or repeal
of this Paragraph 7 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation
for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.
8.
The Corporation shall indemnify, advance expenses, and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as
it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered
Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit,
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for
whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was
a director or officer of the Corporation
or, while a
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State
of Delaware
Secretary of State
Division
of Corporations
Delivered
04:44 PM
02/04/2021
FILED 04:44 PM 02/04/2021
SR 20210339655
- File
Number 4993446
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director
or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director. officer, employee, or agent
of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise. or nonprofit entity, including service with respect
to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred
by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except for claims for indemnification (following the final disposition
of such Proceeding) or advancement of expenses not paid in full, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person
in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding
(or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the board of directors of the Corporation. Any
amendment, repeal, or modification of this Paragraph 8 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person
in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
9.
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt,
amend, or repeal the By-Laws or adopt new By-Laws without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided that any By-law
adopted or amended by the board of directors, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended. altered. or repealed by the stockholders.
I0.
The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or the By-Laws, from time to time, to amend, alter, or
repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers
of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereof
are conferred subject to such right.
11.
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought
on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer,
employee, or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim
arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL. the Certificate of lncorporation, or the By-Laws or (iv) any action asserting a
claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over
the indispensable parties named as defendants therein.
12.
The Corporation renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being
offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity. An “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction
or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of any director
of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries ( “Covered Persons”), unless
such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession
of, a Covered Person
expressly
and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Corporation while such Covered Person is performing services
in such capacity.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
I,
THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this Certificate
of Incorporation, hereby acknowledging, declaring, and certifying that the foregoing Certificate of Incorporation is my act and
deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 4th day of February, 2021.
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Incorporator
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By:
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/s/ Mary Ann Jackson
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Name:
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Mary Ann Jackson
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4
Exhibit 3.1(b)
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”),
a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:
1. The Corporation was originally
incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) on February 4, 2021.
2. The Corporation has not received any
payment for any of its stock.
3. By unanimous written consent in lieu
of a meeting of the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 141(f) of the DGCL, the following amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on February 4, 2021 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) was duly adopted in accordance with Section 241 of the DGCL by a majority of the directors who have been elected and qualified.
4. Accordingly, Article 4 of the
Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
“4. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each
with a par value of $0.001 per share, which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 101,000,000, of which (a) 100,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, including (i) 85,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) 15,000,000 shares of
Class B Common Stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock.
Effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Amendment with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, each outstanding share of Common Stock shall be designated as shares of Class B Common Stock.
A. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is expressly granted
authority to issue shares of the Preferred Stock, in one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers, full or limited, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) and as may be
permitted by the DGCL. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of
the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, without a
separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, unless a
vote of any such holders is required pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.
B. Common Stock.
(i) Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided
in any Preferred Stock Designation, the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power.
(ii) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to
one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.
(iii) Shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible into shares
of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (the “Initial Conversion Ratio”) and shall automatically convert into Class A Common Stock on the business day following the closing of the Business Combination (as defined below).
(iv) Notwithstanding the Initial Conversion Ratio, in the case
that additional shares of Class A Common Stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in the Corporation’s initial public offering, all issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall
automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the time of the closing of the Corporation’s initial merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more
businesses (the “Business Combination”) at a ratio for which:
(x) the numerator shall be equal to the sum of (A) 25% of all
shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable (upon the conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or otherwise) by the Corporation, related to or in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination (excluding any
securities issued or issuable to any seller in the Business Combination) plus (B) the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the Business Combination; and
(y) the denominator shall be the number of shares of Class B
Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the closing of the Business Combination.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i)
the foregoing adjustment to the Initial Conversion Ratio may be waived as to any particular issuance or deemed issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock or equity-linked securities by the written consent or
agreement of holders of a majority of the shares of Class B Common Stock then
outstanding consenting or agreeing separately as a single class, and (ii) in no event may the Class B Common Stock convert into Class A Common Stock at a ratio that is less than one-for-one.
The foregoing conversion ratio shall also be adjusted to
account for any subdivision (by stock split, subdivision, exchange, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or similar
reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares occurring after the original filing of this Certificate without a proportionate and corresponding subdivision,
combination or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock.
Each share of Class B Common Stock shall convert into its
pro rata number of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section B of Article Fourth. The pro rata share for each stockholder of Class B Common Stock will be determined as follows: Each share of Class B Common Stock shall convert into such
number of shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to the product of one (1) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B
Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to this Article and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock at the time of conversion.”
5. All other provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation shall remain in full force and effect.
* * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused
this Certificate of Amendment to be duly executed in its name and on its behalf as of the 18th day of February, 2021.
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By:
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/s/ William V. Thompson III
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Name:
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William V. Thompson III
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Title:
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Treasurer and Secretary
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[Signature page to Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation]
Exhibit 3.2(a)
BYLAWS
OF
RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
(the “Company”)
Article I
OFFICES
Section 1.01. Registered Office.
The Company shall at all times maintain a registered office in the
State of Delaware. The registered office of the Company and the registered agent of the Company at such office may be changed from time to time by the Company in the manner specified by law. The Company’s registered agent shall be the agent
originally designated upon formation of the Company or as otherwise designated by the board of directors.
Section 1.02. Other Offices.
The Company may have its principal office and other offices at such
place or places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Company may require.
Article II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.01. Place and Time of Meetings.
All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either
within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at
any place, but shall instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
Section 2.02. Annual Meetings.
Unless directors are elected by unanimous written consent in lieu
of an annual meeting, an annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such date, time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the
meeting, at which they shall elect by a plurality vote a board of directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 2.03. Notice of Meeting.
Notice of the annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders
shall be given stating (a) the place, date and hour of the meeting and (b) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Such notice shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days
before the date of the meeting by, or at the direction of, the President, the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given
when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Company. Notice of the time, place, if any, and the purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in
writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his or her attendance in person, by remote communication, if
applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder
so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes
stated in the notice.
Section 2.04. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes,
unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the board of directors. Such
request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 2.05. Quorum; Required Stockholder Vote.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at any
meeting of the stockholders shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of common stock held by such stockholder that has voting power upon the matter in question. A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders shall exist when the holders of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and constituting a majority of the total votes are represented either in person or by proxy at such meeting. In all matters other than the election of directors, the
affirmative vote of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and constituting a majority of the total votes present and entitled to be cast at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders,
unless a greater vote is required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. Directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes represented by the shares present in person or represented by proxy at
the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, the stockholders present may continue to
do business at the meeting or at any adjournment
thereof notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Section 2.06. Proxies.
A stockholder may vote either in person or by
a proxy which such stockholder has duly executed in writing. No proxy shall be valid after three (3) years from the date of its execution unless a longer period is expressly provided in the proxy. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it
states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or
by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary.
Section 2.07. Record Date.
In order that the Company may determine
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other lawful purpose, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon
which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which record date: (a) in the case of the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall not be more
than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting; (b) in the case of the determination of stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than ten (10) days after the
date upon the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors; and (c) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (x) the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (y) the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting, when no prior action by the board of directors is required by the DGCL, shall be the first
date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Company by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or its Secretary; and (z) the
record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose, including for entitlement to consent to corporate action without a meeting, when prior action by the board of directors is required by the DGCL, shall be at the close of business on the
day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders
shall apply to any adjournment of
the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 2.08. Action Without Meeting.
Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
the stockholders of the Company, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and
voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. Action taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to
the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL.
Article III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.01. Power of Directors.
The business and affairs of the Company shall
be managed by or under the direction of its board of directors. In addition to the authority and powers conferred upon the board of directors by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the board of directors is hereby authorized
and empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Company, subject to the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 3.02. Number and Term.
The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board of
directors shall be determined initially by the incorporator and, after the issuance of stock, by resolution of the board of directors or by the stockholders at the annual or any special meeting. Directors shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age
and need not be residents of the State of Delaware nor stockholders of the Company. The directors, other than the first board of directors, shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting,
except as hereinafter provided. Each director shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal.
Section 3.03. Vacancies.
Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the board
of directors and all vacancies occurring in the board of directors, including vacancies caused by removal without cause, may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, or by
the stockholders, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless sooner
displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of
directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.
Section 3.04. Functions of the Board.
The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by its
board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such lawful acts and things as are authorized by the certificate of incorporation, and which are not by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these Bylaws
directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.05. Performance by Directors.
Each member of the board of directors and each member of any
committee designated by the board of directors, shall, in the performance of such director’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to
the Company by any of the Company’s officers or employees, or committees of the board of directors, or by any other person as to matters such member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been
selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company.
Section 3.06. Meetings of the Board of Directors.
Regular meetings of the board of directors may
be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the board of directors may from time to time determine, and if so determined, notices thereof need not be given. Special meetings of the board of directors may be
held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and may be called by the Chairman of the board of directors, the Vice Chairman of the board of directors, the President or a majority of the entire board of directors. Written notice of the
time and place of such special meetings shall be given to each director by the person or persons calling such meeting by first class or registered mail at least four (4) days before the meeting or by telephone, telecopy or in person at least one (1)
day before the meeting. Whenever notice is required to be given to any director, a written waiver thereof, signed by such director, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance at a meeting shall
constitute a waiver of any required notice of such meeting, except when the director attends such meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the board of directors need be stated in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 3.07. Quorum.
At all meetings of the board of directors, one-half of the
directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business unless a greater or lesser number is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum shall not be
present at any meeting of directors, the directors
present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 3.08. Written Consent of Directors.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the
board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board of directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be.
Section 3.09. Meetings by Conference Telephone.
Members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by
the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other,
and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 3.10. Committees of Directors.
(a) The board
of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board of directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Company. Such committee or committees shall have such powers as
may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors, subject to any statutory limitations.
(b) Meetings of
each committee may be called by any member of the committee upon notice given to each member of the committee not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held. Notice of any meeting may be waived by all members of the
committee.
(c) A
majority of each committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
(d) Any member
of any committee may be removed, with or without cause, at any time, by the board of directors. Any vacancy on any committee shall be filled by the board of directors.
(e) Each
committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.
Section 3.11. Compensation of Directors.
Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation,
the directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at such meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall
preclude any director from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like
compensation for attending committee meetings or such compensation as the
board of directors may fix.
Section 3.12. Removal of Directors.
Any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause,
at any time by the vote of the stockholders at a special meeting called for that purpose. Any director may be removed for cause by the action of the directors at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 3.13. Corporate Records.
The directors may keep the books of the Company, except such as are
required by law to be kept within the state, outside the State of Delaware, at such place or places as they may from time to time determine.
Article IV
NOTICES
Section 4.01. Form and Time of Notice.
Except as otherwise required by statute, whenever, under the
provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware or of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, such notice may be delivered personally, by mail, facsimile,
telegram, telephone, electronic transmission or any other reasonable method.
Section 4.02. Waiver of Notice.
Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of
the laws of Delaware or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Article V
OFFICERS
Section 5.01. Officers.
The officers of the Company shall be chosen by the board of
directors and shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The board of directors may also choose a Chairman or Vice Chairman of the board of directors, one or more Vice Presidents (any one or more of whom may be designated an Executive Vice
President or Senior Vice President), one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, as well as other officers and agents, with such titles, duties
and powers as the board of directors may from time to
time determine. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise.
Section 5.02. Appointment of Officers.
The board of directors shall choose the officers of the Company at
any meeting of the board of directors.
Section 5.03. Salaries of Officers.
The salaries of all officers and agents of the Company shall be
fixed by the board of directors.
Section 5.04. Term, Removal and Vacancies.
Each officer of the Company shall hold office until his successor
has been chosen and qualified or until he shall have resigned or shall have been removed. Any officer may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall
be filled by the board of directors.
Section 5.05. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief
executive officer of the Company and shall serve as chairman of the board of the Company. It shall be his duty to supervise generally the management of the business of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect and shall have power to sign contracts, powers of
attorney and other instruments on behalf of the Company and shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal under the seal of the Company, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except
where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the Company.
Section 5.06. President.
In the absence of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or in
the event of his inability or refusal to act, the President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. In
addition, the President shall have the power to sign contracts, powers of attorney and other instruments on behalf of the Company, except where the execution thereof shall be otherwise delegated by the board of directors.
Section 5.07. Vice President.
In the absence of the President, or in the event of his inability
or refusal to act, the Vice President, if any, (or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the board of directors, or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election)
shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
President and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. In addition, the Vice Presidents shall have the power to sign contracts, powers of attorney and other instruments on
behalf of the Company, except where the execution thereof shall be otherwise delegated by the board of directors.
Section 5.08. Secretary.
The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors
and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The
Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or president, under whose
supervision he shall be. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Company and he, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it may be attested by his
signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Company and to attest the affixing by his signature.
Section 5.09. Treasurer.
(a) The
Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and
to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the board of directors.
(b) The
Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the board of directors at its regular meetings, or when the board of
directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Company.
Article VI
CERTIFICATE OF STOCK
Section 6.01. Certificates.
Every holder of stock in the Company shall be entitled to have a
certificate of the shares of the Company signed by (i) the Chairman or Vice chairman of the board of directors, the President or a Vice President and (ii) either the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and may be sealed with the seal of the Company or a facsimile thereof.
Section 6.02. Signatures.
Any or all of the signatures of the officers of the Company upon a
certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same
effect as if he were such officer at the date of issue.
Section 6.03. Lost Certificates.
The Company may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated
shares in place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Company may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Company a bond
sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
Section 6.04. Transfers of Shares.
Upon surrender to the Company or the transfer agent of the Company
of a certificate representing shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Company to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old
certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
Section 6.05. Registered Stockholders.
The Company shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any
equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
Article VII
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Section 7.01. Right to Indemnification.
Each person who was or is made a party to
or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or any predecessor of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or of partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such
proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Company to the fullest extent
authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Company
to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, finds, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in
connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however,
that, except as provided in paragraph (b) hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Company shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if
such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the board of directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred
in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”);
provided, however, that if the DGCL requires an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) such advancement shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final
judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise (hereinafter an “undertaking”).
Section 7.02. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit.
If a claim under Section 7.01 is not paid in
full by the Company within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Company, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any
time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit or in a suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an
undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to
enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Company shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a
final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Company (including the board of directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the
Company (including the board of directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right
hereunder, or by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the
burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or to such advancement of expenses under this Section or otherwise shall be on the Company.
Section 7.03. Non-Exclusivity of Rights.
The rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses conferred in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the certificate of incorporation of the Company, these Bylaws, by agreement, by
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 7.04. Insurance.
The Company may maintain insurance, at its
expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 7.05. Indemnification of Agents of the Company.
The Company may, to the extent authorized from
time to time by the board of directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses, to any agent of the Company to the fullest extent of the provisions of the Section with respect to the indemnification and advancement of
expenses of directors, officers and employees of the Company.
Article VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.01. Dividends.
(a) Dividends
upon the capital stock of the Company, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in shares of
the capital stock or in the Company’s bonds or its property, including the shares or bonds of other corporations, subject to any provisions of law and of the Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) Before
payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Company available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Company, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Company, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner
in which it was created.
Section 8.02. Checks.
All checks or demands for money and notes of the Company shall be
signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors may from time to time designate.
Section 8.03. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Company shall be fixed by resolution of the
board of directors.
Section 8.04. Seal.
The seal of the Company shall consist of an impression bearing the
name of the Company, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. In lieu thereof, the Company may use an impression or writing bearing the words “CORPORATE SEAL” enclosed in parentheses or scroll, which shall also be deemed
the seal of the Company.
Section 8.05. Use of Pronouns.
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the pronouns “he”, “him”, or “his”
shall be deemed also to mean or include “she”, “her” or “hers”, as the case may be.
Article IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 9.01. Amendments.
These Bylaws may be amended or repealed or new bylaws may be
adopted at any regular or special meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present or represented, by the vote of the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of any directors, provided notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or
repeal be contained in the notice of such meeting. These Bylaws may also be amended or repealed or new bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors.
If any bylaw regulating an impending election of directors is adopted, amended or repealed by the board of directors, there shall be set forth in the notice of the next meeting of stockholders for the election of directors the bylaw so adopted,
amended or repealed, together with a precise statement of the changes made. Bylaws adopted by the board of directors may be amended or repealed by the stockholders.
* * *
13
Exhibit
4.1
SPECIMEN
UNIT CERTIFICATE
[●]
UNITS
U-[●]
SEE
REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
CUSIP:
769395 203
RIVERVIEW
ACQUISITION CORP.
UNITS
CONSISTING OF ONE SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND ONE-HALF WARRANT TO PURCHASE ONE SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
THIS
CERTIFIES THAT [●] is the owner of [●] Units.
Each
Unit (“Unit”) consists of one (1) share of Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common
Stock”), of Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and
one-half of one warrant (each, a “Warrant”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one
(1) share of Common Stock for $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment). Each Warrant will become exercisable on the later of:
(i) thirty (30) days after the Corporation’s consummation of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock
purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business
Combination”), or (ii) twelve (12) months from the completion of the Corporation’s initial public offering
(excluding any overallotment exercise), 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 Corporation consummates its initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption
of all outstanding shares of Common Stock included in the Units sold in the initial public offering by the Corporation of the
Units (the “IPO”) or liquidation of the Corporation (the “Expiration Date”).
The Warrant included in this Unit will not become exercisable and will expire worthless in the event the Corporation fails to
consummate a Business Combination within 24 months of the date of the completion of the Corporation’s IPO (excluding any
overallotment exercise).
The
shares of Common Stock and Warrants comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable separately prior
to the 52nd day following the date of the final prospectus relating to the IPO unless Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., acting as underwriter,
elects to allow separate trading earlier, subject to the Corporation’s filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities
and Exchange Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting the Corporation’s receipt of the gross proceeds of
the offering and issuing a press release announcing when separate trading will begin. The terms of the Warrants are governed by
a Warrant Agreement, dated as of April [●], 2021, between 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 Warrant holder on written request and without cost.
This
certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Corporation.
Witness
the facsimile signature of its duly authorized officers.
Transfer
Agent:
RIVERVIEW
ACQUISITION CORP.
The
Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder 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 Corporation and
the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the Units represented
hereby are issued and shall be held subject to the terms and conditions applicable to the securities underlying and comprising
the Units, including, as applicable, the Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto, the Warrant Agreement and the
resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of securities (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary
of the Corporation), to all of which the holder(s) of this certificate by acceptance hereof assent(s).
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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|
as tenants in common
|
|
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT —
|
|
|
|
Custodian
|
|
|
TEN ENT
|
|
—
|
|
as tenants by the entireties
|
|
|
|
(Cust)
|
|
|
|
(Minor)
|
JT TEN
|
|
—
|
|
as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
|
|
|
Under Uniform
Gifts to Minors
|
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 do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute(s) and appoint(s) _______________________________
attorney to transfer the said Units on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated
:
|
|
|
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Notice:
|
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The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
|
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).
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As
more fully described in the Corporation’s final prospectus relating to the IPO dated [●], 2021, the holder(s) of this
certificate shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata portion of funds from the trust account referred to therein only in the event
that (a) the Corporation redeems the shares of Common Stock sold in its initial public offering because it does not acquire, engage
in a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving
the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”) within 24 months from the date
of the completion of the Corporation’s initial public offering (excluding any overallotment exercise), or (b) if the holder(s)
seek(s) to redeem for cash his, her or its respective shares of Common Stock sold in the Corporation’s initial public offering
(“Public Shares”) in connection with (i) a tender offer (or proxy, solely in the event the Corporation
is required to seek stockholder approval of the proposed Business Combination) setting forth the details of a proposed Business
Combination or (ii) the Corporation seeking stockholder approval of an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation (x) to modify
the timing or substance of its obligation to repurchase 100% of Public Shares if the Corporation does not complete an initial
Business Combination within the 24 month timeframe or (y) with respect to any other provisions relating to stockholders’
rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. 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
NUMBER [●]
|
[●] SHARES
|
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
|
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CUSIP: 769395 104
|
RIVERVIEW
ACQUISITION CORP.
A
DELAWARE CORPORATION
CLASS
A COMMON STOCK
This Certifies that
|
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|
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is the owner of
|
|
|
FULLY
PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE
PER SHARE EACH, OF
RIVERVIEW
ACQUISITION CORP.
(THE
“CORPORATION”)
transferable
on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.
The
Corporation must redeem all of its shares of Class A common stock and liquidate if it is unable to complete an initial business
combination within 24 months from the date of the completion of the Corporation’s initial public offering (excluding any
overallotment exercise), as more fully described in the Corporation’s final prospectus relating to the initial public offering
of its Class A common stock as a part of the units being offered by it dated April [●], 2021.
This
certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar of the Corporation.
Witness
the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
|
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President
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Delaware
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Secretary
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Transfer
Agent:
RIVERVIEW
ACQUISITION CORP.
The
Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Corporation and the qualifications,
limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued
and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto and resolutions
of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of securities (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Corporation),
to all of which the holder(s) of this certificate by acceptance hereof assent(s).
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
|
|
|
TEN ENT
|
|
—
|
|
as tenants by the entireties
|
|
|
|
(Cust)
|
|
|
|
(Minor)
|
JT TEN
|
|
—
|
|
as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
|
|
|
Under Uniform
Gifts to Minors
|
Additional
abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For
value received, ________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) 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))
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______________________ Shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do(es) hereby irrevocably
constitute(s) and appoint(s) __________________________ attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises
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Dated:
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NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME(S) 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 By:
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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).
As
more fully described in the Corporation’s final prospectus dated April [●], 2021, the holder(s) of this certificate
shall be entitled to receive a pro-rata portion of funds from the trust account referred to therein only in the event that (a)
the Corporation redeems the shares of Class A Common Stock sold in its initial public offering because it does not acquire, engage
in a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving
the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”) within 24 months from the date
of the completion of the Corporation’s initial public offering (excluding any overallotment exercise), or (b) the holder(s)
seek(s) to redeem for cash his, her or its respective shares of Class A Common Stock sold in the Corporation’s initial public
offering (“Public Shares”) in connection with (i) a tender offer (or proxy, solely in the event the
Corporation is required to seek stockholder approval of the proposed Business Combination) setting forth the details of a proposed
Business Combination or (ii) the Corporation seeking stockholder approval of an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation
(x) to modify the timing or substance of its obligation to repurchase 100% of Public Shares if the Corporation does not complete
an initial Business Combination within the 24 month timeframe or (y) with respect to any other provisions relating to stockholders’
rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. In no other circumstances shall the holder(s) have any right or interest
of any kind in or to the trust account.
Exhibit
4.3
Form
of Warrant Certificate
[FACE]
Number
Warrants
THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR
IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW
riverview ACQUISITION CORP.
Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware
CUSIP:
769395 112
Warrant
Certificate
This
Warrant Certificate certifies that ________________, or registered assigns, is the registered holder of warrant(s) evidenced
hereby (the “Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase shares of Class
A common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), of Riverview Acquisition Corp.,
a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during
the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and non-assessable
shares of Class A Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Warrant Price”) as determined
pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise” as provided
for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant
Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant
Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the
Warrant Agreement.
Each
whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock. No fractional shares
will be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional
interest in a share of Class A Common Stock, the Company will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number
of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
The
initial Warrant Price per share of Class A Common Stock for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Warrant Price is subject
to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Subject
to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the
extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void. The Warrants may be redeemed, subject
to certain conditions, as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Reference
is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions
shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This
Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.
This
Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
[Signature
Page Follows]
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
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as Warrant Agent
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[Signature
Page to Warrant Certificate – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
[Form
of Warrant Certificate]
[Reverse]
The
Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise
to receive shares of Class A Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of April [__],
2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement
is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights,
limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words
“holders” or “holder” meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder,
respectively) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the
Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant
Agreement.
Warrants
may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by
this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set
forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Warrant Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement
(or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office
of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall
be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee,
a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.
Notwithstanding
anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise
(i) a registration statement covering the shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities
Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the shares of Class A Common Stock is current, except through “cashless
exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.
The
Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a
Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Class A Common Stock, the Company
shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued to the holder of the
Warrant.
Warrant
Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in
person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations
provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates
of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon
due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate
or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s)
in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except
for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
The
Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate
(notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of
any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected
by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a
stockholder of the Company.
Election
to Purchase
(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)
The
undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive _____ shares
of Class A Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such shares of Class A Common Stock to the order of Riverview Acquisition
Corp. (the “Company”) in the amount of $_____________ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned
requests that a certificate for such shares of Class A Common Stock be registered in the name of _____________, whose address
is and that such shares of Class A Common Stock be delivered to ______________ whose address is _______________. If said number
of shares of Class A Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned
requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Class A Common Stock be registered
in the name of ___________________, whose address is _______________ and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to _______________,
whose address is _______________.
In
the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the Company pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Warrant Agreement
and the Company has required cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) and
Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement.
In
the event that the Warrant is a Private Placement Warrant or a Working Capital Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless”
basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this
Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.
In
the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant
Agreement, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance
with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.
In
the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the
number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant
section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless
exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive shares of Class A Common Stock. If said number of shares of Class A Common
Stock is less than all of the shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise),
the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Class A Common Stock
be registered in the name of ________________, whose address is________________ and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered
to ________________, whose address is ________________.
[Signature
Page Follows]
Date:
April [__], 2021
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Signature
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(Address)
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(Tax Identification Number)
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Signature Guaranteed:
THE
SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD 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)).
Exhibit 4.4
WARRANT AGREEMENT
THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of
April [●], 2021, is by and between Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (in such capacity, the “Warrant
Agent”, and also referred to herein as the “Transfer Agent”).
WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in an initial public offering (the “Offering”)
of units of the Company’s equity securities, each such unit comprised of one share of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), and one-half of one Public Warrant (as defined below) (the “Units”)
and, in connection therewith, has determined to issue and deliver up to 12,500,000 warrants (or up to 14,375,000 warrants if the Over-allotment Option (as defined below) is exercised in full) to public investors in the Offering (the “Public
Warrants”);
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Private Placement
Warrants Purchase Agreement (the “Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement”) with Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase
an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants simultaneously with the closing of the Offering bearing the legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant;
WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in
connection with an intended initial Business Combination (as defined below), the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan to the Company funds as the Company may require, of
which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into up to an additional 1,500,000 warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant (the “Working Capital Warrants”);
WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-[__] (the “Registration Statement”), and prospectus (the “Prospectus”), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Units, the Public Warrants and the Common Stock included in the Units;
WHEREAS, following consummation of the Offering, the Company may issue
additional warrants (the “Post-IPO Warrants” and, together with the Private Placement Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants and the Public Warrants, the “Warrants”) in connection with, or following the consummation by the
Company of, a Business Combination;
WHEREAS, each whole Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one
share of Common Stock for $11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustment as described herein. Only whole Warrants are exercisable. A holder of the Public Warrants will not be able to exercise any fraction of a Warrant;
WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the
Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of
the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are
necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of
this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby
appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. Warrants.
2.1 Form of Warrant. Each Warrant shall be issued in
registered form only, and, if a physical certificate is issued, shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman
of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or other principal officer of the Company. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have ceased to serve in the
capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance. All of the Public Warrants shall initially be represented by one
or more book-entry certificates (each, a “Book-Entry Warrant Certificate”).
2.2 Effect of Countersignature. If a physical certificate is
issued, unless and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Warrant certificate shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.
2.3 Registration.
2.3.1 Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall maintain
books (the “Warrant Register”) for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names
of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company. All of the Public Warrants shall initially be represented by one or more Book-Entry Warrant
Certificates deposited with The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of the Depositary. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Public Warrants shall be shown on, and the
transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by (i) the Depositary or its nominee for each Book-Entry Warrant Certificate, or (ii) institutions that have accounts with the Depositary (each such institution, with respect to
a Warrant in its account, a “Participant”).
If the Depositary subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for
the Public Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding making other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Public Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Public Warrants
available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depositary to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each Book-Entry Warrant Certificate, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent to deliver to
the Depositary definitive certificates in physical form evidencing such Warrants (“Definitive Warrant Certificate”). Such Definitive Warrant Certificate shall be in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A, with appropriate
insertions, modifications and omissions, as provided above.
2.3.2 Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for
registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant is registered in the Warrant Register (the “Registered Holder”) as the absolute owner of such Warrant
and of each Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on a Definitive Warrant Certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent), for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all
other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
2.4 Detachability of Warrants. The Common Stock and Public
Warrants comprising the Units shall begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of the Prospectus or, if such 52nd day is not on a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, on which banks in New York City are generally open
for normal business (a “Business Day”), then on the immediately succeeding Business Day following such date, or earlier (the “Detachment Date”) with the consent of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as representative of the
several underwriters, but in no event shall the Common Stock and the Public Warrants comprising the Units be separately traded until (A) the Company has filed a current report on Form 8-K with the Commission containing an audited balance sheet
reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds of the Offering, including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise by the underwriters of their right to purchase additional Units in the Offering (the “Over-allotment
Option”), if the Over-allotment Option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K, and (B) the Company issues a press release and files with the Commission a current report on Form 8-K announcing when such separate trading shall
begin.
2.5 Fractional Warrants. The Company shall not issue
fractional Warrants other than as part of the Units, each of which is comprised of one share of Common Stock and one-half of one Public Warrant. If, upon the detachment of Public Warrants from Units or otherwise, a holder of Warrants would be
entitled to receive a fractional Warrant, the Company shall round down to the nearest whole number of Warrants to be issued to such holder.
2.6 Private Placement Warrants and Working Capital Warrants.
The Private Placement Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants shall be identical to the Public Warrants, except that so long as they are held by either the Sponsor or any Permitted Transferees (as defined below), as applicable, the Private
Placement Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants: (i) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) hereof, (ii) may not be transferred, assigned or sold until the date that is thirty (30) days after the
completion by the Company of an initial Business Combination (as defined below), and (iii) shall not be redeemable by the Company; provided, however, that in the case of (ii), the Private Placement Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants
and any shares of Common Stock held by either the Sponsor or any officers or directors of the Company, or any Permitted Transferees, as applicable, and issued upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants may be
transferred by the holders thereof:
(a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate or
family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate of the Sponsor or to any members of the Sponsor or any of their affiliates;
(b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such
individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization;
(c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of
descent and distribution upon death of such person;
(d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified
domestic relations order;
(e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with any
forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Warrants were originally purchased;
(f) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the
limited liability company agreement of the Sponsor upon dissolution of the Sponsor;
(g) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the
consummation of a Business Combination; or
(h) in the event that, subsequent to the consummation of a
Business Combination, the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other
property; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (a) through (f), these transferees (the “Permitted Transferees”) enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions in this
Agreement and the other restrictions contained in the letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors.
2.7 Working Capital Warrants. Each of the Working Capital
Warrants shall be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.
2.8 Post-IPO Warrants. The Post-IPO Warrants, when and if
issued, shall have the same terms and be in the same form as the Public Warrants except as may be agreed upon by the Company.
3. Terms and Exercise of Warrants.
3.1 Warrant Price. Each Warrant shall entitle the
Registered Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock stated therein, at the price of $11.50 per share, subject to the adjustments provided in Section
4 hereof and in the last sentence of this Section 3.1. The term “Warrant Price” as used in this Agreement shall mean the price per share at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased at the time a Warrant is exercised. The Company in
its sole discretion may lower the Warrant Price at any time prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) for a period of not less than twenty (20) Business Days, provided, that the Company shall provide at least twenty (20) days prior written
notice of such reduction to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such reduction shall be identical among all of the Warrants.
3.2 Duration of Warrants. A Warrant may be exercised
only during the period (the “Exercise Period”) commencing on the date that is thirty (30) days after the first date on which the Company completes a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or
similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), and terminating on the earlier to occur of: (i) at 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, (ii) the liquidation of the Company and (iii) other than with respect to the Private Placement Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants then held by either the Sponsor or any
officers or directors of the Company, or any of their Permitted Transferees as provided in Section 6.1, the Redemption Date (as defined below) as provided in Section 6.2 hereof (the “Expiration Date”); provided,
however, that the exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to the satisfaction of any applicable conditions, as set forth in subsection 3.3.2 below, with respect to an effective registration statement. Except with respect to the right
to receive the Redemption Price (as defined below) in the event of a redemption (as set forth in Section 6 hereof), each outstanding Warrant (other than a Private Placement Warrant or a Working Capital Warrant held by either the Sponsor or
any officers or directors of the Company, or their Permitted Transferees, in the event of a redemption for cash) not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this
Agreement shall cease at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date; provided that the Company shall provide at least twenty
(20) days prior written notice of any such extension to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such extension shall be identical in duration among all the Warrants.
3.3 Exercise of Warrants.
3.3.1 Payment. Subject to the provisions of the Warrant
and this Agreement, a Warrant may be exercised by the Registered Holder thereof by delivering to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust department (i) the Definitive Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants to be exercised, or, in the case of a
Book-Entry Warrant Certificate, the Warrants to be exercised (the “Book-Entry Warrants”) on the records of the Depositary to an account of the Warrant Agent at the Depositary designated for such purposes in writing by the Warrant Agent
to the Depositary from time to time, (ii) an election to purchase (“Election to Purchase”) shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant, properly completed and executed by the Registered Holder on the reverse of the
Definitive Warrant Certificate or, in the case of a Book-Entry Warrant Certificate, properly delivered by the Participant in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures, and (iii) payment in full of the Warrant Price for each full share of Common
Stock as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for the shares of Common Stock and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock, as follows:
(a) in lawful money of the United States, in good certified
check or good bank draft payable to the order of the Warrant Agent or by wire transfer of immediately available funds;
(b) in the event of a redemption pursuant to Section 6
hereof in which the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) has elected to require all holders of the Warrants to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by surrendering the Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Fair Market Value”, as defined in this subsection 3.3.1(b), over the Warrant Price by
(y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3, the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average closing price of the Common Stock for the ten (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, pursuant to Section 6 hereof;
(c) with respect to any Private Placement Warrant or Working
Capital Warrant, so long as such Private Placement Warrant or Working Capital Warrant is held by either the Sponsor or any officer or director of the Company, or their Permitted Transferees, by surrendering the Warrants for that number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Fair Market Value”, as defined in this subsection 3.3.1(c), over the
Warrant Price by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this subsection 3.3.1(c), the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average closing price of the Common Stock for the ten (10) trading days ending on the third trading day prior
to the date on which notice of exercise of the Private Placement Warrant or Working Capital Warrant is sent to the Warrant Agent; or
(d) as provided in Section 7.4 hereof.
3.3.2 Issuance of Shares of Common Stock on Exercise. As
soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price (if payment is pursuant to subsection 3.3.1 (a)), the Company shall issue to the Registered Holder of such Warrant a
book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, for the number of full shares of Common Stock to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if such Warrant shall not have been
exercised in full, a new book-entry position or countersigned Warrant, as applicable, for the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised. If fewer than all the Warrants evidenced by a Book-Entry Warrant
Certificate are exercised, a notation shall be made to the records maintained by the Depositary, its nominee for each Book-Entry Warrant Certificate, or a Participant, as appropriate, evidencing the balance of the Warrants remaining after such
exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and shall have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under
the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company’s satisfying its obligations under Section 7.4. No Warrant
shall be exercisable and the Company shall not be obligated to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of a Warrant unless the Common Stock issuable upon such Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt from registration
or qualification 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 shall not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless, in which case the purchaser of a Unit containing such Public Warrants shall have paid the full purchase price for the Unit solely for the
shares of Common Stock underlying such Unit. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Warrant exercise. The Company may require holders of Public Warrants to settle the Warrant on a “cashless basis” pursuant to Section 7.4.
If, by reason of any exercise of Warrants on a “cashless basis”, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round down to the nearest
whole number, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such holder.
3.3.3 Valid Issuance. All shares of Common Stock issued
upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
3.3.4 Date of Issuance. Each person in whose name any
book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, for shares of Common Stock is issued shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock on the date on which the Warrant, or book-entry position
representing such Warrant, was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate in the case of a certificated Warrant, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date
when the share transfer books of the Company or book-entry system of the Warrant Agent are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares of Common Stock at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the
share transfer books or book-entry system are open.
3.3.5 Maximum Percentage. A holder of a Warrant may notify
the Company in writing in the event it elects to be subject to the provisions contained in this subsection 3.3.5; however, no holder of a Warrant shall be subject to this subsection 3.3.5 unless he, she or it makes such
election. If the election is made by a holder, the Warrant Agent shall not effect the exercise of the holder’s Warrant, and such holder shall not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such
person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant Agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify)(the “Maximum Percentage”) of the shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates shall include the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon (x) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of the
Warrant beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates and (y) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates (including, without
limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this
paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). For purposes of the Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding shares
of Common Stock, the holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (1) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, current report on Form 8-K or other public filing with
the Commission as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. For any reason at any time, upon the
written request of the holder of the Warrant, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days, confirm orally and in writing to such holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of equity securities of the Company by the holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. By written
notice to the Company, the holder of a Warrant may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage applicable to such holder to any other percentage specified in such notice; provided, however, that any such increase
shall not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company.
4. Adjustments.
4.1 Stock Dividends.
4.1.1 Split-Ups. If after the date hereof, and subject to
the provisions of Section 4.6 below, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the
effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Common Stock. A rights offering
to holders of the Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the “Fair Market Value” (as defined below) shall be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the
number of shares of Common Stock 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 the Common Stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the
quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid in such rights offering and divided by (y) the Fair Market Value. For purposes of this subsection 4.1.1, (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for
Common Stock, in determining the price payable for Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “Fair Market Value” means the
volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market,
regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
4.1.2 Extraordinary Dividends. If the Company, at any time
while the Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, shall pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of the Common Stock on account of such shares of Common Stock (or other shares of the Company’s capital
stock into which the Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described in subsection 4.1.1 above, (b) Ordinary Cash Dividends (as defined below), (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of the Common Stock in connection with
a proposed initial Business Combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (as amended from time to time,
the “Charter”) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the shares of Common Stock included in the Units sold in the Offering if the Company does not complete the Business Combination within the
period set forth in the Charter or with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, or to provide for redemption in connection with a Business Combination or (e) in
connection with the redemption of public shares of Common Stock included in the Units sold in the Offering upon the failure of the Company to complete its initial Business Combination and any subsequent distribution of its assets upon its liquidation
(any such non-excluded event being referred to herein as an “Extraordinary Dividend”), then the Warrant Price shall be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such Extraordinary Dividend, by the amount of cash
and/or the fair market value (as determined by the Board, in good faith) of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such Extraordinary Dividend. For purposes of this subsection 4.1.2, “Ordinary
Cash Dividends” means any cash dividend or cash distribution which, when combined on a per share basis, with the per share amounts of all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Common Stock during the 365-day period
ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in other subsections of this Section 4 and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in
an adjustment to the Warrant Price or to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant) does not exceed $0.50 (being 5% of the offering price of the Units in the Offering).
4.2 Aggregation of Shares. If after the date hereof,
and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 hereof, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event,
then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in
outstanding shares of Common Stock.
4.3 Adjustments in Warrant Price.
4.3.1 Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in subsection 4.1.1 or Section 4.2 above, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price immediately prior to such adjustment by
a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock so
purchasable immediately thereafter.
4.3.2 If (x) the Company issues additional shares of Common Stock
or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Common Stock (with such issue price or effective
issue price to be determined in good faith by the Board and, in the case of any such issuance to the initial stockholders (as defined in the Prospectus) or their affiliates, without taking into account any shares of Class B Common Stock (as defined
below) held by such stockholders or their 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 funding the initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on
which the Company consummates the Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the
Newly Issued Price, and the last sales price of the Common Stock that triggers the Company’s right to redeem the Warrants pursuant to Section 6.1 below shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market
Value and the Newly Issued Price.
4.4 Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change under subsections 4.1.1 or 4.1.2 or Section 4.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such shares of
Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or conversion of the Company as another entity (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation (and is
not a subsidiary of another entity whose stockholders did not own all or substantially all of the Common Stock of the Company in substantially the same proportions immediately before such transaction) and that does not result in any reclassification
or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the
Company is dissolved, the holders of the Warrants shall 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 shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately
theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock 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 his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to such event (the “Alternative Issuance”);
provided, however, that (i) if the holders of the Common Stock 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 constituting the Alternative Issuance for which each Warrant shall become exercisable shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by the holders of the Common Stock
in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and (ii) if a tender, exchange or redemption offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of the Common Stock (other than a tender, exchange or redemption offer made
by the Company in connection with redemption rights held by stockholders of the Company as provided for in the Charter or as a result of the redemption of shares of Common Stock by the Company if a proposed initial Business Combination is presented
to the stockholders 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 (or
any successor rule)) 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 (or any successor rule)) 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 (or any successor rule)) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder of a Warrant shall be entitled to receive as the
Alternative Issuance, the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a stockholder 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 Common Stock held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustments (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as
possible to the adjustments provided for in this Section 4; provided further that if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of the Common Stock in the applicable event is payable in the form of common stock 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
properly exercises the Warrant within thirty (30) days following the public disclosure of the consummation of such applicable event by the Company pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission, the Warrant Price shall be reduced
by an amount (in dollars) equal to the difference (but in no event less than zero) of (i) the Warrant Price in effect prior to such reduction minus (ii) (A) the Per Share Consideration (as defined below) minus (B) the Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as
defined below). The “Black-Scholes Warrant Value” means the value of a Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of the applicable event based on the Black-Scholes Warrant Model for a Capped American Call on Bloomberg Financial
Markets (“Bloomberg”).
For purposes of calculating such amount, (1) Section 6 of this Agreement shall be
taken into account, (2) the price of each share of Common Stock shall be the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the applicable
event, (3) the assumed volatility shall be the 90 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg determined as of the trading day immediately prior to the day of the announcement of the applicable event, and (4) the assumed risk-free
interest rate shall correspond to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of the Warrant. “Per Share Consideration” means (i) if the consideration paid to holders of the Common Stock consists exclusively of cash,
the amount of such cash per share of Common Stock, and (ii) in all other cases, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the
applicable event. If any reclassification or reorganization also results in a change in shares of Common Stock covered by subsection 4.1.1, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to subsection 4.1.1 or Sections 4.2, 4.3
and this Section 4.4. The provisions of this Section 4.4 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers. In no event will the Warrant Price be reduced to
less than the par value per share issuable upon exercise of the Warrant.
4.5 Notices of Changes in Warrant. Upon every
adjustment of the Warrant Price or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Warrant Price resulting from such adjustment
and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based.
Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, the Company shall give written notice of the occurrence of such event to each holder of a Warrant, at the last address set forth for such
holder in the Warrant Register, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event.
4.6 No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision
contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4, the holder of any Warrant would be
entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such holder.
4.7 Form of Warrant. The form of Warrant need not be
changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and the same number of shares of Common Stock as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to
this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant
thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.
4.8 Other Events. In case any event shall occur
affecting the Company as to which none of the provisions of the preceding subsections of this Section 4 are strictly applicable, but which would require an adjustment to the terms of the Warrants in order to (i) avoid an adverse impact on the
Warrants and (ii) effectuate the intent and purpose of this Section 4, then, in each such case, the Company shall appoint a firm of independent public accountants, investment banking or other appraisal firm of recognized national standing,
which shall give its opinion as to whether or not any adjustment to the rights represented by the Warrants is necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Section 4 and, if they determine that an adjustment is necessary, the terms
of such adjustment. The Company shall adjust the terms of the Warrants in a manner that is consistent with any adjustment recommended in such opinion.
4.9 No Adjustment. For the avoidance of doubt, no
adjustment shall be made to the terms of the Warrants solely as a result of an adjustment to the conversion ratio of the Company’s Class B common stock (the “Class B Common Stock”) into shares of Common Stock or the conversion of the
shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Common Stock, in each case, pursuant to the Charter.
5. Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.
5.1 Registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall
register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant upon the Warrant Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer, in the case of a certificated Warrant, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied
by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. In the case of certificated Warrants, the
Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.
5.2 Procedure for Surrender of Warrants. Warrants may
be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the Registered Holder of the Warrants so
surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided herein or in any Book-Entry Warrant Certificate or Definitive Warrant Certificate, each Book-Entry Warrant Certificate and
Definitive Warrant Certificate may be transferred only in whole and only to the Depositary, to another nominee of the Depositary, to a successor depository, or to a nominee of a successor depository; provided further, however, that in the
event that a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend (as in the case of the Private Placement Warrants and the Working Capital Warrants), the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and issue new Warrants in exchange thereof
until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.
5.3 Fractional Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not be
required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which shall result in the issuance of a warrant certificate or book-entry position for a fraction of a warrant, except as part of the Units.
5.4 Service Charges. No service charge shall be made
for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.
5.5 Warrant Execution and Countersignature. The Warrant
Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant
Agent, shall supply the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.
5.6 Transfer of Warrants. Prior to the Detachment Date,
the Public Warrants may be transferred or exchanged only together with the Unit in which such Warrant is included, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, a transfer or exchange of such Unit. Furthermore, each transfer of a
Unit on the register relating to such Units shall operate also to transfer the Warrants included in such Unit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 5.6 shall have no effect on any transfer of Warrants on and after the
Detachment Date.
6. Redemption.
6.1 Redemption of Warrants for Cash. Subject to Sections
6.4 and 6.5 hereof, not less than all of the outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, at any time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon notice to
the Registered Holders of the Warrants, as described in Section 6.2 below, at the price of $0.01 per Warrant (the “Redemption Price”); provided that the closing price of the Common Stock reported has been at least $18.00
per share (subject to adjustment in compliance with Section 4 hereof), on each of twenty (20) trading days within the thirty (30) trading-day period ending on the third Business Day prior to the date on which notice of the redemption is
given; provided further that there is an effective registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and a current prospectus relating thereto, available throughout the 30-day Redemption Period
(as defined in Section 6.2 below) or the Company has elected to require the exercise of the Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to subsection 3.3.1 and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
6.2 Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption. In the
event that the Company elects to redeem all of the Warrants pursuant to Section 6.1, the Company shall fix a date for the redemption (the “Redemption Date”). Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, by the Company not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Redemption Date (such period, the “Redemption Period”) to the Registered Holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the
registration books. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Registered Holder received such notice.
6.3 Exercise After Notice of Redemption. The Warrants
may be exercised, for cash (or on a “cashless basis” in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) of this Agreement) at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the
Redemption Date. In the event that the Company determines to require all holders of Warrants to exercise their Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to subsection 3.3.1, the notice of redemption shall contain the information necessary to
calculate the number of shares of Common Stock to be received upon exercise of the Warrants, including the “Fair Market Value” (as such term is defined in subsection 3.3.1(b) hereof) in such case. On and after the Redemption Date, the record
holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.
6.4 Exclusion of Certain Warrants. The Company agrees
that the redemption rights provided in Section 6.1 shall not apply to the Private Placement Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants or the Post-IPO Warrants (if such Post-IPO Warrants provide that they are non-redeemable by the Company) if at
the time of the redemption such Private Placement Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Post-IPO Warrants continue to be held by the Sponsor or any Permitted Transferees, as applicable. However, once such Private Placement Warrants, Working Capital
Warrants or Post-IPO Warrants are transferred (other than to Permitted Transferees under Section 2.6), the Company may redeem the Private Placement Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants or the Post-IPO Warrants (if the Post-IPO Warrants
permit such redemption by their terms) pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, provided that the criteria for redemption are met, including the opportunity of the holder of such Private Placement Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Post-IPO
Warrants to exercise the Private Placement Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants or the Post-IPO Warrants prior to redemption pursuant to Section 6.1. The Private Placement Warrants, the Working Capital Warrants or the Post-IPO Warrants (if
such Post-IPO Warrants provide that they are non-redeemable by the Company) that are transferred to persons other than Permitted Transferees shall upon such transfer cease to be Private Placement Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Post-IPO
Warrants and shall become Public Warrants under this Agreement.
7. Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of
Warrants.
7.1 No Rights as Stockholder. A Warrant does not
entitle the Registered Holder thereof to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive
notice as stockholders in respect of the meetings of stockholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.
7.2 Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Warrants. If any
Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender
thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor, and date as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost,
stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.
7.3 Reservation of Common Stock. The Company shall at
all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock that shall be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement.
7.4 Registration of Common Stock; Cashless Exercise at
Company’s Option.
7.4.1 Registration of the Common Stock. The Company agrees
that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) Business Days after the closing of its initial Business Combination, it shall use its best efforts to file with the Commission a registration statement registering, under the
Securities Act, the issuance of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a
current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. If any such registration statement has not been declared effective by the 60th Business Day following the closing of the
Business Combination, holders of the Warrants shall have the right, during the period beginning on the 61st Business Day after the closing of the Business Combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the
Commission, and during any other period when the Company shall fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by
exchanging the Warrants (in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act (or any successor rule) or another exemption) for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of
shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “Fair Market Value” (as defined below) over the Warrant Price by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this subsection 7.4.1, “Fair Market Value”
shall mean the average closing price of the Common Stock for the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date that notice of exercise is received by the Warrant Agent from the holder of such Warrants or its securities
broker or intermediary. The date that notice of cashless exercise is received by the Warrant Agent shall be conclusively determined by the Warrant Agent. In connection with the “cashless exercise” of a Public Warrant, the Company shall, upon request,
provide the Warrant Agent with an opinion of counsel for the Company (which shall be an outside law firm with securities law experience) stating that (i) the exercise of the Warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with this subsection 7.4.1 is
not required to be registered under the Securities Act and (ii) the shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise shall be freely tradable under United States federal securities laws by anyone who is not an affiliate (as such term is defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule)) of the Company and, accordingly, shall not be required to bear a restrictive legend. Except as provided in subsection 7.4.2, for the avoidance of any doubt, unless and until all of
the Warrants have been exercised or have expired, the Company shall continue to be obligated to comply with its registration obligations under the first three sentences of this subsection 7.4.1.
7.4.2 Cashless Exercise at Company’s Option. If the Common
Stock 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 (or any successor rule), the Company may, at its
option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise Public Warrants to exercise such Public Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act (or any successor rule) as described in subsection 7.4.1
and (i) in the event the Company so elects, the Company shall not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants,
notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary or (ii) if the Company does not so elect, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to register or qualify for sale the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants under the
blue sky laws of the state of residence of the exercising Public Warrant holder to the extent an exemption is not available.
8. Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters.
8.1 Payment of Taxes. The Company shall from time to
time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any
transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such shares of Common Stock.
8.2 Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent.
8.2.1 Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent. The Warrant
Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes
vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after it has
been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of a Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his, her or its Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Warrant may apply to the
Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as
if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument
transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all
instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations.
8.2.2 Notice of Successor Warrant Agent. In the event a
successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment.
8.2.3 Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent. Any
corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this
Agreement without any further act.
8.3 Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent.
8.3.1 Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Warrant
Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and shall, pursuant to its obligations under this Agreement, reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in
the execution of its duties hereunder.
8.3.2 Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform,
execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of
the provisions of this Agreement.
8.4 Liability of Warrant Agent.
8.4.1 Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the
performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless
other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice
President, Secretary or Chairman of the Board of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
8.4.2 Indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall be liable
hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything
done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement, except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.
8.4.3 Exclusions. The Warrant Agent shall have no
responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof). The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant
or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for the manner, method, or amount of any such
adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock
to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any shares of Common Stock shall, when issued, be valid and fully paid and non-assessable.
8.5 Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby
accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account
for, and pay to the Company, all monies received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of shares of Common Stock through the exercise of the Warrants.
8.6 Waiver. The Warrant Agent has no right of set-off
or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the
Company and the Warrant Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The Warrant Agent hereby waives any and all Claims
against the Trust Account and any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account.
9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
9.1 Successors. All the covenants and provisions of
this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.
9.2 Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized
by this Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service
within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200,
Memphis, TN 38117
Attention: R. Brad Martin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such
notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Attention: Compliance Department
in each case, with copies to:
King & Spalding LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Keith Townsend
Email: ktownsend@kslaw.com
and
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10105
Attn: Douglas S. Ellenoff, Esq.
Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.
Email: ellenoff@egsllp.com
sneuhauser@egsllp.com
9.3 Applicable Law and Exclusive Forum. The validity,
interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any
way to this Agreement shall 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 irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the
exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. The Company hereby waives any objection to such jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this paragraph 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
the Warrants shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in this Section 9.3. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions above, is filed in a court other than a court
located within 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 warrant holder, such warrant holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the
personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District 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.
9.4 Persons Having Rights under this Agreement. Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Registered Holders of the Warrants any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant,
condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns and
of the Registered Holders of the Warrants.
9.5 Examination of the Warrant Agreement. A copy of
this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the Registered Holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such
holder to submit such holder’s Warrant for inspection by the Warrant Agent.
9.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
9.7 Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are
for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.
9.8 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto without the consent of any Registered Holder (i) for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to
matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Registered Holders, and (ii) to provide for the delivery of Alternative Issuance
pursuant to Section 4.4. All other modifications or amendments, including any modification or amendment to increase the Warrant Price or shorten the Exercise Period shall require the vote or written consent of the Registered Holders of 50% of the
number of the then outstanding Public Warrants and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the Private Placement Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Post-IPO Warrants or any provision of this Agreement with respect to the Private
Placement Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Post-IPO Warrants, 50% of the number of then outstanding Private Placement Warrants, Working Capital Warrants or Post-IPO Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may lower the Warrant Price
or extend the duration of the Exercise Period pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, without the consent of the Registered Holders.
9.9 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed
severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable
term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER &
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TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[Signature Page to Warrant Agreement – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
EXHIBIT A
Form of Warrant Certificate
[FACE]
Number
Warrants
THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR
IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware
CUSIP: 759395 112
Warrant Certificate
This Warrant Certificate certifies that ________________,
or registered assigns, is the registered holder of warrant(s) evidenced hereby (the “Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase shares of Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”),
of Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that
number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Warrant Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless
exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the
conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Each whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and
non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Class A Common Stock, the
Company will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to
adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
The initial Warrant Price per share of Class A Common Stock for any
Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Warrant Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the
Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void. The Warrants may be redeemed, subject to certain conditions, as set forth in the Warrant
Agreement.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant
Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the
Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.
This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER &
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TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[Form of Warrant Certificate]
[Reverse]
The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly
authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive shares of Class A Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of April [__], 2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed
and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this
instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder”
meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder, respectively) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not
defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set
forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together
with payment of the Warrant Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of
Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of
Warrants not exercised.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant
Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating
to the shares of Class A Common Stock is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain
events the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a
fractional interest in a share of Class A Common Stock, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued to the holder of the Warrant.
Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust
office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without
payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant
Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate,
subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered
Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all
other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of the Company.
Election to Purchase
(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right,
represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive _____ shares of Class A Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such shares of Class A Common Stock to the order of Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) in the amount of
$_____________ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares of Class A Common Stock be registered in the name of _____________, whose address is and that such shares of Class A Common Stock be
delivered to ______________ whose address is _______________. If said number of shares of Class A Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate
representing the remaining balance of such shares of Class A Common Stock be registered in the name of ___________________, whose address is _______________ and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to _______________, whose address is
_______________.
In the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the
Company pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Warrant Agreement and the Company has required cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable
for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant is a Private Placement Warrant or a
Working Capital Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in
accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis
pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by
the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless
exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following: The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive
shares of Class A Common Stock. If said number of shares of Class A Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant
Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Class A Common Stock be registered in the name of ________________, whose address is________________ and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to ________________, whose address is
________________.
[Signature Page Follows]
Date: April [__], 2021
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Signature
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(Address)
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(Tax Identification Number)
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Signature Guaranteed:
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD 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)).
EXHIBIT B
LEGEND
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, SUBJECT TO ANY ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFER DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP. (THE “COMPANY”), RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC AND THE OTHER PARTIES
THERETO, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE COMPANY COMPLETES ITS INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 OF THE WARRANT
AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN) EXCEPT TO A PERMITTED TRANSFEREE (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2 OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT) WHO AGREES IN WRITING WITH THE COMPANY TO BE SUBJECT TO SUCH TRANSFER PROVISIONS.
SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY
ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF SUCH SECURITIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS UNDER A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT TO BE EXECUTED BY THE COMPANY.”
Exhibit 10.1
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This Investment Management Trust Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is made effective as of April [●], 2021 by and between Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No.
333-[__] (the “Registration Statement”) and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the initial public offering (the “Offering”) of the Company’s units (the “Units”), each of which consists of one
share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant, has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting
Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as underwriter (the “Underwriter”) named therein; and
WHEREAS, as described in the Prospectus, $250,000,000 of the gross
proceeds of the Offering and sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) (or $287,500,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held
in a segregated trust account located at all times in the United States (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Common Stock included in the Units issued in the Offering as hereinafter provided (the
amount to be delivered to the Trustee (and any interest subsequently earned thereon) is referred to herein as the “Property,” the stockholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “Public
Stockholders,” and the Public Stockholders and the Company will be referred to together as the “Beneficiaries”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, a portion of the
Property equal to $8,750,000, or $10,812,500 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, is attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that will be payable by the Company to the Underwriters upon and
concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below) (the “Deferred Discount”); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement
to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the Property.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Agreements and Covenants of Trustee. The
Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Hold the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the Trust Account established by the Trustee in the United States at [J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.] (or at another U.S. chartered commercial bank with consolidated assets of $100 billion or more) in the
United States, maintained by the Trustee and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company;
(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein;
(c) In a timely manner, upon the written instruction of the
Company, invest and reinvest the Property solely in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting
the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or any successor rule), which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by
the Company; it being understood that the Trust Account will earn no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder and the Trustee may earn bank credits or other consideration;
(d) Collect and receive, when due, all interest or other income
arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;
(e) Promptly notify the Company and the Underwriter of all
communications received by the Trustee with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;
(f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be
requested by the Company (or its authorized agents) in connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns relating to assets held in the Trust Account;
(g) Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or
enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do so;
(h) Render to the Company monthly written statements of the
activities of, and amounts in, the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;
(i) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and
promptly after (x) receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter from the Company (“Termination Letter”) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as
applicable, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Secretary or Chairman of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) or
other authorized officer of the Company, and, in the case of Exhibit A, acknowledged and agreed to by the Underwriter, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including interest
earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein, or (y)
upon the date which is, the later of (1) 24 months after the closing of the Offering and (2) such later date as may be approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation if a Termination Letter has
not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, in which case the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and the Property in the Trust Account,
including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), shall be distributed to the Public Stockholders of record as of such date;
(j) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given
from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit C (a “Tax Payment Withdrawal Instruction”), withdraw from the Trust Account and distribute to the Company the amount of interest earned on the
Property requested by the Company to cover any tax obligation owed by the Company as a result of assets of the Company or interest or other income earned on the Property, which amount shall be delivered directly to the Company by electronic funds
transfer or other method of prompt payment, and the Company shall forward such payment to the relevant taxing authority, so long as there is no reduction in the principal amount initially deposited in the Trust Account; provided, however,
that to the extent there is not sufficient cash in the Trust Account to pay such tax obligation, the Trustee shall liquidate such assets held in the Trust Account as shall be designated by the Company in writing to make such distribution (it being
acknowledged and agreed that any such amount in excess of interest income earned on the Property shall not be payable from the Trust Account). The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company
is entitled to said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request;
(k) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given
from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit D (a “Stockholder Redemption Withdrawal Instruction”), the Trustee shall distribute on behalf of the Company the amount requested by the
Company to be used to redeem shares of Common Stock from Public Stockholders properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the
Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of shares of Common Stock included in the Units sold in the Offering (the “public shares”) if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in the
Company’s certificate of incorporation or with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive
evidence that the Company is entitled to distribute said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; and
(l) Not make any withdrawals or distributions from the Trust
Account other than pursuant to Section 1(i), (j) or (k) above.
2. Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The
Company hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing,
signed by the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President or Secretary. In addition, except with respect to its duties under Sections 1(i), 1(j)
and 1(k) hereof, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction which it, in good faith and with reasonable care, believes to be given by any one of the persons
authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing;
(b) Subject to Section 4 hereof, hold the Trustee
harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or losses suffered by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by it hereunder and in connection with any action,
suit or other proceeding brought against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand, which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any interest
earned on the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this Section 2(b), it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”). The Trustee shall have
the right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim; provided that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
Trustee may not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;
(c) Pay the Trustee the fees set forth on Schedule A
hereto, including an initial acceptance fee, annual administration fee, and transaction processing fee which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay
such fees unless and until it is distributed to the Company pursuant to Sections 1(i) through 1(j) hereof. The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and the first annual administration fee at the consummation of the
Offering. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee except as set forth in this Section 2(c), Schedule A and as may be provided in Section 2(b) hereof;
(d) In connection with any vote of the Company’s stockholders
regarding a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”), provide to the Trustee an
affidavit or certificate of the inspector of elections for the stockholder meeting verifying the vote of such stockholders regarding such Business Combination;
(e) Provide the Underwriter with a copy of any Termination
Letter(s) and/or any other correspondence that is sent to the Trustee with respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after it issues the same;
(f) Unless otherwise agreed between the Company and the
Underwriter, ensure that any Instruction Letter (as defined in Exhibit A) delivered in connection with a Termination Letter in the form of Exhibit A expressly provides that the Deferred Discount is paid directly to the account or
accounts directed by the Underwriter prior to any transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account to the Company or any other person;
(g) Instruct the Trustee to make only those distributions that
are permitted under this Agreement, and refrain from instructing the Trustee to make any distributions that are not permitted under this Agreement; and
(h) Within four (4) business days after the Underwriters
exercise the over-allotment option (or any unexercised portion thereof) or such over-allotment option expires, provide the Trustee with a notice in writing of the total amount of the Deferred Discount.
3. Limitations of Liability. The Trustee shall have
no responsibility or liability to:
(a) Imply obligations, perform duties, inquire or otherwise be
subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this Agreement and that which is expressly set forth herein;
(b) Take any action with respect to the Property, other than as
directed in Section 1 hereof, and the Trustee shall have no liability to any third party except for liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct;
(c) Institute any proceeding for the collection of any
principal and income arising from, or institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the
Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident thereto;
(d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;
(e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the
Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;
(f) The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action
taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the Trustee’s best judgment, except for the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be
protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee, which counsel may be the Company’s counsel), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as
to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which the Trustee believes, in good faith and with reasonable care, to be genuine and to be
signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument
delivered to the Trustee, signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;
(g) Verify the accuracy of the information contained in the
Registration Statement;
(h) Provide any assurance that any Business Combination entered
into by the Company or any other action taken by the Company is as contemplated by the Registration Statement;
(i) File information returns with respect to the Trust
Account with any local, state or federal taxing authority or provide periodic written statements to the Company documenting the taxes payable by the Company, if any, relating to any interest income earned on the Property;
(j) Prepare, execute and file tax reports, income or other
tax returns and pay any taxes with respect to any income generated by, and activities relating to, the Trust Account, regardless of whether such tax is payable by the Trust Account or the Company, including, but not limited to, tax obligations,
except pursuant to Section 1(j) hereof; or
(k) Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve the
Company’s written requests for distributions pursuant to Sections 1(i), 1(j) or 1(k) hereof.
4. Trust Account Waiver. The Trustee has no right of
set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future.
In the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under Section 2(b) or Section 2(c) hereof, the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets
outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or any monies in the Trust Account.
5. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate as
follows:
(a) If the Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it
desires to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor trustee, pending which the Trustee shall continue to act in accordance with this Agreement. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee
that a successor trustee has been appointed and has agreed to become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the transfer of copies
of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety (90) days of receipt of the
resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited with any court in the State of New York or with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit,
the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or
(b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation
of the Trust Account and its obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(i) hereof and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except with respect to
Section 2(b).
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the
Trustee will follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from the Trust Account. The Company and the Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security procedures to authorized
persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such confidential information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the
Trustee shall rely upon all information supplied to it by the Company, including, account names, account numbers, and all other identifying information relating to a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank. Except for any liability
arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in the information or transmission of the funds.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Agreement may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one instrument.
(c) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Subject to Section 6(d) hereof, this Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified (other than to correct a typographical error) by a writing
signed by each of the parties hereto.
(d) This Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed,
amended or modified pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof with the Consent of the Stockholders. For purposes of this Section 6(d), the “Consent of the Stockholders” means receipt by the Trustee of a certificate from the inspector of elections of the
stockholder meeting certifying that the Company’s stockholders of record as of a record date established in accordance with Section 213(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”) (or any successor rule), who hold sixty-five
percent (65%) or more of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock and Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company voting together as a single class, have voted in favor of such change, amendment or modification. No such
amendment will affect any Public Stockholder who has otherwise indicated his election to redeem his shares of Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote sought to amend this Agreement to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s
obligation to redeem 100% of the Common Stock if the Company does not complete its initial Business Combination within the time frame specified in the Company’s certificate of incorporation. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross
negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee may rely conclusively on the certification from the inspector or elections referenced above and shall be relieved of all liability to any party for executing the proposed amendment in reliance
thereon.
(e) The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue
of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, State of New York, for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder. AS TO ANY CLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY.
(f) Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection
with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or by electronic mail:
if to the Trustee, to:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf & Celeste Gonzalez
Email: fwolf@continentalstock.com
Email: cgonzalez@continentalstock.com
if to the Company, to:
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
Attn: R. Brad Martin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Email: brad@rbmvco.com
in each case, with copies to:
King & Spalding LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attn: Keith Townsend, Jonathan M.A. Melmed and Kevin E. Manz
Email: KTownsend@KSLAW.com, JMelmed@KSLAW.com, KManz@KSLAW.com
and
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
499 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: General Counsel
Fax No.: (212) 829-4708
and
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
145 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Attn.: Douglas S. Ellenoff
Stuart Neuhauser
Email: ellenoff@egsllp.com
sneuhauser@egsllp.com
(g) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby represents that
it has the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against
the Trust Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds in the Trust Account under any circumstance.
(h) This Agreement is the joint product of the Trustee 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.
(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and
sufficient delivery thereof.
(j) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledges
and agrees that the Underwriter is a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
(k) Except as specified herein, no party to this Agreement may
assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder to any other person or entity.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this
Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.
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CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Investment Management Trust Agreement – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
SCHEDULE A
Fee Item
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Time and method of payment
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Amount
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Initial set-up fee.
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Initial closing of Offering by wire transfer.
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$
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[3,500.00]
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Trustee administration fee
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Payable annually. First year fee payable, at initial closing of Offering by wire transfer, thereafter by wire transfer or check.
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$
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[10,000.00]
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Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Sections 1 and 2
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Billed to Company following disbursement made to Company under Section 1 and 2
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$
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[250.00]
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Paying Agent services as required pursuant to Section 1(i) and 1(k)
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Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to Section 1(i) and 1(k)
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Prevailing rates
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EXHIBIT A
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
April [___], 2021
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf
Re: Trust Account - Termination Letter
Dear Mr. Wolf:
Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust
Agreement between Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Trustee”), dated as of April [__], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that
the Company has entered into an agreement with ___________ (the “Target Business”) to consummate a business combination with Target Business (the “Business Combination”) on or about [insert date]. The Company shall
notify you at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the actual date (or such shorter period as you may agree) of the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Consummation Date”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize
you to commence to liquidate all of the assets of the Trust Account, and to transfer the proceeds to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of the funds held in the Trust
Account will be immediately available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation Date (including as directed to it by the Underwriter (with respect to the Deferred Discount)).
On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to
you written notification that the Business Combination has been consummated, or will be consummated concurrently with your transfer of funds to the accounts as directed by the Company (the “Notification”), and (ii) the Company shall
deliver to you (a) a certificate by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Co-Executive Chairman or Vice Chairman, which verifies that the Business Combination has been approved by a vote of the Company’s stockholders, if a vote is
held and (b) a joint written instruction signed by the Company and the Underwriter with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account, including payment of amounts owed to public stockholders who have properly exercised their
redemption rights and payment of the Deferred Discount directly to the account or accounts directed by the Underwriter from the Trust Account (the “Instruction Letter”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held
in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the Notification and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated by the
Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company in writing of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and be distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the
distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the
Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company, the funds held in the
Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in Section 1(c) of the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in such notice as soon thereafter as possible.
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Very truly yours,
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Riverview Acquisition Corp.
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By:
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Agreed and acknowledged by:
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
EXHIBIT B
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
April [__], 2021
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf
Re: Trust Account - Termination Letter
Dear Mr. Wolf:
Pursuant to Section 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust
Agreement between Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of April [__], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you
that the Company has been unable to effect a business combination with a Target Business (the “Business Combination”) within the time frame specified in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as described in the Company’s
Prospectus relating to the Offering. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize
you to liquidate all of the assets in the Trust Operating Account and to transfer the total proceeds into a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries to await distribution to the Public Stockholders. The Company has selected
__________1 as the effective date for the purpose of determining when the Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive their share of the liquidation proceeds. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and, in your separate capacity as Paying
Agent, agree to distribute said funds directly to the Company’s Public Stockholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments
necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 1(i) of the Trust Agreement.
1 24 months
from the closing of the Offering or such later date as may be approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation.
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Very truly yours,
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Riverview Acquisition Corp.
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By:
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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cc: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
EXHIBIT C
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
April [__], 2021
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf
Re: Trust Account - Tax Payment Withdrawal Instruction
Dear Mr. Wolf:
Pursuant to Section 1(j) of the Investment Management Trust
Agreement between Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of April [__], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby
requests that you deliver to the Company $_______ of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
The Company needs such funds to pay for the tax obligations as set forth
on the attached tax return or tax statement. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to the Company’s operating
account at:
[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]
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Very truly yours,
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Riverview Acquisition Corp.
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By:
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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cc: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
EXHIBIT D
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
April [__], 2021
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf
Re: Trust Account - Stockholder Redemption Withdrawal Instruction
Dear Mr. Wolf:
Pursuant to Section 1(k) of the Investment Management Trust
Agreement between Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”), dated as of April [__], 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), the Company hereby
requests that you deliver to the redeeming Public Stockholders of the Company $____ of the principal and interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof to a segregated account held by you on behalf of the Beneficiaries. Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.
The Company needs such funds to pay its Public Stockholders who have
properly elected to have their shares of Common Stock redeemed by the Company in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to
redeem 100% of public shares of Common Stock if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination within such time as is described in the Company’s certificate of incorporation or with respect to any other material provisions relating
to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity. As such, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to a segregated account held by you on behalf
of the Beneficiaries.
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Very truly yours,
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Riverview Acquisition Corp.
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By:
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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cc: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
Exhibit 10.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”),
dated as of April [●], 2021, is made and entered into by and among Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”)
and the undersigned parties listed on the signature page hereto under “Holders” (each such party, together with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a
“Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company has 7,187,500 shares of Class B common
stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Founder Shares”), issued and outstanding, up to 937,500 of which will be forfeited to the Company for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters of the Company’s initial
public offering exercise their over-allotment option;
WHEREAS, the Founder Shares are convertible into shares of the
Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation;
WHEREAS, on April [●], 2021, the Company and the Sponsor entered
into that certain Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement (the “Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase 7,400,000 private placement warrants (the “Private Placement
Warrants”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering;
WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in
connection with its search for and consummation of an initial Business Combination (as defined below), the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may loan to the Company funds as the Company may
require, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into private placement-equivalent warrants (“Working Capital Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this
Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article
I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of
material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any
Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the
case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the
Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Combination” shall mean any merger, capital
stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the
Recitals hereto.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.1.1.
“Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.1.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.1.1.
“Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.3.
“Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the
Recitals hereto and shall be deemed to include the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.
“Founder Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect
to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination and (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds
$12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination
or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for
cash, securities or other property.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Insider Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement,
dated as of April [●], 2021, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers, directors and director nominees.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning
given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a
material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made) not misleading.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to
whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, Private Placement Lock-up Period or any other lock-up period, as the case may be, under the
Insider Letter, the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement, this Agreement and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company, and to any transferee thereafter.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.2.1.
“Private Placement Lock-up Period” shall mean, with
respect to Private Placement Warrants that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, the Private Placement Warrants and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the
Private Placement Warrants, and that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.
“Private Placement Warrants” shall have the meaning given
in the Recitals hereto.
“Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement” shall have
the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.1.4.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any
Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares
and the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement Warrants (including any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), (c) any
outstanding shares of Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any equity
securities (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans in an amount up to $1,500,000 made to the Company by a Holder
(including the Working Capital Warrants and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Warrants) and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of Common
Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such
securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of
or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company
and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in
a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by
preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket
expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect
to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;
(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky
laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent
registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and
(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected
by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration
statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration
statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection
2.1.1.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended from time to time.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals
hereto.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases
any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten
Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
“Working Capital Warrants” shall have the meaning given in
the Recitals hereto.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS
2.1 Demand Registration.
2.1.1 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of
subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the date the Company consummates the Business Combination, the Holders of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the then-outstanding number of Registrable
Securities (the “Demanding Holders”) may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration
and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of
Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that
includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company.
Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and
the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders
and Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this subsection 2.1.1 with
respect to any or all Registrable Securities; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form
S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1
of this Agreement.
2.1.2 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions
of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a
Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after
such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state
court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise
terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five
(5) days, of such election; and provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a
Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.
2.1.3 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in
the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering
and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection
2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.
2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing
Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable
Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration
has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the
Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum
Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number
of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have
requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of
Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested) exercising their rights to register their
Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and
(ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under
the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons
and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.1.5 Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest
of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such
Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration
Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5.
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If, at any time on or after the date
the Company consummates a Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or
convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a
Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible
into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days
before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing
Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5)
days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts
to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms
and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders
proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by
the Company.
2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing
Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar
amount or number of the shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons
or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which
Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
(a) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s
account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that
the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof (pro rata based
on the respective number of Registrable Securities that such Holder has requested be included in such Registration), which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of
Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which
can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(b) If the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons
or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of
Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders
exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Registration and the aggregate number of
Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Registration, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached
under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of
Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual
arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of
Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from
such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for
withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.
2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes
of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.
2.3 Registrations on Form S-3. The Holders of
Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale of any or all of
their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an
Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration
on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the
Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a
Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders
joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not
available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other
equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $10,000,000.
2.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A)
during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and
provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable
Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith
judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall
furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it
is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its
obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.
ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1 General Procedures. If at any time on or after
the date the Company consummates a Business Combination the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities
in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a
Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement have been sold;
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be requested by the Holders or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions
applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in
accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be
filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary
Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Holders;
3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use
its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each
securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and
registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly
after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and
promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities and its counsel, including, without limitation, providing copies promptly upon receipt of any
comment letters received with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus;
3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to
such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to
correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.10 permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to
be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration
Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however,
that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, the Company may
not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time
to review and comment on such applicable document, which comments the Company shall include unless contrary to applicable law;
3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent
registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration which the participating Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter
may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale
pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering
such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative
assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and
perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;
3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably
practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable
Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in
any Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take
such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.
3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses
of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts,
brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.
3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten
Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis
provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be
reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon
receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a
supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse
Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the
Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such
purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection
with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.
3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder
shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports
required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants that it shall take
such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a
written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by
law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees)
caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The
Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of
the Holder.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a
Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to
the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
(including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any
omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing
by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable
Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters,
their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
4.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give
prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure
has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such
indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified
party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one
counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other
of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the
payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of
a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each
Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is
unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1
hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the
indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying
party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question,
including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying
party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be
limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties
hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this
Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing
evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given,
served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram or facsimile,
at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed,
if to the Company, to: 510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38117, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any
time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.
5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the
Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period
or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by
such Holder to a Permitted Transferee but only if such Permitted Transferee agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any
persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.
5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights,
duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the
assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than
as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.
5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE
WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS
ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written
consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such
provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the
shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party
hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any
rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
5.6 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents
and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company
for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions
and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the
earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date as of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in
Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities without registration
pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act with no volume or other restrictions or limitations. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to
be executed as of the date first written above.
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COMPANY:
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP., a
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Delaware corporation
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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HOLDERS:
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RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC, a
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Delaware limited liability company
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By:
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Name: Scott Imorde
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Title: President
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[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
Exhibit 10.3
PRIVATE PLACEMENT WARRANTS PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS PRIVATE PLACEMENT WARRANTS PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of April
[●], 2021 (as it may from time to time be amended and including all exhibits referenced herein, this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Riverview Sponsor
Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Purchaser”).
WHEREAS, the Company intends to consummate an initial public offering of
the Company’s units (the “Public Offering”), each unit consisting of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (each, a “Share”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the
holder to purchase one Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per Share. The Purchaser has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 7,400,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”), each Private Placement Warrant entitling the holder to purchase
one Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per Share.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this
Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby, intending legally to be bound, agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
Section 1. Authorization, Purchase and Sale; Terms of the
Private Placement Warrants.
A. Authorization of the Private Placement Warrants.
The Company has duly authorized the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants to the Purchaser.
B. Purchase and Sale of the Private Placement Warrants.
On the date of the consummation of the Public Offering or on such
earlier time and date as may be mutually agreed by the Purchaser and the Company (the “Closing Date”), the Company shall issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, an aggregate of 7,400,000 Private
Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $7,400,000 (the “Purchase Price”), which shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company in accordance with the Company’s wiring
instructions at least one business day prior to the date of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[__]) filed in connection with the Public Offering. On the Closing Date, the Company, shall either, at its option,
deliver certificates evidencing the Private Placement Warrants purchased by the Purchaser on such date duly registered in the Purchaser’s name to the Purchaser, or effect such delivery in book-entry form.
C. Terms of the Private Placement Warrants.
(i) The Private Placement Warrants shall have their terms set
forth in a Warrant Agreement to be entered into by the Company and a warrant agent, in connection with the Public Offering (a “Warrant Agreement”).
(ii) At or prior to the time of the Closing Date, the Company and
the Purchaser shall enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will grant certain registration rights to the Purchaser relating to the Private Placement Warrants and the
Shares underlying the Private Placement Warrants.
Section 2. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
As a material inducement to the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and purchase the Private Placement Warrants, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser (which representations and warranties shall survive each Closing Date)
that:
A. Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware 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 and the Warrant Agreement.
B. Authorization; No Breach.
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the Private Placement Warrants have been duly authorized and approved by the Company as of each Closing Date. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Upon each issuance
of Private Placement Warrants in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms of the Warrant Agreement and this Agreement, the Private Placement Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance
with their terms.
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Company of this
Agreement and the Private Placement Warrants, the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants, the issuance of the Shares upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and the fulfillment of, and compliance with, the respective terms hereof
and thereof by the Company, do not and will not as of each Closing Date (a) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (b) constitute a default under, (c) result in the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or encumbrance upon the Company’s capital stock or assets under, (d) result in a violation of, or (e) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, action, notice, declaration or filing, in each case, by or to any court or
administrative or governmental body or agency pursuant to the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of the Company (in effect on the date hereof or as may be amended prior to completion of the contemplated Public Offering), or any material law,
statute, rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject, except for any filings required after the date hereof under federal or state securities laws.
C. Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance
with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the Warrant Agreement, the Placement Warrants will be duly and validly issued and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. On the date of issuance of the Placement Warrants, the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Placement Warrants shall have been reserved for issuance. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof and the
Warrant Agreement, each Purchaser will have good title to the Private Placement Warrants and the Shares issuable upon exercise of such Private Placement Warrants, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, other than (i)
transfer restrictions hereunder and under the other agreements contemplated hereby, (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (iii) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of either Purchaser.
D. Governmental Consents. No permit, consent, approval
or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of any other transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the
Purchaser. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and issue and sell the Private Placement Warrants to the Purchaser, the Purchaser hereby, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company (which
representations and warranties shall survive each Closing Date) that:
A. Organization and Requisite Authority. The Purchaser
possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
B. Authorization; No Breach.
(i) This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).
(ii) The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this
Agreement and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms hereof by the Purchaser does not and shall not as of each Closing Date conflict with or result in a breach by the Purchaser of the terms, conditions or provisions of any agreement,
instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject that would materially impact its ability to perform its obligations hereunder.
C. Investment Representations.
(i) The Purchaser is acquiring the Private Placement Warrants
and, upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, the Shares issuable upon such exercise (collectively, the “Securities”), for the Purchaser’s own account, for investment purposes only and not with a view towards, or for resale in
connection with, any public sale or distribution thereof.
(ii) The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as such term is
defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Purchaser has not experienced a disqualifying event as enumerated pursuant to Rule 506(d) of Regulation D under the Securities
Act.
(iii) The Purchaser understands that the Securities are being
offered and will be sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser’s compliance
with, the representations and warranties of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire such Securities.
(iv) The Purchaser did not decide to enter into this Agreement as
a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act.
(v) The Purchaser has been furnished with all materials relating
to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Securities which have been requested by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the executive
officers and directors of the Company. The Purchaser understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk and it has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed
investment decision with respect to the acquisition of the Securities.
(vi) The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or
state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities by the Purchaser nor have such authorities passed
upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.
(vii) The Purchaser understands that: (a) the Securities have not
been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (1) subsequently registered thereunder or (2) sold in reliance on an exemption therefrom;
and (b) except as specifically set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, neither the Company nor any other person is under any obligation to register the Securities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the
terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder. While the Purchaser understands that Rule 144 under the Securities Act 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, the Purchaser understands that Rule 144 includes an exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met: (i) the issuer of the securities that was formerly a
shell company has ceased to be a shell company; (ii) the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); (iii) the issuer of the
securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and
(iv) 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.
(viii) The Purchaser has knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters, understands the high degree of risk associated with investments in the securities of companies in the development stage such as the Company, is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities and is
able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities in the amount contemplated hereunder for an indefinite period of time. The Purchaser has adequate means of providing for its current financial needs and contingencies and will have no
current or anticipated future needs for liquidity which would be jeopardized by the investment in the Securities. The Purchaser can afford a complete loss of its investment in the Securities.
Section 4. Conditions of the Purchaser’s Obligations.
The obligations of the Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Private Placement Warrants are subject to the fulfillment, on or before each Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
A. Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct at and as of such Closing Date as though then made.
B. Performance. The Company shall have performed
and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by it on or before such Closing Date.
C. No Injunction. No litigation, statute, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the
matters contemplated hereby, which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Warrant Agreement.
D. Warrant Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company shall have entered into the Warrant Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, each on terms satisfactory to the Purchaser.
E. Corporate Consents. The Company shall have
obtained the consent of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants hereunder.
Section 5. Conditions of the Company’s Obligations.
The obligations of the Company to the Purchaser under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before each Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
A. Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 3 shall be true and correct at and as of such Closing Date as though then made.
B. Performance. The Purchaser shall have performed
and complied with all agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Purchaser on or before such Closing Date.
C. Corporate Consents. The Company shall have
obtained the consent of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Private Placement Warrants hereunder.
D. No Injunction. No litigation, statute, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the
matters contemplated hereby, which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Warrant Agreement.
E. Warrant Agreement. The Company shall have
entered into the Warrant Agreement on terms satisfactory to the Company.
Section 6. Termination. This Agreement may be
terminated at any time after December 31, 2021 upon the election by either the Company or the Purchaser upon written notice to the other party if the closing of the Public Offering does not occur prior to such date.
Section 7. Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive each Closing Date.
Section 8. Definitions. Terms used but not otherwise
defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the registration statement on Form S-1 the Company plans to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.
Section 9. Miscellaneous.
A. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the parties may not assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, other than assignments by the Purchaser to its affiliates (including, without
limitation, one or more of its members).
B. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of
this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.
C. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in two or more counterparts, none of which need contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by
facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “pdf” format data file, 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
facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
D. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The
descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.
E. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed
to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
F. Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended,
modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.
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COMPANY:
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP., a
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Delaware corporation
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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PURCHASER:
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RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC, a
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Delaware limited liability company
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By:
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Name: Scott Imorde
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement – Riverview Acquisition
Corp.]
Exhibit 10.4
April [●], 2021
Riverview Acquisition Corp.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
Re: Initial Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter (this “Letter Agreement”) is being delivered
to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) entered into by and between Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as the
underwriter (the “Underwriter”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “Public Offering”), of up to 28,750,000 of the Company’s units (including up to 3,750,000 units that may be purchased to cover
over-allotments, if any) (the “Units”), each comprised of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant
(each, a “Warrant”) entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described in the Prospectus (as defined below). The Units will be sold in the Public
Offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and the Units have been approved for
listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 11 hereof.
In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the
Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the Public Offering and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the
undersigned individuals, each of whom is a member of the Company’s board of directors and/or management team (each of the undersigned individuals, an “Insider” and collectively, the “Insiders”), hereby agrees with the
Company as follows:
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1.
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The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a proposed Business Combination, then in connection with
such proposed Business Combination, it, he or she shall (i) vote any shares of Common Stock (as defined below) owned by it, him or her in favor of any proposed Business Combination and (ii) not redeem any shares of Common Stock owned by it, him
or her in connection with such stockholder approval. If the Company seeks to consummate a proposed Business Combination by engaging in a tender offer, the Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she will not sell or tender any shares of
Common Stock owned by it, him or her in connection therewith.
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2.
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The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agrees that in the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 24 months from
the closing of the Public Offering, or such later period approved by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Charter”),
the Sponsor and each Insider shall take all reasonable steps to cause the Company to (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 shares of Class A Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering (the “Offering Shares”), at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (as
defined below), including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Offering
Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish all Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (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 stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors
and other requirements of applicable law. The Sponsor and each Insider agrees to not propose any amendment to the Charter to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Company does
not complete a Business Combination within the required time period set forth in the Charter or with respect to any other material provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless the Company
provides its Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Offering Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including
interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares.
The Sponsor and each Insider acknowledges that it, he or she has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company with
respect to the Founder Shares held by it, him or her. The Sponsor and each Insider hereby further waives, with respect to any shares of Common Stock held by it, him or her, if any, any redemption rights it, he or she may have in connection with
(A) the consummation of a Business Combination, including, without limitation, any such rights available in the context of a stockholder vote to approve such Business Combination, or (B) a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Charter
to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Company has not consummated a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter or with respect to any other material
provisions relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity or in the context of a tender offer made by the Company to purchase Offering Shares (although the Sponsor, the Insiders and their respective affiliates
shall be entitled to redemption and liquidation rights with respect to any Offering Shares it or they hold if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the time period set forth in the Charter).
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3.
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During the period commencing on the effective date of the Underwriting Agreement and ending 180 days after such date, the Sponsor and each
Insider shall not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the
rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any Units, shares of Common Stock (including, but not limited to, Founder Shares), Warrants or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable
for, shares of Common Stock owned by it, him or her, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Units, shares of Common Stock (including,
but not limited to, Founder Shares), Warrants or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock owned by it, him or her, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities,
in cash or otherwise, or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). Each of the Insiders and the Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that, prior to the effective date of any release or waiver,
of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 3 or paragraph 7 below, the Company shall announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release
or waiver. Any release or waiver granted shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a
transfer not for consideration and the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Letter Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.
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4.
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In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account upon the failure of the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination within the
time period set forth in the Charter, the Sponsor (the “Indemnitor”) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any
and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened) to which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by (i) any third party for
services rendered or products sold to the Company or (ii) any prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or Business Combination agreement (a “Target”);
provided, however, that such indemnification of the Company by the Indemnitor (x) shall apply only to the extent necessary to ensure that such claims by a third party or a Target do not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below
the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Offering Share and (ii) the actual amount per Offering Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Offering Share is then held in the Trust Account
due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, (y) shall not apply to any claims by a third party or a Target which executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such
waiver is enforceable) and (z) shall not apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Indemnitor shall have the right
to defend against any such claim with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Company if, within 15 days following written receipt of notice of the claim to the Indemnitor, the Indemnitor notifies the Company in writing that it
shall undertake such defense.
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5.
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To the extent that the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 3,750,000 Units within 45 days
from the date of the Prospectus (and as further described in the Prospectus), the Sponsor agrees to forfeit, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 937,500 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is
3,750,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 3,750,000. The forfeiture will be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option is
not exercised in full by the Underwriters so that the Founder Shares will represent an aggregate of 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock after the Public Offering (not including shares of Class A Common
Stock underlying the Warrants or Private Placement Warrants (as defined below)). The Sponsor further agrees that to the extent that the size of the Public Offering is increased or decreased, the Company will purchase or sell Units or effect a
share repurchase or share capitalization, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the Public Offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of the initial shareholders prior to the Public Offering at 20% of its issued and
outstanding Capital Shares upon the consummation of the Public Offering. In connection with such increase or decrease in the size of the Public Offering, then (A) the references to 3,750,000 in the numerator and denominator of the formula in
the first sentence of this paragraph shall be changed to a number equal to 20% of the number of Public Shares included in the Units issued in the Public Offering and (B) the reference to 937,500 in the formula set forth in the first sentence of
this paragraph shall be adjusted to such number of Founder Shares that the Sponsor would have to surrender to the Company in order for the initial shareholders to hold an aggregate of 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Class
A Common Stock after the Public Offering (not including shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Warrants or Private Placement Warrants).
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6.
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The Sponsor and each Insider hereby agrees and acknowledges that: (i) the Underwriters and the Company would be irreparably injured in the
event of a breach by such Sponsor or an Insider of its, his or her obligations under paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7(a), 7(b) and 9, as applicable, of this Letter Agreement (ii) monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for such breach and
(iii) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach.
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7.
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(a) The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer any Founder Shares (or any shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination and (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the closing price of the Class A Common Stock equals
or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial
Business Combination or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their
shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Founder Shares Lock-up Period”).
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(b) The Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall
not Transfer any Private Placement Warrants (or any share of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination (the “Private Placement
Warrants Lock-up Period”, together with the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the “Lock-up Periods”).
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraphs 7(a)
and (b), Transfers of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the Private Placement Warrants or the Founder Shares that are held by the Sponsor, any
Insider or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this paragraph 7(c)), are permitted (a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate of the
Sponsor or to any members of the Sponsor or any of their affiliates; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate
family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic
relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with any forward purchase agreement or similar arrangement or in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which
the securities were originally purchased; (f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of an initial Business Combination; (g) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company
agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; or (h) in the event of the Company’s liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of
Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Company’s completion of an initial Business Combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f), these permitted transferees must enter into a
written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions herein and the other restrictions contained in this Agreement (including provisions relating to voting, the Trust Account and liquidating distributions).
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8.
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The Sponsor and each Insider represents and warrants that it, he or she has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities
or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked. Each Insider’s biographical information furnished to the Company (including any such information included in the
Prospectus) is true and accurate in all respects and does not omit any material information with respect to the Insider’s background. The Sponsor and each Insider’s questionnaire furnished to the Company is true and accurate in all respects.
The Sponsor and each Insider represents and warrants that: it, he or she is not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any act or practice
relating to the offering of securities in any jurisdiction; it, he or she has never been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any crime (i) involving fraud, (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another person, or
(iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and it, he or she is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding.
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9.
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Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Sponsor nor any officer, nor any affiliate of the Sponsor or any officer, nor any director
of the Company, shall receive from the Company any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, non-cash payments, monies in respect of any repayment of a loan or other compensation prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order
to effectuate, the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is), other than the following, none of which will be made from the proceeds held in the Trust Account prior to the
completion of the initial Business Combination: repayment of a loan and advances up to an aggregate of $300,000 made to the Company by the Sponsor; payments to the Sponsor for certain secretarial and administrative services as may be
reasonably required by the Company of up to $5,000 per month; subject to the approval by the Company’s board of directors, payment of up to $15,000 per month to members of our management team in connection with services rendered to the Company;
reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating, negotiating and completing an initial Business Combination, and repayment of loans, if any, and on such terms as to be determined by the Company from
time to time, made by the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or any of the Company’s officers or directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, provided, that, if the Company does not
consummate an initial Business Combination, a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account may be used by the Company to repay such loaned amounts so long as no proceeds from the Trust Account are used for such repayment. Up to
$1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and
exercise period.
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10.
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The Sponsor and each Insider has full right and power, without violating any agreement to which it is bound (including, without limitation,
any non-competition or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or former employer), to enter into this Letter Agreement and, as applicable, to serve as an officer and/or director on the board of directors of the Company and hereby consents
to being named in the Prospectus as an officer and/or director of the Company.
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11.
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As used herein, (i) “Business Combination” shall mean a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase,
reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses; (ii) “Common Stock” shall mean the Class A common stock and Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class B Common
Stock”); (iii) “Founder Shares” shall mean the 7,187,500 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding (up to 937,500 Shares of which are subject to complete or partial forfeiture if the over-allotment option
is not exercised by the Underwriters); (iv) “Initial Stockholders” shall mean the Sponsor and any Insider that holds Founder Shares; (v) “Private Placement Warrants” shall mean the 7,400,000 Warrants that the Sponsor
has agreed to purchase for an aggregate purchase price of $7,400,000, or $1.00 per Warrant, in a private placement that shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the Public Offering; (vi) “Public Stockholders” shall mean
the holders of securities issued in the Public Offering; (vii) “Trust Account” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants shall be
deposited; (viii) “Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to
be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b); and (ix) “Warrants” shall mean the Private Placement Warrants
and public warrants.
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12.
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The Company will maintain an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, and each Director shall be
covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any of the Company’s directors or officers.
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13.
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This Letter Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Letter
Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.
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14.
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No party hereto may assign either this Letter Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Letter Agreement shall be
binding on the Sponsor and each Insider and their respective successors, heirs and assigns and permitted transferees.
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15.
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Nothing in this Letter Agreement shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto any
right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Letter Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements contained in this Letter Agreement
shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns and permitted transferees.
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16.
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This Letter Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes
be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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17.
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This Letter Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of this Letter Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this
Letter Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.
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18.
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This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way
to, this Letter Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of New York City, in the State of New York, and irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any
objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
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19.
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Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Letter Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or facsimile transmission.
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20.
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This Letter Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Lock-up Periods or (ii) the liquidation of the Company;
provided, however, that this Letter Agreement shall earlier terminate in the event that the Public Offering is not consummated by April [__], 2021; provided further that paragraph 4 of this Letter Agreement shall survive such liquidation.
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[Signature Page Follows]
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Sincerely,
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RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC
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By:
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Name:
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Scott Imorde
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Acknowledged and Agreed:
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Letter Agreement – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
Exhibit
10.5
THIS
PROMISSORY NOTE (“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
THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
PROMISSORY
NOTE
Principal Amount: up to $300,000
(as
set forth on the Schedule of Borrowings attached hereto)
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Dated as of February 18 , 2021
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Riverview
Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of Riverview Sponsor
Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or its registered assigns or successors in interest (the “Payee”),
or order, the principal sum of up to THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S. Dollars ($300,000) (as set forth on the Schedule of Borrowings
attached hereto) in lawful money of the United States of Amer ica, 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 the Maker to such
account as the 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 the Maker on the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the date on which the 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 the Maker,
be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Maker hereunder.
2. Interest.
No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note.
3.
Drawdown
Requests. The Maker and the Payee agree that the Maker may request up to THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND Dollars ($300,000.00) for
costs reasonably related to the IPO. The principal of this Note may be drawn down from time to time prior to the earlier of: (i)
December 31, 2021 or (ii) the date on which the Maker consummates the IPO, upon written request from the Maker to the Payee (each,
a “Drawdown Request”). Each Drawdown Request must state the amount to be drawn down, and must not be an amount
less than FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.0) unless agreed upon by the Maker and the Payee. The 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 ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND Dollars ($100,000.00). No fees, payments or other amounts shall
be due to the Payee in connection with, or as a result of, any Drawdown Request by the 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. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”):
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a.
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Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by the Maker to pay the principal amount due pursuant to this Note
within five (5) business days of the date specified above.
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b.
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Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by the 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 the 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 the Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Maker in
furtherance of any of the foregoing.
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c.
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Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of the 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 60 consecutive days.
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6.
Remedies.
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a.
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Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
Section 5(a) hereof, the Payee may, by written notice to the Maker, declare this Note to be due immediately and payable, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable hereunder, 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.
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b.
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Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in
Sections 5(b) and 5(c) hereof, 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 the
Payee.
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7.
Waivers. The 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 the Payee under the terms of this Note, and
all benefits that might accrue to the 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 the 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 the Payee.
8.
Unconditional
Liability. The 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 the Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted
by the 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 the Maker or affecting the Maker’s liability hereunder.
9.
Notices. All notices, statements or other
documents which are required or contemplated by this Note shall be in writing and delivered: (i) personally or sent by first class
registered or certified mail or overnight courier service 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, and 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, the 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 the 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 the
Maker and the 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, the 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 above written.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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a Delaware corporation
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By:
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/s/ William V. Thompson III
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Name: William V. Thompson III
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Title: Treasurer and Secretary
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[Signature
Page –Promissory Note Pre-IPO]
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 10.6
RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
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February 18, 2021
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RE: Securities Subscription Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are pleased to accept the offer Riverview
Sponsor Partners, LLC (the “Subscriber” or “you”) has made to purchase 5,750,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Shares”), $0.001 par value per share (together with all other classes of Company (as defined below) common
stock, the “Common Stock”), 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 Riverview Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (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 such Shares, are as follows:
1.
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Subscription and Purchase of Shares. For the sum of $25,000 (the “Purchase Price”), which the Company
acknowledges receiving in cash, 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. Concurrently with the Subscriber’s execution of this Agreement, the Company shall, at its option, deliver to the Subscriber a certificate registered in the Subscriber’s name representing the Shares
(the “Original Certificate”), or effect such delivery in book entry form.
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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 formation and governing documents 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 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
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Shares have not been registered
under the Securities Act (as defined below) 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 of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and acknowledges the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption applicable to “accredited investors” within the
meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act 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 certificates or book
entries 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, such Shares may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise
transferred only pursuant to: (i) registration under the Securities Act, or (ii) an available exemption from registration. The Subscriber agrees that if any transfer of its 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 Delaware corporation 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 Bylaws 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 (or, if applicable, it and any transferees of the Shares) 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 stockholders prior to the IPO, if any) will own an aggregate number of
Shares (not including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any warrants or purchased by the Subscriber in the IPO or in the aftermarket) equal to 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately following the
IPO.
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3.2.
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Termination of Rights as Stockholder. 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 forfeited Shares, and the Company shall take such action as is appropriate to cancel such forfeited Shares.
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3.3.
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Share Certificates. In the event an adjustment to the Original Certificates, if any, is required pursuant to this Section 3, then the
Subscriber shall return such Original Certificates to the Company or its designated agent as soon as practicable upon its receipt of notice from the Company advising Subscriber of such adjustment, following which a new certificate (the “New
Certificate”), if any, shall be issued in such amount representing the adjusted number of Shares held by the Subscriber. The New Certificate, if any, shall be returned to the Subscriber as soon as practicable. Any such adjustment for any
uncertificated securities held by the Subscriber shall be made in book-entry form.
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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 stockholders 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
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business combination. For purposes of clarity, in
the event the Subscriber purchases any shares of Common Stock in the IPO or in the aftermarket, any additional shares of Common Stock 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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Securities Law Restrictions. In addition to any restrictions to be contained in that certain letter agreement (commonly known as an “Insider
Letter”) to be dated as of the closing of the IPO by and between Subscriber and the Company, Subscriber agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Shares unless, prior thereto (a) a
registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with respect to the Shares proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company has received an opinion from counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with
all applicable state securities laws.
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5.2.
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Lock-up. Subscriber acknowledges that the Securities will be subject to lock-up provisions contained in the Insider Letter.
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5.3.
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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 A LOCKUP AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP.”
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5.4.
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Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of the declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of a special dividend
payable in a form other than the shares of Common Stock, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock 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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5.5.
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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 rights agreement (the “Registration 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 or overnight
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courier service 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, and 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 the 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 associated with the Company’s IPO, 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
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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 n ot 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 stockholders 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 stockholders 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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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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/s/ William V. Thompson III
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Name:
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William V. Thompson III
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Title:
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Treasurer and Secretary
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Accepted and agreed this 18th day of February, 2021.
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RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC
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By:
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Name:
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Scott Imorde
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Securities Subscription Agreement]
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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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name:
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William V. Thompson III
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Title:
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Treasurer and Secretary
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Accepted and agreed this 18th day of February, 2021.
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RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Scott Imorde
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Name:
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Scott Imorde
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Securities Subscription Agreement]
Exhibit 10.7
RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
April [●], 2021
Riverview Sponsor Partners, LLC
510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38117
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Re:
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Administrative Services Agreement
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Gentlemen:
This letter agreement by and between Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”)
and [●] (“Provider”), dated as of the date hereof, will confirm our agreement that, commencing on the date the securities of the Company are first listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Listing Date”), pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 and prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”) and continuing until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an initial business combination or
the Company’s liquidation (in each case as described in the Registration Statement) (such earlier date hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Date”):
(i) Provider or one of its affiliates shall make available to the
Company, at 510 South Mendenhall Road, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38117 (or any successor location of Provider or its affiliates), shared personnel support services as may be reasonably requested by the Company. In exchange therefor, the Company shall
pay Provider or its affiliate the sum of up to $5,000 per month on the Listing Date and continuing monthly thereafter until the Termination Date; and
(ii) Provider hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title,
interest, causes of action and claims of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to, and any and all right to seek payment of any amounts due to it out of, the trust account established for the benefit of the public stockholders of the Company
and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering will be deposited (the “Trust Account”), and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, this
letter agreement, which Claim would reduce, encumber or otherwise adversely affect the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account, and further agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction of any Claim
against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.
This letter agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any
particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto.
No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its
rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title
to the purported assignee.
This letter agreement, the entire relationship of the parties hereto,
and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of Tennessee, without giving effect to its choice of laws
principles.
[Signature Page Follows]
Very truly yours,
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:
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RIVERVIEW SPONSOR PARTNERS, LLC
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By:
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Name:
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Scott Imorde
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
Exhibit 10.8
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is
made as of April [●], 2021, by and between RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the person executing this Agreement identified on the signature page hereto (“Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to
serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of
their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”)
has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain
liabilities;
WHEREAS, the Company believes that, given current market
conditions and trends, such liability insurance may be available to it in the future only at high premiums and with more exclusions;
WHEREAS, directors, officers and other persons in service to
corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise
itself;
WHEREAS, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(the “Charter”) and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The Charter, Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be
entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to
indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty
in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company
contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue
concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of
the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and
to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that the Company contractually provide the indemnification set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
covenants contained herein and subject to the provisions of the letter agreement dated as of April [●], 2021 between the Company and the Indemnitee, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. SERVICES TO THE COMPANY. Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer,
director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected, appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his resignation.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement:
2.1. References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or
was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary
or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
2.2. The terms “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial
Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof.
2.3. A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon
the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
2.3.1. Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined
below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless
(1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2)
such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part 2.3.3 of this definition;
2.3.2. Change in Board of Directors. Individuals who, as of the
date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the
date hereof or whose election for nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “Continuing Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
2.3.3. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger,
capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business
Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, 51% or more of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the then outstanding securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination;
2.3.4. Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the
Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows
due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
2.3.5. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that
would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then
subject to such reporting requirement.
2.4. “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person
who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
2.5. “Delaware Court” shall mean the Court of Chancery of
the State of Delaware.
2.6. “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the
Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
2.7. “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other
corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
2.8. “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
2.9. “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect
costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and
professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with
prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent
by the Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without
limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of
judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
2.10. “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm or a
member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and which, at the time indemnification is sought by Indemnitee, neither is, nor in the preceding five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee
in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined
below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict
of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
2.11. References to “fines” shall include any excise tax
assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties
on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be
in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
2.12. The term “Person” shall have the meaning as set
forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the
Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any
trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
2.13. The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or
otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact
that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or of any action (or failure to act) on his part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact
that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any
liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
2.14. The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person,
shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
3. INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold
harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the
right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement
(including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in
connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
4. INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold
harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to
procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim,
issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this
Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
5. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent
that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or
otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which the Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5
and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
6. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement except for Section 27, to the extent
that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
7. ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS.
7.1. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, except for
Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the
right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such
Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7.1
on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
7.2. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, 5 or 7.1, except
for Section 27, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in
the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of
such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.
8. CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY.
8.1. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the
indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee,
shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring
Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
8.2. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding
in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
8.3. The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and
exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
9. EXCLUSIONS.
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement except for Section 27, the Company shall not
be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee: (a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any
insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity provision or otherwise; (b) for an accounting of profits made from
the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or (c) except as otherwise provided in
Sections 14.5 and 14.6 hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the
Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration
payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
10. ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM.
10.1. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary
except for Section 27, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with
any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances
shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any
and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by
applicable law, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, to repay the advance to the extent that it is
ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws of the Company, applicable law or otherwise. This Section 10.1 shall not apply to any claim made by
Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9.
10.2. The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at
its own expense.
10.3. The Company shall not settle any action, claim or proceeding (in
whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
11. PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.
11.1 Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon
being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses
covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
11.2 Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to
indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written
application for indemnification by Indemnitee, the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 12.1 of this Agreement.
12. PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.
12.1. A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to
Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the
Board (ii) by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (iii) by vote of the stockholders. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that
Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made
within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons
or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or
Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s
entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
12.2. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification
is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12.2. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such
selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent
Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the
Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of
selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected
does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected
shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has
determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11.1 hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to,
either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel
of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12.1 hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding
or arbitration pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
12.3. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of
Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
13. PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.
13.1. In making a determination with respect to entitlement to
indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section
11.2 of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company
(including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard
of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has
not met the applicable standard of conduct.
13.2. If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under
Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement
to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not
materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be
extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or
evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
13.3. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter
therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or
create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause
to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
13.4. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall
be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the
course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any
director, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director. The provisions of this Section 13.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or
to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
13.5. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other
director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
14. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE.
14.1. In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section
12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no
determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made
pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7 or the last sentence of Section 12.1 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to Section 8 of
this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vii) payment to Indemnitee pursuant
to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such
indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Delaware law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such
adjudication or award in arbitration.
14.2. In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to
Section 12.1 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and
Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to
receive advances of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advances of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may
not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to Section 12.1 of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 14, Indemnitee shall not
be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 10 until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
14.3. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12.1
of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material
fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
14.4. The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial
proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is
bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
14.5. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the
fullest extent permitted by law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses
which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee (i) to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless,
exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Charter, or the Company’s Bylaws now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee,
regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding
or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
14.6. Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal
rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held
harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
15. SECURITY.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary except for Section 27, to the extent
requested by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to the Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other
collateral. Any such security, once provided to the Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
16. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION
16.1. The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Company’s Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment,
alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed)
arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits
greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Company’s Bylaws or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto)
shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right
and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not
prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
16.2. The DGCL and the Company’s Bylaws permit the Company to purchase
and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements ”) on behalf of Indemnitee against
any liability asserted against him or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and
obligations of the Company or of the Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and
obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
16.3. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or
policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall
be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies.
If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give
prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee,
all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
16.4. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company
shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to
enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
16.5. The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or
advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has
actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary except for Section 27, (i) Indemnitee shall have no
obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s
satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification,
advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
17. DURATION OF AGREEMENT.
All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the
period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee
pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.
18. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any
such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such
provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed
so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
19. ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.
19.1. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into
this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a
director, officer or key employee of the Company.
19.2. Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter
or Bylaws of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral,
written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
19.3. The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of
expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise at the
Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
19.4. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct
or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Indemnitee, expressly to assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
19.5. The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for
breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this
Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not
be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining
orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of
Indemnitee by a Court of competent jurisdiction and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
20. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed
in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
21. NOTICES.
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on
the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
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(a)
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If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in
writing to the Company.
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(b)
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If to the Company, to:
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Riverview Acquisition Corp.
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510 South Mendenhall Road Suite 200,
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 767-5576
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Attn: R. Brad Martin
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With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to each of the following:
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King & Spalding LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10036
(212) 556-2100
Attn: Keith Townsend and Kevin Manz
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or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in
writing by the Company.
22. APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of
America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying
of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is
subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial.
23. IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall for all
purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this
Agreement.
24. MISCELLANEOUS.
Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where
appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
25. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS.
No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right
of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be
extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period
shall govern.
26. ADDITIONAL ACTS.
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution,
approval or other procedure is required, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
27. WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO TRUST ACCOUNT.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Indemnitee hereby agrees that it
does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (each, a “Claim”) in or to any monies in the trust account established in connection with the Company’s initial public offering for the benefit of the Company and holders of
shares issued in such offering, and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to the Company and will not seek recourse against such trust account for any reason whatsoever.
Accordingly, Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that any indemnification provided hereto will only be able to be satisfied by the Company if (i) the Company has sufficient funds outside of the trust account to satisfy its obligations hereunder or
(ii) the Company consummates an initial business combination.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
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RIVERVIEW ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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Name: R. Brad Martin
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Name:
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R. Brad Martin
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510 South Mendenhall Road
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Address:
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Suite 200
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Memphis, TN 38117
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[Signature page to Indemnity Agreement – Riverview Acquisition Corp.]
Exhibit 23.1
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) on Form S-1 of our report dated March 3, 2021 except for Note 8 which is dated April 7, 2021, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a
going concern, with respect to our audit of the financial statements of the Company as of February 18, 2021 and for the period from February 4,
2021 (inception) through February 18, 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
New York, NY
April 7, 2021
Exhibit 99.4
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
In connection with the filing by Riverview Acquisition Corp. (the
“Company”) 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 by Riverview Acquisition Corp. 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.
March 19, 2021
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By:
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/s/ Willie Gregory
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Name:
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Willie Gregory
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